Dining and Entertainment
Peace Plaza in downtown Rochester
Restaurants
Near the conference hotel
Chester's kitchen & bar
City Café seafood grille & bar / Newt's (upstairs)
McGoon's Taxi Co. Pub & Restaurant
Mac's café - restaurant
Michaels steaks, chops & seafood / Pappageorge Taverna
Pescara
300 First / Redwood Room (downstairs)
Söntés
Victoria's Ristorante & Wine Bar
For more dining options: www.rochestercvb.org/eat/
Activities
Assisi Heights Tour
Downtown Farmer's Market
Historic Mayowood Mansion Tour
Mayo Clinic Heritage Hall
Mayo Clinic Self-guided Audio Art Tour
Silver Lake Park
Amish Tours (Harmony or Lanesboro, MN)
Spam Museum (Austin, MN)
Regional Touring
If you have extra time before or after the chapter meeting to extend your stay, there are a number of wonderful venues to visit within an hour's radius of Rochester.Explore Small City Atmosphere:
- Lake City, MN (NE of Rochester) is the city where Water Skiing was "invented." Bike, walk, or run on trails that are parallel to the Mississippi River/Lake Pepin. Explore small shops and a variety of eating establishments. (35 min.)
- Redwing, MN (N of Rochester) is located next to the Mississippi River. Choose from antique shops, walking/climbing opportunities, river views and parks, eateries, Redwing Shoes/Boots store, Redwing Pottery outlet, or the St. James Victorian Hotel. (45 min.)
- Lanesboro, MN (SE of Rochester) has bike trails, hiking trails, and canoeing on the Root River. Shopping, eateries, Bed and Breakfasts and beautiful fall colors fill the Bluff Country area. (60 min.)
- Winona, MN (SE of Rochester) is a beautiful river town with historic architecture, several museums, and many parks. (60 min.)
City or State Parks:
- Quarry Hill Nature Center - Rochester, MN (E side of Rochester) has many trails and exhibits.
- Chester Woods Park - Eyota, MN (SE of Rochester) has several hiking/walking trails. (15 min.)
- Whitewater State Park - Altura, MN (E of Rochester) is filled with picturesque limestone bluffs and deep ravines. Wonderful trails lead you to breathtaking overlooks and afford a great place for viewing fall colors. (25 min.)
- Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park - Preston, MN (SE of Rochester) offers wonders both above and below ground. Visit the Mystery Cave, hike the ridge top and valleys, or observe the bold colors of the fall season in the forest. (40 min.)
Wineries:
- Post Town Winery - Rochester, MN (W side of Rochester) is a family dream becoming a reality. They have approximately 2,000 grape vines located near their shop and sell and have tastings of several varieties. (10 min.)
- Salem Glen Vineyard Winery - Rochester, MN (W of Rochester) is another family owned operation that was built on an old dairy farm and has existed since July 2007. A favorite "out of town" spot of the Hospitality Committee. (10 min.)
- Four Daughters Vineyard & Winery - Spring Valley, MN (S of Rochester) was recently opened in December of 2011. This winery has a beautiful modern facility with a small patio that overlooks grapevines and farm fields. In addition to wonderful wine, they offer artisan pizzas, small plates, snacks, and a Sunday brunch. (20 min.)
- Whitewater Wines - Plainview, MN (NE of Rochester) was established in 1996 in the bluff country of the Whitewater River valley. It is family owned and operates with an emphasis on using cold hardy grapes to perfect their wines. (40 min.)
- Garvin Heights Vineyards - Winona, MN (SE of Rochester), which opened in 2006, is a scenic winery located in the bluffs above the city. (60 min.)