Hope. Healing. Energy. Transformation.

For more than 150 years, Rochester has been a destination for patients facing the most serious and complex medical challenges. Some come here as their first option. Others find us as a last resort. But they all come to our southeastern Minnesota city in search of the same thing: solutions and hope.

Patients, visitors, learners, and residents find a Rochester that's changing. New buildings fill the skyline and pave the way for initiatives that are unleashing fresh possibilities. There's an entrepreneurial spirit around every corner that brings with it an exciting energy. And most notably, we have an underlying commitment to making Rochester the world’s premier destination medical center — and a fantastic place to learn, live, and play.

Calling Rochester home

There are many reasons why people come from all over the world to train at Mayo Clinic and end up calling Rochester home. It starts with our community, which welcomes people from around the globe.

Rochester is a convenient and accessible city — it’s easy to get around and enjoy everything the city has to offer. Consistently ranked as a top place to live, Rochester is a safe community with friendly neighborhoods, many activities to keep you busy, and plenty of parks and green space where you can relax and recharge.

You’ll feel like you belong from the moment you step foot on campus and go on to find many ways to get connected.

Weather

Rochester has four distinct seasons. With the changing seasons comes a unique energy, and here, you’ll experience it all.

Summer is a fan favorite and for good reason. It’s warm, sunny, and brings just enough rain to help out our gardens. People tend to head north to experience lake country and Minnesota’s beautiful north shore.

Fall brings with it more than colorful leaves. Sweater weather was made for Minnesota, with mild days that fade into cool nights, perfect for an evening bonfire.

While it’s true that winter can get a little chilly, it’s also true that we embrace the snow and cold with a number of winter activities and experiences. You’ll learn to appreciate the snow-covered city — we promise!

With spring comes a renewed sense of life. You haven’t felt a 50-degree day until you’ve felt the first 50-degree day after winter. The trees rush forth with new leaves, and you’ll be reminded of the beauty of Minnesota.

Getting around

To get to campus — or anywhere in Rochester for that matter — your commute will rarely exceed 15 to 20 minutes.

And once you’re on campus, you likely won’t need to commute from place to place. All of our research, clinical, and educational buildings are within walking distance or a short shuttle ride away. To be more precise, Mayo's buildings in the downtown area stretch across about 30 square city blocks. From there, Mayo Clinic Hospital, Saint Marys Campus, is just 10 blocks west of downtown.

To get around town, most people rely on their personal vehicles. That said, we are becoming more bike- and pedestrian-friendly every year. As the downtown area evolves, bike lanes and racks are increasingly common. You'll also find more than 85 miles of paved bike trails throughout the city, which are ideal for both bike commuting and recreation.

The Rochester Public Transit bus system has 40 weekday routes, many of which make regular stops at Mayo Clinic.

Parking on campus

Parking is limited on the Rochester campus, and most students will not have on-campus parking access. Your specific on-campus parking privileges will vary based on the educational program you're in. Expect to receive more information after you're admitted or at orientation.

All students and trainees are eligible for free Rochester Public Transit bus passes. This includes access to several park-and-ride options throughout the city, allowing you space to park your vehicle or bike and ride the remaining few miles to campus on a bus.

Campus shuttle

To get between Mayo Clinic's downtown buildings; Mayo Clinic Hospital, Saint Marys Campus; and Mayo parking lots near downtown, there is a free intercampus shuttle system that is available to all students and staff.