Photos on this webpage provided by Olive Juice Studios
The Things To Do/Places To Go webpage is brought to you by Olive Juice Studios.
OUTDOOR FUN ANIMALS/NATURE
Quarry Hill Nature Center • 701 Silver Creek Road NE • 281-6114 • www.qhnc.org Quarry Hill Nature Center is built on Quarry Hill Park, a 320 acre city park with many trails, a fossil bed, a fishing pond, caves, a hands-on exhibit hall, and ski and snowshoe rental. Quarry Hill is free to the public (though they do have a membership program $50/family per year that gets you discounts on birthday parties (really fun), kids classes/summer nature camps, and early registration privileges). Quarry Hill is a great family-friendly place to take a hike, look for wildlife, and become one with nature. Hours: Monday-Saturday: 9 am-5 pm and Sunday: noon-5 pm.
Oxbow Park and Zollman Zoo • 775-2451 • www.co.olmsted.mn.us Oxbow Park is a unique 572 acre Olmsted County park facility, located approximately 15 minutes from Rochester in Byron. The park offers picnic areas, fishing, semi-primitive campsites, playground equipment, hiking trails, a nature center, and the Zollman Zoo (visit with the 30+ native MN animal species including bobcat, cougar, wolf, black bear, goats, and a really cute donkey). Oxbow is a favorite way to spend a day no matter what the season (last winter we spent a sunny afternoon building snowmen by the cougar cage). The park is free to the public (though there is a fee to camp) and is open 7am-10pm daily. The zoo and nature center are free to the public and are open 10am-4pm daily. Check out their website for more info on fun park programs for kids and adults (ex. Feed the Otters, All About Bison, and Children's Zoo Hour).
HORSEBACK RIDING Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch • 7291 County Road 6 SW, Stewartville • 533-9933 • www.ironwoodsprings.com/content.asp?id=77 Ironwood's Solid Oak Stables has several horses suited for every level of rider year round. An hour trail ride costs $15 and $10 for a half hour. Normal hours for riding are, Saturdays: 9am-4:30pm and Sundays: noon-4:30pm. Rides are also available during the week with advance reservations. Call to make reservations. (If they don't answer, leave a message - they will get back to you.) Ironwood also offers horseback riding lessons (one-time and ongoing).
CAMPING Chester Woods • 8378 Highway 14 East, Eyota • 507-287-2624 • http://www.co.olmsted.mn.us/parks/chester_woods.asp Chester Woods Park is located on the headwaters of Bear Creek in the rugged bluff country of Southeastern Minnesota. The 52 unit (37 have electrical hookups) campground loops through a wooded area. Restrooms have showers (don't forget your flip flops). There is a sandy beach (don't forget your sand toys, beach blankets, and sunscreen). All vehicles entering the park are required to display either an annual ($25/year) or daily ($5/day) entrance permit. Permits may be purchased at the park entrance. Chester Woods also offers family friendly programs throughout the year. Usually held on the weekends, visit our Calendar of Events to find out more.
White Water State Park • Located 3 miles south of Elba on State Highway 74 • (507) 932-3007 • www.stayatmnparks.com Campers enjoy a sandy swimming beach (small enough to easily keep track of the kids), restrooms with showers, a year-round visitor center, easy-to-challenging hiking trails, a group camp, and a modern group center. Come winter, enjoy cross-country skiing, snow shoeing, or stay at the group center in rustic, winterized cabins. All vehicles entering the park are required to display either an annual ($25/year) or daily ($7/day) entrance permit. Permits may be purchased at the park entrance.
Not ready for an overnight camping adventure? Try a day trip. Leave Rochester early enough to get lunch at the Oasis Drive Inn in St. Charles (on Hwy 14). Then make your way to White Water's beach where the kids can build sandcastles and swim and you can spend your time repeatedly slathering them with sunscreen. After an afternoon snack, pack up the family and take a hike on one of the park's trails — start with Easy trails and work your way up. Ready for dinner? Take the short trip (7 miles from downtown St. Charles) to the family-friendly bar and grille, The Dog Patch in Troy (US 14 to right on 74 South left on Co Rd 6 right on Co Rd 43 right on Troy Valley Drive). The food is cheap and decent (burger baskets and the like). The kids will love the juke box and the wooden dance floor and stage. From here either head back to Rochester or swing back to White Water, buy some firewood (available at the park office), start a fire (at one of the many fire pits in the South Picnic Area), and make some smores (if you need supplies stop at Mike's Food Center in St. Charles).
Oxbow Park • 775-2451 • www.co.olmsted.mn.us/parks/oxbow_park_&_zoo.asp Oxbow campground is a semi-primitive area has 30 campsites available, running water, restrooms, and showers. The campground is part of the larger Oxbow Park (a unique 572 acre Olmsted County park facility). In addition to the campground, the park offers picnic areas, fishing, playground equipment, hiking trails, a nature center, and the Zollman Zoo (visit with the 30+ native MN animal species including bobcat, cougar, wolf, black bear, goats, and a really cute donkey). The park is free to the public (though there is a fee to camp) and is open 7am-10pm daily. The zoo and nature center are free to the public and are open noon-4pm daily.
Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch • 7291 County Road 6 SW, Stewartville • 533-4315 • www.ironwoodsprings.com/content.asp?id=81 Ironwood has two campgrounds. There are 45 campsites available. They all have electricity available and water nearby. There is 20-50 amp service. There is no limit to the list of things to do for all ages. From wagon rides and trail rides, horseback riding to hiking, playing on the Rainbow play system, the two tennis courts, a basketball court, an indoor recreation center, and swimming. Call for reservations.
CITY PARKS/BIKE TRAILS City Parks • www.rochestermn.gov/departments/park/parks/index.asp There are more than 100 city parks in Rochester. Wow! Various park amenities include: playgrounds (the biggest being that at the Silver Lake Park, our personal favorite being that at Slatterly Park — there's a toddler jungle gym and a big kid jungle gym and you can easily view both from a park bench in the middle), picnic shelters (there are 14 that can be reserved/rented for your family/friend get together), baseball fields, softball fields, football fields, soccer fields, running track, basketball courts, tennis courts, sand volleyball courts, horseshoe courts, frisbee golf courses, archery range. Park maps are available for $1 at the Park & Recreation Department main office at City Hall.
City Trails • www.rochestermn.gov/departments/park/trails/index.asp Dust off your Burley — Rochester's 60 miles of recreational trails are bituminous or concrete surfaced and are available for pedestrian, bike, inline skate, wheelchair, and stroller use. Map brochures of the trails are available from the Park and Recreation Department in City Hall for $1.00. Things to remember on the trails: stay to the right; announce your presence when passing others; slow down for sharp curves; watch for hazards on or near the trail; and bring your water bottle.
CAVES Mystery Cave • Preston • 1-866-857-2757 • www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/forestville_mystery_cave/index.html Mystery Cave is located in Forestville State Park in Preston. Daily tours are available (days/times vary throughout the year). Tickets range from free to $7/person. A state park vehicle permit ($7/daily or $25/annual) is required. Reservations can be made in advance by contacting the state park reservation service.
Niagara Cave • Harmony • 1-800-837-6606 • www.niagaracave.com Niagara Cave is one of the most fascinating and unique geological attractions in the Midwest. During the one-hour guided tour, visitors will witness a waterfall, nearly 60 feet high, stalactites both delicate and massive, calcite flowstone, fossils that have been dated to over 400 million years old, and a wedding chapel in which over 300 weddings have been performed, plus much more. Niagara cave is a constant 48 degrees year around, so a light jacket or sweatshirt is suggested. Walking shoes are recommended. We took our then 18-month old on the tour, and other than having to carry her most of the way, she did fine. If you're planning to make a day out of the cave, note that there is an adjacent picnic area and a short nature trail. Give them a call or check out their website for ticket prices (ranging from free to $8.50+tax) and days/hours of operation (they vary throughout the year).
GARDENING Family Garden Plots • Rochester Park & Rec, 201 4th St SE, 55904 • 287-2000 The City has two sites — Essex Park and Zumbro South Park — where people may rent garden plots. The plots measure 20' x 30' and rent for $25.00 each. Reservations are taken at the Park and Recreation Department in person or by mailing in the fee after January 1st of each year.
ORCHARDS/BERRIES/PUMPKINS/PRODUCE NORTHWOODS ORCHARDS offers pick-your-own or pre-picked apples fresh from the orchard, two corn mazes, a wide assortment of fall ornamentals (including pumpkins), and the Back Forty Animal Area for up-close, hands-on farm animal interaction (feed the goats, see if the hen laid an egg, pet a bunny, visit the pig pen). Wagon Rides are offered as conditions permit. Northwoods Orchard opens for the 2008 Season on Saturday, September 6 (closes October 26). Hours are as follows: September: Saturdays, 10am-6pm. Sundays, 1pm- 6pm. October: Fridays, 10am-6pm. Saturdays, 10am-6pm. Sundays, 1pm-6pm. Special "School's Out" Day at the Orchard - Thursday, October 16, 10am-6pm. Northwoods Orchard • 8018 75th Ave. NW, Oronoco • 280-0591 • www.northwoodsorchard.com
TWEITE'S (pumpkin patch) have been planting memories and harvesting fun for the past 19 years. We offer quality family enjoyment for the young and young-at-heart. Enjoy 10 acres of amusements including live entertainment, wagon rides, an Enchanted Forest, Western area, corn maze, over 24,000 square feet of permanent mazes and much more. Many areas are interactive. Check out our remodeled dairy barn loaded with tasty treats like our homemade caramel apples, cotton candy and kettle korn, just to name a few. An easy 8 miles from Rochester. Open weekends September 20-October 28, 2008. Saturdays and MEA Days (Oct. 16-17) 10:00-5:30 p.m. Sundays, 12:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. No Tickets sold after 4:30pm. Admission: $8.00 per person (includes tax). Check out Tweite's website. Sign up for their newsletter and you'll have a chance to win free tickets to Tweite's. Tweite's • 1821 Frontier Road SW, Byron • 365-8035 • www.tweite.com.
Sekapp Orchard and Farms, the apple, berry, produce and pumpkin place, offers 30 varieties of apples, fresh garden produce, pumpkins (tons to choose from on display in their front yard), fall decorations, jams, maple syrup and honey. 2008 salesroom hours: Friday, Aug. 1 through Halloween (open Oct. 31), 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Then through Christmas 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sekapp's also offers low-cost tours that are a fun activity for your playgroup or club. Sekapp's is located one mile east of Rochester on County Road 9 (which is Collegeview Road). Sekapp • 3415 Collegeview Road East • 282-4544
Apple Ridge Orchard and Vineyard is open daily 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. with Pick-Your-Own Apples, now featuring HoneyCrisp! Enjoy the festive fall family atmosphere now through October 31, 2008. You will enjoy our Kid's Corn Mazes, the Animal Barnyard with llamas, baby goats, sheep, peacocks, and bunnies. Our newly-hatched baby peacock is called a peachick, and the baby guinea is called a keet. All our apples and grapes are grown right here at Apple Ridge Orchard, a short drive north of Rochester at Mazeppa. Caramel apples and prepicked apples and U-Pick apples are available daily, and weekend tractor-pulled wagon rides are a popular fall family event! New apple varieties are ripening daily. Fall colors in the vineyard and orchard are enchanting. Our Pumpkin Fields open in October! Our website has an easy map for directions. Apple Ridge Orchard • 843-3033 • www.appleridgeorchard.com.
Rochester Downtown Farmers Market • 4th Street & 3rd Avenue, SE • 398-8791 • www.localharvest.org/farmers-markets/M2615 • rochmarmmkt@hotmail.com Our Rochester Downtown Farmers' Market has a fantastic selection of locally grown foods from our Southeastern Minnesota farmers and growers. Open Saturdays, 7:30am until Noon, May to October, the Farmers' Market offers a huge variety of vegetables, fruits, meats, breads, plants, and fresh cut flowers. Buy local, support your community! The Downtown Farmers' Market also hosts a winter market. Held in Building 41 at the Olmsted County Fairgrounds from 9 a.m. to noon on several Saturday's from November through April.
SPORTS/SWIMMING Rochester Honkers • 289-1170 • all home games played at Mayo Field • www.rochesterhonkers.com The Honkers are a college-level baseball team in the Northwoods League. Haven't been to a game? You've got to go. There's Slider (the baseball-headed mascot), free giveaways (provided by sponsors at many games), and fun between-inning activities. Oh yeah, and there's baseball. Check out their website for a 2008 schedule of games.
Rochester Royals • Mayo Field (home games played here) The Rochester Royals are a Minnesota Amateur Baseball Class B team. The team plays in the Southern Minny League. The Royals were Class B State Runners Up in 1999 and 2000 and placed third in 2001 and 2002. The Royals posted a 3-2 record in the 2003 State Tournament.
Silver Lake Pool • www.rochestermn.gov/departments/park/facilities/Pools_Beach/index.asp In 2008, Silver Lake Pool will open June 9, weather permitting, 1-7pm daily. Per day fees are $3/youth, $4/adult. 10 punch tickets for $25 good for youth or adult. The pool has lifeguards, lockers, limited number of beach chairs and a free kiddie pool.
Soldiers Field Pool • www.rochestermn.gov/departments/park/facilities/Pools_Beach/index.asp Beginning June 7, 2008 Soldiers Field Pool will be open daily, weather permitting, noon-8pm. Per day fees are $3/youth, $4/adult. 10 punch tickets for $25 good for youth or adult. The pool has lifeguards, male and female locker rooms (bring your own padlock for the lockers), beach chairs (free of charge, limited availability, first come first serve), and a small concession stand (nachos, candy and slushies). Remember to bring pool toys (label them w/ a black sharpie — it turns out every kid in Rochester owns the same red pail and yellow shovel), snacks (there's no problem bringing in your own food), and towels. But you can leave your floaties at home. No flotation devices allowed.
Hal Martin All Comer's Track Meet • Soldier's Field Memorial Park • 286-8648 (Fred Woolman) OR 288-5691 (Larry Pederson) • www.rochestertrackclub.com Grab your kids and their running shoes. The All Comer's Track Meets are held on select Tuesdays during the summer. Races start at 6pm and are held at Soldier's Field Memorial Park. (You can park in the pool/golf course parking lot.) Age-based, for-fun (everyone gets a ribbon) races are held for kids ages 2 through high school. Events range from 50 meters to the mile. These FREE meets are sponsored by the Rochester Track Club. 2008 dates: June 3, 10, 17, 24, and July 1 and 8.
FESTIVALS RochesterFest • 285-8769
• www.rochesterfest.com Held every June, this fun week-long citywide festival has a little bit of everything: food booths (on Civic Center Drive behind the Library and Post Bulletin), parade (kids, bring a bag — there's lots of candy...parents bring a chair — it's a looooong one), PossAbilities Ice-cream Social (with ice cream and fun kids' games it's always a huge favorite), tour of area horse barns (kiddie pony rides), and Lumberjack Championships. With these events and the Penny Carnival, Kiwanis Parent/Child Free Fair, and Family Fun Night it's a very fun family-friendly event.
LIGHTS @ BLUFF VALLEY KTTC Lights @ Bluff Valley • www.bluffvalley.com • 1-877-GO-SEE-IT Open October 16- November 30, Fridays and Saturdays (5-11pm), Wednesdays, Thursdays & Sundays (5-10pm), 2 miles west of Zumbro Falls. Take a drive ($10/car Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday OR $12/car Friday and Saturday - up to seven people in a vehicle) through the only lighted maze in the world. The maze is one-mile long and includes 450 displays. Enjoy the free nightly entertainment at 7pm and 8pm that includes "American Pop Forever" a fabulous rotating schedule of music, dance, choreography and talent performed by area high school youth. Also enjoy Park and Play Activities including: nightlight basketball golf, mini-golf, disc golf, and wagon rides. A dinner buffet is also available. For more info, including directions, visit their website.
WINTER FUN Sledding Hills • www.rochestermn.gov/departments/park/activities/winter/skiing_sledding.asp There are two areas within the city that are designated sledding hills. There are no warming facilities available at these locations. • Schmidt Park - 6300 blk 24 Avenue NW •Judd Park — 3rd Street & 36 Avenue NW
Tubing • Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch • 7291 County Road 6 SW, Stewartville • 533-4315 • www.ironwoodsprings.com/content.asp?id=79 Ironwood has inner tubes ready for you to come and enjoy this fun and exciting adventure. Start at the top and whiz down the hill at top speed. Make your way back using a towrope and do it again. When your toes are cold, warm them in the heated chalet and get a cup of hot cocoa. Electricity is available in the chalet if you wish to bring your own treats. The cost is $11 per person for two hours of snow tubing. This includes the inner tube, tow rope, and the warming house. Call to make reservations.
We tried tubing at Ironwood for the first time this year. Very fun. The three hills were a little intimidating (okay a lot intimidating) at first, but ended up being very doable - our 3 year old did fine riding the tube with his dad or me. The towrope took some getting used to, but by the end we could manage it pretty well. Make sure to bring hot chocolate and snacks and maybe an extra pair of dry mittens.
Sleigh Rides • Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch • 7291 County Road 6 SW, Stewartville • 533-4315 • www.ironwoodsprings.com/content.asp?id=82 Tis the season for winter fun. Book a sleigh ride for your family's Christmas season celebration. The sleigh can comfortably hold 20 adults or up to 25 people with children. A quaint 50-minute ride through the woods and along the Root River is a memorable experience. The cost is $100 before 5pm and $120 after 5pm. Call for reservations.
Outdoor Skating Rinks • www.rochestermn.gov/departments/park/activities/winter/index.asp The Park and Recreation Department maintains outdoor hockey and public skating rinks and warming sheds throughout the City. Check out their website for a complete list of rinks and locations.
Snow shoeing at Quarry Hill Nature Center • 701 Silver Creek Road NE • 281-6114 • www.qhnc.org Youth and adult rentals are available during open hours (M-Sa, 9am-5pm, Sunday, noon-5pm). Rental availability based on snow conditions. Costs: $5 (adults up to 4 hrs), $3 (youth up to 4 hrs) or $10 (adults for 1 day), $6 (youth for 1 day). Quarry Hill Friends Members receive a discount on snowshoe rentals (Annual Family Membership is $50).
Cross-country skiing at Quarry Hill Nature Center • 701 Silver Creek Road NE • 281-6114 • www.qhnc.org Youth and adult skis and poles are available during open hours (M-Sa, 9am-5pm, Sunday, noon-5pm). Rental availability based on snow conditions. Costs: $7.50 (adults up to 4 hrs), $5 (youth up to 4 hrs). Quarry Hill Friends Members receive a discount on snowshoe rentals (Annual Family Membership is $50).
INDOOR FUN PAINTING/POTTERY Color Me Mine • 3160 Wellner Drive NE #101 • 252-0365 • www.rochestercolormemine.com
Color Me Mine is a paint-your-own ceramimc studio where you choose an unfinished piece of ceramic and paint it, leave it for glazing and firing, and return about 4 days later to pick up your masterpiece. Not an artist? Not a problem! Our friendly and creative staff, along with many fun painting techniques, are here to help make sure you bring a masterpiece home that is sure to delight your family and friends.
We stock over 300 different items, everything from cups and canisters, to fairies and frogs, even penguins and petunias. All of our paints and glazes are lead free, 100% friendly to the environment and completely safe for kids and adults.
Our studio fee is $10 for adults and $6 for children. The studio fee includes all of the design materials and glazing & firing. Each piece of pottery is priced individually. No reservations are required.
SPORTS/SWIMMING Rochester Tennis Connection • 2700 Country Club Rd SW • 288-4851 • www.rochestertennis.com We are both open to the public and offer memberships. For instruction for juniors and adults, please see our website. To reserve a court, simply call us! We have Bargain Courts (non-prime time) at reduced rates (see website or call us for times & rates!), rackets available at no charge and a ball machine that is fun to use at no charge...just pay for the court time! If any member of your family is involved in a program at our club, courts are available on Sundays for Family Day at the reduced member rate! Borrow our rackets and carts of balls to practice (no charge for those!). It's a fun place to play a great lifetime sport!
Rochester Area Family Y • 709 1st Ave SW • 287-2260 • www.rochfamy.org/kids/aquatics.html The Rochester Area Family Y has a lot to offer. Classes/lessons include: swim lessons, T-ball, f-ball, basketball, volleyball, karate, dance and much more including home school classes. All this and a fitness center, a preschool (Y tots), and Kids Care (childcare while you work out). Want to find out what's being offered? Check out their Program Schedule on their website.
Rochester Athletic Club (RAC) • 3100 19th St NW • 287-9335 • www.rochesterathleticclub.com The Rochester Athletic Club (aka The RAC) offers Rochester residents a place to work out plus three pools, batting and golf cages, adult and youth classes, a Kids Play area for children six and under, a Junior Gym for kids 7-12years, and a Kids Club daycare facility (kids stay while parents play). All this and more. Visit their website for membership fees.
Prairie Walls Climbing Gym • 4420 19th Street NW • 292-0511 • www.prairiewalls.com Designed and built in 1998 by Prairie Wall Construction, Prairie Walls Climbing Gym is a state of the art indoor rock climbing facility. Featuring 9500 square feet of highly featured climbing surface, their walls are designed to inspire and challenge first time climbers as well as seasoned veterans of the rock.
Prairie Walls Climbing Gym is a full service indoor rock climbing facility. They offer a wide variety of services including lessons (Kids Club and Parent/Child classes - see our Calendar of Events for more information) and birthday parties.
Recreation Lanes • 2810 North Broadway • 288-2601 • www.reclanes.com Recreation Lanes offers bowling, mini golf, batting cages, and kids birthday parties. Rec Lanes also offers Thunder Alley, complete with Lights! Music! and Bowling! Call for open bowling times and rates.
House of Bounce • 2535 Hwy 14 W, Suite E • www.rochesterhouseofbounce.com Slated to open in November 2008. We offer kids of all ages, and those that are kids at heart, a safe place to have fun and get some excercise without even realizing it. With 10,000 square feet we offer birthday parties, toddler days, daycare days, an afterschool program and parent's night out.
Pipsqueaks • 903 W Center St (United Way Building) • 287-2000 • www.rochestermn.gov/departments/park/facilities/pipsqueaks Ever feel like your kids just need a place to run, jump, scream, and play? Pipsqueaks is a public indoor play zone designed for children kindergarten-age and younger to play under parental or guardian supervision (children may not be dropped off). Pipsqueaks offers young children a safe, clean play space to burn off energy during the long winter months. Play zones include toddler/crawler, climb and slide, riding, and an imagination center. Soft-soled clean gym shoes are allowed in play areas - no boots, stockings or bare feet allowed. A fun place to go with your kids and/or to meet with your play group, Pipsqueaks is located at the United Way of Olmsted County. Admission per session is $2/child; $6/for up to four children. Pipsqueaks is open October through April. Hours are 9am-3pm Mon-Sat. Pipsqueaks will be closed on all major holidays and when the Rochester Public Schools are closed because of inclement weather.
MUSEUMS/ART CENTERS Olmsted County History Center Museum • 1195 West Circle Drive SW • 282-9447 • www.olmsted history.com/museum.htm There are a variety of exhibits about the history of Olmsted County from settlement to present. The decorative art rooms house many fine pieces of antique furniture and glassware. There are features on medicine, Saint Marys Hospital, IBM, and the 1883 Rochester tornado. Children will love to explore the experiences of days gone by in our Hands-On Cabin. Museum Admission: $4 - Adults, $1 - Children, Free - OCHS Members. The History Center also hosts several family-friendly special events throughout the year.
Rochester Art Center • 40 Civic Center Drive SE • 282-8629 • www.rochesterartcenter.org The Rochester Art Center presents an exciting schedule of contemporary exhibitions featuring local, national and international artists. It is a dynamic gathering place, offering diverse educational programs and vibrant community activities. For nearly 60 years, the Rochester Art Center has provided people of all ages an opportunity to enrich their lives by experiencing and enjoying the visual arts. The Rochester Art Center has something for everyone. Come and discover what it has for you!
On the first Saturday of each month, the Rochester Art Center offers Free Family Days (visit our Calendar of Events for more information), providing an array of free family-friendly activities including, hands-on art activities, special docent-led tours of the exhibitions and family guides. Throughout the year the Rochester Art Center also offers classes, camps, workshops, film presentations, lectures and gallery tours for all ages.
Admission: $3 for adults, $2 for seniors, Free for children under 18, students and members. Free on Thursday.
ARCADES Leo's Hometown Pizza • 2280 Superior Dr, NW • 424-3711 • www.leospizzapalace.com Leo's has a variety of video games as well as skee ball and a climber for all ages. You can win tickets to buy prizes, or just play for fun. Leo's offers a variety of food choices (pizza, garlic sticks, salads, and more). Leo's is also a fun place for kid birthday parties. Visit their website for details.
Chuck E. Cheese • www.chuckecheese.com There are 7 Chuck E. Cheese locations within 120 miles of Rochester: Cedar Falls (Iowa), Blaine, Burnsville, Edina, Maple Grove, West St. Paul, and LaCrosse (Wisconsin).
CHILDREN'S STORYTIME Great Harvest Bread Company • 706 N. Broadway • 286-1101 • www.greatharvestrochester.com
Great Harvest Bread Company holds story time every Tuesday at 10am. Come for a free slice of bread and a fun time!
ABC & Toy Zone • 286-8440 • Miracle Mile Shopping Center ABC & Toy Zone offers story time Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 10:30am. Enjoy the day's stories, then check out the store's books and toys.
Barnes and Noble Bookstore • 1201 12th Street SW (Apache Mall) • 281-7950 The mall B&N location offers storytime at 11am on Mondays and Wednesdays in the children's section. Afterwards, grab lunch at the Apache food court, and make it a morning.
Christian Gift & Book • 815 N Broadway • 289-2590 • www.christbk.com Christian Gift & Book offers Story Time with Miss Kristin Mondays at 10am.
LIBRARY Rochester Public Library • 101 2nd Street SE • 285-8000 • www.rochesterpubliclibrary.org Rochester has one public library. It's located downtown and is connected to other downtown establishments via the skyway. The library offers several fun programs including: Story Time for Toddlers, Story Time for 3-5 year-olds, evening Bedtime Story Time for all ages, a summer reading program for all ages, Family Fun! programs on Saturdays during the school year, and Summer Fun @ The Library.
The library also has one bookmobile that operates year-round. Books may be reserved online for pickup at the bookmobile. Visit the library's website to checkout days/times for all events.
DIY PROJECTS Home Depot Kids Workshops • 3050 41st Street NW •
288-6700 • www.homedepot.com Offers Saturday DIY projects for kids. Call for details.
Lowe's Home Improvement • 4550 Maine Ave SE • 328-8920 Offers Saturday DIY projects for kids. Call for details.
THEATER/CONCERTS/SPORTING EVENTS Chateau Theatre - Free Kids movies on Saturdays • 3450 East Circle Drive NE • 536-7469 ext. 115 • www.chateautheatres.com A FREE Kids' Movie is held every Saturday at 11am. The fun begins with games & entertainment when doors open at 10am. Visit our website for a list of upcoming movies.
Mayo Civic Center Events • 30 Civic Center Drive SE • 281-6184 • www.mayociviccenter.com/calendar.htm Mayo Civic Center is located in downtown Rochester. It is southern Minnesota's largest event center and is home to conventions, trade shows (the annual Home Show — the community's annual motivator to get "projects" done around the house), sporting events (like the Harlem Globetrotters), and entertainment (Sesame Street Live among others). Check out their website for a full calendar of upcoming events.
UNIQUE SHOPPING ABC & Toy Zone • 286-8440 • Miracle Mile Shopping Center A wonderful local toy store. Find everything a kid could want: trains, dolls, games, dress up, art supplies, and so much more. Sign up to receive the store's emails to find out all about latest arrivals and great discounts. Enjoy their story hour every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
Lark Toys • 507-767-3387 • Lark Lane, Kellogg • www.larktoys.com LARK Toys is a destination point for thousands of visitors each year. The 20,000 square foot complex is an enchanted spot that you must see. They offer unusual shopping and browsing including a hand-carved carousel, wooden toys & puzzles that are made on-site, children's bookstore, a variety of developmental toys and games, nostalgic replicas, costumes, miniature golf, and lots more.
Mall of America • (952)883-8800 • www.mallofamerica.com The Mall of America is about an hour away. It has more than 500 stores as well as fun attractions like: an indoor amusement park, Lego Imagination Center (this four-story LEGO showplace contains LEGO bricks to play with, models to look at, and sets to buy), Underwater Adventures (voted "World's Best Shark Encounter" by Discovery.com. Touch real sharks and stingrays at Minnesota's largest aquarium). The Mall can be a fun way to spend one of Minnesota's many winter days.
Do you know of other fun things to do in or around Rochester? Let us know. Send relevant information to ROCHESTERfamilies.com by e-mailing us at lindy@rochesterfamilies.com.
hands-on exhibit hall, and ski and snowshoe rental. Quarry Hill is free to the public (though they do have a membership program $50/family per year that gets you discounts on birthday parties (really fun), kids classes/summer nature camps, and early registration privileges). Quarry Hill is a great family-friendly place to take a hike, look for wildlife, and become one with nature. Hours: Monday-Saturday: 9 am-5 pm and Sunday: noon-5 pm.
