Rochester

Rochester is a city in southern Minnesota. It's the birthplace of renowned healthcare organization the Mayo Clinic. The complex includes the landmark 1928 Plummer Building. On the outskirts, Mayowood is the 1911 estate of clinic co-founder Dr. Charles Mayo. The early-20th-century Plummer House has period furnishings and sprawling grounds. Rochester Art Center has contemporary art shows and views of the Zumbro River.
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Top attractions in Rochester

Quarry Hill Nature Center
1. Quarry Hill Nature Center
4.8
(1439)
Nature preserve
Sights & Landmarks
Large park offering hiking trails, a man-made cave & a nature center with classes & live animals.
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This is a great Nature Center with lots of trails, both paved and unpaved. There's an interpretive center with live animals, fish and a live beehive that's very neat to see!
Great spot to visit in summer or winter. We enjoyed snowshoeing here a couple years ago & enjoyed a damp summer visit recently. Really nice park and nature center. Lots to see & learn, clean & very helpful staff. The library/ reading nook was really neat.
You know this place is picturesque when you're taking a walk 5pm on a Sunday and you see 12 different photographers with their clients out there. Beautiful spot for photos, family strolls and a lot of trail to explore! Whether you want single track or paved, this park has it all and it has miles of trail! I wish I knew of it sooner
We went during their Fall Festival and really enjoyed it. It’s a perfect place for families and has good running trails.
Went in October and spotted the largest mushrooms I've ever seen! Lots of easy trails.
The trails are nice and well-maintained. In the center there are some animals to look at and some hands-on learning.
Great park. Learn things, experience three different micro climate zones, hike and touch trees!
Quarry Hill is an excellent nature center, and I always enjoy visiting it! There are a variety of indoor exhibits, including a large aquarium, many live reptiles and amphibians, a beehive, and a bird observation room. The renovations are beautiful, and the reading room for kids is especially nice. Outdoors, there is an extensive trail system (both paved and unpaved). Quarry Hill also offers nature programs and is a great place to volunteer.
Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial
2. Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial
4.7
(628)
Memorial park
Sights & Landmarks
Grassy area featuring a curving memorial wall, fountains & statues dedicated to American veterans.
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This is a beautiful memorial year around. There are ample seating areas, to sit and reflect. The wall is beautiful, with much meaning. Many programs at different times of year to honor those who have served. There are several nice playgrounds on either side of the memorial as well as a nice track to walk/run.
Thoughtful reflection of our veterans. Loved it. Pictures don't do it justice. The rest of the Park is wonderful too.
This Place gives you an Amazing feeling, The Minute you walk up to it , 🇺🇸🇺🇸 The Emotion that Runs through you 🥺🙏 What These Soldiers did Selflessly FOR OUR COUNTRY! GOD ,COUNTRY,EACH OTHER, FOR ALL OF AMERICA! 🇺🇸 AMEN 🙏 THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR BRAVERY & SERVICE 🙏😳
First time and it was great. My granddaughter and I played for about 2 hours and then saw the other sand park and probably could have played there for 2 more hours.
Wow!! I can not possibly say enough goo things about this Veterans Memorial. This has got to be the best Veterans Memorial I have ever seen. It is so well done, and it really shows deep respect to our Veterans. The walls are covered with beautiful art showing various conflicts, and the overall presentation is beyond superb. When I was there I had an encounter with a Vietnam Veteran who was visiting there, and I got to talk to him for a while and thank him for his service.
We happened upon Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial while at the playground with our kids. It was so striking from far away, we needed to visit it. The amount of detail in the engravings was remarkable and the layout was smart. What a wonderful tribute.
Memorial Park honoring the brave, the defenders of our freedom and those who gave the greatest sacrifice-their lives. Beautiful granite wall honoring the names of local men and women who served, flags of the different branches, statues depicting their service and actual military artillery. The surrounding park offers plenty of opening space, two play areas, plenty of picnic benches and park shelters, tennis courts, baseball field, dirt running track and public bathrooms. Adjacent pool/water park and golf course are also available. Park and surrounding grounds are clean, but clearly dated and showing need of repair and replacement. Plenty of parking and walking/biking trails.
What an awesome experience today. The veterans who brought our students on the tour did a great job. I had yet to check this place out. It was very well done.
Plummer
3. Plummer
Building
Sights & Landmarks
Mayowood Historic Home
4. Mayowood Historic Home
4.8
(305)
Museum
Sights & Landmarks
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Glancing into the lives of this amazing family is wonderful! It is a beautiful house. I am so glad it is preserved and shared with us.
This was an amazing experience. Catherine was out tour guide expert and she was very knowledgeable and friendly. I definitely recommend this for anyone interested in learning about the co-founders of the Mayo Clinic.
Make a reservation for a tour, me and my husband really enjoyed seeing and learning so much about the Mayo family. The house is beautiful the history is amazing. Our tour guide had interesting info for everyone on Rochester and the families impact on the area.
Doors were closed when I pulled up but it was nice to see some deer out infront of the gate!
$30 ticket to tour was a sharp “hmm..” thought with raised eyebrows. Nice place etc but its authenticity is ruined by the addition of mismatched drive ways, an extension to the building and conference rooms. Couldn’t keep up with the different references to the Charlie Mayo so I differentiated by nickname- Mayo light and standard Mayo. Oh by the way .. you can tour Windsor castle in UK for £30. The token cookie doled out at the end of the tour was horrendous.
Excellent tour, Jean and John are great.. House is amazing as is the heritage and all that the Mayo family has done for science. Amazed by the genealogy... And the talent and interests of the Mayo family... If you are in Rochester this is the ' must do'
I can't say forsure. Got there and signage was very confusing. Near gate entrance it read private property. In my mind that ment no access. The gate was open with a speaker like you needed to push that to ask for entrance. Just didn't feel right and didn't want to get in trouble for trespassing. I will be back to Rochester but we will not visit any of the historic homes due to time wasted going to this one. Assume they all are like this one...just didn't feel welcomed. 😕
Our tour guide John was so helpful! He answered our questions and gave excellent descriptions. I couldn't get enough. I was writing notes on the back of my information sheet and I filled all of the white space, so I had to switch to using my notes app. Thanks John!
Plummer House
5. Plummer House
4.7
(414)
Event venue
Sights & Landmarks
Built in 1924 by Dr. Plummer, this English Tudor mansion features 11 acres of landscaped grounds.
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Went exploring the area a found this gem. You can walk/explore the garden for free at whatever times it's open. (Note: no restroom available). The gardens are beautiful to walk through. Would be a great place for photo shoots or picnic. I was a little sad when I tried to find old photos of what some of the structures might have looked like or even what they were. Wish we would have been there on a day they did the house tour, but another time
Gorgeous little spot. Was able to grab an engagement session here!
I wasn't able to go inside but spent some time walking the grounds. Very peaceful and beautiful - as if you were visiting a different century. It was still pre-spring, but even without the flowers blooming it was still well worth the visit. The surrounding neighborhood is interesting to drive through as well.
This is a beautiful historic building and grounds that is open to the public. It's nice to just stroll around the yard in the spring and summer and enjoy the many flowers planted there by parks and rec. Renting the building and grounds for private events is a nice option for the public despite its limited capacity.
It was such a beautiful and peaceful place to walk the gardens around the house and even though the house wasn't open that day, my friend and I still took in the beauty of the place. What a wonderful place to either have a picnic lunch or to sit on a bench and read or write. There's also nice spots for prom/wedding photos too.
Very beautiful nature and outstanding
Coming to the Plummer House was always such a lovely experience when I resided in Rochester, MN. The grounds are so beautiful, and no matter the time of year, it was always a privilege to have the opportunity to walk around and explore this place. I've visited during all four seasons of the year, and even on the coldest Minnesota day, it is still so pretty (particularly with fresh snow on the ground)! It’s a really wonderful look at the history of the town, but also serves as great spot for a picnic or stroll if you just want to be outdoors. I never did have the opportunity to tour the house, but I'm confident it's worth the trip for that as well. If you’re in the area to visit (or if you reside in town and are looking for a new place to adventure to), check this place out!
Could not enter so my rating is only for the outer parts. They told us: beautifull gardens and, because of summer seasin, was expecting some (colored) flowers. No! Only (green) plants. The most atractive aerea were the lower gardens with two pound with fountains wich are relaxing thanks to the benches to sit on.
Mayo Civic Center
6. Mayo Civic Center
4.5
(297)
Civic center
Auditorium
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Great venue for whatever event you have. Facility is large, clean and accessible. From a craft fair to basketball game to concert they have you covered.
Despite multiple calls and emails, I still haven’t been able to reach anyone regarding an unauthorized charge. On November 8th, I took my parents to the symphony and purchased three drinks at the concession stand. After I got home, I checked my statement and discovered that the employee had added a 20% tip without my consent. This is completely unacceptable and highly unprofessional. I strongly encourage others to review their statements carefully, as tips should never be added without customer authorization.
It's past time for the restrooms on the second floor arena to be fixed and updated. Door locks broken, no hooks in stalls, broken sinks, toilets that overflow, too narrow stalls, bad smell. I have been attending events for over 35 years and I don't believe they have ever been changed.
This is a great location but this is also a location that does not accept cash. Credit cards only for any transaction. Chips, pop, Beer. It’s just ridiculous that places can say we won’t take your legal tender
Horrible Venue. Will never go to another concert there. Dustin Lynch and Scotty where awesome, but the horrible organization of food and drink vendors and lack of security made us leave the venue by 9:30pm. Rochester better step it up a notch. Very disappointed.
Hands down the worst venue I’ve ever attended a concert at. Dustin Lynch was ruined by the venue itself, first by running out of alcohol options BEFORE the concert even started. Whoever is in charge of running this place should be sent to pasture. Pure garbage and no excuses.
We're here for a Joe Bonamassa concert, and it was a great performance!! The Mayo Clinic Civic Center is easy to get to, and parking is free after 5 p.m., on both the parking ramps and on the street. The seating in the upper level is a bit tight between the seating and rows. The stars were a bit steep as well. The bathrooms were clean, and there are plenty of stalls, ladies!! They offered adult beverages and non-alcoholic types, too. The only thing is you need to pour your canned beverages in a plastic glass before entering the arena. Overall, it's a nice place and we'll lit at night. For ticket prices, it would depend on the venue you are going to.
7pm concert. Warm beer by 7:30. No beer by 8:30. Headliner has not even taken the stage.
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Other notable attractions

Douglas State Trail
Nature & Parks
Nature & Wildlife Areas
This paved, multi-use trail traverses a scenic landscape of rolling fields, pastures & forests.
Apache Mall
Shopping mall
Shopping
Relaxed indoor mall featuring dozens of shops & eateries, plus a play area & free Wi-Fi.
Assisi Heights Spirituality Center
Religious institution
Sights & Landmarks
Historic Chateau Theatre
Event venue
Sights & Landmarks
Salem Glen Winery
Winery
Food & Drink
Rochester Art Center
Art center
Museums
Cultural center aimed at creating innovation & creativity through contemporary art.
Kinney Creek Brewery
Brewery
Food & Drink
LTS Brewing Company
Brewery
Food & Drink
History Center of Olmsted County
Museum
Non-profit organization
Local history museum on a 54-acre site with a gallery, archives & library, first set up in 1926.
Minnesota Children's Museum
Permanently Closed
Children's museum
Museums

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Weather in Rochester

Here's the historical average temperature in Rochester over a full year based on data compiled by NASA: for more details by month, see the weather in Rochester in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, or December
Monthly temperature highs and lows in Rochester
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