Guidebook for Rochester
Parks & Nature
We love to hike, and this is a great place to get your exercise in while experiencing neature. The lower portion of the hill has a pond and a large paved walkway if you don't want to be too challenged. Heading up the hill can be easy or challenging depending on which route you take. We almost always find some new path when we explore here. It's also big into the Geocaching and Pokemon Go, if that's your thing.
81 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Quarry Hill Nature Center
701 Silver Creek Rd NEWe love to hike, and this is a great place to get your exercise in while experiencing neature. The lower portion of the hill has a pond and a large paved walkway if you don't want to be too challenged. Heading up the hill can be easy or challenging depending on which route you take. We almost always find some new path when we explore here. It's also big into the Geocaching and Pokemon Go, if that's your thing.
Take a leisurely stroll around the lake located near downtown Rochester. Here you are sure to see Canadian Geese all over the place. Rochester is part of their migration trail and has a ton of these birds in the park near the lake. You can choose to rent peddle boats or canoes.
48 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Silver Lake Park
770 W Silver Lake Dr NETake a leisurely stroll around the lake located near downtown Rochester. Here you are sure to see Canadian Geese all over the place. Rochester is part of their migration trail and has a ton of these birds in the park near the lake. You can choose to rent peddle boats or canoes.
Free to the public! This is a great nature center to see Minnesota wildlife. It is a bit of a drive out of town
42 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Oxbow Park & Zollman Zoo
5731 County Rd 105 NWFree to the public! This is a great nature center to see Minnesota wildlife. It is a bit of a drive out of town
Really great views of Bluff Country. About a 45 minute drive from Rochester
21 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Parque Estatal Whitewater
19041 MN-74Really great views of Bluff Country. About a 45 minute drive from Rochester
Drinks & Nightlife
A short drive from your stay. This place has great farmhouse décor. They brew many types of coffee, and their own beer. The restaurant goes out and actually forages berries to add into their brews. They have many special tappings and have a focus on IPAs and Sours. Great outdoor seating and an interesting local sourced menu.
76 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Forager Brewery
1005 6th St NWA short drive from your stay. This place has great farmhouse décor. They brew many types of coffee, and their own beer. The restaurant goes out and actually forages berries to add into their brews. They have many special tappings and have a focus on IPAs and Sours. Great outdoor seating and an interesting local sourced menu.
Emily’s favorite brewery in town. These guys produce more malty and Dunkel style of beers, with a few IPAs. They provide free popcorn, but do not have a dinner menu. Outdoor seating, board games, and yard games are popular here. You are also allowed to bring your own games, if that’s your thing.
11 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
LTS Brewing Company
2001 32nd Ave NWEmily’s favorite brewery in town. These guys produce more malty and Dunkel style of beers, with a few IPAs. They provide free popcorn, but do not have a dinner menu. Outdoor seating, board games, and yard games are popular here. You are also allowed to bring your own games, if that’s your thing.
Located on Historic 3rd street this place has over 50 beers on tap from all across the United States. They host trivia nights on Sundays. They have great tacos, which are cheaper on Taco Tuesdays.
26 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Tap House
10 3rd St SWLocated on Historic 3rd street this place has over 50 beers on tap from all across the United States. They host trivia nights on Sundays. They have great tacos, which are cheaper on Taco Tuesdays.
Steve and the rest of the crew provide some amazing local brews. Our favorite brewery in town.
20 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Little Thistle Brewing
2031 14th St NWSteve and the rest of the crew provide some amazing local brews. Our favorite brewery in town.
Kind of like a speakeasy with a hidden entrance. Located on historic third street. Upscale cocktails
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Bitter & Pour
18 3rd St SWKind of like a speakeasy with a hidden entrance. Located on historic third street. Upscale cocktails
Food Scene
Mediterranean and Greek food. This place does a great chicken or steak salad that includes pita bread. They gyros are also top notch.
36 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Nupa
1035 Civic Center Dr NW Mediterranean and Greek food. This place does a great chicken or steak salad that includes pita bread. They gyros are also top notch.
If you are looking for a burger joint look no further, beloved by fellow Rochesterians Newt’s has expanded to three locations in the north, center, and south side of town.
15 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Newt's
216 1st Ave SWIf you are looking for a burger joint look no further, beloved by fellow Rochesterians Newt’s has expanded to three locations in the north, center, and south side of town.
Family owned joint in a strip mall on the South side of Rochester. Don’t let the looks deceive you, this is a great eatery. With a rotating menu of locally raised produce and farm to fork ideals things are on the pricery side. They have an extensive wine menu and if you can’t make up your mind the owner is a sommelier.
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Prescotts
1201 Broadway Ave SFamily owned joint in a strip mall on the South side of Rochester. Don’t let the looks deceive you, this is a great eatery. With a rotating menu of locally raised produce and farm to fork ideals things are on the pricery side. They have an extensive wine menu and if you can’t make up your mind the owner is a sommelier.
American Eatery also located in the Peace Plaza. They have a large outdoor seating area. With a large menu variety including some higher priced options this is a staple of Rochester’s food selection. I enjoy the meatloaf personally.
63 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Chester's Kitchen & Bar
111 Broadway Ave S American Eatery also located in the Peace Plaza. They have a large outdoor seating area. With a large menu variety including some higher priced options this is a staple of Rochester’s food selection. I enjoy the meatloaf personally.
Close to your dwelling. This place is amazing for the sushi lovers of the group. Freshly rolled sushi and a large lunch special. We enjoy the Scorpion rolls the most.
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Ichi Tokyo
3499 22nd Ave NWClose to your dwelling. This place is amazing for the sushi lovers of the group. Freshly rolled sushi and a large lunch special. We enjoy the Scorpion rolls the most.
Authentic Northern Indian food with an all you can eat lunch buffet. We enjoy the a wide variety of the flavorful cuisine offered here. The Indian Garden Special Chicken is great. Most of the recipes are on the milder side, but you can ask for more heat. Get the Garlic Naan, you’ll be thankful.
12 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
India Garden Restaurant
1107 N Broadway AveAuthentic Northern Indian food with an all you can eat lunch buffet. We enjoy the a wide variety of the flavorful cuisine offered here. The Indian Garden Special Chicken is great. Most of the recipes are on the milder side, but you can ask for more heat. Get the Garlic Naan, you’ll be thankful.
Vietnamese restaurant with a gigantic menu. Everything is huge portion sizes and for a decent price. You can’t go wrong with any of the noodle dishes.
36 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Pho Chau
1014 N Broadway AveVietnamese restaurant with a gigantic menu. Everything is huge portion sizes and for a decent price. You can’t go wrong with any of the noodle dishes.
Great atmosphere with a patio overlooking the lake. They’ve got a great all around menu with American fare and fusion options. The skillets are on point. For lunch try the blackened avocado chicken melt or thai chicken wrap.
28 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Five West
1991 Commerce Dr NW Great atmosphere with a patio overlooking the lake. They’ve got a great all around menu with American fare and fusion options. The skillets are on point. For lunch try the blackened avocado chicken melt or thai chicken wrap.
Longstanding Rochester classic diner. This is the place to go if you’re looking for greasy hashbrowns, crispy bacon, and gigantic pancakes.
Cheap Charlie's
11 5th St NWLongstanding Rochester classic diner. This is the place to go if you’re looking for greasy hashbrowns, crispy bacon, and gigantic pancakes.
A locally sourced cafe, Steam, brings together live music and coffee beans. They have lots of artwork on display as well. One of the few Urban style cafe joints in Rochester.
38 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Café Steam
315 Broadway Ave SA locally sourced cafe, Steam, brings together live music and coffee beans. They have lots of artwork on display as well. One of the few Urban style cafe joints in Rochester.
Close to all the homes. They have a drive through and breakfast food.
18 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Dunn Brothers Coffee
120 Elton Hills Dr NWClose to all the homes. They have a drive through and breakfast food.
Caribou Coffee
1147 2nd St SWA Minnesota coffee tradition.
Our favorite restaurant in town. Endless bowls of carb loaded bread with garlic infused olive oil for dipping. Our favorite meals include the Salmon with Dill sauce and the Apple Cider pork. The pizza and pasta is great as well. Most nights there is live performing musicians ranging from folk to classic rock.
22 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Redwood Room
300 1st Ave NWOur favorite restaurant in town. Endless bowls of carb loaded bread with garlic infused olive oil for dipping. Our favorite meals include the Salmon with Dill sauce and the Apple Cider pork. The pizza and pasta is great as well. Most nights there is live performing musicians ranging from folk to classic rock.
Large menu with big portions of pasta. A local favorite. They also have a large wine menu
25 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Victoria's Ristorante & Wine Bar
7 1st Ave SWLarge menu with big portions of pasta. A local favorite. They also have a large wine menu
A traditional New York style joint. Opened by a family from the Big Apple, this place has been a hit since opening in 2017.
33 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Pasquale's Neighborhood Pizzeria
130 5th St SWA traditional New York style joint. Opened by a family from the Big Apple, this place has been a hit since opening in 2017.
The staple of Rochester’s breakfast. They have great muffins, coffee, and their trade mark pannekoeken(a fluffy pancake with fruit toppings). We think the best meal on their breakfast menu is the Mettwurst skillet. A mettwurst is basically a hotdog and a sausage combined, why wouldn’t you order this?!
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Hollandberry Pannekoeken
214 N Broadway AveThe staple of Rochester’s breakfast. They have great muffins, coffee, and their trade mark pannekoeken(a fluffy pancake with fruit toppings). We think the best meal on their breakfast menu is the Mettwurst skillet. A mettwurst is basically a hotdog and a sausage combined, why wouldn’t you order this?!
Underrated pizza in the Rochester food scene. One of our favorites. They put a ton of toppings on their pies
Zadeos Pizza
1021 15th Ave SEUnderrated pizza in the Rochester food scene. One of our favorites. They put a ton of toppings on their pies
Some of the best Thai food in town. We think that the rotating menu has a lot of hidden gems other than just curries. The owner frequently travels back to Thailand to collect new recipes.
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
ThaiPop
4 3rd Street SouthwestSome of the best Thai food in town. We think that the rotating menu has a lot of hidden gems other than just curries. The owner frequently travels back to Thailand to collect new recipes.
Kind of the only game in town other than Famous Dave's for BBQ. I
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Smoak BBQ - Rochester
2291 Commerce Dr NWKind of the only game in town other than Famous Dave's for BBQ. I
Nothing Bundt Cakes
1161 6th Street NorthwestBest place in town for cakes or other pastries!
Sightseeing
The house of one of Mayo's first doctors. This is located behind St. Mary's hospital on what is nicknamed Pill Hill as all the original doctors settled in this area. They do tours of the house in the summer months on Wednesdays. Either way you should come see the house and the surrounding neighborhood.
42 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Plummer House
1091 Plummer Ln SWThe house of one of Mayo's first doctors. This is located behind St. Mary's hospital on what is nicknamed Pill Hill as all the original doctors settled in this area. They do tours of the house in the summer months on Wednesdays. Either way you should come see the house and the surrounding neighborhood.
The home of one of the original Mayo brothers, Charles. This estate is huge and impressive in its design and architecture. It is not always open to the public, so if you plan on going call ahead. The estate is located ~20 minutes outside of Rochester. You will also head past the Mayowood Stone Barn, which is another impressive architectural structure and wedding destination.
34 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Mayowood Mansion
3720 Mayowood Rd SWThe home of one of the original Mayo brothers, Charles. This estate is huge and impressive in its design and architecture. It is not always open to the public, so if you plan on going call ahead. The estate is located ~20 minutes outside of Rochester. You will also head past the Mayowood Stone Barn, which is another impressive architectural structure and wedding destination.
Arts & Culture
Honestly, even if you aren't visiting the Med City because of the Clinic it is still worth seeing. They do tours of the historic buildings. They are filled with museums, paintings from all over the world, and interesting architecture.
36 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Mayo Clinic
200 1st St SWHonestly, even if you aren't visiting the Med City because of the Clinic it is still worth seeing. They do tours of the historic buildings. They are filled with museums, paintings from all over the world, and interesting architecture.
The Newly Renovated Civic Center hosts plays, concerts, and various conventions.
18 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Mayo Civic Center
30 Civic Center Dr SEThe Newly Renovated Civic Center hosts plays, concerts, and various conventions.
Essentials
There are plenty of Hyvee's in Rochester, this and the 37th Ave location are the closest to you.
79 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Hy-Vee
500 37th St NWThere are plenty of Hyvee's in Rochester, this and the 37th Ave location are the closest to you.
Hy-Vee
500 37th St NWIf you have a Costco Membership it is very close to Betty's
15 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Costco Wholesale
2020 Commerce Dr NWIf you have a Costco Membership it is very close to Betty's
Local and organic food store. Has a large selection of bulk spices and grains. Grassfed, wild caught meat selections and a ton of vegetable options. They also have premade health food options and coffee.
59 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
People's Food Co-op
519 1st Ave SWLocal and organic food store. Has a large selection of bulk spices and grains. Grassfed, wild caught meat selections and a ton of vegetable options. They also have premade health food options and coffee.
Close to all the homes, limited stock compared to Hyvee.
19 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Silver Lake Foods
1402 N Broadway AveClose to all the homes, limited stock compared to Hyvee.
Shopping
Apache Mall
U.S. 14