Location: Rochester
Top Things to do in Rochester
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What to do and see in Rochester, Minnesota (MN): The Best Sights & Landmarks
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. 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.
2. Siebens Building
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
3. Gonda Building
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 57 reviews
Reviewed By chips365
Wonderful experience as I was a new patient at Mayo and worried about my visit. Everyone that worked in this beautiful building made us feel very welcome and went out of their way to help us through the two-day visit.
4. Assisi Heights
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. Chateau Theater
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 53 reviews
Built in 1927, the Chateau was one of the most elaborate theatres built in Rochester in the early 1900s. The exterior sunburst design marquee is lit with 636 light bulbs. Its unique French Village decor includes interior balconies and turrets and, on the ceiling, stars in the night sky. Refurbished in 1994, this elegant old theatre now houses a Barnes and Noble Bookstore and Starbucks Cafe.
Reviewed By Esterace - Rochester, United States
We were long-term lovers of the "old" Chateau Theater, which really did look like a chateau. Very quaint. And we loved its central "down town" location. But even after deserting the main scene, we still find the new Chateau our favorite of the now three movie houses in Rochester. It is the least expensive and very comfortable. And the drive back and forth from "old Southwest" takes only 15 minutes.
10. Sekapp Orchard
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 4 reviews
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