Rochester, Minnesota
Olmsted County, Minnesota, may sound like a place off the beaten path. It is for the most part until you get to the biggest town located within its boundaries: Rochester, a city that has hosted former presidents and kings. Why? Rochester is home to the world-renowned Mayo Clinic. It attracts over 2 million visitors each year. IBM and Seneca Foods also have a considerable presence in town.
Rochester has one of the most modest-sized downtowns in the United States. It also is one of the most elegant and enjoyable to walk around. The highlight of downtown's walking options is an underground walkway system that links a couple hotels directly to the Mayo; it is worth a walk just for the experience of it. Rochester also has a sprawling, well-connected trail system linking the city's numerous parks that are a walker, hiker or bicyclists' delight.
Other things worth seeing in Rochester is a Barnes & Noble bookstore located in the former Chateau Theater building; a corn cob-shaped (and painted) water tower at Seneca Foods (located on downtown's southeast side); the sprawling Soldier's Field park consisting of a veteran's memorial, baseball diamonds, a golf course and an outdoor pool open in the summer months and the Rochester Public Library. This last-named attraction is well-worth visiting if you want a book or two to read during a long stay. Their selection of books, DVDs and other materials is wide-ranging. They also host regular family movie nights in their auditorium.
Hotels proliferate in Rochester, the bulk of which are grouped close to the Mayo Clinic. They range from the ultra-elegant Kahler Grand Hotel to the hum-drum likes of Best Western Soldier's Field. Almost all offer extended-stay rates due to the out-of-state (and country) patients the Mayo Clinic attracts each year. For more information, consult the Rochester Visitors and Convention Bureau.
Downtown Rochester photo by Richard H.