1. < Visiting Mayo Clinic

Tips on What To Do while at Mayo Clinic Rochester

Posted by savinggrace16 @savinggrace16, May 24, 2021

I'll be visiting Mayo in Rochester for the first time this week, and am wondering what tips folks have when visiting the campus. I've got the app downloaded and know when & where all my appointments are. Would be helpful to know of places to eat on or around the Mayo campus, as well as places to visit on or close to campus during the downtime I have between appointments. Any other general tips for visiting Mayo are welcome! Thanks! 😊

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Visiting Mayo Clinic Support Group.

nancy82415 | @nancy82415 | Jul 18, 2021
In reply to @Erinmfs "I had an apppointment(s) in Rochester recently, and here's what I did to pass the time..." + (show)
@Erinmfs

I had an apppointment(s) in Rochester recently, and here's what I did to pass the time in between them, I enjoyed myself:

Bought a pair of comfortable shoes
Enjoyed a Dairy Queen treat
Had a big burger at Newt's
Sat in the park outside the Mayo building (it's summer!)
Enjoyed an ice tea from the Grand Kahler's Starbucks

Jump to this post

This maybe a very common thing to do, but I find a chair and catch up on my reading. The place I found that I like the best is subway level in the Charlton North Building near the elevators. It is a smaller area and feels secluded to me.

I hope I gave the right direction to where it is. Now that I know where I going on campus I now navigate using landmarks, just like when I drive. 😂 Annual checkups with the same doctors and tests each time makes it easy to navigate with landmarks. 😊

REPLY
1 reply
deek15redpeppers | @deek15redpeppers | Jul 18, 2021
In reply to @Erinmfs "I had an apppointment(s) in Rochester recently, and here's what I did to pass the time..." + (show)
@Erinmfs

I had an apppointment(s) in Rochester recently, and here's what I did to pass the time in between them, I enjoyed myself:

Bought a pair of comfortable shoes
Enjoyed a Dairy Queen treat
Had a big burger at Newt's
Sat in the park outside the Mayo building (it's summer!)
Enjoyed an ice tea from the Grand Kahler's Starbucks

Jump to this post

Silver Lake Park and the walking trails are the best .

REPLY
Mentor
Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | Jul 18, 2021
In reply to @Erinmfs "I had an apppointment(s) in Rochester recently, and here's what I did to pass the time..." + (show)
@Erinmfs

I had an apppointment(s) in Rochester recently, and here's what I did to pass the time in between them, I enjoyed myself:

Bought a pair of comfortable shoes
Enjoyed a Dairy Queen treat
Had a big burger at Newt's
Sat in the park outside the Mayo building (it's summer!)
Enjoyed an ice tea from the Grand Kahler's Starbucks

Jump to this post

I like to listen to the music in the Gonda building atrium when someone is there playing the piano. When I was at Mayo last summer for ankle surgery, I had a special concert just for me (and anyone who was listening) from nurse Genaida Benson. Aside from her Mayo duties, she brings peace and inspiration through her music. I visited with her on my followup visits and took great pride in showing her my progress in walking after months in a cast.

REPLY
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Jul 18, 2021
In reply to @nancy82415 "This maybe a very common thing to do, but I find a chair and catch up..." + (show)
@nancy82415

This maybe a very common thing to do, but I find a chair and catch up on my reading. The place I found that I like the best is subway level in the Charlton North Building near the elevators. It is a smaller area and feels secluded to me.

I hope I gave the right direction to where it is. Now that I know where I going on campus I now navigate using landmarks, just like when I drive. 😂 Annual checkups with the same doctors and tests each time makes it easy to navigate with landmarks. 😊

Jump to this post

I have my "activity bag" as my husband calls it. E-book reader, journal, portable crochet project, portable Zentangle kit. Pick and choose which fits my fancy at the time. Being able to decompress in middle of a round of appointments is critical to my well-being!
Ginger

REPLY
Mentor
Helen, Volunteer Mentor | @naturegirl5 | Dec 6, 2021
In reply to @artscaping "Good morning......thanks for your list. I just want to add one item.....the Art Tour. We were..." + (show)
@artscaping

Good morning......thanks for your list. I just want to add one item.....the Art Tour. We were there for 30 days a couple of years ago. We decided to visit every floor in the Gonda Building and become acquainted with the art and artists who created it. With 19 floors it took some time. We also sat in chairs on the floor that lets you view the peregrine falcons and their activities.

On Wednesday evenings at about 6 pm, there is a meditation group led by one of the pulmonary surgeons. You don't need any prior experience. I think it is on the floor overlooking the Chihuly sculptures right in the corner.
Enjoy,
Chris

Jump to this post

I started the Art Tour today at the Subway level. I love your idea.

REPLY
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Dec 6, 2021

If you are in Rochester over the weekend, the Rochester Farmer's Market can be a good place to shop for locally grown and raised goods. It's outside on the Fairgrounds at the south end of town in the Summer and they move inside during the Winter months on select Saturdays. More info on their website here - https://www.rochfarmmkt.org/

REPLY
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Mar 24, 2022

A great place for all you pizza loving patients (and family!!) -- Pasquale's Neighborhood Pizzeria.

The Minnesota Pizza Place With Slices As Big As Your Head:
https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/minnesota/pizza-as-big-as-your-head-mn/

REPLY
kista77 | @kista77 | Mar 25, 2022

I have my first appointment there next Tuesday. Will be heading to Rochester this weekend. Good luck at your appointments!

REPLY
Mentor
Helen, Volunteer Mentor | @naturegirl5 | Mar 25, 2022

Mayo Clinic has gorgeous art and sculptures all throughout their patient buildings. You can go on a tour with docent or do a self-guided tour between your appointments. There is original art on every floor and hallway. I like to sit in a chair on one of the upper floors of the Gonda building hear the huge windows. The light and the view is always lovely.

REPLY
elwooodsdad | @elwooodsdad | Mar 26, 2022

I am 74, and had surgery at Mayo when I was 10. I recall that during recovery my parents and I took a very informative tour of Mayo and learned the history. Corralling an active 10 year old boy was a challenge. Grateful for parents who cared, and to Mayo for all which it is.

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.