Location: Rochester
Top Things to do in Rochester
Countries
The 10 Best Budget-friendly Things to do in Rochester, Minnesota (MN)
Rochester is a city founded in 1854 in the U.S. State of Minnesota and is the county seat of Olmsted County located on the Zumbro River's south fork in Southeast Minnesota. It is Minnesota's third-largest city and the largest city located outside the Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2015, the Rochester metropolitan area has a population of 215,884. According to the 2010 United States Census the city has a population of 106,769. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated that the 2016 population was 114,011. It is the home of the Mayo Clinic and formerly, one of IBM's largest facilities. The city has long been rated as one of the best places to live in the United States by multiple publications such as Money and is one of the most educated cities in the world.
Restaurants in Rochester
1. Rochester Food Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 45 reviews
Rochester Food Tours not only gives you a sample of some of the best foods Rochester has to offer, it also enlightens you to the rich history of this Med city. Along the three hour guided walking tour your appetite will decrease and your knowledge and history of Rochester will increase. So go ahead dive in and discover the best Rochester has to offer.
2. Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 199 reviews
Reviewed By B2068ZFmartins - Wailea, United States
This is a MUST see for anyone visiting Rochester it is outstanding in the way it honors what challenges our military has had to deal with throughout history. I was impressed with the quality of each part of the exhibit. The statues are especially outstanding. The statue of the wife and son receiving word of the father’s death brought tears to myself and my wife. As a Vietnam combat soldier I was very struck over the tribute to the combat medics and nurses. Don’t miss the respectful and beautiful place of honor.
3. UNRAVELED Escape Room
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 107 reviews
UNRAVELED Escape Room is a real life escape challenge where you come with a group of between 4 and 10 friends/family members/co-workers/etc and you get LOCKED UP! It is up to you and your team to find the clues and solves the puzzles in order to escape in time... "Do You Have What It Takes To Escape?" First theme up: Escape From Alcatraz - Experience The Rock like never before!
Reviewed By shiank2021
I liked that when we were stuck they would help here and there. The rooms definitely keep you busy. My recommendation for anyone coming to this escape room is bring people who actually help. Definitely work as a team, but also spread out because having multiple people focus on just one thing really wastes your time. Overall it was a fun experience and I’ll definitely be coming back soon to try out the other escape rooms!!
4. Assisi Heights
5. Douglas Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 75 reviews
Reviewed By grandforksfoodie - Grand Forks, United States
We stumbled upon this trail and sure glad we did! It is pretty shaded and not too difficult with great scenery. Rode 8 miles one way and still could have went further but had to make it back for an appointment. You see lots of nature and other people on the trail. It felt very safe and was well kept up!! Next time we are in town we will pedal further on this trail. It had some hills but nothing drastic.
6. Plummer House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 134 reviews
Reviewed By 81Maggie11
We were walking around the SW historical area and saw signs for the Plummer House. He were curious so we followed the signs to the house. We were pleasantly surprised. It is a beautiful stone and slate roofed mansion built in the early 1900’s. The green space is spacious and beautiful even in March! Bonus is a beautiful tower on the grounds. It wasn’t open to view the inside when we visited but the outside self guided tour was great. A must see if your i. The area.
7. Mayowood Mansion
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 167 reviews
Reviewed By 97Rick97 - Rochester, United States
We toured the estate during the Christmas season. The local Historical Society has a relationship with the Mayowood estate and we set up our tour through them. You can drive to the mansion and take the tour, or you can sign up through the Historical Society. You pay more through the Historical Society, but it is well worth it. They had a video presentation prior to the tour that included snacks, beverages, and a Q & A session. A bus picked our group up and drove to the mansion. The driver shared additional information with the group on the way to and from the actual tour. The Mayo’s had a huge farming operation and the driver explained some of that information, as we drove by the farm sites. The mansion is incredible and and MAYO is doing an great job of refurbishing the mansion. At Christmas time, local groups and businesses are allowed to decorate many of the rooms and do an incredible job. You can read the other reviews that explain what you will see, as we all got the same tour. My suggestion is to utilize the Historical Society and take advantage of the easier parking, and expanded tour and knowledge base that the team at the Historical Society provide.
8. Kinney Creek Brewery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 43 reviews
We are a locally owned and operated micro-brewery, fused with deep Rochester MN roots. We proudly brew our beers and hard seltzers and serve it in a friendly Tap Room. We at the Kinney Creek Brewery invite you to experience our craft brew and hard seltzer lineup. Located in Rochester MN we strive to provide a selection of craft and hard seltzers brews that will make your tail wag.
Reviewed By ericaM4896TK - Rochester, United States
This is the place for entertainment! Sports on the big screen and a drink menu to choose from that suits everybody. So much to choose from and the staff is very friendly. The environment feels like you are part of the place!
9. The Plummer Building - Mayo Clinic Historical Suite
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 197 reviews
Reviewed By Thor01Roseville_MN - Saint Paul, United States
The Plummer building is an architectural masterpiece that is still in use by the Mayo Clinic after nearly a century. The offices of the Mayo brothers are perfectly preserved and you get a phenominal sense of their contributions to the world of medicine and to humanity.
10. Quarry Hill Nature Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 258 reviews
Enjoy the beauty and habitat of southeastern Minnesota by hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, or snowshoeing the meadows, flood plain and upland forests on the 5 miles of trails covering 320 acres. Park land features a former working quarry, the Rochester State Hospital Cemetary, and a 3 acre pond. The Nature Center offers interactive displays and exhibits of the area's wildlife and natural beauty including a 1,700 gallon native-fish aquarium. Public programs on Sunday's at 1:30 pm include cave tours, live animal programs and bird banding. Cross-country ski, snow shoe, and geocache rentals available.
Reviewed By gsgguru73
Wonderful and informative nature center, great for kids with smaller animals and reptiles and great hiking trails. I would recommend getting a map before you hike as the trails intersect and can be confusing.
