Whether you’re a local parent seeking new activities to enjoy with your little ones or a visitor searching for entertaining attractions, Rochester, MN has plenty of things to do with kids. From interactive museums and picturesque parks to engaging events and tasty treats, Rochester offers an abundance of options for creating lasting memories with your kids. Let the adventures begin!

Outdoor Fun

Quarry Hill Park in WinterQuarry Hill Park | AB-Photography.US

Minnesotans embrace our weather year-round, and there are many fun activities in the great outdoors no matter the weather. In the summer, explore one of Rochester’s more than 100 parks, or bike, rollerblade or walk along the city’s 85 miles of paved, interconnected trails.

In the winter, rent skis or snowshoes at Quarry Hill Nature Center, go ice skating at Soldiers Field Memorial Park or go tubing at Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch.

Find more outdoor adventures here.

Indoor Fun

Spark Childrens Museum

SPARK | AB-Photography.US

Too hot, too cold, raining, or snowing? There are many indoor places to have fun with kids. Burn off some energy at Air Insanity, ONE Athletics, or Pipsqueaks. Find educational and fun games and activities at places like SPARK or Nana Gogo Toybrary.

Find a list of more indoor fun here.

Kid-Friendly Restaurants

Rochester has a diverse restaurant scene, with many kid-friendly places to eat. Some restaurants also have special deals for families with children. For example, Kids eat free at SMOAK BBQ on Mondays and Tuesdays with the purchase of an adult entrée. Glynner’s Pub also offers a free kid’s meal on Mondays with a paid adult entrée. (Check with each restaurant to confirm availability.)

Find even more kid-friendly restaurants here.

Shopping

Shop at a variety of unique stores featuring children’s apparel and toys, including the downtown boutique Baby, Baby, the board game and puzzle store, Games by James, or the Friends of the Library Bookstore. Or, walk through Apache Mall and explore kid-friendly stores likes Scheels, grab a meal at the food court, and play on the play area on the north end of the mall.

Find more one-of-a-kind shopping in Rochester here.

Get Sporty

Honkers Game fireworksRochester Honkers | Laura Kuisle

For young athletes, check out Chip Shots’ virtual sports simulators or practice your baseball and softball skills at D-BAT. Try your hand at rock climbing at ROCA Climbing & Fitness or go bowling at Bowlocity Entertainment Center.

If being a spectator is more your style, head to a Rochester Honkers or Rochester Royals baseball game at Mayo Field or catch a soccer game with one of Rochester Football Club’s teams. During the winter, the Grizzlies play home hockey games at the Rochester Recreation Center.

Concerts & Events

Trolls LIVE at Mayo Civic CenterTrolls LIVE at Mayo Civic Center

Sit back, relax, and enjoy live entertainment in Rochester! There are engaging events for kids year-round, at venues such as Mayo Civic Center and Rochester Civic Theatre. Many free music concerts throughout the city are also kid-friendly, like Rochester Civic Music’s Down by the Riverside Free Concert Series on Sunday evenings and the ForWARD Neighborhood Park Concert Series on Wednesdays in the summer, and Rochester Downtown Alliance’s Thursdays Downtown. Rochester Public Library also has regular music programs and story times.

Check our Events Calendar for frequently updated live entertainment events.

Day Trips

Eagle at the National Eagle CenterNational Eagle Center

Hit the road and take a day trip! There are many unique attractions within a short driving distance from Rochester, including the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, Oxbow Park & Zollman Zoo in Byron, Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center in Lanesboro, or Lark Toys in Kellogg. Find more day trip ideas here.