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Rochester is the third-largest city in Minnesota, set on the Zumbro River in the southeast of the state, about 85 miles south of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Settled in the 1850s and named after Rochester, New York, it was a farming and stagecoach town until a tornado in 1883 led Dr. William Worrall Mayo and his sons to partner with the Sisters of Saint Francis to build a hospital.
That partnership grew into the Mayo Clinic, one of the most famous medical centers in the world. Today the clinic dominates downtown, linked by an underground and skyway system, and draws patients and visitors from around the globe. The city has about 120,000 residents, and the historic Plummer Building, with its carillon tower, is a National Historic Landmark.
Beyond the clinic, Rochester has a pleasant downtown along the river with Peace Plaza, restaurants and the Mayo Civic Center. Mayowood Mansion, the Mayo family's country estate, is open for tours, and Quarry Hill Park offers trails, caves and a nature center. Silver Lake attracts flocks of Canada geese, and the Douglas State Trail follows an old rail line into the countryside.
The world-famous medical center dominates downtown Rochester with its connected towers, subways and skyways, and visitors are welcome to view its large public art collection. Free guided art and architecture tours start in the Gonda Building. Check tour times at the information desk.
A 1928 Mayo Clinic building with an ornate Art Deco and Romanesque exterior, bronze doors and a carillon tower whose bells play regular concerts. Inside, Heritage Hall tells the Mayo story. Visitors can view the lobby and historic rooms; listen for carillon recitals on set days.
A quirky water tower painted to look like a giant ear of corn, built in 1931 for a local canning plant and now a well-loved city icon on the south side of downtown. It is a quick photo stop, best seen from Broadway Avenue South. It is on private land, so view it from the street.
The country estate of Dr. Charles H. Mayo, a 38-room concrete mansion from 1911 above the Zumbro River, filled with original furnishings and art collected by the Mayo family. Tours are run by the History Center of Olmsted County on set days, so book in advance.
The 1924 Tudor-style home of Mayo Clinic doctor Henry Plummer on a hill in southwest Rochester, set in landscaped gardens with a water tower and quarry. The gardens are open to the public for free, and house tours run on certain days in summer. It is a peaceful spot for photos.
A local history museum in southwest Rochester with exhibits on the county's farming, the Mayo family, the city's growth and Native American history, plus a research library and historic buildings on the grounds. It also runs Mayowood Mansion tours. Allow about an hour.
A contemporary art center beside the Mayo Civic Center and the Zumbro River with changing exhibitions of modern art by regional and national artists, plus classes and a small shop. Admission is low cost. It is an easy walk from downtown hotels and the Peace Plaza.
A pedestrian plaza in the heart of downtown Rochester with the Peace Fountain, cafes and shops, hosting the summer Thursdays on First festival with live music and food vendors. It links to the skyway and Mayo buildings. Visit on a summer Thursday for the liveliest atmosphere.
Rochester's convention and event center on the Zumbro River, with an arena and theater that host concerts, comedy, sports, trade shows and touring productions. It connects to downtown hotels by skyway. Check the events calendar and buy tickets early for popular shows.
A city park around a lake kept ice-free by a former power plant, which made it famous for thousands of wintering Canada geese. It has trails, a playground, paddleboat rentals in summer and a skate park. Walk the lakeside path and do not feed the geese.
A large park and nature center on Rochester's east side with wooded trails, a fishing pond, historic sandstone caves, a quarry and an indoor nature center with live animals and an observation beehive. It is great for families. Trails can be icy in winter, so bring traction.
A paved state rail trail of about 12 miles that runs from northwest Rochester to Pine Island through farmland and woods, used for cycling, inline skating and walking, with a parallel horse trail. In winter it is groomed for snowmobiles. Parking is at the Rochester trailhead.
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