Rochester, MN

Travel Guide
Rochester which includes a city and hiking or walking as well as a couple
Discover Rochester's more than 100 parks and gardens, its traditional Midwestern heritage, great shopping and one of the nation’s most well-respected medical facilities.

Many will know Rochester as the location of the famous Mayo Clinic, a renowned U.S. medical facility that is top ranked in multiple specialties. This northern Minnesota city also has visitor appeal with numerous outdoor spaces and great shopping.

If you are a Mayo patient, take a free tour to find out more about the clinic, learn its history and see its art collection. All city visitors can tour Mayowood Mansion, the 38-room former home of Dr. Charles Mayo.

Summers in Rochester may be hot, making them the perfect time to enjoy the city’s superb network of over 100 parks, covering an area of 3,500 acres (1,400 hectares). Try Oxbow Park and Zoo or walk the Douglas State Trail. Some parks, such as Quarry Hill Nature Center, offer skiing and other snow sports in winter.

Don’t miss the Chateau Theatre, one of the most elaborate theaters from the 1900s. It is now a retail shop, but you can still see the ornate façade and French-style interior. Discover more about the city’s past in Heritage House Victorian Museum in Central Park, where artifacts and belongings of a typical 19th-century Midwestern family are on display. Shop in quirky stores around University Square for Scandinavian goods or contemporary fashion or dine in one of the many restaurants.

You’ll need your own transportation to explore the area, since the bus service is designed mainly for the needs of locals and Mayo Clinic visitors. The town center though, is walkable. Modern city planners have provided wide pedestrianized avenues and enclosed skyways, making it easy to access the lively town center on foot and in snowy weather.

Located 80 miles (130 kilometers) southeast of Minneapolis, Rochester has both international and domestic airports. Serving the high number of people who come to the clinic, Rochester is set up very well for visitors when compared to other cities of similar size, so you will easily find a base from which to explore this attractive Midwestern town.

Where to stay in Rochester

Rochester showing skyline and a city

Downtown Rochester

4.5/5(250 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in Downtown Rochester, Mayo Civic Center and Rochester Civic Theater are top sights worth seeing.

Downtown Rochester
Rochester showing skyline and a city

Historic Southwest

4/5(34 area reviews)

Historic Southwest might not have many top sights, but Mayo Civic Center and Apache Mall are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Historic Southwest
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Kutzky Park

4/5(179 area reviews)

While there might not be top attractions in Kutzky Park, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Mayo Civic Center and Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial.

Kutzky Park
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East Side Pioneers

4.5/5(39 area reviews)

If you're spending some time in East Side Pioneers, Mayo Civic Center and Mayo Park are top sights worth seeing.

East Side Pioneers
Mural in Rochester MN

Slatterly Park

4/5(1 area review)

Slatterly Park might not have many top sights, but Mayo Civic Center and Olmsted County Fairgrounds are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Slatterly Park
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Northrup

5/5(1 area review)

Though Northrup might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Mayo Civic Center and Rochester Recreation Center.

Northrup
EVEN Hotel Rochester - Mayo Clinic Area, an IHG Hotel
EVEN Hotel Rochester - Mayo Clinic Area, an IHG Hotel
4 out of 5
101 11TH Avenue SW, Suite A, Rochester, MN
The price is ¥17,522 per night from Mar 31 to Apr 1
¥17,522
per night
Mar 31 - Apr 1
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Rochester. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a free area shuttle. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (532 reviews)
"I really liked the Yoga mat and the exercise videooptions I was surprised that it was 10 blocks from the Clinic> My research indicated it was 5 min walking distance. It WAS easy walking distance to St.Mary's Hopital, but not the Clinic I was going to. But, the shuttle service to and from was ..."

Reviewed on Mar 25, 2024

EVEN Hotel Rochester - Mayo Clinic Area, an IHG Hotel
Kahler Grand Hotel
Kahler Grand Hotel
3 out of 5
20 2nd Ave Sw, Rochester, MN
The price is ¥21,036 per night from Mar 29 to Mar 30
¥21,036
per night
Mar 29 - Mar 30
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Rochester. Enjoy free WiFi, 3 restaurants, and breakfast. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,024 reviews)
"Great location to Mayo. Comfortable, helpful staff, and quiet😊"

Reviewed on Mar 27, 2024

Kahler Grand Hotel
Kahler Inn and Suites - Mayo Clinic Area
Kahler Inn and Suites - Mayo Clinic Area
3.5 out of 5
9 3rd Ave Nw, Rochester, MN
The price is ¥19,523 per night from Mar 29 to Mar 30
¥19,523
per night
Mar 29 - Mar 30
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Rochester. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and onsite parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,185 reviews)
"Easy access to Mayo via subway. Caribou Coffee is in lounge area. Hotel itself is always clean but does need updating"

Reviewed on Mar 23, 2024

Kahler Inn and Suites - Mayo Clinic Area
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Broadway Plaza, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
Broadway Plaza, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
3 out of 5
15 1st Street Southeast, Rochester, MN
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly apartment in Rochester. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Shops University ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (133 reviews)
"Parking was convenient. We had a 2 bedroom 2 bath suite that was very spacious and clean. Plenty of storage if one was to stay for an extended time. Both Mayo and Civic Center were accessible via the sky way. I'll definitely being tell others about Broadway Plaza."

Reviewed on Mar 26, 2024

Broadway Plaza, Trademark Collection by Wyndham
The Berkman
The Berkman
3 out of 5
217 14th Ave SW, Rochester, MN
Stay at this 3-star golf aparthotel in Rochester. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and a rooftop terrace. Popular attractions Cascade Lake Beach and Plummer ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (190 reviews)
"Very clean and quiet property. Free shuttle to Mayo clinic is available numerous times daily. They have a small shop with food and drinks. There's a great restaurant attached. The fitness and lounging areas are amazing."

Reviewed on Mar 21, 2024

The Berkman
Century Cottage-PERFECT for Mayo & downtown visitors!
Century Cottage-PERFECT for Mayo & downtown visitors!
Rochester
Stay at this vacation home in Rochester. Enjoy free WiFi, a water park, and onsite parking. Popular attractions Minnesota Children's Museum and Silver Lake Park ...
10/10 Exceptional! (74 reviews)
Great Getaway
"Everything was perfect! The furniture is comfortable & cozy. Our son lives close by so we enjoyed family meals prepared in the well equipped kitchen. It was a wonderful weekend & we look forward to our next visit!!"

Reviewed on Mar 27, 2024

Century Cottage-PERFECT for Mayo & downtown visitors!
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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