Location: Rochester
Top Things to do in Rochester
6 Things to do Good for Big Groups in Rochester That You Shouldn't Miss
Rochester is a city founded in 1854 in the U.S. State of Minnesota and is the county seat of Olmsted County located on the Zumbro River's south fork in Southeast Minnesota. It is Minnesota's third-largest city and the largest city located outside the Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2015, the Rochester metropolitan area has a population of 215,884. According to the 2010 United States Census the city has a population of 106,769. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated that the 2016 population was 114,011. It is the home of the Mayo Clinic and formerly, one of IBM's largest facilities. The city has long been rated as one of the best places to live in the United States by multiple publications such as Money and is one of the most educated cities in the world.
Restaurants in Rochester
1. Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 199 reviews
Reviewed By B2068ZFmartins - Wailea, United States
This is a MUST see for anyone visiting Rochester it is outstanding in the way it honors what challenges our military has had to deal with throughout history. I was impressed with the quality of each part of the exhibit. The statues are especially outstanding. The statue of the wife and son receiving word of the father’s death brought tears to myself and my wife. As a Vietnam combat soldier I was very struck over the tribute to the combat medics and nurses. Don’t miss the respectful and beautiful place of honor.
2. The Escape Challenge
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 267 reviews
An interactive adventure like no other. Your group is locked in an immersive experience. 60 minutes on the clock. You must find clues, solve puzzles, and unlock secret passages in order to complete your mission and escape. Armed with only your wits, you'll need to complete your mission before time runs out. You'll need teamwork, communication, and a whole lot of critical thinking. Located in Rochester, MN, and voted BEST Escape Room in Minnesota, Escape Challenge is the ultimate destination for adventure seekers, and puzzle fanatics. Put your skills to the challenge, the Escape Challenge. The perfect event for any group. Families, friends, work outings, bachelorette parties or any other group event. Let us make your event memorable.
Reviewed By G9091PXkarens
Escape room challenges is our new Thanksgiving tradition. We really enjoyed the level of challenges in the Frank N Stein room. We had a group of 6 and everyone was busy and challenged. We would definitely recommend and will probably go back for one of the other rooms in the future.
3. UNRAVELED Escape Room
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 107 reviews
UNRAVELED Escape Room is a real life escape challenge where you come with a group of between 4 and 10 friends/family members/co-workers/etc and you get LOCKED UP! It is up to you and your team to find the clues and solves the puzzles in order to escape in time... "Do You Have What It Takes To Escape?" First theme up: Escape From Alcatraz - Experience The Rock like never before!
Reviewed By shiank2021
I liked that when we were stuck they would help here and there. The rooms definitely keep you busy. My recommendation for anyone coming to this escape room is bring people who actually help. Definitely work as a team, but also spread out because having multiple people focus on just one thing really wastes your time. Overall it was a fun experience and I’ll definitely be coming back soon to try out the other escape rooms!!
4. Mayowood Mansion
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 167 reviews
Reviewed By 97Rick97 - Rochester, United States
We toured the estate during the Christmas season. The local Historical Society has a relationship with the Mayowood estate and we set up our tour through them. You can drive to the mansion and take the tour, or you can sign up through the Historical Society. You pay more through the Historical Society, but it is well worth it. They had a video presentation prior to the tour that included snacks, beverages, and a Q & A session. A bus picked our group up and drove to the mansion. The driver shared additional information with the group on the way to and from the actual tour. The Mayo’s had a huge farming operation and the driver explained some of that information, as we drove by the farm sites. The mansion is incredible and and MAYO is doing an great job of refurbishing the mansion. At Christmas time, local groups and businesses are allowed to decorate many of the rooms and do an incredible job. You can read the other reviews that explain what you will see, as we all got the same tour. My suggestion is to utilize the Historical Society and take advantage of the easier parking, and expanded tour and knowledge base that the team at the Historical Society provide.
5. Quarry Hill Nature Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 258 reviews
Enjoy the beauty and habitat of southeastern Minnesota by hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, or snowshoeing the meadows, flood plain and upland forests on the 5 miles of trails covering 320 acres. Park land features a former working quarry, the Rochester State Hospital Cemetary, and a 3 acre pond. The Nature Center offers interactive displays and exhibits of the area's wildlife and natural beauty including a 1,700 gallon native-fish aquarium. Public programs on Sunday's at 1:30 pm include cave tours, live animal programs and bird banding. Cross-country ski, snow shoe, and geocache rentals available.
Reviewed By gsgguru73
Wonderful and informative nature center, great for kids with smaller animals and reptiles and great hiking trails. I would recommend getting a map before you hike as the trails intersect and can be confusing.
6. Bowlocity Entertainment Center
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 15 reviews
Bowlocity Entertainment Center is a premiere entertainment center in Rochester, MN. In 2014, we completed a $4 million expansion to modernize our facility. This expansion included a suites bowling area with eight blue lanes, couches, a private bar, and a banquet room that holds up to 75-people. We also added a 45-game redemption arcade and a 20-vest, state-of-the-art, two-story laser tag arena. We now have a total of four party rooms for groups to rent out.
