If you’re looking for good ol’ American living then Rochester, Minnesota is not a bad choice. Lying in the southeast of the state on the Zumbro River, Rochester regularly features in the media’s top 100 places to live in the US due to its health-freak streak and large green areas that make it easy on the eye. If you’re looking for somewhere to find a cold beer late at night or even early in the morning, however, you might be disappointed – Rochester is not renowned as a party town.
Dominated by the well-renowned Mayo Clinic, an ultra-modern health facility, Rochester is a clean-living kind of place with a good number of museums, galleries and theatres in town to keep culture vultures satisfied. The city features an extensive trail system that links to different parks which gets used regularly by cyclists and roller-bladers. The Douglas Trail is one of the best, taking you through green hills and forest for a scenic tour of the city.
With so many people in town concerned about their health, you might expect Rochester locals to subsist on a diet of rabbit food but don’t worry, this is the Mid-West, the heart of America, meaning steaks, burgers and tacos galore. Head to 1st Avenue for the best food in town, including Broadstreet Café and City Café, two of Rochester’s favourite dining spots.
Highlights
Douglas Strait Trail: get into the Rochester way of thinking, hop on a bike and see the most scenic parts of the city under your own steam.
Feast and Footlights Dinner Theater: combine the best of Rochester performance and cuisine at one venue. Only open during the fall.
Miracle Mile: is one of the best shopping areas in downtown Rochester with plenty of stores to put a dent in your credit card.