A Delicious Adventure
Back In Time!
"Northwestern Illinois' 1st Food Tour"

the small keepsake Grant buttons we give all our tour-goers when they become "honorary Galenians"

*Six of the above tastings are included depending upon the day of your tour. The cocktail upgrade adds two curated alcoholic drinks. Tastings are subject to change. We can do vegetarian. We cannot accommodate gluten-free or vegan diets at this time. Contact us for special rates for children.

What to Expect

Come see why Country Living Illinois Magazine ranked Galena the Best Weekend Get-A-Way. One hint... the food is great!

Taste the culinary delights of delicious downtown Galena and hear fun stories about the Steamboat Capital of the Old Northwest that was once a frontier town on this signature walking food tour.

Depending on the day of your tour (our tastings are crafted uniquely per day of the week), you'll taste the "Shut The Front Door" burger from Galena's own Durty Gurt's, a bacon cheeseburger in between two glazed donuts! Gurts is also known for their zany & original decor. Enjoy Italian-style fried green tomatoes from a fine-dining restaurant occupying the 2nd oldest building in Galena that was once a pharmacy, a dance studio, and during the middle 1800s, the site of Ulysses Grant's family's leather store. Visit the chocolate shoppe & taste the finest chocolates in the land. Eat popcorn fresh from the kitchen, taste delectable flavor & sensation juxtapositions, and pick from different exotic cheeses or chocolates you've never tasted before on your culinary adventure. Are you brave enough to try some hot sauce that in one weekend sent SIX people to the emergency room? (don't worry this is not one of the tastings but we won't hold you back!)

In between tastings, your local foodie guide will share stories about the Driftless region's history and other interesting local trivia. From ancient ice sheets that spared Galena to a chef who was once Carol Burnett's bodyguard, the lore surrounding this Midwestern gem is sure to entertain.

You'll also visit legendary historic sites and city landmarks like the United States oldest continuously operating post office on Green Street and Illinois's oldest operating hotel, the DeSoto House, where Ulysses Grant planned his presidential campaign. We can't wait for you to join us!

🧀 For tour requests on other days of the week or custom private tours, please contact us, [email protected]

For a fun, play-at-your-own-pace adventure, solve a mystery, "Where's Ulysses?" Scavenger Hunt 🔍

815-310-0507 [email protected]

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Read Below for Quick Tour Facts & Our Terms

Quick Tour Facts

What kind of food is served on the tour?

On our food tour, you'll taste everything from down-home cooking to fine dining & Italian-style fried green tomatoes to one-of-a-kind, 120 year old recipe bread pudding to gourmet chocolate and more.

Each tasting is unique and highlights Galena's thriving food scene. All of our foodie stops along main street are famous for their top-notch food quality, outstanding service, inviting ambience, and originality. Food tour tastings make up a substantial lunch portion.

How do guests get from restaurant to restaurant on the tours?

All of our tours are guided walking tours of Galena. This allows our local guides to point out city landmarks and other famous sights along the way.

You'll walk past the 4 different historic locations of the Ulysses S. Grant family leather shop along Main Street. The Grant family operated the largest leather shop & saddlery west of New York City right here in Galena during the late 1800s.

How much walking is there?

We walk less than .5 miles on the Historic Galena Food Tour. The walk is light and leisurely, and tastings are often seated and indoors.

Where do the tours start and end & how do I contact my guide?

The Historic Galena Food Tour starts just outside the restaurant, Durty Gurt's (235 N. Main Street).

Your guide will always be at the tour start location 5 to 10 minutes before the tour begins. Your guide will not be reachable by phone immediately preceding & during the tour however any other time please reach us by email, [email protected] or by phone, 815-310-0507.

Is there drinking on the tours?

The cocktail upgrade can be added to any ticket and includes two curated alcoholic drink pairings you will be served during your experience. At several of the stops along the tour, alcoholic beverages can also be purchased by tour-goers at their own discretion.

Do tours run in the rain/snow?

In Illinois we’re used to a bit of snow! Our tours run rain, shine or snow. In case of severe weather, we may cancel a tour, at which point guests will receive the option to exchange tickets for another day or receive a full refund.

Can you accommodate me if I have a dietary restriction or food allergy?

We offer vegetarian tastings on the walking food tour. We are unable to accommodate gluten-free and dairy-free guests on our tours.

Who started the Historic Galena Food Tour?

The Historic Galena Food Tour (formerly, Galena Gourmet Food Tours) was birthed into the driftless ether in February of 2020 by the Shurley family who noticed that in Galena, a city with rich amazing food, no food tour existed. Our mantra on the food tour: "To whisk you away on a magical & relaxing culinary adventure."

And while you're in town, visit HistoricGalena.com, where you can find more fun local info, a scavenger hunt, food delivery, and the now famous 'Founder's Tee' t-shirt. We wish you a wonderful time here in Galena.✨

The Historic Galena Food Tour is passionate about local food and our beautiful city, Galena. Our food tours are a deliciously fun way for people to connect, enjoy a bit of culture and eat mouth-watering food. We strive to provide amazing experiences for our guests and support our local economy.

Terms and Conditions

It is your responsibility to read and understand all of the terms and conditions. Once you have purchased tickets, you have read and agree to the following policies:

By participating on the tours conducted by Historic Galena Food Tour, I have read and understood the Company’s Waiver (below)
48-Hour Cancellation and Exchange Policy: We provide refunds for those tours cancelled at least 48 hours prior to the originally scheduled tour. Tickets cancelled within 48 hours of the tour will not be refunded. Tickets can be exchanged for another tour date (pending availability) up to 48 hours before the originally scheduled tour time.
Checking in: During automated purchase process with TicketSpice booking system, you must review all booking details.
Arriving late: Please note that tour guides are not able to wait for guests arriving late. Please make sure to make the necessary arrangements to arrive at least 5 minutes prior to the tour.
Weather Conditions: We conduct tours rain, snow or shine. If you have purchased a ticket and decide you do not want to continue with the tour, you will not be reimbursed for the ticket price. You are responsible for yourself and your own safety.
Dietary restrictions: We are able to accommodate only vegetarian dietary restrictions, which will be discussed upon beginning the food tour. You are responsible for letting us know at the start time of the tour if you have any dietary restrictions. If a substitution is not available for that particular tasting item, you agree that you acknowledge and understand and that it is your personal consent to try them or not.
Historic Galena Food Tour is not responsible for the foods or beverages consumed on its tours. Historic Galena Food Tour acts solely as agent in arranging tours, venue visits and other services and does not assume liability for accidents, delays, injuries, loss or damage due to any act or default of any company, organization or person engaged in transporting passengers, rendering service, or carrying out arrangements for any tour or by the act of default of any restaurant or shop or its employees.
Right to Distribute Media: You agree to grant the Company an irrevocable royalty-free worldwide license to use photos and videos taken on its food tours in which you may appear. The Company has the right to reproduce, distribute, broadcast, exhibit, edit, digitize or in any other way use the Material by any means and in any form of media, whether existing now or created later, without restriction worldwide, by incorporating the Material into its website, catalogues, books, brochures, magazines or any other publications, or any informational, commercial, promotional or advertising material (henceforth known collectively as the “Works”). You agree that the company is and shall be the exclusive owner of all title, rights and interest in the Material and the Works, including copyright thereof.

Participant Waiver for the Historic Galena Food Tour

I agree that I have requested to participate in an event, tour, class or activity (an “Experience”) offered by Historic Galena (the “Company”). In consideration of the Company’s permission to participate in the Experience, I agree to the terms of this agreement.
COVID 19: Due to the 2019-2020 outbreak of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Company is taking extra precautions with the care of every client to include health history review and enhanced sanitation/disinfecting procedures in compliance with CDC guidance.
1. Symptoms of COVID-19 include Fever, Fatigue, Dry Cough or Difficulty Breathing.
2. I warrant and represent that neither I nor any of my household members:
  1. currently have, or within the last 14 days have experienced, any of the symptoms listed above;
  2. have been diagnosed with COVID-19 within the past 30 days;
  3. to my knowledge have been exposed to anyone diagnosed with COVID-19 or with any of the above symptoms within the past 30 days; or
  4. have traveled outside of the country or to any location considered to be a “hot spot” for COVID-19 infections within the past 30-days.
3. I acknowledge that there is an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 in any public place where people are present. By attending the Experience, I voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19.
I understand that I may be photographed or recorded during the Experience and I hereby waive all rights of publicity, privacy, or pre-approval that I have for any such likeness of me. I hereby grant the Company permission to use, edit, alter, copy, exhibit, distribute, and publish (including by electronic means) such likeness of me without payment or restriction. I waive any right to royalties or other compensation arising from or related to the use of any such likeness of me. Additionally, I understand all images and videos will become the property of the Company and will not be returned.
I understand and freely accept all of the risks associated with my participation in the Experience including, without limitation, exposure to unfavorable weather conditions, food sickness, injuries, including self-inflicted or by other participants, automobiles, pedestrians and the like). I am in good health and I am not suffering from any physical injury or impediment that would make me especially susceptible to injury while participating in the Experience.
This agreement is governed by Illinois law. The courts in Galena, Illinois shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any disputes arising under or related to this agreement and I expressly consent to the personal jurisdiction and venue of same.
I acknowledge and agree that the Company is relying upon all of the terms of this agreement, including my representations, and would not agree to my participation in the Experience in their absence.
This agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding relating to the matters herein, supersedes any prior agreement, and may be amended only by written signature of all parties.

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW, I HEREBY UNCONDITIONALLY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVE, RELEASE, DISCHARGE AND INDEMNIFY THE COMPANY AND ITS PRESENT AND FORMER MEMBERS, DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, CONTRACTORS, AFFILIATES, AGENTS AND FOOD AND DRINK PROVIDERS (A “RELEASED PARTY”) FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, ACTIONS, DAMAGES, LIABILITIES, LOSSES, COSTS AND EXPENSES (A “LOSS”), IN ANY WAY RELATED TO ANY INJURY, DEATH, LOSS, OR HARM THAT OCCURS TO ME OR MY PROPERTY DURING OR ARISING FROM THE EXPERIENCE, INCLUDING EXPOSURE OR HARM CAUSED BY COVID-19 OR MISINFORMATION ON THIS FORM OR THE HEALTH HISTORY PROVIDED BY EACH CLIENT. THIS WAIVER INCLUDES, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO, A LOSS ARISING FROM NEGLIGENCE, OR THE STRICT, VICARIOUS OR JOINT LIABILITY, OF ANY OF THE RELEASED PARTIES. THIS WAIVER ALSO APPLIES TO MY TRAVELING TO AND FROM THE EXPERIENCE. I HEREBY FREELY ASSUME ALL OF THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH PARTICIPATING IN THE EXPERIENCE, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ARISING FROM DANGEROUS OR DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT OR PROPERTY OWNED, MAINTAINED, OR CONTROLLED BY RELEASED PARTIES; UNFAVORABLE WEATHER; FOOD SICKNESS; INJURIES INCLUDING THOSE INFLICTED BY OTHER PARTICIPANTS, THIRD PARTIES, OR SELF-INFLICTED, OR COVID 19 EXPOSURE AS NOTED IN SECTION 2.

I CERTIFY THAT I HAVE READ THIS AGREEMENT I AND FULLY UNDERSTAND ITS CONTENTS. I AM AWARE THAT THIS IS A RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND A CONTRACT.

Proud business in the City of Galena
A Historic Galena experience✨

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