Winter in Galena, IL

We have at last received our first coating of snow; it was very late coming this year, but definitely worth the wait!  Galena, IL and the surrounding area are gorgeous in the winter months with its slowly undulating hills and the breathtaking forests, not to mention the majestic Mississippi River decked in the season's finest with brilliant white snow and ice.  Bluffs and valleys, forests and fields, the Galena area is perfect for taking in the sites.  Those same visually stunning vistas are good for more than just ogling though; the Galena area boasts some of the finest skiing and snowboarding opportunities in the Midwest!

There are two ski resorts within 25 miles of Galena that offer skiing and snowboarding runs for all levels of skill.  The Sundown Mountain Resort in Dubuque, IA, has 21 ski and snowboard runs where you can get day passes or season passes.  Chestnut Mountain Resort in Galena, IL, just two short miles from the Goldmoor Inn, offers 19 ski and snowboard runs.  Both resorts offer classes for absolute beginners and resorts that would challenge the more experienced skiers amongst us.

Go out and experience what the area has to offer.  Spend the day hitting the slopes, enjoying the sites and the powder.  Then, come back to the Goldmoor Inn to what Yahoo voted as one of the Top 5 Coziest Inns in America.  Warm yourselves by the fireplace found in every suite, then soothe your tired muscles in your two person whirlpool.  fill your stomach and tempt your taste buds in our restaurant, rated #1 in Galena on Trip Advisor.  So join us at Galena's premier bed and breakfast and take advantage of our luxury and location, and enjoy the winter!

Christmas in Galena

It is Christmas in Galena once again and we at the Goldmoor Inn hope that you all have a very merry Christmas this year.  We have been celebrating the season all month long with our festive decorations and our spectacular Goldmoor Christmas Carol Dinners.  For those who do not know, our Carol Dinners are five course meals with plenty of festive cheer.  From eggnog to live carolers to soloists and live piano, we bring the season in joyfully!  If you haven't made it to one of our Carol Dinners, don't worry, we still have two left.  Our last two carol dinners of the year will be the week following Christmas on the 27th and the 29th of December.  Call the Goldmoor Inn or check out the website for more information.

Coming right on the heels of of Christmas is the New Year and you better believe the Goldmoor Inn celebrates New Years Eve in style!  We will be holding a seven course, gourmet meal at the Goldmoor Inn where you can bring in the New Year with friends and family.  Stacked Smoke Salmon, Avocado Couscous with Mixed Micro Greens finished with cilantro oil is the appetizer while a 6oz Prime Fillet Mignon paired with Maine Lobster Croquette with Black Truffle and Wild Mushroom Risotto with be the main entree.  While those are just some samples from the menu, it is easy to see this is an event that you will not want to miss.

At the Goldmoor Inn, we like to keep our dining fresh and so we change the menu four times a year to more appropriately keep with the tastes of the seasons.  As such, we have just opened our new menu for the winter season and it is looking delicious!  As always, our Beef Wellington and Cheese and Chutney plate are still there along with new favorites such as the Duck Confit Flatbread appetizer and the Seared Red Grouper entree.  So, join us this season and treat yourself to a delightful dining experience.  The Goldmoor Restaurant is open Thursday through Monday starting at 5:30 PM.

So far, Galena hasn't had any really lasting snow this season, but experienced skiers know that that isn't an obstacle!  Check out our friends at the Chestnut Mountain Resort with their 18 out of 19 ski runs already open and ready to go.  With the Goldmoor Inn only 2 miles away, why not spend the day on the slopes and then come back to Galena's premier bed and breakfast for some luxury.  Relax in the 2 person whirlpool found in every suite and then join us for dinner, or relax in front of your personal fireplace and dine in.  Keep an eye out for new deals on the Goldmoor Inn website as things are always changing.

So, whether you are skiing or dining, looking for a special event or just for a luxurious room, we at the Goldmoor Inn have something for everyone.  Have a very Merry Christmas!

Nouveau Weekend in Galena, IL!

Nouveau weekend is a tradition borrowed from the French in which we celebrate all things wine with a sampling of the vintage from the autumn harvest. The Galena event will be held on the weekend of November 18th and 19th of 2011. The main event, the Grand Tasting, is held on Saturday, November 19th. Registration begins at 3:30 pm with the tasting starting at 4:00 pm continuing through 6:00 pm. Held at the Galena Convention Center, the Grand Tasting will include over 200 wines with wine and spirit distributors from across the country. In addition to the tasting, everyone will receive a keepsake wine glass as well as complimentary cheese, bread, and fruit. Advance tickets are available at $30.00 per person while tickets sold at the door, while available, will be $35.00 per person. It is very possible this event will be sold out so make sure you order your tickets early!

The rest of the weekend will be full of wine themed events. Everything from tours of the local vineyards to tastings to historic tours and special dinners will be available to people joining us in Galena. On the night of Saturday, November 19th, we at the Goldmoor Inn will be celebrating the weekend with our own Nouveau Progressive Dinner. The first stop on the dinner will be the Galena Cellars Vineyard with a tour and wine tasting with a cheese pairing. From there, we will take the guests to be treated by our chefs at the Goldmoor Inn with soup and the main entree. Lastly, the dinner moves to the Desoto House for dessert. If you are one of our guests, we take you back to the Goldmoor Inn from there.

So, whether you are in Galena for the wine, the history, the food, or just because you thought it would be fun to try something new, there is plenty to do and see. Consider joining us at the Goldmoor Inn and staying in any of 18 luxurious accommodations. Enjoy what Nouveau in Galena has to offer, and then return to the Goldmoor Inn to relax in blissful comfort.

Golf in Galena

Special, annual events are constantly being held in Galena, IL do in part to its picturesque surroundings and beautiful historic landmarks. Well, allow me to introduce you to another aspect of Galena and Jo Daviess County. Those same breathtaking surroundings help to make the entire area a golfer's haven. The Galena area boasts 10 beautiful golf courses spread throughout Jo Daviess County. From the Apple Canyon Lake Golf Course to the Storybrook Country Club, to the Woodbine Bend Championship Golf Course, Galena and the surrounding countryside offer a lot to choose from for the avid golfer. Come to Galena for the sites, the events, the cuisine, and for those just hearing, the golfing. The many Galena bed and breakfasts are an ideal marriage to any golfers outing. For those of you who joining us at the Goldmoor Inn, before you tee off, enjoy a full, gourmet breakfast delivered to your room and upon returning, enjoy a couple's massage that will leave you more relaxed than you have been in years. Follow your massage with a soak in the two-person whirlpool found in every suite of the Goldmoor. For dinner, bask in the culinary delights wrought by our two expert chefs with a menu that shifts with the seasons, ensuring the freshest ingredients. So, Golfers, treat yourselves, join us at the Goldmoor Inn, and enjoy the 10 golf courses throughout Jo Daviess County.

July 4th Weekend in Galena!

The 4th of July is a special time across the United States, reminding us of the day we declared our independence to the world. In Galena, we have an entire weekend full of fun things to do in order to help you celebrate that event. Start the weekend off right at the Goldmoor Inn, Illinois' Top Rated Inn and the premier Galena Bed and Breakfast, for July's First Friday Barbecue! Join us as we roast a pig Hawaiian style, prepared by our own, Chef Taylor Harkness and Chef Nick Puls. With an all you can eat barbecue and Live entertainment from 6 PM until 9 PM, it is the perfect start to a weekend of celebrating our independence!

On Saturday and Sunday, Galena will be filled with events ranging from the Saturday morning Firecracker 5k Race held at Eagle Ridge Resort, to tours of the many mansions and historical sites of Galena, to the Star-Spangled Shenandoah Pro Rodeo on Saturday and Sunday evening at the Shenandoah Riding Center. Monday, Galena holds the Independence Day Parade, Celebration and Fireworks! Live music on the Green Street Plaza begins at 2:00 PM and continues until 9:00 PM. The parade begins its line up at 4:30 with the procession beginning at 5:30. The fireworks that follow are expected to start at 9:30!

After enjoying the sights and sounds of Galena, come back to the Goldmoor Inn and dine with us al fresco on our gorgeous patio, looking out toward the sunset. From the Goldmoor Inn's location on the bluff over the Mississippi River, you will be able to enjoy the sight of fireworks shows from several of the towns in the area! With whirlpools and fireplaces in every room, the Goldmoor Inn, outside of Galena, is a great way to celebrate your 4th of July!

Summer Fun

Spring is thick in the air and Summer is fast approaching. At last we can start to dust off the fun activities that the warmer seasons bring: bike riding, jogging, swimming, and of course, the backyard barbecue! Is there a better way to celebrate the summer than with hours of friends, food, and games? Who doesn't have at least a few good memories of a barbecue; talking, laughing, and eating good food? Well, the Goldmoor Inn & Dining would like to invite you to join us for our own First Friday BBQ's. On the first friday of the months of June, July, August, and September, we hold a huge all-you-can-eat barbecue on the grounds. So join us at the premier Galena bed and breakfast, the Goldmoor Inn, for 3 hours of food, fun, and awesome live entertainment!

Direct from the Goldmoor Kitchens:

Basic BBQ Dry Rub

2 TBS Onion Powder

2 TBS Garlic Powder

1 TBS Thyme Leaves

2 TSP Cayanne Pepper

1 TBS Chili Powder

2 TBS Paprika

Salt & Pepper to taste

Add to any meat before cooking and enjoy!

-Athlon

This weekend Galena celebrates 16 years of the Galena Triathlon and Duathlon. According to USA Triathlon, this event is one of the Top 10 sprint triathlons in the United States. For those of you that don't know, the triathlon consists of a 660 yard swim followed by a 16.8 mile bike ride and concluding with a 4.3 mile run. The Duathlon is no less daunting, starting with a 2 mile run, flowing into the 16.8 mile bike ride, and then ending with the 4.3 mile run. The course for both races will allow the participants to see and experience the rolling hills and true beauty of Jo Daviess County first hand as they travel from Apple Canyon Lake all the way to the Eagle Ridge Resort. The after party is being held at the Eagle Ridge Resort starting at 11:30 AM and is open to the public.

At the Goldmoor, we congratulate those individuals taking part in the Triathlon and Duathlon and realize what a commitment they have made to training for these events. For those of us that enjoy a little bike ride now and then or a stroll in the cool of the morning or evening, the Goldmoor Inn might be more you speed. The grounds at the Goldmoor Inn and Dining are covered in flower gardens and lush greens making it idea for a relaxing, romantic walk. Bicycles are available for guests, offering access to River Road, which parallels the Mississippi River allowing a beautiful, scenic ride. Whether you're in town to take part in the big events, or just enjoying a getaway, come to the Premier Galena Bed and Breakfast, the Goldmoor Inn and Dining, and enjoy your outing in luxury.