MAGICAL! I don't know how this does not have a full 5 stars!…read more We signed up online, expectations were provided, as well as followup communication, and text reminders to complete online waivers. On site, there are punny signs that lead you up the road that say things like, Keep Goating. Once we pulled up, we were greeted by someone who helped us to park. There is a port-a-potty on site, as well as a water spigot for access to clean water. There is a trailer on site, as well with souvenirs, ice water, local root beer that uses the goats on the labels, as well as non-aerosols bug sprays, as the goats are sensitive to aerosol sprays. There was a large group during our time slot, so there were two waves who were taken out with separate goats. If you don't feel giddiness when goats run up beside you as you start hiking, I'm sorry. It was a chill and happy vibe throughout. Our guide, Jason, was welcoming, friendly, and incorporated humor. The trek had 3 stops. Jason would talk about the history of the property, the family, how it all came to be, and the goats as breeds, as well as some of them as individuals. There is a stop where you can have your picture taken with goats, as well as feed them carrots. (Who knew the big Boer goats would be so picky about carrots that have landed in dirt?!). This could almost (in my book it could) be counted as a therapeutic experience! The goats expect nothing but company, and appreciate a scratch, and carrot slice. They're just happy to be along snacking on their favorite greens and going for a little hike!

What a hoot! We did their wine and goat hoof it event after staying a few days in Galena…read more You start out trying out Illinois wines. These are from Fergetaboutit Vineyard, and to be blunt, they were the best wines we have tasted in Illinois. If you like wine and have tried wines from France, Spain, Italy or California, yes, I mean that. The "hoof it" part was fun. You get set up with a guide (don't forget to tip the guide) who lets around a dozen goats out of the pen, and you walk with them on a 1.2 mile hike. It's mostly shaded (so shaded that we didn't wear sunscreen, and I don't tan, I scorch, and got NOTHING, so it's pretty shaded. There is poision ivy on the trail, so if you see leaves of three, let them be. The goats are quite affable, but listen to the guide. At the end before they approach the pens (which the goats will run towards) they let you feed the goats with carrots and you have to show the goats you don't have carrots in your hands (two hands up, open) or they will jump on you to get "your carrots." They stop several times. The pace is best described as "sedate" - you'll have a hard time breaking a sweat. Our advice, stick to the path, don't go off into the weeds. Some other things: Pack in, Pack out - they don't have trash cans, so what you bring in, you carry out. You will get a glass for each person who signs up for the wine event (which has the logo on it) as a momento. We got out a little late. The goats all have names, but you don't have to remember them. But you will. Little stinkers. Another tip: Once they get let out of the pen, they have a tendancy to "dump and run" so watch your step, or you'll get some fresh goat crap on your shoes or feet or LEG.

One of the nicest places I have ever stayed at. Where to begin? The inn is impeccably restored. It…read moreis a beautiful building, and our suite was thoughtfully, elegantly designed and stocked with every comfort. We loved the lush fresh flower arrangements in our room and throughout the entire inn. The common areas (breakfast area/living on main floor and the outdoor patio) are similarly beautiful, with comfortable seating and beautiful vistas. The food - from the afternoon appetizer/cheese/wine tray to the incredible breakfast - was really delicious. And I could go on. If you're at all contemplating a stay in Galena, this is the place to go! It is romantic, quiet, nurturing, luxurious.

The facilities at Jail Hill Inn are EXQUISITE! Everything that you could possibly imagine was at…read moreour disposal. The decor was GORGEOUS! And everything was very high-end. For instance, the carpeting was what you would find in a mansion. The linens and towels were luxurious. We were provided with a bottle of wine and appetizers in the evening. There was a nice variety and a more than ample amount. Breakfast in the morning was out of this world! 3 Courses!!! Entrees were expertly prepared and delicious -- and healthy! Probably our favorite was the steel-cut oats with fruit and a banana foster sauce -- YUM! Again, these portions were very generous. Our host, Matthew, was very kind and attentive. I don't think there are enough superlatives to describe our experience!

It wouldn't be autumn without a trip to Czipars Apple Orchard. The staff is friendly and helpful…read more The baked goods are great, and their Apple Cider donuts are to die for. I've bought pumpkins, squash, and apples from them over the years, and I've never been disappointed. Great place to stop when you are out leaf peeping. Nothing like a piece of toast in the morning with a spread of jam.

Had a lovely chat with gal that day. Our 10 month old yellow lab was watching us out our truck…read morewindow and we saw pics of the Czipar's current and past pups. Was reminded that donuts, caramel apples and bread were all made by someone in the Czipar Clan. Didn't hurt that it was one our fabulous fall days!

My husband and I decided to try out the farm tour at Berning Acres while we were visiting Galena,…read moreIL this summer. We had visited another dairy farm in the past and though it was interesting, it didn't hold a candle to Berning Acres. Farmer Natalie reached out in advance and let us know the "ground rules" for everyone's safety. We arrived a little before our tour and waited until it was time to go inside. We were joined by a multi-generational family group, including grandparents in their sixties, their adult children, and grandchildren aged about 2 to 10. There truly was something for everyone. Natalie was very engaging with each age group and made sure we learned all the cool things about their "girls." From the time the tour begins, you are immersed in all aspects of the farm, the cows, the fermenting hay, the workers doing their jobs and the delightful Berning family (we only met her sons but I'm confident that her daughters are just as wonderful) and their other farm animals! We were able to get up close and personal with new born cows, feed three-week-old calves and learn about all of the spoiling that goes into those mama cows as they prepare to birth their calves. We even had the chance, if we wanted to try our hand at milking. Natalie was very candid about the effort and investment involved in family farming, highlighting how advancements in technology help ensure the health and proper nutrition of cows at all ages. Aside from the farm tour, they also offer a farm camp and some really cool adult adventures with craft beers and wines (great ideas for a girls' weekend!), they have amazing Berning Acres cheeses as well. #galenaadventures #familyfarms

Heard that Berning Acres was awesome and they did not disappoint! Louis was an absolutely amazing…read moretour guide and an even more impressive young man-- my seven year old and I agree that we would give him 10/10 stars! Immense respect to Natalie and her crew for the tireless work that they do. Lucky to have spent the morning learning from them! Highly recommend!

You go to the farm and you pick your own strawberries. In all of my case studies, I've determined…read morethat food you pick yourself tastes better. A little bit of sweat equity yields better tasting fruit and veggies. Okay, in reality, it probably has a lot more to do picking the produce at the peak ripeness and then eaten in the following days instead of sitting on a truck to travel to your grocery store. These strawberries were amazingly delicious. I ate a whole bunch while I was picking because I was really thirsty and the strawberries were juicy. The picking part was easy, even though we visited near the end of strawberry-season (July 5), there were still plenty of good berries in the field. These berries are smaller than the ones you will buy in stores but everything they lack in size they make up for tenfold in flavor. I can't vouch for how long your berries will last because it didn't take long to eat most of them. We did freeze some but I would suggest forgoing washing them since I think they will fall apart. I thought the price was a little high ($1.50/pound) for picking your own berries, but I still plan on going back next year. This place is also a little difficult to find so I would suggest calling ahead for directions (and for their hours since I believe they change throughout the season). My personal method of looking at a map and directing my mother down random country roads ended up with me leading us down a very poorly maintained "road" and my mom thought I was going to break her car.

What a fantastic place! We wanted to PICK apples and Terrapin Orchard did not disappoint. Matt…read more(owner?) was super informative and gave us a ride into the orchard where we found nice rows with good apples on them. Back at the store they have a few things like donuts & cobbler. We left with some of it. Great stop.

We went apple picking yesterday. Had a good time. We were the only ones in the orchard. Which was…read moreawesome. Picked some delicious sweet apples. Also purchased the best mini apple cider doughnuts, and apple butter. First timers here and our experience was fantastic. Terrapin was full of friendly faces and big smiles! Definitely worth visiting if you appreciate the non-commercial feel.

This place is magic! My family members really enjoyed interacting with all the critters, and Roger…read moreand Sabina were wonderful hosts, setting everything from horse rides to campfires and even capturing the perfect family photos for us. I'd say it's best to visit as part of a group. The experience is especially great for kids. The decor is homey, cozy and involves lots of rugs, so if you have allergies, I recommend bringing your allergy meds. The place is really interactive - little dogs in sweaters greeting you as you drive in, pigs available for pets, chickens you can feed, and of course the horses and goats you can visit. The beds were comfy enough, and each room has a different theme (horses, under the sea, etc). It's a quick drive into town, but also great for outdoor activities. We did a bit of bike riding but it was a bit too cold for us to venture onto the water.

We had the best stay ever! Stayed at Riverview Ranch to ski at Chestnut Mountain (7 minutes away)…read moreresort and was pleasantly surprised by everything. Apartment was spacious, kitchen had everything possible you need, same with shower. Windows had amazing views, and we got to enjoy beautiful sunset every night. The best thing about our stay was owners and their animals. The best hosts, accommodating, friendly, went beyond to make us feel comfortable. We enjoyed hanging out with them. And now, their animals! Animals are well taken care of, some of them were rescued. They have chickens, rooster, ducks, 2 pigs, dogs, goats, pony and horses. It was amazing and therapeutic at the same time. Children enjoyed horseback riding. This was truly one of the kind experience, and we can't wait to go back in summer. I highly recommend it!

If you've gotten this far reading reviews, stop and book your stay--you won't regret it…read more If you're still saying "maybe," just do it. We stayed in the Station House, a beautifully decorated, private, and peaceful cottage with everything we needed for a relaxing getaway. The food was exceptional from start to finish. Our first evening, we enjoyed a private dinner outdoors by the fire pit, listening to the soothing sounds of the babbling brook. The second night featured an unforgettable seven-course candlelit dinner in the main house. Every dish was thoughtfully prepared, beautifully presented, and absolutely delicious. Each morning, a generous breakfast was delivered to our cottage. You definitely won't leave hungry, and you'll be hard-pressed to find a better dining experience anywhere else. Throughout our stay, our host, Michael, was energetic, kind, and welcoming. As both host and chef, he made every part of our visit feel personal and special. We're so thankful for the time and care he puts into creating such a memorable experience.

If there was an option for negative stars I would give it that. After check in the experience kept…read moregetting worse. We entered our cottage and were immediately greeted with a musty smell masked by recent spraying of potpourri. I immediately contacted our host, Michael, and he informed me that was from the previous guest and would dissipate. It was so bad that we couldn't be in the room and were relegated to our screened porch. The furniture on the porch had cushions that were black from mold. We requested dinner in our cabin and were told it would arrive around 7:30. We asked for it earlier and while they "tried to accomodate" the first courses arrived actually late at 8pm. We were told that the next courses would arrive 45 minutes later and didn't come until after 9pm. Meanwhile when we went to shower we discovered there was no hot water. After further investigation, by Michael, he informed us at about 10pm that there was 3 feet of water in the basement! Well that explains the musty smell and no hot water. At that time he did offer us another cottage, however we had decided to leave first thing in the morning. In the meantime the owner, Bill, is pleading with us to stay, but it was too late our mind was made up the anniversary trip was ruined. Bill offered, very kindly, to only charge us what we thought it was worth if we stayed. After leaving, however first thing in the morning he charged my card for the full 2 night stay and has not responded to any of my requests to reverse the charges. The sad thing is this could all be avoided had they not tried to mask over the smell from the beginning. One can only imagine the black mold growing in that basement!

Great River Maple = 10/10 maple syrups!! I love the Cinnamon and the Coffee maple syrups and can't…read morewait to try them in my morning coffee! Their Robust maple syrup also reminds me of what I grew up having in Canada. Mmm, so smooth, slightly nutty and delicious. They also have homemade granola, maple cream, maple sugars and more. Thank you Dan & Dorinda! A must try!!

Came across this gem at the Cedar Rapids Farmers Market. We decided on the starter kit which is 4…read moreoz spreadable and 3.4 oz syrup. Wow! Upon getting home we immediately wished we'd bought more! Spreadable - aka maple cream 100% pure organic maple syrup. Great for kids, cooking as a glaze, and putting on toast. Stays put! Syrup- 100% pure grade A maple syrup. Comes in a variety of sizes and containers (moonshine bottle, maple leaf, plastic) Will be taking full advantage of having it mailed to our house!!!!

My girlfriend and I visited this family run organic farm and had a really pleasant time walking…read morethrough the seeding greenhouse, the fields just beginning to sprout, and the mushroom forest. We sampled spring onions that stayed with me for the rest of the night reminding me of the simple beauty of great produce, vibrant spinach, amazingly peppery arugula, and sorrel w/ a blast of citrus. The farmers and their interns were very friendly and seemingly happy to have visitors. We are really looking forward to becoming members of the CSA and receiving amazing, locally grown produce every week. Top notch concept and execution, everyone should support something like this in their area.