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Major city · United States

Albert Lea

Spend a half‑day to a full day exploring Myre‑Big Island State Park and the three lakes; stay overnight only if you want a relaxed pace.

Albert Lea is a small city in southern Minnesota at the I‑35/I‑90 junction. Its main attractions are Myre‑Big Island State Park, the three surrounding lakes, and the Freeborn County Fair in August. A day is enough for the park and lakes; add a night for the fair or to enjoy a slower pace.

basic guide: no trip line yet
More
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
USD
Best months
May–Sep (warm, low rain)
avoid Dec–Feb (cold, snow)
Airport
RST
Nights
0–1

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide for Albert Lea: no airport-to-bed path, walking clusters or day plans yet. Fares and schedules here are unverified. What this page does cover
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
  • North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
  • North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
  • North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
  • United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
  • United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
  • United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
  • United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Albert Lea911 ▾
  • Police / Fire / Ambulance911

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Albert Lea, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Myre‑Big Island State ParkAlbert Lea lakes (Fountain, Albert Lea, Pickerel)Freeborn County Fair
Airports
RST Rochester International Airport (about 60 km (37 mi) east, car or shuttle (check))

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    2°C (36°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    5°C (41°F)

  3. Mar

    not flagged

    12°C (54°F)

  4. Apr

    not flagged

    20°C (68°F)

  5. May

    Best

    27°C (81°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    32°C (90°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    35°C (95°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    34°C (93°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    28°C (82°F)

  10. Oct

    not flagged

    20°C (68°F)

  11. Nov

    not flagged

    10°C (50°F)

  12. Dec

    Avoid

    3°C (37°F)

Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (35°C (95°F)), coolest Jan (−14°C (7°F) low), wettest Jun (10 rain days), driest Feb (7). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Albert Lea: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

2°C (36°F)

−14°C (7°F)

8 rd

Feb

5°C (41°F)

−12°C (10°F)

7 rd

Mar

12°C (54°F)

−5°C (23°F)

9 rd

Apr

20°C (68°F)

2°C (36°F)

9 rd

May

27°C (81°F)

9°C (48°F)

9 rd

Jun

32°C (90°F)

15°C (59°F)

10 rd

Jul

35°C (95°F)

18°C (64°F)

9 rd

Aug

34°C (93°F)

17°C (63°F)

9 rd

Sep

28°C (82°F)

12°C (54°F)

8 rd

Oct

20°C (68°F)

5°C (41°F)

8 rd

Nov

10°C (50°F)

−2°C (28°F)

8 rd

Dec

3°C (37°F)

−10°C (14°F)

9 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

Car is most convenient; the city sits at I‑35/I‑90.

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Myre-Big Island State Park

go

Door to door: 10 min

Car, 5 km (3.1 mi) southeast on County Highway 38

Trails, birdwatching, canoeing, camping.

Rochester, Minnesota

go

Door to door: 40 min

Car via I-90 east, about 60 km (37 mi)

Mayo Clinic, shops, dining.

Austin, Minnesota

go

Door to door: 20 min

Car via I-90 east, about 25 km (16 mi)

Spam Museum.

Northfield, Minnesota

go

Door to door: 1 h

Car via I-35 north, about 90 km (56 mi)

Historic downtown, Carleton College.

Fairmont, Minnesota

go

Door to door: 35 min

Car via I-90 west and US-15 south, about 50 km (31 mi)

Lakes, golf, chain of lakes.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Country Inn

Double rooms from $100; central location on Main St.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
$50–80 excl. bed
Mid
$80–120 excl. bed
High
$120+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency

Prices of common things

Coffee at a café$2–$4
Lunch (sandwich or burger)$8–$12
Camping fee (state park)$15–$20 per night

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Albert Lea is a low‑crime small city; typical precautions apply – keep valuables secure, drive safely on winter roads, and stay aware of weather alerts.

Emergency numbers

Police / Fire / Ambulance
911

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

Albert LeaAlbert Lea

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

Emergency

  • Police / Fire / Ambulance911

Embassy

My embassy: —

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Albert Lea. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: May–Sep (warm, low rain) · avoid Dec–Feb (cold, snow) · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 5 day-trips, door to door
  6. 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
  2. Walking clusters with bag rules
  3. Day plans checked against opening hours
  4. Field-verified times and fares

Sources

Ask about Albert Lea

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