Guidebook for Rochester

Connor + Renee
Connor + Renee
Guidebook for Rochester

Food Scene

Forager has quickly become one of our favorite local places for delicious apps and wood-fired pizza. We have gotten to know some of the bartenders and waiters, who are very friendly.
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Forager Brewery
1005 6th St NW
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Forager has quickly become one of our favorite local places for delicious apps and wood-fired pizza. We have gotten to know some of the bartenders and waiters, who are very friendly.
Chester's is named after Rochester and is part of a group of restaurants downtown that have fabulous food. Definitely try the rotisserie chicken or a fresh salad. Their house made chili is the perfect comfort food. Located downtown near Mayo, shopping, and other restaurants.
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Chester's Kitchen & Bar
111 Broadway Ave S
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Chester's is named after Rochester and is part of a group of restaurants downtown that have fabulous food. Definitely try the rotisserie chicken or a fresh salad. Their house made chili is the perfect comfort food. Located downtown near Mayo, shopping, and other restaurants.
Looking for a heaping plate pad thai or a fresh spring roll? Just a few blocks away on North Broadway.
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Pho Chau
1014 N Broadway Ave
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Looking for a heaping plate pad thai or a fresh spring roll? Just a few blocks away on North Broadway.
This place is the real deal when it comes to Mexican. We have only been once, but it was delicious. Try the house made tamales.
La Poblana
909 37th St NW
This place is the real deal when it comes to Mexican. We have only been once, but it was delicious. Try the house made tamales.
Connor and I have never been here, but it is our neighbors #1 go to spot so it must be good.
300 First
300 1st Ave NW
Connor and I have never been here, but it is our neighbors #1 go to spot so it must be good.
Carroll's Corn is a family owned popcorn shop. They have the most addictive Chicago Corn (cheddar, butter, and caramel mix)!
Carroll's Corn
20 2nd Ave SW
Carroll's Corn is a family owned popcorn shop. They have the most addictive Chicago Corn (cheddar, butter, and caramel mix)!
In need of some gelato or chocolate? This place in University Square is the place to go.
Chocolate Oasis
101 1st Ave SW
In need of some gelato or chocolate? This place in University Square is the place to go.
Hands down best burgers and chicken strips in Rochester. And they have popcorn while you wait, so you can't go wrong.
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Newt's
216 1st Ave SW
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Hands down best burgers and chicken strips in Rochester. And they have popcorn while you wait, so you can't go wrong.
Mexican. Haven't been there yet, but from what we've heard it is pretty delicious.
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Hefe Rojo
216 1st Ave SW
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Mexican. Haven't been there yet, but from what we've heard it is pretty delicious.
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Fiddlehead Coffee Co.
412 3rd Avenue Southeast
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Parks & Nature

If you want to get out of town and into the countryside for a 1/2 day visit Whitewater. Hiking, swimming, and geocaching. Visit the Elba Fire Tower for a scenic view of SE Minnesota.
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I-Whitewater State Park
19041 MN-74
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If you want to get out of town and into the countryside for a 1/2 day visit Whitewater. Hiking, swimming, and geocaching. Visit the Elba Fire Tower for a scenic view of SE Minnesota.
Quarry Hill is great for walking and hiking or cross country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter months. The nature center has a variety of animals and a place to watch for a variety of native birds.
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I-Center ye-Nature ye-Quarry Hill
701 Silver Creek Rd NE
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Quarry Hill is great for walking and hiking or cross country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter months. The nature center has a variety of animals and a place to watch for a variety of native birds.

Shopping

Dwell Local is where you will find antiques and a variety of artwork, jewelry, home décor, and fair trade items from local artists. Go visit the owner, Paul, at his shop less than 2 blocks from our home.
Dwell Local, LLC
602 7th St NW
Dwell Local is where you will find antiques and a variety of artwork, jewelry, home décor, and fair trade items from local artists. Go visit the owner, Paul, at his shop less than 2 blocks from our home.

Essentials

Aldi is the best. We have never been disappointed with their budget-friendly grocery items. Make sure to bring a quarter for the shopping cart and a reusable bag for the groceries.
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ALDI
1201 Broadway Ave S
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Aldi is the best. We have never been disappointed with their budget-friendly grocery items. Make sure to bring a quarter for the shopping cart and a reusable bag for the groceries.
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Hy-Vee
500 37th St NW
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Walgreens
1112 Civic Center Dr NW
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Arts & Culture

This gallery hosts arts from Rochester and around the world. If you need a quiet place to think and admire good art, go to the Art Center. Park at the Library parking ramp and weave through the construction zone to the Art Center. Check out the website because they sometimes have free admission days or special art exhibits.
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Rochester Art Center
30 Civic Center Dr SE
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This gallery hosts arts from Rochester and around the world. If you need a quiet place to think and admire good art, go to the Art Center. Park at the Library parking ramp and weave through the construction zone to the Art Center. Check out the website because they sometimes have free admission days or special art exhibits.
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Rochester Art Center
30 Civic Center Dr SE
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Sightseeing

Climb 100s of stairs up a wooded hillside to the Elba Fire Tower. Climb the tower to see 10 mile views of SE Minnesota in every direction.
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Elba Fire Tower
1100 E Center St
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Climb 100s of stairs up a wooded hillside to the Elba Fire Tower. Climb the tower to see 10 mile views of SE Minnesota in every direction.

Getting Around

Reliable, since a lot of Rochester locals use it for getting to and from Mayo Clinic for work. Limited weekend and night hours.
Rochester Public Transit
4300 E River Rd NE
Reliable, since a lot of Rochester locals use it for getting to and from Mayo Clinic for work. Limited weekend and night hours.