Rochester Travel Guide

Trek Zone

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Facts and practical information

Located in the southeastern part of Minnesota, Rochester is a vibrant city known for its world-renowned medical facilities and picturesque landscapes. As the birthplace of the famous Mayo Clinic, it attracts visitors from around the globe seeking cutting-edge healthcare and wellness treatments. But Rochester offers much more than just healthcare, with its charming downtown, diverse culinary scene, and outdoor recreational opportunities.

One of the key attractions in Rochester is the Mayo Clinic campus itself. As one of the largest medical complexes in the world, it is not only a center for advanced medical research and treatment but also a beautiful architectural marvel. Visitors can take guided tours to learn about the history and innovations of this renowned institution.

For those looking to explore the city's cultural side, the Rochester Civic Theatre is a must-visit. This historic theater hosts a variety of performances, including plays, musicals, and concerts throughout the year. The Rochester Art Center is also worth a visit, showcasing contemporary artwork by local and international artists.

Nature enthusiasts will find plenty to explore in Rochester's surrounding region. Just a short drive away, Whitewater State Park offers hiking trails, fishing spots, and breathtaking views of the Whitewater River. It's a perfect destination for outdoor enthusiasts looking to unwind and reconnect with nature.

Rochester is also home to a thriving food scene, with a wide range of culinary options to suit every taste. From farm-to-table restaurants serving locally sourced ingredients to international cuisines from around the world, visitors are spoiled for choice. Don't miss the chance to try some of the city's famous Midwest comfort foods, such as juicy burgers, hearty stews, and delicious pies.

Alternative names: Founded: 1854 (170 years ago)Population: 112.2 thous.Area: 54.72 mi²Elevation: 994 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 44°1'21"N, 92°27'52"W

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MinnesotaUnited States

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Rochester Top Attractions

Rochester Attractions - What to See and Explore

Rochester offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Rochester Public Library, Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Silver Lake, Rochester Art Center. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Library • Downtown Rochester
Rochester Public Library
The Rochester Public Library is a library in Rochester, Minnesota. It is a member of Southeastern Libraries Cooperating, the southeast Minnesota library region. It is the largest public library in an 11-county consortium.
Church • Modernist architecture
Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist
The Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist is a cathedral of the Catholic Church in Rochester, Minnesota, United States. It is the co-cathedral and a parish church of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester.
Body of water • Park • Lake
Silver Lake
Silver Lake is a small, freshwater reservoir in Southeastern Minnesota.

Museum • Art museum • Art gallery
Rochester Art Center
The Rochester Art Center is a contemporary arts center in Rochester, Minnesota, United States. The Center offers exhibitions of local, national and international art, as well as tours, classes, and workshops.
Theater • Concerts and shows
Chateau Theatre
The Chateau Theatre originally opened as a Vaudeville house in Rochester, Minnesota, in 1927 with an interior decorated as a medieval village. The theater was converted to a movie house eventually remodeled and reopened as a Barnes & Noble bookstore. The Chateau was originally opened on October 26, 1927.
Tower • Hotel
Rochester Marriott Mayo Clinic Area
The Plummer Building in Rochester, Minnesota, is one of the many architecturally significant buildings on the Mayo Clinic campus. This new "Mayo Clinic" building, opened in 1928, added much needed space to the ever-expanding Mayo practice. The architect of record is Ellerbe & Co. now Ellerbe Becket.
Skyscraper • Downtown Rochester
Siebens Building
The Siebens Building is a 220-foot high-rise in Rochester, Minnesota, United States. It is built where the William Worrall Mayo home had been, and the original Mayo Clinic building was built on the site in 1914.
44°0'22"N • 92°30'36"W
History Center of Olmsted County
Museum • History museum
44°1'21"N • 92°27'53"W
Peace Plaza
Park • Downtown Rochester
Skyscraper • Downtown Rochester
Broadway Plaza
Broadway Plaza is a skyscraper located in Rochester, Minnesota, United States. It is 342 feet tall with 29 floors, and was completed in 2004.
Museum • Edison
Plummer House
The Plummer House is the former residence of Dr. Henry Stanley Plummer and Daisy Berkman Plummer. Located in Rochester, Minnesota and originally called Quarry Hill, the English Tudor mansion stood on a 65-acre estate which included a greenhouse, water tower, garage, and gazebo.
Skyscraper • Modernist architecture
Gonda Building
The Gonda Building is a medical building owned by the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and designed by Ellerbe Becket Architects and Engineers. It rises 305 feet in 21 floors, and was completed in 2001. At the time it was the tallest building in Rochester, and was surpassed in 2004 by Broadway Plaza.
44°2'14"N • 92°27'53"W
Nazarene Well House
Church • Washington
44°2'22"N • 92°30'20"W
Cascade Meadow Wetlands & Environmental Science Center
Museum • Valley High
43°59'58"N • 92°18'44"W
Chester Woods
Park • Trail
44°1'11"N • 92°28'7"W
Opus Imaging Research Building
The Opus Imaging Research Building is a Mayo Clinic building in Rochester, Minnesota, United States. Groundbreaking ceremonies took place on March 22, 2006, with help of a $7 million donation from The Opus Group for the foundation of this medical imaging facility.
44°3'30"N • 92°30'20"W
IBM Rochester
IBM Rochester is the facility of IBM in Rochester, Minnesota. The initial structure was designed by Eero Saarinen, who clad the structure in blue panels of varying hues after being inspired by the Minnesota sky, as well as IBM's nickname of "Big Blue".
44°1'9"N • 92°27'49"W
Conley-Maass Building
The Conley–Maass–Downs Building, also called the Maass and McAndrew Company Building, is one of the oldest remaining commercial buildings in Rochester, Minnesota.
44°1'17"N • 92°28'10"W
Rochester Travelers Hotel
Rochester Travelers Hotel, also known as the Colonial Motor Hotel and The Beverly, is an historic building at 426 Second Street, S.W. in Rochester, Minnesota, United States. It is near the main campus of the Mayo Clinic, which owns the property.

Things to See and Do in Rochester by Category

Sights, interesting and unusual places and attractions valued by most tourists. See the list of places to visit in Rochester.

Culture

Mayo Civic Center
Rochester
Convention centerTheaterSport venueDowntown Rochester
Rochester Art Center
Rochester
MuseumArt museumArt galleryDowntown Rochester
Chateau Theatre
Rochester
TheaterConcerts and showsDowntown Rochester

Active

Mayo Civic Center
Rochester
Convention centerTheaterSport venueDowntown Rochester
Mayo Field
Rochester
Sport complexBaseballSport venueMayo Run
Prairie Walls Climbing Gym
Rochester
ClimbingSport complexValley High
Maple Valley Golf & Country Club
Rochester
GolfOutdoor activities
Bowlocity
Rochester
Game and entertainment centerBowling alleyNorthern Heights

Other categories

Museum Park

Day trips

Rochester – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Rochester, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Red Wing Pottery (Red Wing), National Eagle Center (Wabasha), Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo (Byron).

38 milesN
Museum, Shopping, Shopping centre
Red Wing Pottery, Red Wing
Red Wing pottery refers to American stoneware, pottery, or dinnerware items made by a company initially set up in Red Wing, Minnesota, in 1861 by German immigrant John Paul, which changed its names several times until finally settling on Red Wing Potteries, Inc. in 1936.
33 milesNE
Nature and wildlife, Park, Zoo
National Eagle Center, Wabasha
The National Eagle Center is a nonprofit educational, interpretive center located on the banks of the Mississippi River in Wabasha, Minnesota, United States, that focuses on education about eagles and the Upper Mississippi River watershed.
10 milesNW
Nature park and a zoo with native animals
Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo, Byron
Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo are a campground and zoo located in Olmsted County, Minnesota north of the city of Byron, and about 4.5 miles west of Rochester. It houses over 30 species of animals, most of which have injuries that would prevent them from surviving in the wild. All of the animals are native to Minnesota.
40 milesE
Museum, Maritime museum, Art museum
Minnesota Marine Art Museum, Winona
The Minnesota Marine Art Museum is an art museum in Winona, Minnesota, United States, specializing in marine art. The MMAM features six galleries of world-class art and artifacts including impressionism and Hudson River School paintings, marine art, folk art sculptures and traveling exhibits.
38 milesN
Park
Barn Bluff, Red Wing
Barn Bluff is a bluff along the Mississippi River in Red Wing, Minnesota, United States. The bluff is considered sacred by the Dakota people because it is the site of many burial mounds.

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Best Time To Visit Rochester

Learn when is the best time to travel to Rochester weather-wise and what to expect in each season.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the top attractions to visit in Rochester?

The top attractions to visit in Rochester are:

What is the best time to visit Rochester?

June and July are the busiest months in this location. Many people also choose to visit in August. The highest air temperature is in June, July and August. While the coldest is in January.