(20) Palo Alto County 3.19.2022

We technically started Palo Alto County on the evening of March 18 after visiting Pocahontas County because we stayed in the Brookside Hotel across from this original A&W. Although it isn’t technically local, we couldn’t pass up eating here for dinner!

 

Our first real stop in Palo Alto County was a visit to the authentic Blarney Stone that was brought over from Dublin in 1965 as a gift from the people of Ireland in recognition of Emmetsburg’s Irish heritage. Of course, we started our day off with a little bit of “luck” from the Blarney Stone. Next to the stone is the statue of Robert Emmet, the Irish patriot who fought for Ireland’s independence, and whom which Emmetsburg is named after.  

 

We stopped at the local coffee shop, Deja Brew, which had the best smoothies we have ever tasted- their coffee was so-so. Then we made our way to West Bend to see the Grotto of the Redemption. This alone made the trip to Palo Alto worthwhile. It was amazing! A definite must-see, and the kids loved running around “the castle.” The grounds also have a gift shop and small museum with the history of the grotto. Don’t forget to stop inside the church for the Nativity Grotto.

There are a few cute boutiques in West Bend that we stopped in, and there is also the West Bend Historical Society Museum that has a few buildings to explore. Unfortunately, we were not able to make it to the Historical Society Museum on this trip because we needed to head back to Emmetsburg for the famous St. Patrick’s Day parade. Make sure to get your seats early- this parade is a big deal! Also, make sure to wear green- we did not get this memo 😊 they go all out for this parade! We also enjoyed food from the local vendor trucks on the square for the festivities.

We finished up Palo Alto County at the Victorian on Main Museum on the Palo Alto County Historical Museum Grounds. We got another personal tour guide who showed us around the fully restored Victorian home, the old Methodist church, and the farm machinery Annex building on the grounds.

 

On our way out of Palo Alto County, we couldn’t pass up this chance for a photo op in Mallard 😊

 

Return Rating: 2

Other things to see/do:

• Five Finger’s Lake, Emmetsburg
• Iowa Welcome Center, Emmetsburg
• Little House on the Prairie Replica, Emmetsburg (we’re not sure if this still exists!)
• West Bend Historical Society Museum, West Bend
• Lost Island Nature Center, Ruthven
• Bully Bullhead Weekend, Ruthven