Vacation rentals in Rochester

If this Minnesota destination isn’t already on your radar, it needs to be! The southern Minnesota city is known for being home to Mayo Clinic, as well as countless parks, historical sites, museums, restaurants and more. Whether you are traveling as a couple, or with family and friends, there is plenty to see and do around this charming city in the Midwest.

Make your stay extra memorable by finding a vacation rental perfectly suited to your travel needs. Rochester is home to a variety of vacation rentals available in a wide range of sizes, styles, locations, and features. There are large vacation rental options for big groups and families, with plenty of bedrooms to sleep everyone. Smaller rentals are available for couples. Stay near the downtown area, or close to one of the city’s many parks! With so many options available, you’re bound to find the rental you’re looking for.

If you’ll be flying to Rochester, there are two nearby airports. Rochester International Airport is located 10 miles south of the city center. Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport is 80 miles north of Rochester. Traveling by train is also an option, as there is an Amtrak station that goes to Minneapolis, and you can take a one one-hour shuttle into Rochester from there. Rental car companies are available throughout the city and at both airports.

It’s not entirely necessary to have a car during your time in Rochester. The city is filled with walking and biking trails, and the downtown area can be explored on foot. Depending on where you’ll stay throughout the city, Uber and Lyft are also good options for getting from place to place, and taxi services are available 24 hours a day.

The city is home to several renowned historical landmarks. Be sure to visit the impressive 15-story Plummer Building, built in the 1920s. It was used for medical research and as a library when it first opened. Assisi Heights, built in the 1950s, is another site worth visiting for its rich history and impressive architectural structure. You can also do a tour of the Plummer House, which was constructed in the early 1900s by Dr. Henry Plummer. The beautiful family mansion features 49 rooms, 10 bathrooms, 9 bedrooms, and 5 fireplaces.

Spend the day with your significant other at one of the best nature parks in the city, Quarry Hill Nature Center. The grassy, green grounds feature several walking areas, a butterfly garden, wildlife, and historical information plaques. For an upscale Italian date night dinner, head to Terza. It’s one of the top-rated restaurants in Rochester with stunning rooftop views, creative cuisine, and hand-crafted cocktails.

This family-friendly park boasts several leafy walking trails, fresh air, and a zoo with 30 native species of animals. The zoo specifically houses animals who have injuries and wouldn’t survive alone in the wild. Here you can see wolves, bald eagles, bobcats, coyotes, river otters, bison, and cougar.

This lovely park is home to a wide variety of hiking paths, spectacular nature views, a lake, and wildlife. You can swim, walk, hike, grill, camp, fish, and kayak in the lake. It’s a great park to soak up some quality time in nature during the summer months with the whole family.

If you find yourself in Rochester during the winter months, you won’t want to miss out on Social Ice in downtown Rochester. The entire downtown is transformed into an icy wonderland. This regularly held winter festival features an ice bar with signature drinks, ice sculptures, nightly entertainment and more.

If you love your morning cup of joe, head over to Fiddlehead. The trendy coffee shop is aesthetically designed with a wall of plants, vintage-style decor, cozy seating areas, and a great beverage menu.

You can tour the spectacularly preserved historical home of the Mayo-Clinic founders. Throughout the tour, you’ll learn about the rich history of the place, as well as about the lifestyle of the people who lived there.