The official website for the City of Rochester. Welcome to Downtown Rochester, a welcoming place to find one-of-a-kind restaurants, unique shops, outstanding services, fun events, and everything in between. Rochester is a city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Olmsted County. Located on both banks of the Zumbro River, it is perhaps best known as the home of Mayo Clinic (giving rise to the city's nickname, Med City ) and is also home to a major IBM facility. The city is the home and birthplace of Mayo Clinic. Rochester first developed as a stagecoach stop between Dubuque, Iowa, and Saint Paul, Minnesota. With the creation of the Mayo Clinic in 1864, Rochester became a national center for healthcare, as well as a hub for regional agriculture. [10] Rochester, Minnesota, is a great place to visit with plenty of fun things to do. Whether you enjoy nature, museums, or tasty food, this city has something for everyone. You can spend time outside at beautiful parks or check out local shops. Rochester is broadly known for the world-renowned Mayo Clinic, but you don’t need to be checked-in to check out this extraordinary Minnesota destination. From arts to events, shopping, dining and breweries, use this visitors guide to find what to do, where to eat and where to stay when you’re in Rochester. Discover inspiring contemporary art in the heart of downtown Rochester. Located along the scenic Zumbro River, Rochester Art Center features powerful exhibitions by regional, national, and international… Have you ever found yourself looking for things to do with a few hours to spare while in Rochester, MN? Whether you’re between appointments, tournament games, sporting events, or concert times, Rochester is home to a plethora of activities for the whole family. Traveling to Rochester, Minnesota? Find helpful information about hotels, events, restaurants, things to do, and Mayo Clinic visitor information. The Rochester Post Bulletin is your 1 source for news, weather, and sports around Rochester, Austin and throughout Minnesota.