//
Rochester, Minnesota, about 80 miles (130 km) southeast of Minneapolis/St. Paul, is home to the Mayo Clinic. Rochester is cold in the winter and warm, and many times hot, in the summer. It has a population of 107,890 in the city limits, with more in the surrounding areas, but hosts millions of out-of-town visitors coming for treatment at the Mayo Clinic. Owing to the large number of visitors, Rochester has a well developed infrastructure and is much busier than other cities of its size.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
It was built as the home of the Sisters of Saint Francis, and now part is being used as a spirituality center. Italian Romanesque structure.
See what is probably the world's largest water tower painted to look like an ear of corn. Built in 1931 to celebrate the opening of the Libby Foods facility (now Seneca Foods).
Exhibits the way of life of a typical middle-class Midwestern family in the late 19th century. The house has been restored and authentically furnished with antiques, quilts, dolls, and china.
Was one of the most elaborate theaters built in the early 1900s. Has French Village decor complete with balconies and turrets. (Not to be confused with the current Chateau movie theater.)
Rare pictures, maps, diaries, exhibits about Rochester's history. Visit William Dee Log Cabin, Hadley Valley School House, and the George Stoppel Farm.
Guided tours are only for patients and their families, but you can pick up a brochure from any Help Desk for one of several self-guided tours. An audio tour is available of the art collection.
38-room mansion, former home of Dr. Charles Mayo. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is being renovated, but tours are still available.
Small Children's Museum (in the middle of the River Center Plaza stripmall). Great for the 1-4 age set.
Original home of Dr. Plummer. 49-room mansion on 11 acres. The building is primarily used for events.
Main event center, check website for calendar of shows, events, etc.
No permanent collection; check website for which exhibits are open.
Local theater company, check website for calendar
Community theater. Also offers classes year round.
Community theater offering summer melodramas and traditional shows year round.
Live music Nov-Apr Sa-Su.
Picnic areas. Small beach. Fishing. Canoe and paddle boat rentals. Camping.
13-mile blacktop trail between Rochester and Pine Island. Suitable for biking, walking. Starts at Valleyhigh Dr. just east of W Circle Dr NW (parking available).
Picnic areas by river. Several miles of hiking trails through the woods. Small zoo featuring animals native to Minnesota.
Nature center with displays. Lots of trails and parks to explore. Cross-country skiing and snow shoeing in the winter.
Rochester has over 100 city parks totaling more than 3200 acres and over 60 miles of paved trails suitable for pedestrian, bike, in-line skate, wheelchair, and stroller use. Many parks have sports facilities (e.g tennis, basketball, soccer) and playgrounds. Downloadable pdf maps are available from the website listed, or paper versions can be purchased for $1.
Canoe, kayak, paddle boat, and boat rentals.
Small lake with many walking paths. Best known for the thousands of Canada geese that winter here. Park has outdoor pool, playground, and skateboard park.
Consisting of 4 60-foot circular granite walls, created to honor veterans from the area. See the Wall of Remembrance.
14-screen theater on the Northeast Side. All digital projectors.
Hollywood 12
12-screen theater on the Northwest Side.
14-screen theater on the South Side in the Shoppes on Maine lifestyle center. Also has one 60 foot wide MegaScreen.
Indoor rock climbing facility.
Olympic length indoor pool. Two 85' x 200' ice rinks for hockey and figure skating. Make sure to call or check the website for hours the pool is available for open/lap swimming, and the ice rinks are available for open skating, as they are often in use for specific activities. Get tickets to watch the Grizzlies, an NAHL hockey team. City-owned, no membership required.
Mayo Field
Collegiate baseball.
One-hour trolley tour of the highlights of Rochester. Hop On & Hop Off at 5 different locations.
Paintball, go-cart racing, mini-golf.
Live comedy shows F-Sa. Open mic on Th.
Hole-in-the-wall type casual in the best sense of the word. Great soft shell tacos.
Voted best burgers in Rochester. Beetles Bar and Brother's are also popular similar restaurants. Also has second location on the north side right off hwy 52.
Mediterranean fast food. Gyros, hummus, muffaletta, florettas, etc.
Authentic Mexican eatery, you'll find dishes here you won't find in a typical American-Mexican restaurant. In the back of a grocery store.
Pho Hoa
Vietnamese. In addition to sit-down meals, bahn mi, inexpensive Vietnamese sandwiches on French bread, are usually available for takeout.
Wood-fired pizza. Somewhat limited menu, with very unusual ingredients.
Traditional American. Serves fresh fish F-Sa. Often has live music.
Mexican
Chinese. Voted Best Chinese Food in Rochester Magazine poll 8 of 9 years. Not to be confused with Hunan Wok across the street or Hunan on S Broadway.
Indian. Consistently voted best in the "Indian/Other Asian" category in Rochester Magazine poll.
Another local BBQ place, along with Roscoe's.
All-you-can-eat Chinese buffet. Over 100 dishes, sushi, Mongolian grill, some American dishes.
Greek.
Wide variety of Italian-American food, with huge portions and cute decoration.
New American.
Traditional American with a twist, most popular restaurant in town. Voted Best Restaurant in Rochester Magazine poll in 2010 and 2011.
Great seafood. Smallish but fancy dining area.
Bistro-style French, casual but with great food. Smaller but excellent wine list. Voted Best Restaurant in Rochester Magazine poll in 2009.
Rochester's largest Asian grocery store. Also has more East Asian (China, Japan, Korea) food items than others in town, others focus more on SE Asia.
Based on a warehouse model of business.
Rochester's primary source of organic food. Also includes a bulk food room for spices, flours, pasta, beans, etc. Also home to a deli restaurant and delicious hot bar & salad bar!
The primary grocery store in town, with three locations. Both Wal-marts and both Targets also have grocery sections, but smaller selection.
Renovated to be more upscale (e.g. has olive bar), has kids play area.
Open 24 hours, has complete pharmacy.
Indian groceries.
North of downtown on the east side of North Broadway.
Specialty grocery store with items that you likely won't find elsewhere.
Very popular pub atmosphere with a very extensive beer menu (easily the largest in town) to choose from. S Broadway location has outdoor seating during the summer months. Variety of menu items. Not for romantic evenings or business talk.
Brentwood Inn and Suites offers a continental breakfast, free transportation to clinics and hospitals, voice mail and 24-hour front desk service.
Old hotel, lots of character. Many like it for the character and not looking like every other hotel, others don't like it due to being older.
Not to be confused with the Kahler Grand, this hotel is not as nice. But it is convenient to Mayo.
High-end long-term stays. It also allows shorter term stays, reviews have been very positive.
Free breakfast, and free Wi-Fi.
In downtown, but not connected to skyway.
Two-story motor inn (no internal hallways), clean basic accommodations. Free Mayo Clinic shuttle.
Cheap rates for Mayo patients. Free shuttles to Mayo, free long distance, free breakfast and free internet.
A unique, extended-stay, all suites hotel with two indoor pools, sports court, fitness center, BBQ patio and Hot Breakfast buffet.
By car
The closest interstate to Rochester is I-90 running east and west across Minnesota.
By train
There is no train service into Rochester. The closest station is 45 minutes drive away in Winona. Ground transportation between Rochester and Winona is available from GoCarefree Shuttle .
By bus
Jefferson Lines offers service to many cities, plus connects to Greyhound in Minneapolis. Jefferson Lines buses stop at the Sinclair gas station located at 205 6th St SW.
By car
In most areas of Rochester, parking is not an issue, with plenty of surface parking. The only exceptions are downtown and near the clinic.
By bus
There is a public bus system, but it is likely not to be useful to the visitor.
By foot
Downtown Rochester has a network of enclosed walkways: above-ground "skyways" and underground "subways", which are kept at a comfortable temperature all winter long.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Rochester · Regional · RST
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Rochester (Minnesota) and United States.
Travel tipsFind the cheapest countries to fly to from the US and UK in 2026. Compare realistic round-trip flight deals, budget airlines, and prime booking windows.
8 min read
Travel tipsFind the best time to visit Hawaii in 2026. Compare whale seasons, big-wave surf, dry shoulder months, hotel rates, and island microclimates.
8 min read
InspirationDiscover the best places to visit in April. Compare Dutch tulip fields, Thailand's Songkran water festival, Roman spring gardens, and cherry blossoms.
6 min read
Travel tipsA practical guide to travelling with medication and refrigerated drugs like insulin and GLP-1s. Learn airline rules, customs papers, and cooling tips.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.