Visitor’s Guide to Emmetsburg

• Lodging – Emmetsburg provides a number of motels for visitors who are both visiting the area or are passing through.   They are located along Hwy 18.  http://www.emmetsburg.com/attractions/lodging.htm

• Restaurants – A variety of restaurants, eating establishments, and bars are available to suit a diversity of tastes. http://www.emmetsburg.com/attractions/lodging.htm

• Realtors – a number of Real Estate businesses are located in Emmetsburg to help with your housing and business needs. http://www.emmetsburg.com/business/category_i-z.htm#realty

• Gift and Antique Shops – Several gift, specialty, and antique shops in the downtown area provide unique shopping for all occasions.  The avid antique lover, quilter, crafter, stamper and scrapbooker will find what they are looking for in Emmetsburg.  http://www.emmetsburg.com/business/category_i-z.htm#specialty

• Iowa Welcome Center – located on Hwy 4 on the business district, the Iowa Welcome Center welcomes many travelers who are passing through Emmetsburg as well as local people.  It has a lovely gift shop and provides local, regional and state brochures for vacation planning, historical sight-seeing, and festival celebrations.  http://www.emmetsburg.com/main/ia-welcome.htm

• Five Island Lake -  Beautiful Five Island Lake is the center-piece of Emmetsburg’s summer and winter recreation.   The Lake offers excellent summertime fishing, boating, swimming, water skiing, and wildlife viewing opportunities.  http://www.emmetsburg.com/attractions/lake-index.htm

• Wild Rose Casino – located on Highway 18 on the east side of Emmetsburg, the Casino consists of a hotel, casino, two restaurants, a convention center, and RV park.  The Casino provides weekly entertainment as well.  http://www.emmetsburg.com/casino/index.htm or http://www.wildroseresorts.com/

• Wellness Center – The Smith Wellness Center is located on the north end of Emmetsburg, attached to Iowa Lakes Community College.  It provides a variety of wellness and exercise options to the community, including an Olympic size pool, a gymnasium, racquetball court, cardiovascular exercise room, weight lifting room, meeting rooms, and the public & college libraries.  http://www.iowalakes.edu/smithwellnesscenter/ or http://www.emmetsburg.com/attractions/wellness-about.htm

• Iowa Lakes Community College – located at the north end of Emmetsburg, the community college provides the first two-years of education in a variety of arts & science as well as vocational and technical programs. http://www.iowalakes.edu/  or http://www.emmetsburg.com/ilcc/index.htm

• St. Patrick’s Day Celebration – Each March the city of Emmetsburg celebrates its Irish Heritage with a large three-day St. Patrick’s Day festival, which includes the famous St. Patrick’s Day Parade, “O’Round the Lock” marathon run, Rugby Tournament, dances, a Theater production, a Ceili/Fun night, talent shows, several “Miss” contests, and the appearance of a member of the Irish Parliament.  http://www.emmetsburgirishgifts.com/  or http://www.emmetsburg.com/st-pat/index.htm

• Palo Alto County Historical Museum -  Located at 804 Monroe, which is right off Hwy 18, the Museum was organized in 1966.   It houses many treasurers of the past, which reflect the early life of our citizens.  http://www.emmetsburg.com/attractions/attractions.htm

• Victorian (House) on Main – located along Highway 18 in eastern Emmetsburg, this Victorian House has been restored to its former glory by volunteers.  It now displays the furnishings of a typical Victorian House. http://www.emmetsburg.com/attractions/attractions.htm

• House of Dolls – located in downtown Emmetsburg, this privately owned collection of dolls is impressive in its number and variety. http://www.emmetsburg.com/attractions/attractions.htm

• Little House on the Prairie – located off of Highway 18, this privately owned and built reproduction of the house seen in the TV program with that name, is a marvelous building constructed by a local artisan, who has done a wonderful job of replicating the detail of the buildings and the era. http://www.emmetsburg.com/attractions/attractions.htm

• Lost Island Nature Center, Ruthven - the Lost Island Prairie Wetland Nature Center, located north of Ruthven, IA,  provides recreational and educational experiences for the public and initiates programs designed to protect and enhance the natural and cultural resources of Palo Alto County.  http://www.paccb.org/

• Grotto of the Redemption, West Bend -  The Grotto of the Redemption is located about 25 miles southeast of Emmetsburg at West Bend.   The Grotto represents the largest collection of minerals and petrifaction concentrated in any one spot in the world. The Grotto, built in nine sections, represents in stone the story of the life of Christ.  http://www.westbendgrotto.com/

• Iowa Great Lakes  - The Iowa Great Lakes are located about 45 minutes from Emmetsburg.   This summer playground provides recreational water and land-based activities of every kind—including trails and public parks for additional outdoor activities.  It offers a summer playhouse, an Art Center, many kinds of live entertainment, along with great shopping and eating.  http://www.vacationokoboji.com/ 

• Clay County Fair – Located at Spencer, IA, which is 25 miles to the west, the Clay County Fair operates for 10 days in September.  It is known as “The World’s Greatest County Fair”.  In addition to the normal county fair displays of 4-H projects, animals, farm equipment, commercial displays, and so on, it sponsors high-quality entertainment and something for everyone.  http://www.claycountyfair.com/

• P.O.W. Camp - Located in Algona, Iowa, which is 25 miles east on Hwy 18, this Prisoner of War camp was ‘home’ to a total of 10,000 German prisoners from 1943-46. The value of the work done by the prisoners in the 4-state area was estimated at $3,506,000. Closed January-March.  http://pwcamp.algona.org/

• Western Iowa Tourism – www.traveliowa.org – Western Iowa Tourism site offers an extensive listing of places and activities that visitors might want to view.  Many of these listings are in close driving distance from Emmetsburg.