Going on an adventure? Stop by Galena Bakehouse for convenient grab & go picnics! We serve breakfast, lunch, desserts, snacks, coffee, beer, and wine. Everything you need for a picture perfect picnic spread with homemade pastries and desserts by former innkeepers Geoff & Alex. It is a must do while you’re in town!
Galena is stunning four seasons a year! We moved from NYC to Galena in 2019 to connect with the outdoors and there is no shortage around here. Galena has been a picturesque background for almost all of our activities in town. From a warm summer stroll to a snow-covered snowshoe hike we highly recommend planning on a picnic for a perfect date activity or a low cost group outing!
There are so many gorgeous locations to picnic in Galena, like Horseshoe Mound, where we’ve created memories over a quick picnic lunch. We’ve packed picnics on fun adventures like a trip to the vineyard or along an electric biking excursion. We even packed a picnic for a guest (when we were innkeepers at Felt Manor) who planned an unforgettable picnic proposal to her very shocked girlfriend on the Felt Manor lawn.
We stuck our heads together to compile a list of our favorite spots in Galena to enjoy great food and a lovely picnic with loved ones. We narrowed it down to TWENTY amazing picnic locations in and around town.
Scroll to the bottom of this page to learn about Picnic Basket Rentals from Galena Bakehouse.
20 of the BEST Places to Picnic in Galena
Here are our favorite spots in Galena to enjoy a vacation picnic. Make sure to grab your picnic at Galena Bakehouse for homemade pastries and all of the picnic fixings.
Galena Bakehouse: VACATION STARTS HERE located at the beginning of Main Street right by the flood gates! Grab your yummy picnic at Galena Bakehouse for a breakfast picnic or lunch picnic. Picnic basket rentals or insulated bags available. (See more information below.) 421 S Main Street, Galena, IL 61036
Grant Park: Enjoy stunning panoramic views of our historic city. A picture perfect spot for a picnic! 625 Park Ave Galena, Illinois 61036
Grant Park Trail (To Bluerer Reserve): Walk the Galena River Trail before or after a picnic. 100 Bouthillier St Galena, Illinois 61036
Galena Country Visitor Center: First time in Galena or haven't visited in awhile? They have all the info in the historic train depot. 101 Bouthillier St, Galena, IL 61036
Washington Park Square: A chill place in the center of Main Street. Enjoy live outdoor music on Thursday evenings during warmer months. 201 S Main St, Galena, IL 61036
West Street Sculpture Park: 2 acres of funky, steel sculptures open dawn to dusk. Pairs well with a picnic in Wienen Park! 620 S W St, Galena, IL 61036
Wienen Park: Just past the Galena Community Garden find pavilions for a peaceful picnic. 232 Mississippi St, Galena, IL 61036
Horseshoe Mound: One of the best views in Galena! Plenty of space for a picnic and a hike. 1679 N Blackjack Rd, Galena, IL 61036
Gateway Park: 180 acres of beauty with picnic tables, & a walking trail for after a picnic. 9300 Powder House Road
Recreation Park: Skateboard, softball, playgrounds, volleyball, basketball, shuffleboard… and plenty of picnic tables with 7 pavilions! 1721 Field Street
Casper Bluff: Great hiking along native mounds & a stunning view overlooking the Mississippi. 870 S Pilot Knob Rd
Galena Cellars Vineyard: Iconic views, delicious wine, and plenty of space for a picnic from Galena Bakehouse. 4746 N Ford Rd
Council Hill Station: A local watering hole with live music and barn dances. 6521 N Hill Rd, Scales Mound, IL 61075
Thunder Bay Falls: No hiking required to this beautiful waterfall off of route 20. Pack a picnic from Galena Bakehouse. 233 Thunder Bay Rd
Palisades Park: Hiking, and beautiful Mississippi River views just 30 minutes outside of Galena. 16327A IL-84, Savanna, IL 61074
Eagle Ridge: Rent sleds or snowshoes for a winter adventure or golf a warm summer day away. Bring along a picnic from Main Street! 444 Eagle Ridge Dr.
Chestnut Mountain: Hit the ski slopes in winter with a gorgeous view overlooking the Mississippi. Our recommendation: bring a picnic before you go from the Galena Bakehouse! 8700 W Chestnut Mountain Rd
Highway 20 Brewing Company: They don't serve food at this trendy brewery in Elizabeth so bring a Galena Bakehouse picnic for a full experience. 113 S Main St, Elizabeth, IL 61028
Field Of Dreams Baseball Field & Home: Scenes from Field of Dreams were shot on Galena’s Main Street! Tour the home and corn baseball field just an hour away. 28995 Lansing Rd, Dyersville, IA 52040
Shenandoah Riding Center: Guided horseback riding in warmer months and horse-drawn sleigh rides in the winter! (Reservations required.)This activity pairs well with a picnic from Galena Bakehouse enjoyed at Thunder Bay Falls before or after. 200 N Brodrecht Rd, Galena, IL 61036
Bonus Pick!! Linmar Gardens: Meander on a guided tour along paths through a collection of art, water features, and vibrant flowers, planted artistically around the inviting grounds. A sunken garden built in the ruins of one of the first African-American churches in Illinois are among other unexpected delights. Tours are Tuesdays-Saturdays at 11am, last approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour, and are $10 for adults.
A Few Tips
The Scent Workshop is BYOB so pack a salad or cupcakes & a bottle of champagne or wine to make your workshop even more of an occasion!
Pack a can of wine, beer, and a cookie for a Trolley ride to get to know the town. Add an empanada if you're feeling hungry but don't have much time.
Looking for the best view in Galena?! Grant Park. Hands down! Horseshoe Mound, Gateway Park, and Chestnut Mountain are beautiful but the classic skyline of Galena (with those adorable historic steeples) is a site that never gets old.
Galena Bakehouse offers paper plates, cups, napkins and snacks to upgrade your picnic. The oversized picnic blankets are handmade from Turkey and come in a ton of cute colors. They‘re perfect for the beach, park, or even to wrap around yourself on a chilly hike!
Picnic Basket Rentals from Galena Bakehouse:
Picnic Basket rentals are first come first serve. If baskets are unavailable on a busy weekend day, Galena Bakehouse insulated totes are an affordable keepsake after a picnic.
Rentals do not include food.
**We recommend 2 empanada meals for 2 people, and add on a seasonal treat or macarons, and a bottle of champagne to pair with your basket.
Picnic basket rentals are cash only and they require a refundable deposit or and ID.
We offer a variety of picnic baskets while they last. A basket for two is $40 with a $20 refundable deposit. A basket for four is $60 with a $30 refundable deposit.
Please return picnic baskets between 7:00AM and 9:00AM the following day. Same day rentals should be dropped off by 3:15PM.
Life’s a Picnic … Savor every bite!
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Visit: 421 S Main Street