Whether you’re traveling to Rochester or planning a “staycation” here in the Med City, there are plenty of ways for all to have fun and stay busy during Spring Break. Here are five ideas to make the most of your Spring Break in Rochester, MN:  

History center walking tour appDowntown History Walking Tour App

Take a Tour & discover downtown 

Learn more about Rochester by taking a tour! The Rochester Trolley and Tour Company’s Historical Trolley Tour takes you through a detailed history of our city with fun facts along the way. You can also learn more about the Mayo Family by going on the History Center of Olmsted County’s tour of the historic Mayowood Mansion.  

If a self-guided tour is more your thing, the history center has a free, app-based downtown history walking tour that shows our city’s past. For creative folks, Art Walk reveals Rochester’s hidden gems from goose sculptures to murals. Talk about a photo-op!   

Ice Cream Flight at FlapdoodlesFlapdoodles | AB-Photography.US

Spice up your Dining Experience 

Like the idea of a tour, but want something more satisfying? Rochester’s food and beverage presence is booming! Tour Salem Glen Vineyard & Winery or Kinney Creek Brewery with guides who ensure a good time is had by all.  

If you’re looking to spice up your menu, Rochester’s restaurant scene is the place to do so! Indulge in world class sea food at Bleu Duck Kitchen, enjoy all things Italian at Pasquale’s Neighborhood Pizzeria, and diversify your palate with cocktails & Thai cuisine at ThaiPop!  

Next, dive into affordable deliciousness at Carrolls Corn, Flapdoodles Homemade Ice Cream, or Great Harvest Bread Co. 

Lastly, end your evening by visiting one of the best speakeasies in the country, Bitter & Pour. There are countless dining options in Rochester – view more here! 

Butterfly Garden at Quarry HillQuarry Hill Nature Center

Get Outside 

Spending time outside is a great way to make the most of a gorgeous day! As the weather warms up, plan a day enjoying the great outdoors. Walk, bike, or rollerblade along Rochester’s 85 miles of trails or challenge yourself to a hike at a nearby state park. Favorites include Quarry Hill Park and Silver Lake Park, but Rochester is also home to dozens of smaller city parks worth a visit. 

There are also plenty of fishing spots in the area, just waiting for the right conditions. Prime spin fishing can be enjoyed at Lake Zumbro and Manorwoods Lake at any time throughout the year.

Man catches a northern pike on Lake Zumbro

Catching a Northern Pike on Lake Zumbro | Photo credit Tanner Horton

Try Something New: Fly Fishing the Driftless 

Olmsted County lies in The Driftless Region, which is land that was never glaciated. As a result, all rivers in the area run cold, allowing for impeccable trout fishing. Rainbow, Brown, and native Brook trout reside in the Driftless rivers. The best streams to check out near Rochester include the Trout Run, the Middle Branch of the Whitewater River, and the Root River. Even if you’ve never fished, fly fishing in the Driftless Region lets you enjoy stunning landscapes, peaceful streams, and a chance to learn a new skill. 

Learn more and find a guide with On the Fly Guide Service, located in Rochester. If you’re up for the drive, Preston, Minnesota’s Driftless Fly Fishing Co. is also highly recommended.  

Rainy day? Check out these Indoor Hotspots  

Immerse yourself in the gaming world and stop into Hyperspace Starcade to enjoy laser tag, arcade games, virtual reality, and even video game parties! Or gather up friends and family and attempt an escape room at The Escape Challenge.  

Find more things to do with the events and activities calendar here!