Rochester Area Things to Do
Food scene
John Hardy's BBQ
1940 Broadway Ave SGreat local BBQ joint! Super Casual, local favorite.
A new addition to the Rochester area, The Workship Food Hall and Bar has a great ambiance and variety of food and drink offerings.
Workshop Food Hall & Bar
1232 3rd Avenue SoutheastA new addition to the Rochester area, The Workship Food Hall and Bar has a great ambiance and variety of food and drink offerings.
Mr Pizza
1729 Broadway Ave SA local favorite Pizza Joint. I personally LOVE their thin crust pizza.
The Thirsty Belgian
2650 Broadway Ave SA great local pub with an intimate setting.
Outdoors
Willow Creek Reservoir
Great place to go for a walk without a crowd
Great place to spend time outside, lots of trails. It is used as a Boy Scout Camp in the summer as well.
Gamehaven Reservoir
2016 45th St SEGreat place to spend time outside, lots of trails. It is used as a Boy Scout Camp in the summer as well.
Great lake with a park for kids, and beach area in the summer. A great place to bring a paddle-board or kayak.
10 locals recommend
Cascade Lake Park
88 23rd Ave SWGreat lake with a park for kids, and beach area in the summer. A great place to bring a paddle-board or kayak.
Sekapp Orchard
3415 Collegeview Rd EA Great place to start your walk or bike ride! Trails lead all over the city from this complex. If you take the trails going to the left you will be headed toward the Mayowood Mansion, go to the right to head toward downtown. Picnic Tables are available here under a covered space. Free Parking.
John Withers Sport Complex
2021 Mayowood Rd SWA Great place to start your walk or bike ride! Trails lead all over the city from this complex. If you take the trails going to the left you will be headed toward the Mayowood Mansion, go to the right to head toward downtown. Picnic Tables are available here under a covered space. Free Parking.
Restaurants with a Great Patio
Love their food anytime of day, but especially their breakfast served daily! Love the outdoor patio!
28 locals recommend
Five West
1991 Commerce Dr NWLove their food anytime of day, but especially their breakfast served daily! Love the outdoor patio!
A local favorite. Especially love their outdoor patio with a great view of the Zumbro River
7 locals recommend
Hot Chip Burger Bar
1190 16th St SWA local favorite. Especially love their outdoor patio with a great view of the Zumbro River
Local Favorite Restaurant, fun place to sit outside in the summer, or hang out inside the cozy pub to watch football on a cool fall night! Mystery Beer Monday is always a hit!
10 locals recommend
Whistle Binkies On the Lake
247 Woodlake DrLocal Favorite Restaurant, fun place to sit outside in the summer, or hang out inside the cozy pub to watch football on a cool fall night! Mystery Beer Monday is always a hit!
One of the nations top breweries, they often have live music and have a fantastic outdoor patio!
76 locals recommend
Forager Brewery
1005 6th St NWOne of the nations top breweries, they often have live music and have a fantastic outdoor patio!
Wineries and Breweries
Little Thistle Brewing
2031 14th St NWGreat local brewery! Highly recommend!!
Four Daughters is a beautiful modern Minnesota winery. They also have a delightful cider, Loon Juice.
24 locals recommend
Four Daughters Vineyard & Winery
78757 MN-16Four Daughters is a beautiful modern Minnesota winery. They also have a delightful cider, Loon Juice.
Salem Glen Winery
5211 60th Ave SWA lovely local winery
Thesis Beer Project
1929 2nd St SWNationally known brewery with a full kitchen. A nice quaint setting, great patio in the summer, and of course, great beer!
76 locals recommend
Forager Brewery
1005 6th St NWNationally known brewery with a full kitchen. A nice quaint setting, great patio in the summer, and of course, great beer!
City advice
Getting around
Free Parking Downtown after 5PM & Weekends
There is free street parking downtown Rochester after 5:00pm and on weekends. Weekdays there is metered street parking or parking ramps available at a small fee.
Useful phrases
Minnesota Lingo
"Pop" is a term used for "Soda".
If someone asks you if you'd like a "pop" they are asking what kind of soda you would like.
"Oh ya, you betcha" generally means, "Yes"
"Uffda" (a personal favorite) is a general term used to express surprise, astonishment, exhaustion.