Community Spotlight – Ottertail City
Written by Jenna Kvidt & pictures by Micah Kvidt of Wander the Map
Ottertail is located in the east-central region of Otter Tail County. Throughout our time traveling the city of Ottertail, we dined at delicious restaurants, shopped at adorable boutiques, enjoyed the lakes, rode the bike path, visited the otter statue, and explored Thumper Pond Resort. Some other activities in the area consist of fishing from the pier at the Pelican Bay Access, golfing at the nearby Balmoral Golf Course, and riding the snowmobile trails in the winter. Read on to learn more about all of our adventures in this community spotlight – Ottertail, Minnesota!
If you are looking for a place to stay while you are in Ottertail, Thumper Pond Resort provides comfortable rooms and convenient access to all the area has to offer. Plus, they have a waterpark, golf course, restaurant, and bar onsite to enjoy.
Things to Do
Fish and Relax at the Lakes
When traveling the city of Ottertail, you must enjoy some time out on (or in!) the lake. Ottertail is in a prime position for exploring none other than Otter Tail Lake itself. Some other lakes in and around town are Donalds Lake, Portage Lake, Long Lake, and Buchanan Lake. Otter Tail Lake is the largest lake in town with 21-square-miles to explore. It’s a great spot to fish for walleye and a variety of other fish, too. Another lake day option is to launch a boat, pontoon, jet ski, kayak, or SUP into one of the many area lakes for a fantastic day out on the water.
Enjoy the Water Park and Golf Course at Thumper Pond
Thumper Pond Resort offers plenty of fun no matter your interests. The 12,000 square foot water park gives visitors lots of room to play during any season of the year. The water park features two 3-story-high water slides, a pool with basketball hoops and a volleyball net, a children’s pool, and a giant hot tub. It’s such a fun place to act like a kid again, and it would be a great spot to take the kids, too.
If you are looking to get outside during the warmer months, Thumper Pond also offers an 18-hole golf course. We aren’t golfers, so we didn’t make it out to golf, but I’ve heard wonderful reviews of the course and it sure looks fabulous.
Browse the Boutiques
The city of Ottertail offers a wide range of adorable shops to explore. We absolutely love shopping in this town—there are so many boutiques to pop into. Periwinkle Marketplace is huge and offers everything from women’s clothing to home décor. Some of the other stores we browsed around are Red Brick Boutique, The Williams Company Store and Deli, The Grain Bin, Grey Duck of Ottertail, Rusty Anchor Trading Company. Whew, I get tired just thinking about all that shopping!
Ride the Bike Path in when traveling the city of Ottertail
The bike path conveniently connects the “old” part of town with the stretch of Ottertail situated along Highway 78. Clocking in at just over 1.5 miles, the trail isn’t exceptionally long, but it does make for a great afternoon ride, especially if you want to explore all the town has to offer via bike. In addition to bikes, the path is also open for pedestrians and inline skaters.
Pose for a Pic with the Otter Statue
Just as in most towns within the county, the city of Ottertail is home to its own giant statue: an otter! The 10-foot otter is located at the intersection of Main Street and Buchanan Road. If you ride along the bike path, you can’t miss it, as the otter relaxes in the sun by a small pond.
Where to Eat in the city of Ottertail
There are plenty of wonderful restaurants and cafes to explore in Ottertail, and we’ve had the pleasure of visiting several of them. In addition to stopping at the Ottertail Bakery for baked goods like donuts, bars and rolls, we also made it to Willy T’s Tavern and Grill, Betty’s Pantry Restaurant & Catering, The Otter Supper Club and Lodge, and The Williams Company Store & Deli. Read on to learn more about these great restaurants!
Willy T’s Tavern and Grill
Located at Thumper Pond Resort, Willy T’s is a fantastic place to enjoy a meal and a drink. The restaurant serves burgers, sandwiches, pizzas, and a variety of other handmade items. Grab a seat on the patio overlooking the golf course or dine inside for a cozy tavern atmosphere. No matter what you decide, you are in for a treat!
The Otter Supper Club and Lodge
If you are looking for a relaxed atmosphere where you can stay awhile, The Otter Supper Club and Lodge is the place to be. They serve everything from burgers to sandwiches to salads to steaks and pasta, and the pine log bar is a great place to grab a drink while you’re there.
Betty’s Pantry Restaurant & Catering
Betty’s Pantry is a great diner to visit for a tasty homecooked meal. Open for both breakfast and lunch, you will find an array of breakfast items, burgers, and baskets on the menu. We visited for breakfast and opted for the Country Skillet, which is essentially loaded hash browns, and the Minnesota Omelet, which came with sausage, mushrooms, wild rice and swiss cheese. Plus, we couldn’t resist taking home a piece of pie for later!
The Williams Company Store & Deli
For a coffee or a quick bite to eat, head to The Williams Company Store & Deli. We spent some time browsing the shop and then ordered delicious hot deli sandwiches and coffee to enjoy on the patio. They also serve a variety of breakfast items, cold sandwiches, wraps, and salads.
Whether you want to spend time at the lake, play a round of golf, go shopping, or head out on a bike ride, there is something for everyone when traveling to the city of Ottertail. So if you are in town, be sure to grab a bite at one of the delicious restaurants and stay for all the fun!
