With a staycation, you can save time and money by relaxing near your home instead of traveling somewhere else. That way, you can have more fun and make your vacation less stressful. After all, Rochester is a town we love calling home, and with so much to do, there’s little reason to leave!
Read on. Here are some of the best staycation destinations near Rochester, Minnesota.
The Rochester Art Center
The Rochester Art Center, located along the Zumbro River, is a 36,000-square-foot center dedicated to innovation and creativity. Its exhibits change often, so you can always see something new that challenges the way you think about art. The soaring walls inside the building are covered in copper and zinc, and the artwork includes photos, paintings, sculptures, multimedia projects, and more. Its Emerging Artist series commissions new work from local artists, supporting them and challenging them to take risks.
You can also see outdoor exhibits beside many of the bike trails in downtown Rochester. These sculptures change every year, and you can buy one for your garden after it goes off display. The Rochester Art Center is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and guided tours are available.
Quarry Hill Park and Nature Center
Rochester’s Quarry Hill Park covers 329 acres, and it has more than 8 miles of hiking and walking trails. There’s also a pond, a sandstone cave carved in 1882, and two limestone quarries where you can dig for fossils. The Harry L. Buck Children’s Pond is home to frogs, snakes, ducks, and 24 different species of dragonflies. Its beautiful views are perfect for photos, and fishing licenses aren’t required for kids under 16.
The Nature Center inside the park has 35 species of live animals, a 1700-gallon aquarium with seven native fish species, a replica of a Tyrannosaurus rex skull, and an indoor honeybee hive. You can feed the fish on weekends, and kids will enjoy learning what it’s like to be different animals and checking out birds and their nests in the Bird Study Room.
You can visit the park from dawn to dusk on any day, and the Nature Center is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 a.m., and on Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.
Silver Lake Park
Only about a mile from downtown Rochester, this small park boasts tons of fun activities. There are beautiful views of Silver Lake, a reservoir fed by the Zumbro River, and flocks of Canadian geese often hang out by the water.
Boat rentals are available, and you can also go canoeing, kayaking, or paddleboarding. Fishing for largemouth bass, sunfish, crappie, and other species is popular as well. Silver Lake Park also has a beach for swimming, a public swimming pool, a skate park, a playground, volleyball courts, tennis courts, a baseball field, and a football field. You can visit any day from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Terza Ristorante
Terza Ristorante is an Italian restaurant that’s ideal for a romantic dinner. The walls have beautiful paintings and wood accents, and you can relax on the patio in warm weather. Start with a jumbo chicken meatball in red or white sauce or tomato bruschetta with vine-ripened tomatoes, pecorino, basil, and lightly grilled toast. You can also choose the Ancient Grain Salad with red peppers, quinoa, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, avocado, Fontina cheese, and farro.
For the main course, try the 8-ounce aged Black Angus filet mignon or the chicken piccata with angel hair pasta. For dessert, you can enjoy a chocolate almond tortino with chocolate almond cake, ganache, chocolate mousse, and zabaglione. A large selection of delicious wines, beers, and cocktails are available as well. Terza is open from 3 to 9 p.m.
Healing Touch Day Spa
Visiting this quality spa is a great way to relax and treat yourself during your staycation. The knowledgeable professionals will make sure you have a blissful experience. Healing Touch offers hot stone massages, aromatherapy, body wraps and masques, hand and foot scrubs, reiki, and reflexology treatments. If you’re looking for a romantic day with your partner, you can book a customizable experience complete with champagne and chocolate. You can visit Healing Touch every day, but its hours vary, and it’s best to book an appointment.
The National Eagle Center
The National Eagle Center is in Wabasha, about an hour away from Rochester. Kids and adults can explore two floors of fascinating hands-on exhibits. You can compare your vision to an eagle’s, see a life-sized replica of an eagle’s nest, and learn about the area’s ecosystem. You can also interact with rescued golden and bald eagles that can no longer survive in the wild.
The National Eagle Center’s gift shop offers eagle artwork, crafts, books, clothing, jewelry, puzzles, stuffed animals, and other souvenirs that will remind you and your family of your amazing trip. You can visit the eagles and enjoy presentations from experts Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Check out the calendar for special field trips that take you to see eagles in the wild.
The Mall of America
This mall is in Bloomington, about an hour and 20 minutes away from Rochester, but it’s worth the drive; after all, the Mall of America is one of the reasons why we at Tom Kadlec Kia love Minnesota. With four floors of shops, restaurants, and interesting attractions, it’s the biggest mall in the United States.
Kids can make their own art at the Crayola Experience, and they can see a LEGO robot that’s more than 34 feet tall at the LEGO store. The SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium has a 300-foot underwater tunnel with sharks, sea turtles, and many other species, and you can feed stingrays or snorkel with tropical fish. Visitors to the Mall of America can also play miniature golf, experience VR technology, or use a flight simulator. The mall is open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., but some stores may have different schedules.
What do you think of these fun staycation destinations near Rochester? Add a comment below! If you’re looking for a new vehicle to get to these places, Tom Kadlec Kia can help you decide on the best ride for your needs.
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