PBS Travel Host is Dazzled by Galena, Its Beauty, and Its History

If you're a fan of travel shows, you absolutely should make a note to watch John McGivern's Main Streets. John McGivern is a Milwaukee based actor/personality, who recently launched his own program dedicated to exploring the various quaint towns in the Midwest. He's probably best known for his role as Bruce McIntosh in the Disney movie The Princess Diaries, but he has also done commercials for the likes of Kohl's and Sears.

Perhaps the best part about Main Streets? It's free to watch on YouTube!

My girlfriend and I were watching Main Streets on PBS Wisconsin last night. I had seen the Dubuque, IA episode very shortly after I moved to the area in February 2022, but it wasn't until we caught McGivern's Galena, IL episode that I realized I missed out on another crucial Tri-States travelogue.

Merely a month after the Dubuque, IA episode dropped, McGivern released a full-length episode of him exploring Galena. This is a must-see episode, and might indeed be my favorite episode thus far. McGivern is thoroughly engaged not only with the culture but the history of the quaint little river town, which was home to Ulysses S. Grant and got its name from the Latin term "lead sulfite."

Galena, IL was one of the most influential cities in the state of Illinois during the mining era; it was Chicago before Chicago. The city boasts more than 125 shops on Main Street, and McGivern wasted no time stopping into the Galena Canning Co., learning magic from P. T. Murphy, who hosts his magic show in the city, learning about The Haunted Galena Tour, and meeting with a Ulysses S. Grant impersonator.

There's something utterly delightful about seeing your city/region profiled in a show like this. It's even better with an engaging host. McGivern is full of personality and charm, and whether he's learning the trade of blacksmithing or trying his hand at herding goats, he's an affable, lovable presence.

See the full Galena, IL episode of John McGivern's Main Streets for free on the show's YouTube channel. Check out the show's official website for a complete list of episodes too!