Belvedere Mansion & Gardens — Attraction in Galena

I had the most enchanting weekend in Galena, and one of the absolute highlights was our visit to the remarkable Belvedere House. Nestled amidst the quaint charm of Galena, this historic gem opened its doors to us, offering an unforgettable journey through time and a treasure trove of captivating artifacts.

Stepping into the Belvedere House felt like being transported back in time. The elegance and authenticity of this beautifully preserved historic house left me and my friends in awe from the moment we walked in. The architecture and intricate details were a testament to the craftsmanship of a bygone era, reminding us of the rich history that this house has witnessed.

What truly elevated our experience was the impeccable expertise of the tour guides. We were fortunate enough to be guided by not just one, but three incredibly knowledgeable individuals who shared their passion for history in the most engaging and approachable manner. Their enthusiasm was infectious, and they seemed to revel in every moment they spent recounting the stories of the house and its former occupants. It was evident that they had a deep love for the history and a genuine desire to ensure that visitors like us left with a deeper appreciation for the past.

As we wandered through the house, each room held its own treasures – artifacts, furniture, and decor that spoke volumes about the lives of those who once called this house their home. The attention to detail was astounding, and it was a delight to imagine the stories that must have unfolded within these walls.

I cannot emphasize enough how wonderful our experience was at the Belvedere House. The combination of its historical significance, its stunning architecture, and the passionate guides who shared their expertise with us made for an unforgettable visit. If you find yourself in Galena, a trip to the Belvedere House is an absolute must. It's a journey into the past that will leave you inspired and in awe. Whether you're a history enthusiast or simply someone who appreciates beauty and culture, this destination will not disappoint.We wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking an enriching and...

First of all, this tour is not nearly in the time frame they tell you it is. If you are on a time schedule, plan accordingly. Overall we were there for about an hour.

Lucky for us it was a very lovely day to be waiting outside. A guide came out and said, it will only be about 10 more minutes before they would let us in. She collected our money, handed out the tickets and left. Over 20 minutes later and about 10 more people walking up, they FINALLY let us in. Then, we had to wait even longer because they made us all go in, crammed into a small area while they collected the money from the later arrivals.

This home is so beautiful but the tour was ruined because of too many people. 20 people all crammed into small areas while the guides just talked on and on about things not relevant to the tour. No offense but when I'm crammed into a room with 19 other strangers, I don't need to know anyone's medical history or why you work at the place or how you know the owners. On top of that, the door bell constantly rings because of the sign out front and that too also plays into the time frame.

There are only two things original to the house so, as other reviews have said, it's like being at an antique store. Cool stuff for sure but when odds and ends of different things are pointed out that have nothing to do with the home it takes away from the beauty and charm of the home itself.

If you are claustrophobic, don't like being too close to people, don't like standing in one place while someone just likes to hear themselves talk, or have no patience to wait around for long periods of time, I would not recommend this place. Also, they really don't show a lot of the home, which is also disappointing. For such a grand home you only see two floors and even with that you don't...

A woman who proudly announced she was visiting from Texas, one of the states experiencing one of the worst covid outbreaks in the country, was allowed in as a part of our group wearing one of these ridiculous things on her face (see photo) that is NOT a mask and does not adhere to Illinois current mask mandate…speaking of which, our first tour guide, an older man, stood up on the staircase and removed his mask so that he could fully spew his germs onto all of us stuffed into the hot entrance hall, frequently blowing his nose and coughing. The tour was said to be 45 minutes, but after a half hour we were still standing in the front hallway listening to him drone on about the man who built the house’s relationships with Grant and Lincoln with barely any content about the house itself. When we finally moved into the dining room there was nowhere to stand where one wouldn’t be next to the fake mask wearing woman or the now completely maskless tour guide. At this point we decided to leave the way we had come in but the very nice and properly masked blonde tour guide allowed us to take a peak at the rooms upstairs and then led us out through a couple of the back rooms and gave us a nice abridged tour of them before letting us out into the garden and apologized for our experience. She was truly the only redeeming portion of this overpriced tour, would...