The city surrounds Lake Marinuka, named for Princess Marie Nounko, the granddaughter of the Great Chief Decorah. The Princess is buried at Arctic Springs on the lake’s north shore. Beaver Creek, which flows through the city, feeds Lake Marinuka. A swinging bridge crosses the creek and enters High Cliff Park, where a scenic hiking trail winds along the creek at the base of the cliff. 

The park is located in Galesville’s downtown area, which retains its turn-of-the-century charm. Surrounding Galesville’s town square are tall brick buildings, many of which have been renovated. In the center of the square is a gazebo where musical groups still perform. 

Galesville has four other parks. Reception Park, located on the lower table, has a shelter, picnic tables, a playground and a softball field. Triangle or Horseshoe Park, with its information gazebo and horseshoe pits, is one block north of the city square. On the upper table is the John F. Cance Memorial Park. The park features tennis courts, a picnic shelter and tables, and a playground. Near Arctic Springs, a walking trail/park was developed by the Lion’s Club and the city. 

Some of Galesville’s history is being preserved at the 1874 A.A. Arnold house, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Farmstead is located across from G-E-T High School on Silver Creek Road. Two of the most outstanding features of the two- story, 15-room house are its spiral staircase and an interesting ruby red window in the front door of the house. Tours of the home are offered Sunday afternoons during the summer months. 

Galesville was once the site of Gale College, founded in 1854 by Judge George Gale. In 1985, the site was owned and operated by people of all faiths as the Marynook Retreat and Conference Center. The city now owns Old Main and the Garden of Eden Preservation Society is working on restoration and renovation of the building. The large third-floor performing arts area is already complete. Other buildings on the historic site are privately owned and one is owned by the G-E-T School District and used as the district’s kindergarten.

Galesville is part of the G-E-T (Galesville-Ettrick-Trempealeau) School District which has a total enrollment of about 1,400. In the city are an elementary school, Kindernook Kinergarten Center, and G-E-T High School which serves the entire district. G-E-T Middle School is located in Trempealeau, seven miles to the south. There are elementary schools in both Ettrick and Trempealeau. Just 20 miles away in LaCrosse lies the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse campus, Western Wisconsin Technical College and Viterbo University. Post-secondary schools are also located 20 miles west, across the Mississippi River, in Winona, Minn. 

Galesville’s population numbers about 1,400. The city boasts three of Trempealeau County’s five major industries: Northern Engraving, Westfalia-Surge and TRW Automotive Electronics. In the community are five churches, a post office, a motel, a newspaper, a bank and a credit union. Independent retailers include antique and floral shops, convenience stores, auto body shops, grocery store, beauty and barber shops and auto service centers. 

Health care is provided by the Franciscan-Skemp HealthCare which operates a family practice clinic in Galesville. The city is also served by a dentist and has a nursing home, Marinuka Manor, and Eden House, an assited living complex. The nearest hospitals are in La Crosse, Winona, Arcadia and Whitehall.

Galesville is located at the intersection of U.S. Highway 53, and State Highways 54/93.