What's life like in Rochester, Minnesota?

There are many ways to get involved and be engaged with the community. From volunteering opportunities to a variety of community-based resources, use this as a starting point for how to get plugged in.

Rochester is experiencing a food revolution. We’ve welcomed new farm-to-table eateries, food trucks, coffee bars, brewpubs, and everything in between. 

One benefit of living in an area with four seasons is the many sports and recreation options.

In the warmer months, throw on your tennis shoes and join a running group, get in on a game of sand volleyball, or find another sports league in town. The city boasts 85 miles of paved bike trails, 100 neighborhood parks, urban lakes, and additional area lakes and rivers for boating, swimming, and other activities on the water.

As the weather turns cold, there are still plenty of options to keep you busy. Enjoy cross-country skiing, ice skating, hockey, and more. Or try something new — like curling or snowshoeing. We’re serious when we say the action doesn’t stop just because the temperature drops.

Get a taste of the art scene at the Rochester Art Center, where you’ll find a variety of exhibits. Hit Art4Trails for outdoor sculptures. Or visit Gallery24, an up-and-coming gallery featuring and celebrating local artists.

If you’re interested in concerts or theater, Rochester offers the newly expanded and renovated Mayo Civic Center, as well as the Rochester Civic Theatre. And now add the newly remodeled Historic Chateau Theatre for events and exhibitions. 

For historical sites and museums, make sure you check out the History Center of Olmsted County.

Rochester is just a 75-minute drive from Minneapolis and St. Paul, also known as the Twin Cities, where you’ll find some of the best museums, theaters, and cultural events in the Midwest.

Our growing music scene promises live music on any night of the week at a variety of venues. In the summer, grab a lawn chair and head to Mayo Park for the free summer Down by the Riverside concert series.

You can also look forward to a wide variety of events, fairs, and festivals throughout the seasons. The year-round farmers market is busy every week, full of local and seasonal products. This city comes alive for Thursdays Downtown, art fairs, street festivals, cultural activities, family events, outdoor movies — and even SocialICE in the middle of winter.