Things to Do In Rochester, MN in Summer

Ways to Chill Out on a Hot Day

In Rochester, we savor every precious second of spring and summer. When the sun shines and the flowers bloom, it's time to get out and play together. While the opportunities for summer fun and relaxation in Rochester are infinite, we've got some suggestions to help you narrow your options!

1. Enjoy an event. Rochester hosts many special events in June, July, and August to keep you busy. Check out Thursdays Downtown, a summer market and music festival. Be sure to mark Rochesterfest, which livens up the city in late June, on your calendar. Also, don't miss our city's free Sunday night Think Bank "Down by the Riverside" concerts for six weeks in July and August. Enjoy all that Rochester has to offer and celebrate time together during our city's bustling, bright summer months.

2. Take to the water. Summer recreation in Minnesota revolves around water, whether we're gliding over it, splashing in it, or casting a fishing pole into it.  For a quintessential on-the-water experience with your family or friends, enjoy a paddleboat ride around Silver Lake, or journey down the Zumbro River in a canoe or kayak. If swimming is more your style, take a dip at Foster Arend Park's lake and then soak up the summer sun on the sandy beach. Another favorite destination that will make a splash with the whole family is Soldier's Field Pool, which features a 112-foot water slide and zero-depth entry.  

3. Enjoy our woods and wildlife. Rochester's natural beauty and tranquility are on full display at Quarry Hill Nature Center, where you can hike more than eight miles of trails, borrow binoculars in the Nature Center and go bird-watching, or amble around a pond that's home to ducks, muskrats, turtles, and frogs. Kids under 15 can also bring a simple fishing rod and fish in the pond without a license. Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo, located 13 miles west of downtown Rochester, is another popular destination for hiking, picnicking, and observing more than 30 species of wild animals native to Minnesota, including otters, bears, and wolves.

4. Get sporty.  As the proud home of Mayo Clinic, it's no surprise that our city encourages an active lifestyle and healthy habits. Heading to the ballpark to catch a Rochester Honkers minor league baseball game is one of our favorite summer pastimes. If you want to get sporty yourself, Rochester boasts more than 85 miles of trails for rollerblading, walking, and biking. Start your biking excursion at Silver Lake Park, where you can rent not only a standard bike, but a tandem bike or baby trailer. If you're ready to tee off, Rochester offers several highly acclaimed golf courses that appeal to a wide variety of skill levels. Whatever your healthy passion--from indoor rock climbing to bowling to hiking--Rochester will keep you moving. 

5. Dine on a patio. Treat yourself and your crew to dinner or a cocktail on one of Rochester's stylish outdoor patios. Don't miss the Tap House, which is located on Historic Third Street and is known for its 50 beers on tap as well as its rooftop seating with a large fireplace and heaters for chilly evenings.

6. Take your fun indoors. When you need a break from the sun (or it's a rainy day), there's plenty to keep you busy indoors, too. Check out the latest production at Rochester Civic Theatre or the newest installation at the Rochester Art Center. If you're traveling with kids, experience some hands-on fun at the Minnesota Children's Museum Rochester, jump around at Air Insanity trampoline park, or solve a mystery at the Escape Challenge.    

Enjoy summer in Rochester, MN!

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