Guidebook for Rochester
Food Scene
Forager has quickly become one of our favorite local places for delicious apps and wood-fired pizza. We have gotten to know some of the bartenders and waiters, who are very friendly.
76 locals recommend
Forager Brewery
1005 6th St NWForager has quickly become one of our favorite local places for delicious apps and wood-fired pizza. We have gotten to know some of the bartenders and waiters, who are very friendly.
Chester's is named after Rochester and is part of a group of restaurants downtown that have fabulous food. Definitely try the rotisserie chicken or a fresh salad. Their house made chili is the perfect comfort food. Located downtown near Mayo, shopping, and other restaurants.
63 locals recommend
Chester's Kitchen & Bar
111 Broadway Ave SChester's is named after Rochester and is part of a group of restaurants downtown that have fabulous food. Definitely try the rotisserie chicken or a fresh salad. Their house made chili is the perfect comfort food. Located downtown near Mayo, shopping, and other restaurants.
Looking for a heaping plate pad thai or a fresh spring roll? Just a few blocks away on North Broadway.
36 locals recommend
Pho Chau
1014 N Broadway AveLooking for a heaping plate pad thai or a fresh spring roll? Just a few blocks away on North Broadway.
This place is the real deal when it comes to Mexican. We have only been once, but it was delicious. Try the house made tamales.
La Poblana
909 37th St NWThis place is the real deal when it comes to Mexican. We have only been once, but it was delicious. Try the house made tamales.
Connor and I have never been here, but it is our neighbors #1 go to spot so it must be good.
300 First
300 1st Ave NWConnor and I have never been here, but it is our neighbors #1 go to spot so it must be good.
Carroll's Corn is a family owned popcorn shop. They have the most addictive Chicago Corn (cheddar, butter, and caramel mix)!
Carroll's Corn
20 2nd Ave SWCarroll's Corn is a family owned popcorn shop. They have the most addictive Chicago Corn (cheddar, butter, and caramel mix)!
In need of some gelato or chocolate? This place in University Square is the place to go.
Chocolate Oasis
101 1st Ave SWIn need of some gelato or chocolate? This place in University Square is the place to go.
Hands down best burgers and chicken strips in Rochester. And they have popcorn while you wait, so you can't go wrong.
15 locals recommend
Newt's
216 1st Ave SWHands down best burgers and chicken strips in Rochester. And they have popcorn while you wait, so you can't go wrong.
Mexican. Haven't been there yet, but from what we've heard it is pretty delicious.
12 locals recommend
Hefe Rojo
216 1st Ave SWMexican. Haven't been there yet, but from what we've heard it is pretty delicious.
Fiddlehead Coffee Co.
412 3rd Avenue SoutheastParks & Nature
If you want to get out of town and into the countryside for a 1/2 day visit Whitewater. Hiking, swimming, and geocaching. Visit the Elba Fire Tower for a scenic view of SE Minnesota.
21 locals recommend
Whitewater State Park
19041 MN-74If you want to get out of town and into the countryside for a 1/2 day visit Whitewater. Hiking, swimming, and geocaching. Visit the Elba Fire Tower for a scenic view of SE Minnesota.
Quarry Hill is great for walking and hiking or cross country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter months. The nature center has a variety of animals and a place to watch for a variety of native birds.
81 locals recommend
Quarry Hill Nature Center
701 Silver Creek Rd NEQuarry Hill is great for walking and hiking or cross country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter months. The nature center has a variety of animals and a place to watch for a variety of native birds.
Shopping
Dwell Local is where you will find antiques and a variety of artwork, jewelry, home décor, and fair trade items from local artists. Go visit the owner, Paul, at his shop less than 2 blocks from our home.
Dwell Local, LLC
602 7th St NWDwell Local is where you will find antiques and a variety of artwork, jewelry, home décor, and fair trade items from local artists. Go visit the owner, Paul, at his shop less than 2 blocks from our home.
Essentials
Aldi is the best. We have never been disappointed with their budget-friendly grocery items. Make sure to bring a quarter for the shopping cart and a reusable bag for the groceries.
10 locals recommend
ALDI
1201 Broadway Ave SAldi is the best. We have never been disappointed with their budget-friendly grocery items. Make sure to bring a quarter for the shopping cart and a reusable bag for the groceries.
Hy-Vee
500 37th St NWWalgreens
1112 Civic Center Dr NWArts & Culture
This gallery hosts arts from Rochester and around the world. If you need a quiet place to think and admire good art, go to the Art Center.
Park at the Library parking ramp and weave through the construction zone to the Art Center.
Check out the website because they sometimes have free admission days or special art exhibits.
44 locals recommend
Rochester Art Center
30 Civic Center Dr SEThis gallery hosts arts from Rochester and around the world. If you need a quiet place to think and admire good art, go to the Art Center.
Park at the Library parking ramp and weave through the construction zone to the Art Center.
Check out the website because they sometimes have free admission days or special art exhibits.
Rochester Art Center
30 Civic Center Dr SESightseeing
Climb 100s of stairs up a wooded hillside to the Elba Fire Tower. Climb the tower to see 10 mile views of SE Minnesota in every direction.
8 locals recommend
Elba Fire Tower
1100 E Center StClimb 100s of stairs up a wooded hillside to the Elba Fire Tower. Climb the tower to see 10 mile views of SE Minnesota in every direction.
Getting Around
Reliable, since a lot of Rochester locals use it for getting to and from Mayo Clinic for work.
Limited weekend and night hours.
Rochester Public Transit
4300 E River Rd NEReliable, since a lot of Rochester locals use it for getting to and from Mayo Clinic for work.
Limited weekend and night hours.