Things to do in rochester, Mn

So you’re moving to Rochester Minnesota! Welcome to Med City. It’s very common to hear people tell the story that they planned to come for only a few years and never left. We are no exception. We move here for 1-2 years max and almost 10 years later we are still here with no plans to move. For the first 5 years we even did a ‘pro and cons list’ of living in Rochester MN and each and every year Rochester Mn won which was always a shock to me. This city totally grows on you! So here is a quick guide to things we enjoy doing as a family to get you started.

Each season has its own unique spin on how to have fun here’s a brief description with a link at the bottom for a deeper dive!

For for fun tips learning to speak like a local Click HERE or to learn Things Minnesotan are passionate and some fun customs Click HERE

Winter Worries?

Let’s get winter out of the way first as it’s usually the first question I get asked when people are relocating to our lovely Med City! If you ask the locals the answer will really depend on what month you ask them. If you ask them in the deep of winter (January or February) many will mumble “Why do we live here?”

However, it worth noting that for the other 10 months of the year, locals love living in Rochester, MN. Why is January and February so hard? Well, I think two of the biggest reasons are:

  1. It’s just a harder climate with potentially lots of snow, freezing rain and icy roads, extreme wind chills and blowing snow BUT we get lots of warning so it’s never a surprise.

  2. It’s a mindset thing. Spring is too far away to get excited about it just yet!

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A New Spring In Your Step!

Minnesotans LOVE Spring. We anticipate it’s arrival weeks in advance and despite the fact that she teases us several times before she fully arrives, we love every one of those days.

Spring is not just about the tiny buds emerging, it’s also people emerging outdoors. There may be puddles everywhere from the melting snow but everyone is keen to pump up their bikes, dust off their roller blades, have a beer with friends outdoors at ones of the local breweries or take their kiddos to the playground. One of my kids favorite pastimes in Spring was to make snow castles at the park! It’s simply a lovely time in Rochester and many Minnesotans favorite season.

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Sizzling Summer!

Summer can be hot and humid but has lots of fun activities to keep our minds off the weather.

  1. Rochester Fest is a weeklong event in the middle of the summer that draws in huge crowds with activities of all ages.

  2. Thursday on First is a super fun weekly event from June to August put on by the city with live music, activities, artist boots and delicious food options from local restaurants lining up each side of the road on first. It’s a great way to engage with local vendors and hang out with friends for a quick lunch or fun evening activity.

  3. Down by the River is another favorite of mine with free live bands every Sunday evening in the most lovely setting by the Zumbro River. Very family and pet friendly.

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Falling in Love with Autumn

Fall is a stunning time of year in Rochester. The heat and humid of the summer fade and give way to crisp, refreshing days. Downtown Rochester, Historic Pill Hill, Old Southwest, Kutzy Park and Elton Hills are some of the older neighborhood in Rochester and have beautiful, well established trees that burn with the most beautiful display for fall colors. Fall festivals pop up throughout South East Minnesota and apple orchards and pumpkins patches are full of visitors enjoying activities enjoyed all ages and selling fruits and veggies directly from the local farmers.

The Quarry Hill fall festival is a huge hit with families with arts and craft and sports for all ages.

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