Introduction to Rochester, Minnesota
Located in Olmsted County, Minnesota, the city of Rochester lies about 80 miles southeast of the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. The city is serviced by three principal highways: U.S. Routes 14, 52, 63; with close proximity to both Interstate I-90 and Minnesota State Highway 30. Founded by settler George Head in 1854, Rochester was named after its founder's hometown (Rochester, NY). A perennial fixture on Money magazine's "Best Places to Live" lists, Rochester is best known as the birthplace and home of the world-renowned Mayo Clinic.
Arts and Entertainment in Rochester
There are a multitude of attractions in Rochester. Heritage House, located in the city's 1856 Town Square Central Park, depicts the way of life of a middle class Midwestern family as it existed 100 years ago. The History Center of Olmsted County contains rare pictures, maps, diaries, and exhibits chronicling Rochester's story as a world leader in health care. The Mayo Clinic is itself a storied attraction, offering tours and a look behind the scenes of one of the world's premier health care facilities. The five-story Mayowood Mansion is the historic home of three generations of the Mayo family, with 100 rooms located in a beautiful rural wooded setting just outside of downtown Rochester. The Quarry Hill Nature Center encompasses five miles of trails covering 270 acres, ideal for biking, hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. For lovers of the performing arts, the Rochester Civic Theatre offers nine performances a year, including musicals, dramas, and comedies.
Sports fans in Rochester can watch some very good local amateur and semi-pro area teams who call the city home. Pro sports can be found a little over an hour away in Minneapolis, home to the following teams:
- Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA basketball)
- Minnesota Twins (MLB baseball)
- Minnesota Vikings (NFL football)
- Minnesota Wild (NHL hockey)
- Minnesota Swarm (NLL lacrosse)
- Minnesota Thunder (USL soccer)
- Minnesota Lynx (WNBA women's basketball)
