The Rochester center point is about the area of Mayo Graduate School and the area of Mayo Clinic.
Rochester has seasons that vary significantly. Average high temperatures range from 23 degrees in January to 82 degrees in July. Average lows range from 3-63 degrees. The city has cold, snowy winters and warm, wet summers. It is considered a humid continental climate. Rochester gets an average of 48 inches of snow each year and 30 inches of rain.
Late spring or early fall are the best times to visit Rochester. In the spring you can experience the beautiful flowers blooming. The downside to spring is that the city sees a lot of rain during this time. In the early fall, you can experience the changing of the season and the leaves start to turn. Rochester is no stranger to early snowfalls, however, so keep this in mind.
If you plan to travel in the summer, there are many things to do throughout the city, including outdoor sports and activities. Summer brings more travelers to the city and hotel rates are more expensive. If you're coming in the winter, keep in mind that the city gets extremely cold winters with heavy snows.
Hotels in Rochester offer a number of discounts for guests. There are some standard discount options, such as AAA membership or online booking discounts. In addition, some hotels in Rochester offer Mayo Clinic patient discounts.
The Kahler Grand Hotel offers patient discounts for those who are visiting the Mayo Clinic. This discount is about 10 percent, and requires that you have your appointment card with you at check in. Aspen Suites also offers Mayo Clinic patient discounts with proof of appointment.
Online rates generally save you about 10 percent off the normal nightly rate. There are usually requirements for online booking discounts, such as you must pay immediately when you book, and cancellation may not be available after booking. Guesthouse International Inn & Suites Rochester and Days Inn Rochester both offer online booking discounts.
AAA membership gets you discounts on hotels in Rochester. The discounts vary by property, but generally range from 5-20 percent off. Springhill Suites Rochester Mayo Clinic Area/SAI offers AAA membership discounts on select rooms. Towneplace Suites by Marriott also offers AAA membership rates. Make sure to bring your membership card to verify your rate at check in.
When you're looking for great amenities and a great price, check out the variety of best value options throughout the city. These hotels offer fun and helpful amenities, comfortable rooms, and a variety of services to make your stay great.
Aspen Suites is located at 1211 2nd Street. The hotel offers standard rooms and a variety of suites. There are 82 rooms on the property, five of which are handicap accessible. Check in time at the hotel is 3 p.m. and check out time is noon. Pets are available for a fee of $75 for one to six nights, or $150 for seven or more nights. You'll get a complimentary breakfast, free internet access, and movies in your room at Aspen Suites.
Hampton Inn Rochester South is located at 1755 South Broadway. The hotel has 103 rooms, including four suites and nine handicap accessible rooms. Complimentary breakfast and wireless internet come with your room. There is an indoor pool, fitness and health center, and a business center at the Hampton Inn. Check in is 3 p.m. and check out is noon.
At 2005 Commerce Drive Northwest you can check in to the Comfort Inn & Suites. Check in time is 3 p.m. and check out time is noon. There are 77 rooms in the hotel, including 35 suites and five handicap accessible rooms. Comfort Inn & Suites offers conference facilities, a fitness and health center, and a business center. Other amenities here include an indoor swimming pool, laundry facilities, and complimentary breakfast.
Whether you're visiting Rochester for medical reasons or you're simply here on vacation, make sure you check out the variety of interesting attractions and events throughout the city. The Plummer House is a beautiful mansion and property that has tours in June, July, and August.
In June make sure to check out Rochesterfest! for a number of family friendly events. There is live music, great food, and a number of performances. There is even a parade and carnival.
Check out the Salem Glen Winery for tastings and tours. All wine sold here is made on-site, and you can learn how. Saturday afternoons the winery even offers live music, and there are special events all year long.
Below are the GSA reimbursement limits for hotel spending in Rochester, MN excluding taxes per night. See gsa.gov for more details.
Applies to Olmsted
| Season Begin | Season End | Lodging Rate | Meals & Incidentals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Jan, 2026 | 31-Dec, 2025 | $127.00 | $80.00 |
Below are reviews of the city of Rochester, MN from an actual visitor's perspective.
I did not see the city just went to Mayo's Clinic
We were there for the Drs
The experience at Mayo Clinic is best in the world! There is no finer healthcare anywhere. You are in the hands of the world's best and everything about the Mayo experience will be life enhancing! Be well!
We travel from Ohio three times a year to Rochester because it's where most of our family lives.
Only went to Mayo clinc
Ok
Loved the Thai restaurant close by!!!!!
I really enjoy the variety of restaurants and shopping opportunities, there are plenty downtown. I spent some time exploring the greater Rochester area during my visit. I greatly appreciated the courtesies offered to me as a patient at The Mayo Clinic.
Mayo Clinic
Soldiers Park has something for everyone!
Wide variety of restaurant choices.
Didn't stay long enough to see much. But the area is very well connected. It is like a mini city was built around the clinic.
Shopping, restaurants and many places to walk.
Mayo
Good door to door shuttle service
Easy to get around Rochester with helpful guidance at Mayo.
Mayo Clinic is amazing. It would be difficult to get lost with subway signage and roll desks.
Nice restaurants within walking distance.
Rochester is a clean and pretty city.
Always something to see and do!
Centrally located
Enjoyed the walk between our motel and Mayos.
Great city
Here are numerous restaurants nearby, and most hotels offer shuttle service to the Mayo clinic, very convenient for visitors.
The Canadian Honker restaurant so close was fine! Airport access was good. Not many construction hassles.
A fantastic city!
Movie theater was nice. It was also nice to have a shuttle going to the Mayo.
Nice choice of local restaurants
Restaurants and parks!
All good!
Really spent my time in hospital and hotel this trip to The Mayo. But have enjoyed Rochester in the past visits. A great city.
Nice eating places close to St. Mary's Hospital.
Rochester is fairly easy to find your way around. Broadway pizza is fantastic! Try the Chinese food from hyvee, surprisingly very good and affordable. If one of your biggest concerns is having a shuttle service while in Rochester for appointments at Mayo, I'd recommend Centerstone Plaza, the hotel is nothing fancy but their shuttle service is great, it only services their hotel. Parking at St. Marys in the parking ramp is free on the weekends and if you leave after 10pm on the weekdays.
The Uber drivers and restaurant staff were very warm and welcoming!
Mayo Clinic is wonderful!
Downtown is nice. Nice shops, restaurants and good view.
We really only experienced Mayo Clinic but it's the best experience ever.
Downtown is nice. Nice shops, restaurants and good view.
I spent all my time at the Mayo Clinic.
Mayo Clinic
Pannekoeken!!! Delicious!
It's a nice city
Mayo Clinic is best part of Rochester! Exceptional care!
Lots to do on Broadway Avenue!
MAYO CLINIC
Abundance of restaurants.
Rochester struck me as a safe a friendly place to live. If I was younger, I would consider it a good place to settle down and raise a family there
Easy to get around. Good restaurant selection.
Mayo Clinic was exceptional.
The rom is only a few miles from the Mayo Clonic. The price was nice as well.
We were in Rochester to visit Mayo Clinic.
The room was comfortable and clean. I came for Mayo Clinic, but the overall experience was very pleasant, people were very friendly and helpful
It's a very beautiful city. All the restaurants were delicious!
It's a very beautiful city. All the restaurants were delicious!
Visited Mayo Clinic.
Restaurants and MAYO Clinic.
The proximity to Mayo was the draw, yet not right at the clinic.
Near Mayo Clinic.
The room was clean and comfortable. The staff was extremely friendly. The Canadian Honker restaurant was great. Had a very good steak there.
The staff is always friendly. Rooms are always clean and comfortable. Good restaurants! Canadian Honker and Red Cow were both awesome burger places.
Good dinner at Chester's, everybody was friendly.
Mexican restaurant next door had absolutely great food and very large portions. Friendly too.
Lots of local restaurants and shopping close by.
Mayo Clinic is awesome!
The people are the heart and soul. We had problems with the car and Severson's got us in. The architecture is amazing, combining old with the new. We would really like to visit again when the health of my lady is better. Thank you to Mayo, truly are a gem. 💎💎💎
The room was clean and comfortable. We would really like to visit again when the health of my lady is better. Thank you, Mayo, you truly are a Gem. 💎💎💎
The room was clean and comfortable. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful. It's a beautiful place and very accommodating to Mayo patients.
It's a beautiful place and very accommodating to Mayo patients.
We liked the convenience of getting to the Mayo Clinic.
In Rochester, there were plenty of shops and places to eat. Seeing we were only a little over an hour away, we traveled to Mall of America too.
Small town feel
Nice Town
great restaurants, wonderful variety of entertainment. Mayo Clinic is outstanding, world class hospital
Proximity to medical facilities.
I am a Mayo patient. Great place for medical care. Nice town.
Pops Movie Theater!
Convenient to Mayo Clinic.
Convenient to Mayo Clinic.
The ability to get everywhere I needed to go via the subway.
Chesters is a great place for dining! Love all the connected skyways and subway for getting around town, especially during inclement weather. Well done!
Very clean, peaceful and stress free!
We are here this time for the hospital. We think Rochester is a great destination for dining, shopping, etc.
Beautiful town and many places to eat and shop
The hotel was clean, and the staff was very nice. They have access to all needs, shopping, coffee, hospital.
We always feel very safe in Rochester. Great walking in the area.
Would like to visit again!
The Mayo Clinic and the clinic's staff were AMAZING!!
I went to Mayo.
The shopping! Everything was close.
Easy access to Mayo clinic
Mayo clinic has an amazing art collection. And they have Ginkgo trees lining some streets.
Mayo clinic has an amazing art collection. And they have Ginkgo trees lining some streets.
Everything was fine
Easy to get around with nice choice of restaurants, skywalks and shopping options.
Stayed for Mayo Clinic.
We were in Rochester because of the Mayo Clinic. We really didn't get outside of the hotel and the clinic.