An absolute treasure in Minnesota, United States, Rochester will be a great city for you to explore.
The low-carbon energy system brought immense fame and name to Minnesota. Minnesota has the fastest developing economic growth in the nation.
Rochester is beautiful for closely seeing the most popular Mayowood Mansion, the impressive Rochester Art Gallery Center, and exploring shopping complexes overlooking the downtown districts.
Rochester is no less than a bliss for shopping and food lovers. This article will help you pick out the best things to do in Rochester, MN.
List of 6 Things to Do in Rochester, MN
1. Rochester Art Center Gallery
You will find this place along the bank of the eye-catching Zumbro River. It is a place for great artworks and cultural-based works with high value and beauty.
This gallery has been in work since 1946; the art gallery has gained more popularity among tourists due to the Zumbro River view, which you can see from the gallery.
The cultural insights represented through the artworks by different artists will not be less than the riveting location of the gallery.
You will find work by many popular and well-recognized artists displaying their skills. Rochester Art Gallery organizes various community-based programs and kids’ fun dance parties.
Summer camps are also a part of this gallery with many adult creative development series. The most significant factor about this place is that it allows everyone to learn through art.
2. Downtown Peace Plaza
Downtown Peace Plaza would be the best start to your Downtown Rochester, MN, exploring journey for shopping and dining.
The plaza is one of the most inviting places in Rochester, with top-rated boutiques with an enormous variety of clothes.
The boutiques’ clothes designs and quality would be unbeatable, and you won’t find a better deal along with the welcoming service anywhere else.
The plaza is also known for world-famous restaurants with different types of food cuisines.
Garbage Plates are one of the best foods to try while visiting Rochester, and the dish contains Mac n Cheese, Fries, Baked Beans, and any chosen base.
Apart from this, their Beef On Weck and Grape Pie are just surpassing. You would get the proper United States food by trying out restaurants in Downtown Peace Plaza.
While visiting this Peace Plaza, don’t skip the Civic Assembly space for a better experience.
It will give you the experience of underground walkways that connect the downtown area with Downtown Peace Plaza, and the skywalks are also one of the exciting things to do in Rochester.
Many prefer visiting Downtown Peace Plaza during the winter season for shopping purposes and overlooking the mesmerizing streets of downtown.
3. Quarry Hill Nature Center
This place is a wonderful location for a children-friendly pond and some sandstone caves with ancient historical values.
Rochester, MN, will also be great for admiring the most famous part of Quarry Hill Nature Center, i.e., the limestone fossil quarry.
With an area estimation of 329 acres, Quarry Hill Nature Center is another beautiful spot for exploring some hiking trails that are not difficult to walk in.
You will learn a lot about the environment through various teaching by hitting this beautiful centre in Rochester.
It all starts with the naturalist programs with the live animals and the exhibition of information-giving mortars and bricks.
This place is accessible by visitors for the whole year, but winter is the most recommended season to see this centre.
During winters, you will see cross-country ski paths and hiking trails turned into snowshoes. All these things to do in Rochester are as exciting as they sound; visit and find out yourself!
4. Plummer House
Plummer House is known as the place or home to Stanley Plummer with his wife, Daisy. Plummer House in Rochester is connected with the Mayo Clinic.
The work skills of Dr. Plummer are always cherished when it comes to Mayo Clinic. Dr. Plummer is the person behind the creation of the Numeric Registration System.
He played a vital role in making Mayo Clinic the world’s best hospital for treating harder-to-treat diseases like tumours, geriatrics, nephrology, cardiology, heart surgery, etc.
Plummer used all his skills and, with the help of architects, to build this lovely internal view of Plummer House.
This place is available for the public to explore and glimpse many historical views and manicured grounds visible clearly during morning under sunlight.
5. Mayo Civic Center
Mayo Civic Center is one of the best places to visit in Rochester. Many say this centre is one of the biggest convention centres in Rochester.
The centre looks more cheerful due to its musical acts, including international and local-based performances by experts.
Mayo Civic Center has always been an important part of the Rochester community. This centre has also added a ballroom in 2017 and a Frontage on Civic Street, which is quite pleasing architecturally.
This place is well known for organizing some enjoyable sports events and exhibitions. You could also choose Mayo Civic Center for conferences with huge people limits, business meetings, and various important conventions.
Many different shows and performances are organized here for people’s entertainment, and you can choose from the list according to your preference.
The best way to enjoy such performances is to book your seat in front of the center (Riverfront Terrace) that overlooks the Zumbro River.
6. History Center of Olmsted County and Mayowood Mansion
One of the best historic sites in Rochester, Minnesota, the History Center of Olmsted County and Mayowood Mansion is one of the greatest things to do in Rochester, MN.
You could learn the whole process involved in the community’s progress, growth, and history by visiting the History Center of Olmsted country.
The rotating displays or exhibits with many historic buildings would teach both the tourists and local people the history behind the community.
Besides, the centre hosts and shows movies for visitors to watch under the family-friendly stars.
The Center of Olmsted County is always memorable for the connection with Mayowood Mansion, the home to the co-founder of the Mayo Clinic. The place belongs to Charles H. Mayo, and you can get guided tours of this mansion.
You should include this place in your things to do in Rochester to view the luxurious home with beautiful interiors and manicured gardens surrounding the estate.
End Note
There are several things to do in Rochester, and you won’t be bored while visiting this place.
The magnificent Rochester has historical values, ethics, a cheerful community, and a good food hunt you must partake in.
Go ahead and pack your bags to explore the jewel in the United States!
Last Updated on by Sathi Chakraborty, MSc Biology