Hotel at a Glance: Goldmoor Inn

The 4-star Goldmoor Inn stands majestically atop a windswept bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. Be sure to stick around to watch the sun set over the rushing waters—some of the best views are from the inn’s wildflower gardens.

• In-room amenities include a jetted tub, a fireplace, free WiFi, cookies, and coffee. There are also plush robes and heated towel bars.
• Dinner with a view: Request a table overlooking the river at the onsite restaurant, where the chef serves upscale dishes such as beef Wellington and seared scallops.
• Sip a glass of wine from the inn’s reserve wine cellar.
• Spa treatments include Swedish, deep-tissue, and hot-stone massages.
• Wake up to a complimentary gourmet breakfast, delivered right to your room in the morning.
• Award: 2018 TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence

Galena, Illinois: Quaint Mississippi River Town with Historic Main Street

Galena’s story starts in the mid-19th century, when it first boomed as a mining town and port city on the Mississippi River. Today, the quaint historic district—which Fodor’s says “epitomizes small-town America”—is filled with coffee shops, specialty boutiques, art galleries, and restaurants in 19th-century brick storefronts.

When you’re not shopping, have a drink—Galena is home to a bustling brewing and winemaking scene, with shops and pubs showcasing locally made tipples. History buffs will want to make a stop at Ulysses S. Grant’s home, where the 18th president and Civil War general lived after the war. Head across the river to enter Iowa and check out the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium in Dubuque.