So you've joined me for day 2 of my blog tour of Galena. Are you booking your trip yet?? If not, you should be. Fall is coming and it's Galena's BEST season. If today doesn't sell you, tomorrow's post about THE BEST RESTAURANTS definitely will.
If you're interested in pictures from our first trip, as well as a funny blog about how Josh and I vacation together as complete opposites...you can find that old post here.
SHOPS/STORES
We've made a point to go in every single store on main street. This got exhausting after the first trip because we quickly discovered which ones were our 'favorites' and which ones we probably didn't need to peek inside again. These are the stores we make SURE we hit every single trip.
Galena Canning Co.
You get to sample your way through this store and it's the best. thing. ever. Dip, salsa, steak sauce, and mustard are all things we've brought home from here...and it's a great place to buy gifts for whoever is back home watching your baby. In the fall, their apple cider donuts rival Center Grove's and we make sure we stop here at least once (or twice) every trip.
Peace of the Past
This store has two locations on main street and we always wander through both. Floor to ceiling, stacked with books and antiques, we've found a number of treasures here and Josh is the one who loves slowly browsing antique stores on main street the most. I find Galena antique store prices to be priced on the higher end, so I can usually make quick work of these shops and move to the next activity on our list (does that surprise everyone?).
Elle & Becks
My favorite boutique in the entire town. Perhaps it's because it's more my 'demographic' than most of the others (picture a lot of high-priced middle-aged to hip grandma clothing boutiques) and I wander in here for a long time when Josh lets me...which he usually does because they also have a gelato bar so he sits in the corner with his gelato while I browse. I've only purchased one thing from this store, but it's the dress I got the MOST comments on last summer! The exposed brick, hardwood floors, and pretty chandeliers get me, and if that wasn't enough, it also happens to be my favorite coffee shop on main street as well.
New Earth Animals
This place became one of our favorites as soon as we became dog owners. We aren't 'crazy' pet owners, but it's fun to treat our pets to fun treats when mom and dad come home too...plus it's another excuse to support a small business on main street.
Galena River Wine and Cheese
I'd say this is another one of Josh's favorite places...they do daily wine/liquor sampling and we've found some really unique/fun drinks here. Taste testing the wine is a surefire way to end up buying the wine, but when you justify it as a gift for your mom's (that you will also drink with them) it helps justify it. They carry the BEST EVER candy liquor brand and we always keep some of it stashed in our freezer, special for holidays.
Tin-Pan Alley Antique Mall
THIS is my place. I *almost* wish we hadn't discovered it because coming here is downright dangerous (for both of us!) Last year I found so many Christmas ornaments and you wouldn't even believe the prices. I got to the counter and the guy was like, 'I have more in the back, do you want them? I just need to get rid of them.' UMM ABSOLUTELY YES. We come out with arms full and look at each other like, 'we have a problem.' But it's a hobby and an activity we both enjoy doing together, so...it's fine, right? Best priced antique mall I've ever been to.
Galena Kandy Kitchen
Two looooong aisles of candy you get to scoop out of jars and mix into your candy bag, to be weighed at the counter for payment when you're finished...another dangerous place, specifically for Josh and Mav. But it's also a really fun and one of the stores that's open after most of the other places on main street close.
Poopsie's
The best toy store ever! We don't seem to have a problem finding Mav a 'little something' on our trips to Galena without him, and this place has all the coolest, unique toys. It's a great spot to start your Christmas shopping too!
Great American Popcorn Co.
We get to taste test whatever kind of popcorn they're stirring up as soon as we walk in the door, and that is the kind of greeting I appreciate. We usually leave with some kind of jalapeno-BBQ-Cheddar combo because this is Josh's heaven...I prefer the Galena Mix with some caramel and kettle corn mixed into the BBQ and cheddar mixture, but I always let Josh pick because I'm a perfect wife.
Elizabeth Grand Antique Co.
We like to head here when we feel like we've done plenty of laps up and down main street, seeing everything there is to see. Or when we're in Galena on Halloween weekend and all the people start arriving on Saturday. Elizabeth is just a short drive east of Galena on HWY 20 and this 'antique mall' is actually a giant old school with antiques and vendors and booths in every hallway and room for three floors...including the basement, the gym, and the stage. They're adding a little cafe and coffee shop, which I'm hoping will be finished when we visit in the fall! We spend the better part of a morning or afternoon here...definitely not a quick stop and it's worth the jaunt out of town!
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