A Local’s Guide to Plan the Best Rochester, MN Stay-cation

You need a getaway, but that costs money... You've got SOME money to spend on some fun, but not enough to go on a full-blown trip. So what do you do? Well, that's where a stay-cation is perfect!

With a stay-cation, you don't have to worry about booking a hotel, you don't have to pay for a plane ticket or tons of money on gas, and you might discover something new about your town that you've never noticed or appreciated before.

ALSO READ: 22 Dog-Approved Patios in Rochester, MN

Let's plan the perfect Rochester, Minnesota stay-cation adventure! There are so many options in our little piece of the state, so there will be ideas for family-friendly activities and adventures, and then some that are more adult-focused. It all depends on the kind of stay-cation you need.

Plan the Perfect Rochester, Minnesota Stay-cation

Soldier's Field Aquatic Center

During the summer, go to Soldier's Field Aquatic Center for some fun pool time.

Quarry Hill Nature Center

This is fun for all ages! Learn about the nature and wildlife in Quarry Hill Park at the Nature Center and then take that knowledge to the trails.

Oxbow Park/Zollman Zoo

Another fun outdoor option, pop over to Oxbow Park Nature Center, explore the trails, and make sure to say hello to the animals at the outdoor Zollman Zoo (which is free, by the way!).

Tour Mayowood Mansion

This would be a cool way to learn more about Rochester's history, which is exactly what you'd do if you were actually on a vacation.

Explore Downtown's Art Scene

There are always new murals popping up around downtown Rochester. Take a walk and admire the amazing art we have in town, both murals and sculptures.

Catch a Show at Mayo Civic Center

If there's a show going on at Mayo Civic Center when you're doing your stay-cation, that's perfect! Maybe grab dinner downtown first and then walk over to the show.

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Burn Some Energy at Air Insanity

If your stay-cation involves kids and they've got some energy to burn, take them to Air Insanity Trampoline Park.

Have Fun at Old School Entertainment

We also have a place called Old School Entertainment. You can do axe-throwing if that's something you're interested in, and they also have old-school arcade games that you can play.

Rochester Trolley Tour

Rochester Trolley Tour Company hosts many different kinds of tours. During the fall, there are ghost tours, during the holidays, there are Christmas light tours, and they also host history tours.

Stop By a Local Brewery

More for the adults, but kids are welcome at the breweries too! Grab a game (or bring one from home) and have a game night while you're there.

Take In Live Music

There's almost always some sort of live music going on in Rochester. Sometimes it's a ticketed event, other times it's a local performer playing at a restaurant or bar.

Explore the Douglas Trail

The Douglas Trail is a total of 12.5 miles long, so if you've got lots of time, you could bike the whole thing. That would be quite the adventure! Otherwise, it's just a nice place to take a little walk and explore.

Visit a Spa

If relaxing is a top priority on a vacation for you, make sure to include that in a stay-cation, too, and hit up a spa in Rochester. There are plenty of options depending on if you want a massage, a face treatment, or maybe you want to experience sound bathing.

Some of these ideas are dependent on the weather, but you can mix and match whatever interests you and whatever works with the weather to make the perfect stay-cation!

If you want some more ideas, I've got a list below of different things you can do within 30 miles of Rochester.