1 Best Sight in Galena, Illinois

Belvedere Mansion and Garden Tour

This 22-room Italianate mansion even merited a write-up in the Galena newspaper when it was built in 1857 for steamboat magnate—later ambassador to Belgium—J. Russell Jones. Although it is still a private residence, the current owners invite visitors for guided tours for half the year. In addition to the ornate woodwork and incredible collection of chandeliers, you'll find a fascinating selection of items picked up by various owners throughout the years, including glittering pieces from Liberace's estate and the famous velvet green drapes from "Gone With the Wind."