Rochester and the Mayo Family Trolley Tour
A guided trolley history tour of two to three hours that follows the story of the Mayo family and the medical center they built in a southeastern Minnesota farm town.
Minnesota
Rochester
Rochester is a city of about a hundred thousand people on the Zumbro River in the farm country of southeastern Minnesota, and it is known around the world as the home of Mayo Clinic.
The story began with a country doctor, his two sons and a deadly tornado in 1883, and it still shapes the city: the 1928 Plummer Building and its 56-bell carillon, the Mayo family estate at Mayowood, a Victorian house that survived the storm and a skyway and subway network that lets you cross downtown without a coat. Guided trolley tours tell the Mayo family story, the history of the Queen City and the darker true crime tales, while parks such as Silver Lake and Quarry Hill, the free Zollman Zoo and the Plummer House gardens fill the hours between appointments. Beyond town, Bluff Country offers eagles at Wabasha, a paved river trail at Lanesboro and Minnesota’s longest cave, all within about an hour.
Don't miss
Peace Plaza and Downtown Rochester
The pedestrian heart of Rochester, with the 1927 Chateau Theatre marquee, the Rochester Art Center, skyways, subway shops and summer and winter events.
Rochester and the Mayo Family Trolley Tour
A guided trolley history tour of two to three hours that follows the story of the Mayo family and the medical center they built in a southeastern Minnesota farm town.
Mayo Clinic Plummer Building and Carillon
A 1928 National Historic Landmark in the heart of the Mayo campus, with a marble lobby, a historical suite and a 56-bell carillon on top.
Mayowood Mansion
The 38-room concrete country home of Dr. Charles H. Mayo, run as a guided historic house tour by the History Center of Olmsted County.
Things to do in Rochester
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
Queen City History Trolley Tour
A two to three hour guided trolley tour of Rochester’s origins, from its early settlement and the 1883 tornado to the rise of Saint Marys Hospital.
True Crime Rochester Trolley Tour
A narrated evening trolley ride of about one and a half to two hours through Rochester’s darker history, with at least three cases and a historical tragedy.
Rochester Microbrewery Trolley Tour
A trolley tour of four local microbrewery pubs with beer flights, a relaxed way to sample the Rochester craft scene without driving.
Bluff Country Wine Trail Trolley Tour
A trolley trip into the countryside around Rochester that visits three wineries, including Four Daughters Vineyard and Winery.
Mayo Clinic Plummer Building and Carillon
A 1928 National Historic Landmark in the heart of the Mayo campus, with a marble lobby, a historical suite and a 56-bell carillon on top.
Exterior: 15 minutes; with recital: 1 hourDetails →
Mayo Clinic Heritage Hall and Campus Art Tour
An interactive history exhibit in the Mayo Building lobby for patients and sponsored guests, plus a volunteer-led tour of art across the campus.
30 minutes to 1.5 hoursDetails →
Mayowood Mansion
The 38-room concrete country home of Dr. Charles H. Mayo, run as a guided historic house tour by the History Center of Olmsted County.
History Center of Olmsted County
A county history museum and historic grounds on West Circle Drive, with Mayo family exhibits, an 1885 schoolhouse, a log cabin and a farmstead.
Plummer House of the Arts
A 49-room Tudor-style mansion on 11 acres of formal gardens, designed by Dr. Henry Plummer and now run as a city park and arts venue.
1 to 2 hoursDetails →
Heritage House Victorian Museum
An 1875 Italianate home in Central Park that survived the 1883 tornado, restored and furnished with Victorian antiques.
Assisi Heights Spirituality Center
The hilltop home of the Sisters of Saint Francis of Rochester, with an ornate lobby, stained glass and tours that tell the story of Saint Marys Hospital.
1 hourDetails →
Where to stay
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
$$Kahler Grand Hotel
Downtown Rochester
A landmark downtown hotel about 0.3 miles from the Mayo Clinic campus, with a pool, hot tub, on-site coffee shop and the underground Grand Shops mall.
Check rates →Hilton Rochester Mayo Clinic Area
Downtown Rochester
An upscale downtown Hilton about 0.1 miles from the Mayo campus, with a full-service spa, indoor pool, sauna, steam room and a fifth-floor terrace.
Check rates →Marriott Rochester Mayo Clinic
Downtown Rochester
A full-service downtown Marriott about 0.2 miles from the Mayo campus, with an indoor pool, hot tub, snack bar, concierge and access to the Grand Shops.
Check rates →Hotel Indigo Rochester Mayo Clinic Area
Downtown Rochester
A boutique-style IHG hotel about 0.2 miles from Mayo Clinic, home to the CRAVE restaurant with its retractable glass roof.
Check rates →Hyatt House Rochester Mayo Clinic Area
Downtown Rochester
A Hyatt House about 0.4 miles from the Mayo campus in downtown Rochester, with a high guest score and mid-range rates.
Check rates →EVEN Hotel Rochester Mayo Clinic Area
Kutzky Park
A wellness-focused IHG hotel in Kutzky Park about 0.9 miles from Mayo Clinic, with an indoor pool, free guest laundry and secured accessible parking.
Check rates →The Berkman
Folwell
A short-term-stay property in the Folwell neighborhood near Saint Marys Hospital, with laundry, shuttle service and climate-controlled parking.
Check rates →Centerstone Plaza Hotel Soldiers Field
Historic Southwest
A value-minded hotel in the Historic Southwest about 0.6 miles from Mayo Clinic, with an indoor pool and kids area, hot tub, breakfast and fitness room.
Check rates →Kahler Inn and Suites
Downtown Rochester
A downtown suites hotel about 0.4 miles from Mayo Clinic with an indoor pool, complimentary breakfast and in-room stovetops and microwaves.
Check rates →Rochester guides
First Time in Rochester, Minnesota: What to Do, How Long to Stay and Where to Start
A practical primer for a first visit to Rochester: the Mayo story, the trolley tours, free parks and museums, getting around the skyways and how many days you need.
Three Days in Rochester, Minnesota: A Relaxed Itinerary
A three-day plan for Rochester that balances Mayo history, trolley tours, parks, a historic house and a day trip into Bluff Country.
Where to Stay in Rochester, Minnesota: Downtown, Kutzky Park and Beyond
A guide to Rochester neighborhoods and hotel types, from downtown full-service hotels to wellness hotels near Saint Marys and suite-style stays for long visits.
Visiting Rochester for Mayo Clinic: A Companion’s Guide to Free Time
A guide for patients and companions: getting around the Mayo campus, using free hours well, and activities that are easy to rearrange around appointments.
Eating and Drinking in Rochester, Minnesota: Coffee, Taprooms and Downtown Dining
A guide to Rochester food and drink: coffee shops, quick lunches, breweries, rooftop patios and sit-down dinners, with notes for medical visitors.
Day Trips from Rochester, Minnesota: Eagles, Caves and Bluff Country
Day trips from Rochester: the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, Lanesboro and the Root River State Trail, Mystery Cave and Forestville, and the Bluff Country wine trail.
