What are kid-friendly things to do in Rochester?

If you have a car, there is a place in Wisconsin. It’s a 58 minute drive to Kinstone. It’s a Megalith garden with mown meadows to wander through the stones, visit the two buildings, and walk a labyrinth. Four splendid cat emissaries reside there, not intrusive but friendly and May follow you. There is an educational building with a library and best of all dragon walking sticks to purchase. It’s our haven to get out. Google it or there is also a Facebook/Instagram site.

The eagle rehab center is in Wabasha and does feedings and talks on a schedule so check them.

Also there is the famous carousel at Lark Toys in Kellogg MN. A wonderful toy and candy shop (Google)

Rochester has a Library, many walking paths around silver lake, cascade lake and more. We have found google and trip advisor great resources.

I strongly suggest checking out the "MOMS" website for local activities for kids in Rochester area. Have updated list for fall activities including apple orchards and pumpkin patches.
https://rochestermom.com/
On nice day day, I recommend Oxbow park in nearby Byron. Free small zoo,
https://www.olmstedcounty.gov/residents/parks-recreation/parks/oxbow-park-zollman-zoo
A little farther away is Wabasha MN a National Eagle Center. There is a fee, but have excellent program about eagles. Check website for times.
https://www.nationaleaglecenter.org/
Also, Wabasha also has SeptOct fest going on, most activities on weekend, but town always decorate for fall.
https://www.wabashamn.org/septoberfest/
And as someone else mentioned, on way to Wabasha is Kellogg's Larks toy, Has a miniature golf course and large carousel.
https://www.larktoys.com/
Laurie

So much to see and do for all ages, a lot have been mentioned...Eagle Center in Wabasha, Lark Toys in Kellogg (miniature golf very doable for all ages), Oxbow Park and zoo north of Byron (try to go around 10 a.m. as they are sometimes feeding the animals...also go to Otto’s Bakery in Byron,,,the best!). In Rochester, Quarry Hill Nature Center and as mentioned Cascade Park. Our grandson enjoyed the climbing walls at Roca Gym. SPAM museum in Austin is very nice and has displays set up for children Did you know there are 13 different flavors of SPAM? Piggy Blues BBQ is a good restaurant in Austin. Ice cream at Flapdoodles in Rochester is a must. There is a great toy and puzzle store in University Shops next to Clinic. Also ABC Toy Zone in Rochester is a fun place to shop...lots of LEGOs. Enjoy your time in Rochester. Spend an extra “fun” day or two if you can.

@bria I second Oxbow Park & Zoo, Quarry Hill Nature Center and Flapdoodles. My kids and grandkids live in Rochester. My daughter works at Mayo and also the Quarry Hill Nature Center. She might have other good recommendations and she can ask the grandkids for suggestions too. They know family friendly restaurants also.

These are outstanding recommendations, thank you so much! I know our nature lover will be excited to check the eagles and lakes and will not turn down a trip to the carousel and toy/candy shop! Thanks!

The Spark at the mall is great fun. It is a children’s museum.

Here are some places to consider.
https://airinsanity.com/
https://www.sparkrochestermn.org/
https://www.bowlocity.com/

Hello! I'll be going to Mayo in Rochester in January. My mom and daughter (9) will be accompanying me. I would like to have a hotel that has a shuttle for early morning appointments (don't want to wake the family) and a kitchenette. I see there are quite a few but would love feedback from people who stayed there and can give more honest feedback.
I saw in a post that some hotels even allow you to use the wheelchairs from Mayo but I imagine I'd need to stay close enough to truly borrow the chair. I have mobility but it depends on the day and the length of time I have to be on my feet. I often end up using a wheelchair to just help on the hard days and would love the flexibility.

I see there's quite a few indoor experiences my daughter could participate in but would love suggestions if you have been there yourself!
Thanks in advance for suggestions!

@jamiemco Does your 9-year-old ice skate? Soldier’s Field has a fantastic ice rink. If she doesn’t skate and is interested you can rent skates and she can use a walker-kind-of-device to hang on to to help her stay upright on the beginner’s rink. The device will be right there are the rink for her. There are lots of families with very young children who use the beginner’s rink. She can watch the locals play ice hockey too. There was some construction going on around that area of Soldier’s Field (it’s close to downtown) when I was last in Rochester so I don’t know all of what is available but when I was in Rochester in January in 2022 there was also a place to warm up and get hot cocoa.

Soldiers Field in Winter:
https://www.rochestermn.gov/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/128/
Also, ice cream in winter? Yup, it’s available in Rochester at an independently owned ice cream store called Flapdoodles.

— https://www.flapdoodlesicecream.com/menu/

Hi @jamiemco, these are great questions. The specific question about the wheelchair may be worth reaching out to Concierge Services (https://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide/minnesota/concierge-services) to ask if the local hotels have wheelchairs or where you can take them (either off or on campus).

Minnesota in January is obviously a gamble on what the weather will be like, but @naturegirl5's suggestion of Soldiers Field and the skating rinks is a good one. It is a fun area and pretty accessible if you park in the Soldier Field golf course parking lot. You'll want to click this link as the time gets closer to see when skate rentals are available as it typically only Sat/Sun: https://www.rochestermn.gov/government/departments/parks-recreation-new/parks-trails-recreation-facilities/outdoor-ice-rinks.

Quarry Hill nature center is another great place to visit. They have a small indoor area with some fish tanks, bird watching, digital microscopes, and other animals. They also have trails to explore and a track wheelchair you can reserve (not sure on winter availability): https://www.qhnc.org/.

If your daughter needs to burn some energy, you could let her go crazy at Air Insanity indoor trampoline park, https://airinsanity.com/.

Both Quarry Hill and Air Insanity are not far from downtown, but would require a car or some sort of ride to get to.

@jamiemco, if you are comfortable sharing, will you have your own way of getting around? You mentioned the shuttle service for early morning appointments so you don't wake your family, but will you have an alternate way of getting around once everyone is up and moving? This may help members with their suggestions if the goal is keeping it near the downtown area hotels and hospital.