Odessa: Escaping in the Western Side of Minnesota
Odessa, Minnesota is a city under the rule of Big Stone County. It was platted back in 1879 following the extension of the railroad to the area. The city’s name was derived from Odessa, the third biggest city in Ukraine in terms of population. Although there are few hotels and inns available in the city, tourists can easily drive to the nearby town of Ortonville where the Big Stone Lake is located.
Best Time to Visit
The weather in Odessa, Minnesota, is generally cold for half a year and less rain for the next half. That said, mid-May to late September is easily the best time to come to the city without worrying about the weather. This also coincides with the annual celebration of Cornfest in the neighboring town of Ortonville. This is held every August and features various food booths, races, community games, and a parade. Tourism is at its peak by this time of year, so most of Odessa, MN hotels are typically jam-packed. On the contrary, come September, the tourist population declines dramatically.
What to Do & Area Attractions
While there are limited accommodation choices within Odessa, you can easily drive to Big Stone Lake Cabin Rental and Econo Lodge, which are both within a 30-minute drive from the city and are overlooking Big Stone Lake. They are also conveniently located a couple of minutes away from Big Stone Lake Museum and Big Stone Lake National Wildlife Refuge.