Ann and Steve Teget 2021-12-16 06:29:08
About an hour south of the Twin Cities, Rochester is world-renowned for its legacy of care and innovation. The Mayo Clinic sees more than 1.3 million patients each year, and its culture of caring is clearly contagious, making Rochester an extraordinary travel destination. As frequent visitors to the city, we offer the following suggestions for how to spend 48 fantastic hours there: DAY ONE 8 a.m. Caffeinate at Fiddlehead. This local favorite has two locations brewing delicious coffee creations. 9 a.m. Pamper yourself in a city where opportunities for self-care abound. Book a spa treatment at Mayo Clinic’s Rejuvenate Spa. Noon Grab lunch at Salad Brothers. We crave their homestyle soups, sandwiches and salads. 1 p.m. Browse the exhibits at the Rochester Art Center and see who’s performing at the Mayo Civic Center next door. Maybe stop at the box office and get tickets for an upcoming show. 3 p.m. Make your own art at Canvas and Chardonnay. 6 p.m. Enjoy dinner downtown at Bleu Duck Kitchen. The menu changes every few weeks based on seasonal ingredients. Other downtown favorites include Chester’s, Crave, Pescara and Terza. 8 p.m. Enjoy live music at your choice of downtown venues. DAY TWO 8 a.m. Start with a hearty breakfast of oven-baked sweet or savory Dutch pancakes at Hollandberry Pannekoeken. 9 a.m. Explore Rochester’s 85 miles of paved trails, perfect for pedestrians, wheelchairs and bikes. Stroll along the banks of the Zumbro River, jog around Cascade Lake or meander through the woods at Quarry Hill Nature Center. Noon Order a mango salad from Victoria’s. Named Minnesota’s nicest place in 2020 by Reader’s Digest, it also serves up Italian favorites with excellent wines. 1 p.m. Visit historic sites, including the Mayowood Mansion, Plummer House and Assissi Heights. Or book a history tour with the Rochester Trolley and Tour Company (other tour themes include haunted Rochester, holiday lights, microbreweries and more.) 3 p.m. Time for retail therapy! Local shops like Tangerine and Counterpointe lift our spirits every time. 6 p.m. Try something new at an ethnic restaurant. Favorites include Hyderabad Indian Grill, Mango Thai and Opa! Opa! 8 p.m. Enjoy a sweet treat at Flapdoodles. Homemade ice cream flavors like Chocness Monster served in a funky atmosphere will help you leave Rochester with a smile on your face. Where to stay: With nearly 6,000 rooms for lodging, there are a variety of places to stay. Favorites include the centrally located Hotel Indigo and Hilton, both of which have rooftop terraces overlooking the city. MORE TO SEE AND DO Take time for yourself at Mayo Clinic’s Healthy Living Program Need help designing and sticking to a healthier lifestyle? Book a two-day wellness experience through the Mayo Clinic. The Healthy Living Program, housed at a state-of-the-art wellness facility on the Mayo campus, focuses on diet, physical activity and resilience. Clinic experts tailor the program to your needs and goals. For us, it was a fantastic way to experiment with everything from Pilates and meditation to cooking essentials and finding everyday joy. We’ve been through it twice, and it’s proven to be an essential part of our healthy living journey. For more information, call 507-293-2933.
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