Suggestions for a stay at Mayo Rochester

I would use the shuttles, they are a great lifesaver. Then ask your driver where some places are around St. Mary’s , we were downtown at the other hospital forever! 4 and 6 months at a time. We stayed at extended stay the first time, and town place suites the second time. We always went fall or new year to be in the off season. I found my shuttle drivers to be a weath of information when I was looking for something. Ask your nurses approximately what time of day the doctors round in your ward, they usually come in as a team and will take the time to answer every question. Every single person who works at Mayo will be as helpful to you as they can be. Ask someone where to go to get a break and know that your husband is in good hands while you do. I just know you are going to be grateful you chose Mayo for your care.

Hi @susan2018 My information is from a couple years back when my wife spent several weeks in St. Mary's, but here goes. There was a small library available in the adjoining building and we used that for quiet time a lot. Also the chapel there, which is small and often empty.

We stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn and used their shuttle to get back and forth often.

We often ate at the Canadian Honker across the street. As I recall their burgers were very good and they served 'til 10 or so in the evening. For those long, long nights there is a Denny's that I think is still 24/7. Also we always found the restaurant in the Kahler very accommodating for special dietary needs. Plus for good Italian we liked Victoria's -- and if upscale is something you enjoy we always had great food at Chester's. Plus as good as the food is at Chester's we always skipped the desserts and went upstairs in the mall and got gelato from Chocolaterie Stam, which also offers a bunch of other delights of the homemade chocolate and fudge varieties!

There is a very good patient education library ont the main floor of Gonda, which is often a nice quiet spot to read and relax -- plus you can see the Chuhuli glass from there!

Just a couple of ideas that came to mind.

@susan2018 - I want to add another source of information to the expert information that you are getting from other patients,

You might want to contact the Mayo Clinic Concierge Services – it is a free service that you can use prior and during your visit to help you find services, such as accommodations, transportation and things to do. You can contact them by email, phone, chat or in person during business hours:

* Phone: 507-538-8438
* Live Chat: https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide
* Email: concierge@mayo.edu
* Web form: https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide/minnesota/becoming-a-patient/concierge-travel-services

@susan2018 When I had my surgery at St. Mary's, we stayed right across the street at the Aspen Suites. They have full kitchens and are right across from the old historic entrance to the hospital. There is also a nice chapel within the hospital complex that you can walk to. You wouldn't need a shuttle, you can walk. The hospital has a lot of nice artwork you can enjoy.

@susan2018, Welcome to Rochester. It is a wonderful town with lots of helpful folks everywhere you look. We have been visiting Mayo Clinic in Rochester for three years. Last November, we spent 7 weeks there. We thought we would be bored out of our minds. Guess what? We still have more to see and learn.

Here's how we spent our time. We noticed the art on the walls and decided to visit all 19 floors and learn about the art and the artists on every floor. We did about 2 floors a day. Then we reviewed the images in the evening and I would post one on FB. What fun. I never mentioned where we were...didn't feel comfortable doing that but it wasn't a problem. Everyone loved the art. From the extra-large fish in the lobby of Jacobsen building to the Andy Warhol animals as you walk into the Gonda Building from the Charlton area.....it is all entrancing.

For performing art, we listened to choirs and pianists. Our very favorite performing artist was a young classical pianist playing in the quiet of evening in the Gonda Atrium. He was from Mexico and doing graduate work in neurology. At the end of his day, he would sit and play the grand piano. It is notable that our view was of the bronze sculpture at the end of the atrium. It was originally located in front of the main building. I will attach an image.

We also like the breakfast at the Kahler....they are so accommodating, even when we brought our Starbucks drinks inside. And we often spent some afternoon time watching the Peregrine falcons on the 19th floor. Read about them .....Mayo Clinic has a hatchery.

If you need a hair cut, see Michael on the sub-level. His grandfather and then his father and now he has the salon. If you do or would like to do meditation, show up at 6 pm on Wednesdays at the Cancer Center on the lobby floor, Gonda Bldg. Your leader will be one of the surgeons. During the day you may run into Evelyn with one of her therapy dogs, She has a wonderful story.

One day, we took off for Wabasha to see the eagle sanctuary. That was fascinating. We thoroughly enjoyed the Mango Thai restaurant and Pescado for seafood. We also participated in some potlucks and entertainment at Hope Lodge.

The spirit of Rochester was so evident when on our first night, the boy's eighth-grade basketball team and their fathers from a nearby town came and cooked dinner for us. The next night the graduating nurses from St Mary's arrived to spend their last evening cooking for us.

The topper came (and you need to be ready for this).....as we were leaving the lodge one afternoon. A young boy came running over and said, "Don't leave...it's my birthday and you are invited". So we came back and as promised this 11-year-old boy and his family cooked dinner for us. He chose to do this for his birthday gift. He held court at the birthday cake table. When he asked which cake I would like, coconut or chocolate, I asked him which one he liked best. His answer. "This evening is not about me, it is about you."

Enjoy your time and the amazing people in Minnesota and Rochester. Find some joy today. It could be all around you. Chris

What wonderful suggestions, particularly visiting all the floors to view and study the art. We have discovered several of the things you mentioned, even the breakfast menu served all day at The Kahler, but I thank you for the time and effort you took to share these ideas. The outdoor patio right outside the area in your photo above seemed to be a favorite spot for many people. We sat there a bit one day when it wasn’t too hot. Again, thanks, and I wish you health and well being.

Don’t forget to venture out to attend Thursday’s on First

Hi @susan2018, My name is Lawrence and I am one of the Concierge at Mayo Clinic. I hope all goes well for your husband. I see you have had a lot of great suggestions from other group members, and so I will just make a few suggestions; We have free Riverside Concerts at Mayo Civic center every Sunday starting at 7:00 PM- https://www.rochestermn.gov/departments/music-riverside-concerts-1513
There are also several Restaurants/Bars with live music in the evenings. Experience Rochester Website and Magazine is a great resource for things to do, where to stay and places to eat when you are planning your trip. Here is the website; https://www.experiencerochestermn.com/things-to-do/events-calendar/

Some of our visitors especially those staying for extended periods of time tend to use short term rental agencies like the Serenity house Network for their accommodations. They have found this to be more cost effective compared to regular hotels. See the link below for detailed information;
http://www.shnrochestermn.com/
Concierge services in located on the main floor of the Mayo Building inside the International center. Please, feel free to visit with any one of our staff member during your stay or simply stop in for a cup of coffee and fresh fruit. We have several booklets and brochures of events and places to visit that you can take for your reference.

Best wishes to you and your family.

Lawrence Mindela