ATTRACTIONS

Amusements

• Rochester Balloon Company, LLC
  664 Itasca Court • Rochester, MN 55901
  507-282-2932
  Rochester Balloon Company offers exciting hot air balloon rides that include guided tours that provide information on the Rochester and South East Minnesota area.  map

Historic Homes & Buildings

• Assisi Heights
  1001 14th Street, Suite 200 • Rochester, MN 55901
  507-280-2180
  One hour tours are available at this Italian Romanesque structure that is the home of the Sisters of Saint Francis and the Assisi Community Centre. the building features include an ornate lobby with a slate floor, a Romanesque ceiling, and hand blown stained glass windows from Germany.  map

• Chateau Theatre (circa 1927)
  15 First Street • Rochester, MN 55902
  507-288-4331
  This was one of the most elaborate theatres built in Rochester in the early 1900s, and features a unique French village décor; interesting architectural elements include interior balconies and turrets, a starry night sky painted on the ceiling, and an exterior sunburst design marquee that is lit with six hundred thirty six light bulbs. This elegant theatre and architectural gem now houses a Barnes and Noble bookstore and Starbucks Cafe.  map

• Heritage House of Rochester (circa 1856)
  225 First Avenue • Rochester, MN 55903
  Historic Town Square
  507-286-9208
  This historic home exhibits the way of life of middle-class families from one hundred twenty five years ago, and is authentically furnished with antiques, quilts, dolls, and china, as well as featuring a beautifully manicured garden.  map

• Mayowood Mansion
  3720 Mayowood Road • Rochester, MN 55902
  507-282-9447
  This historic mansion, featuring original furnishings, is the former home of Doctor Charles H. Mayo, co-founder of the world renowned Mayo Clinic; one hour guided walking tours are available.  map

• Plummer House
  1091 Plummer Lane • Rochester, MN 55902
  507-281-6160
  This five story house is the former home of Henry S. Plummer, who was a member of the Mayo Clinic Staff in 1901; the house features forty nine rooms and eleven acres of landscaped grounds that include roses, a flower garden, and a water tower.  map

• Saint Mary's Hospital (circa 1889)
  150 Broadway • Rochester, MN 55904
  507-284-9258
  This historic hospital was supported by the Sisters of Saint Francis and became a leading care facility under the leadership of Doctor William W. Mayo; self guided tours and special tours are available.  map

Historic Sites & Monuments

• Soldiers Field Veteran's Memorial
  downtown Rochester
  507-288-4331
  This impressive war memorial was built to honour those who died as a result of injuries sustained while in the Armed Forces; features include "The Wall of Remembrance," which contains the names of two thousand veterans from South East Minnesota who sacrificed their lives to preserve freedom; "The Walk of Remembrance," with the names of over four thousand veterans who have served; fifty matched trees to represent the fifty states, and flags from all branches of the service are also featured. Engraved graphics show battle scenes from the Civil War to the Persian Gulf War era.  map

Museums & Galleries

• Olmsted County History Center
  1195 Circle Drive • Rochester, MN 55902
  507-282-9447
  This museum features interpretive exhibits detailing the history of Rochester and the surrounding area, as well as offering a research library and archives containing over six hundred thousand maps, photographs, diaries, journals, and books relating primarily to Olmstead County and south-eastern Minnesota.  map

• Rochester Art Center
  320 Center Street • Rochester, MN 55904
  507-282-8629
  This centre for the arts presents contemporary fine arts and crafts exhibitions from artists throughout the Midwest and the United States, as well as offering classes, lectures, films, tours, workshops, and special events throughout the year.  map

Parks, Gardens & Zoos

• Quarry Hill Nature Center
  701 Silver Creek Road • Rochester, MN 55906
  507-281-6114
  Nestled within three hundred acres of park land, this nature centre houses over one hundred mounted animals, a one-thousand-seven-hundred-gallon fish tank, live animals, an indoor bee hive, and a bird watching room.  map

Science & Technology

• Mayo Clinic
  200 First Street • Rochester, MN 55905
  507-284-2511
  This world renowned medical and research centre offers free one and a half hour tours of the clinic each Monday through Friday at 9:40 AM, beginning in the Judd Auditorium; artwork tours, featuring unique art throughout the clinic, are held on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 1:30 PM.  map