Rochester Minnesota is best-known for the Mayo Clinic and the thriving medical community in that stems from the roots of Rochester’s interesting history. During the middle of the 19th century Rochester was nothing more than a resting point for wagons heading west. In 1858 the town became official and was named after Rochester, New York. Ravaged by a tornado in 1883, nurses and doctors became totally overwhelmed by the amount of injured people they had to care for. Dr. William Mayo, along with his sons, went to Rochester to aid patients. From then on the development of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota gained major momentum and thus the homegrown medical community was born.
Rochester MN is southeast of the Minneapolis
metropolis, its twin city of St
Paul and close to Lake Michigan. Public transportation
is efficient and affordable and makes a tour of the city
easy. One of the most popular Rochester attractions is
touring the historical homes in the area. The five story
house belonged to Henry S. Plummer who was once a member
of the famed Mayo Clinic circa nineteen hundred. Highlighted
by forty-nine rooms, beautifully landscaped grounds, a
water tower and flower garden, it’s a great place
to spend time exploring.
Another of the notable Rochester attractions is the historic home named Mayowood Mansion. Doctor Charles H. Mayo, who co-founded the Mayo clinic, lived in the large estate in Rochester MN. It features original furniture and other artifacts. Tours of the Mayo Clinic, the most important of Rochester attractions, round off a historical tour perfectly. Unique artwork has been carefully displayed around the clinic and can be seen, along with the Judd Auditorium, on free tours held Tuesday through Thursday at 1:30pm.
The Forestville / Mystery Cave in Rochester Minnesota is a preserved park area with lovely treed valleys and a historical town area dating back to the eighteen hundreds. The park is great for camping and other things to do such as hiking, fishing, snowmobiling and skiing the network of trails. Assisi Heights, a Romanesque Italian building, can be toured in one hour. It’s home to the Assissi Community Center as well as the Sisters of Saint Francis. The beautifully adorned lobby is replete with sleek slate floors and hand-blown glass shipped from Germany. The stunning Romanesque ceiling is the main highlight.
One of the main and most fun Rochester MN events is the summertime celebration of RochesterFest which spans nine days in June. Parades, food vendors, street dances, fireworks and many other fun things are included in this special celebration. The lumberjack competition is a favorite where lumberjacks compete for lots of money! The main stage is near Civic Center Drive where most of the entertainment is showcased and many stores have great sales for shopping. Moonglow is one of the best events. Five hot air balloons put on a stunning show with glowing fire.
Rochester MN events also include The Olmsted County Fair. Animals, exhibits, carnival rides and delicious food are all included over a week beginning at the end of July. The midway features a myriad of live entertainment as livestock shows and other exhibits continue all week. WinterFest is another of the fun Rochester MN events held in February and features sleigh rides, a chili cook off, polar bear plunge and fantastic ice sculpting.
Rochester Minnesota has a lot going for it. From a blooming and safe community to many area attractions and activities, it’s perfect for a family holiday or even a day trip. Rochester hotels are easily available and many can be found near major points of interest for affordable prices. Get outdoors, enjoy city celebrations and be sure to take your camera along!
