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Travel the Tri-States, 230 S Main St, Galena, IL (2026)

07/31/2025

🌆 “No Other City in the World” — A Love Song to Dubuque 🎶

Every once in a while, a video comes along that captures the spirit of a place perfectly—and this tribute to Dubuque hits all the right notes.

Whether you live here, left here, or just passed through, this video is a celebration of everything that makes Dubuque shine. ❤️

🎥 Watch it here: https://youtu.be/eT2AuBe3PuA
👇 Let us know your favorite Dubuque memory in the comments!

DBQ-Tip is back with his newest music video, "No Other City in the World" (A Love Song). Featuring The Minds of Spain and introducing Key West! Can you spot ...

07/30/2025

🍷 Wine, Views & Family Vibes 🍇

We traveled just outside of Galena to discover a truly special family-run winery—and it’s more than just a scenic stop. At Fergedaboudit Vineyard & Winery, we sat down with Vicki Olen for a tasting that included bold reds, sweet whites, their signature port-style “Papi’s Vino,” and even a wine-infused fudge that stole the show.

Every bottle here has a story—whether it's crafted from grapes grown on their rolling Illinois hills or shipped in fresh from California and crushed onsite. You’ll also find homemade pizzas, antipasto platters, and a wine drizzle that's chef's kiss perfection.

The best part? You’ll feel like family the moment you step on the property. 💛

🎥 Watch the full tasting and tour here: https://youtu.be/Z6HIJiCHR9Q
📍 Just 10 minutes from Galena, IL
🥂 Perfect for a weekend escape or relaxed afternoon with friends

www.fergedaboudit.comFollow Travel the Tri-States on Facebook:www.facebook.com/travelthetristatesWatch Travel the Tri-States on MC22. Check MC22.net for loc...

07/28/2025

🏨✨ Step into history—and maybe even bump into a ghost or two.

We visited the DeSoto House Hotel in the heart of Galena, Illinois, the oldest operating hotel in the state. Since 1855, it’s welcomed guests like Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant… and today, it still offers Victorian charm, beautiful rooms, and three unique dining options right on Main Street.

Whether you’re staying overnight, grabbing lunch at Green Street Tavern, or just soaking in the rich local history, this place is packed with stories—and maybe a little mystery. 👻

🎥 Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/Lv2mCOQgoqE
📍 DeSoto House Hotel | Galena, IL

www.desotohouse.comThis boutique hotel offers over 80 rooms, three different restaurants and numerous craft cocktails all located in one historic building. F...

07/25/2025

✨ Charming. Cozy. Absolutely delicious.

We made a stop at Café d’Marie in Davenport, and it’s the kind of place that feels like a hidden European bistro tucked into a quiet neighborhood. Housed in a historic brick home, this café is known for warm hospitality, elegant lunch plates, and the kind of desserts you think about days later. 🍰☕

From their crepes and paninis to a lavender latte that just hits different, it’s no wonder people rave about this place. If you’re in the Quad Cities and want a peaceful, flavor-packed lunch—this is your spot.

🎥 Watch the full QC Eats feature: https://youtu.be/6q71RXwXwPo
📍 Café d’Marie | Davenport, IA

www.cafedmarieqc.com🍽️ Quiche, Coffee & Heart: Inside Cafe d'Marie's One-of-a-Kind Menu | Davenport, Iowa 🥐☕On this return visit to Cafe d’Marie, we go bey...

07/24/2025

🍷🍒 A wine-dispensing machine. Boozy cherries. Craft cocktails with secrets.

We stopped by the Riverboat Lounge inside Hotel Julien Dubuque, and Beverage Manager Brian Anderson gave us the full rundown—from their signature Rubric Old Fashioned (yes, it includes bing cherries and “a couple of secrets”) to the new Perfect Pear cocktail made with bourbon and… yes, drunken cherries that soak for three days in syrup and spirits. 🥃🍐

This isn’t your typical hotel bar. With 16 wines on tap, a rotating list of Iowa and regional craft beers (like Big Grove, SingleSpeed, and 7 Hills), and a cozy, acoustic-music-filled atmosphere, Riverboat is quietly becoming one of Dubuque’s best-kept secrets.

🎥 Watch the full episode: https://youtu.be/PJZaCJFr7Dk
📍 Riverboat Lounge | Hotel Julien, Dubuque, IA

www.hoteljuliendubuque.comThe hotel bar is a must have for weary travelers who are looking for a respite from the road. Nathan takes the time to visit the R...

07/23/2025

🕵️‍♀️🛏️ Historic charm, sweeping Mississippi River views, and a chance to solve a murder over dinner? Yes, please!

We made the trek up to the rooftop of Mont Rest Bed & Breakfast in Bellevue, Iowa — and trust us, the climb is worth it. 🌅 This gorgeous 1893 mansion is packed with antiques, charm, and history (including a legendary poker game that cost someone the whole house just two years after it was built 🎲💸).

Innkeeper Naomi Keeter gave us a tour and shared how guests can enjoy themed dinners like Titanic night, relaxing whirlpool bath suites, and even full-on murder mystery weekends—costumes and all!

Whether you’re leaf-peeping in the fall 🍂 or looking for a cozy escape with a view, Mont Rest is a true Tri-State gem.

🎥 Watch the full interview: https://youtu.be/sfg-n-C60Ak
📍 Bellevue, IA

www.montrest.comFollow Travel the Tri-States on Facebook:www.facebook.com/travelthetristatesWatch Travel the Tri-States on MC22. Check MC22.net for local ai...

07/22/2025

🥂 Pop the cork and raise a glass — we visited Champagne on Main Galena in Galena, Illinois, and this sparkling little gem is effervescent in all the right ways.

Sisters Lisa and Laura Kempner turned inspiration from a girls’ trip in Sonoma into a stunning champagne bar right on Main Street. Whether you're celebrating something big or just want to sip something bubbly, this place is welcoming, elegant, and full of personality.

From champagne education (yes, it has to be from France!) to beautifully crafted cocktails like the Chambord Kir Royale and the decadent Duke Martini, there’s something for every kind of celebration — or just a great Galena afternoon. 🍸✨

Planning a special event? They’ve got a gorgeous upstairs lounge and a charming back patio, and reservations are highly recommended for weekend visits.

📍Galena, IL
📺 Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/5L3hH0_cRmM

www.champagneonmaingalena.comNathan meets up with owners Lisa and Laura Kempner to sample some tasty cocktails as well as plenty of champagne in their classy...

07/18/2025

🍦 Mini golf, epic food, and homemade ice cream? Yes, please! We spent the day at Derby’s Adventure Golf in Delmar, Iowa — and let’s just say we left very full and very happy.

Owner Scott isn’t just serving up putts — he’s hand-making 40–50 gallons of ice cream a week with creative flavors like Chocolate Explosion and Banana Cream Pie (complete with real pie crust!). And yes, we tried both. And yes, there may have been… a bit too much enthusiasm during taste testing. 😂

From indoor mini golf year-round to fresh food and unforgettable desserts, Darby’s is built for fun — literally. Scott restored the building himself and turned it into a destination that brings people together for sweet treats and even sweeter memories.

📍Delmar, Iowa
🍦 Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/P2c9u8NvNBk

www.facebook.com/TheIceCreamDerby🍦 From chocolate explosions to banana cream pie—this is not your average scoop!In this sweet segment of Travel the Tri-Stat...

07/17/2025

🎨 Small but mighty — much like Dubuque itself.

In this episode of Travel the Tri-States, we toured the Dubuque Museum of Art with Executive Director Gary Stoppelman just before the museum temporarily closed its doors to begin construction on a major expansion. 🏗️

From a globally significant collection of Edward Curtis photographs to rare Grant Wood works, this museum has long punched above its weight — and now it’s growing to meet the needs of a vibrant, evolving arts community.

Gary shares how the museum connects people across generations and backgrounds, and what’s ahead as they build the museum of the future. 🖼️

📍Dubuque, Iowa
📺 Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/cH9WzUlUoP8

www.dbqart.orgThe Dubuque Museum of Art not only offers a wide variety of rotating exhibits exploring local and regional artists, they also have an expansive...

07/16/2025

☕ Craving something cozy, caffeinated, and made right? On this episode of our sister show QC Eats, we head to Sunny's Coffee Shop in Moline, IL — where the coffee is roasted in-house and the breakfast burritos are rolled fresh every morning. 🌯

Owner Max shares how a dream (and a lot of trial and error) turned into a local hotspot where everything from the cinnamon rolls to the cherry danish is baked onsite and served up with heart. ❤️

This isn’t your average drive-thru — it’s a place that feels like home, smells like vanilla and cinnamon, and tastes like someone finally did the thing everyone was hoping for.

📍 Coal Valley, IL
📺 Watch the full segment here: ☕ Craving something cozy, caffeinated, and made right? On this episode of our sister show QC Eats, we head to Sunny’s Cafe in Coal Valley, IL — where the coffee is roasted in-house and the breakfast burritos are rolled fresh every morning. 🌯

Owner Max shares how a dream (and a lot of trial and error) turned into a local hotspot where everything from the cinnamon rolls to the cherry danish is baked onsite and served up with heart. ❤️

This isn’t your average drive-thru — it’s a place that feels like home, smells like vanilla and cinnamon, and tastes like someone finally did the thing everyone was hoping for.

📍 Coal Valley, IL
📺 Watch the full segment here: ☕ Craving something cozy, caffeinated, and made right? On this episode of our sister show QC Eats, we head to Sunny’s Cafe in Coal Valley, IL — where the coffee is roasted in-house and the breakfast burritos are rolled fresh every morning. 🌯

Owner Max shares how a dream (and a lot of trial and error) turned into a local hotspot where everything from the cinnamon rolls to the cherry danish is baked onsite and served up with heart. ❤️

This isn’t your average drive-thru — it’s a place that feels like home, smells like vanilla and cinnamon, and tastes like someone finally did the thing everyone was hoping for.

📍 Coal Valley, IL
📺 Watch the full segment here: https://youtu.be/hKmCTd1ijP4

www.sunnyscoffeeshop.com🍳 Breakfast Burritos, Baked Goods & Big Dreams at Sunny’s Coffee Shop | Moline, IL ☕Now that we’re properly caffeinated, it’s time t...

07/15/2025

🍽️ Midwestern comfort food in the heart of historic Galena! 🍽️

We made a stop at The Market House Restaurant , the second-oldest continuously operating restaurant in Galena, and discovered why it’s been a local favorite for decades. The menu is packed with hearty, homemade classics that bring big flavor and even bigger portions.

Here’s what we tried:
🦀 Stuffed portobello mushroom melt with crab Louie
🍅 Tuesday’s special: homemade goulash with chunky tomato sauce
🍖 Tender, fall-off-the-bone ribs
🥔 Hand-cut kettle chips & creamy potato salad
🍰 Gluten-free pineapple cake with tawaka brown sugar glaze

It’s the kind of place that feels like a warm hug from the Midwest—just the way you remember it.

🎥 Watch the full episode here:
👉 https://youtu.be/aEVXXSTyw1w

www.markethouserestaurant.comOffering homestyle meals in historic Main Street Galena, Illinois, Market House Restaurant offers a wide variety of flavors that...

07/14/2025

🚤☀️ Sunshine, wake boats, and good vibes on Lake Delhi! ☀️🚤

Ready to level up your summer? We hit the water with Greg Vance from Hartwick Marina a to explore everything Lake Delhi has to offer — from tubing, wakeboarding, and rope swings to Party Cove, fishing, and full-on lake life.

🏖️ Rent a pontoon and cruise 12 miles of beautiful shoreline
🛶 No boat? No problem — Parkside has rentals, storage, gas, service & more
🎣 Great for families, thrill-seekers, and even hardcore anglers
❄️ And yes — there's winter fun too!

🎥 Hop aboard and experience a slice of Iowa paradise:
👉 https://youtu.be/6wCNt6NHhxs

www.hartwickmarina.comFollow Travel the Tri-States on Facebook:www.facebook.com/travelthetristatesWatch Travel the Tri-States on MC22. Check MC22.net for lo...

Travel the Tri-States