Around Rochester Minnesota

The Minneapolis Institute of Art   Now that the chilly weather has arrived (of this post, it is 9 degrees outside, burr) there's no better time than to find fun and interesting things to do inside. Especially whens it's FREE! The Minneapolis Institute of Art hosts a plethora of extraordinary exhibitions and one of the largest and wide ranging art collections in the country. Spanning subjects and artists such as: van Gogh, Rembrandt, Matisse and artifacts from every continent; Asian to Africa.  One can easily spend over half a day here. Brief History of the Minneapolis Institute of Art: Founded by 25 Minneapolis residents in 1883 (then name the Minneapolis Society of Fine Arts) The museum was designed by New York architectural firm McKim, Mead and White. The museum includes the Target Wing: includes thirty-four galleries, exhibition space, lecture hall, photographs study room, and an art research library. MIA hosts over 800 works of art to more

Franconia Sculpture Park This is a really unique and fun place to visit. The Franconia Sculpture Park is located in Franconia, Minnesota. It is about a 2 hour drive north of Rochester (about 1 hour N.E from the Twin Cities.) two hours can be a long drive, but if you're looking for something unique and adventurous to do, see, and have a full day to enjoy it, with weather permitting why not? Also don't worry, if you decide to use GPS and drive here, the address works perfectly in helping to find the park. The 20-acre Sculpture Park is packed with over 95 sculptures, all of which are rotated from time to time to make room for new artists. Aside from the art, what makes this place even more exciting is the fact that it's free (donations are welcome) and it is open 365 days of the year from dusk till dawn. Here's a map of the park http://www.franconia.org/map.html In the park, you are given free reign to roam as you wish. Most of the sculpture's are hands-on

City View Sanctuary Condo - Rochester, MN City View Sanctuary Condo is a great place to reside when visiting Rochester and the Mayo Clinic. Key benefits: High-speed, Wireless Internet Cable TV with DVD player Secured building Smokeless and No Pets Exercise and Laundry rooms Underground Parking Full kitchen with cookware, stove, refrigerator, dishwasher and microwaves Full Bathrooms Rates are:  Weekly: $94/night +tax. Monthly: $84/night. No tax. (7 night min. required -Maximum Occupancy: 5 people) For more information: Phone: 507-273-0470 Email: serenityhousemn@gmail.com Website: https://www.shnrochestermn.com/housing/

The Serenity House The Serenity House in Rochester, Minnesota is another great place to stay if you're visiting the Mayo Clinic. It provies fully furnished apartments, cable, internet, phone, laundry, close to Mayo Clinic, and in a secure building location. Rates are between $50-$89/night plus tax (weekly - prices subject to change.) The Serenity House is part of the Serenity House Network, which also operates several properties located throughout Rochester, Minnesota (check website for more details). Feedback from those that have stayed here is very positive. The rates seem fair compared to the cost of a hotel stay. For more information about the house : The Serenity House serenityhousemn@gmail.com 507-273-0470 | Phone Reservation Hours: 8 am - 5 pm http: //www.shnrochestermn.com

Times may vary. Please call 507-884-9084 for more specific information.  The Walmart Shuttle stops at the following locations:     (if you are not staying at one of the hotels or visiting the Mayo Clinic, that's okay most of these buildings are located next to each other its easily accessible to walk over and get the shuttle.)   *HINT: Press Control+F key and type name of hotel in search box, to quickly locate your hotel or location on the list below.* Shuttle days/times:   Monday - Saturday (first pick up starts at 8a.m. and last departure is 7p.m.) Mondays / Wednesdays / Fridays Depart from Walmart 9:00 10:30 11:50 1:00 2:10 3:30 5:00 6:05 7:00 Village on 3rd Ave . 8:00 9:05 10:35 11:55 1:05 2:15 3:35 5:05 on call Fontaine Towers 8:05 9:10 10:40 12:00 1:10 2:20 3:40 5:10 on call Broadway Plaza 8:07 9:12 10:42 12:02 1:12 2:22 3:42 5:12 on call Park Tower Apartments 8:10 9:15 10:45 12:05 1:15 2:25 3:45 5:15 on call Castleview Apartments 8:12 9:17

  Maria's Kitchenette -Rochester, Minnesota A cab drivers review of Maria's Kitchenette Maria is still working here she opened her hotel and Kitchenette's some years back. She's a very nice person and you can meet and greet with her if you're visiting Rochester because she also works at the convenience store that's located downstairs below the Kitchenettes. The area around Maria's is not bad at all, there was a time that a few blocks behind the hotel the area was somewhat sketchy. The people who stay at Maria's Kitchenettes are a mixed crowd, most are visiting the Mayo Clinic or St. Mary's Hospital, but some are also local people who are down on their luck and need some housing. PLEASE understand, this does not mean that Maria's Kitchenettes is a bad place, but it does have a hodgepodge of interesting people who stay there.   The hotel is a pretty safe place to stay. It's also located right next to Canadian Honker Restaurant one of

The Baptist Hospitality House is a really safe, great and cheaper alternative to hotels. The Baptist Hospitality House is a lodging ministry to patients and their families visiting the Mayo Clinic and local hospitals. It's rates are $70.00 per night (weekly) and $65.00 per night (monthly), Prices subject to change. General guidelines explains as follows : Mayo Clinic appointments or hospital admission must be made prior to making Baptist Hospitality House reservations. Please be prepared to show a doctor's medical referral or Mayo Clinic appointment schedule at check-in time. Reservations are accepted on a first-come, space-available basis. Space is limited to patients and immediate family, with the exception of patient care providers. The Baptist Hospitality House DOES accommodate organ transplant patients. The Baptist Hospitality House is entirely non-smoking. Guests do NOT have to be Baptists to stay at the Baptist Hospitality House.

Hotels near The Mayo Clinic Rochester, Minnesota The Kahler Grand Hotel -  less than half a block away from Mayo Clinic The Marriot Hotel Rochester - less than half a block away from Mayo Clinic The Kahler Inn and Suites Hotel -  2 blocks away from Mayo Clinic The Double Tree Hotel Rochester -  2 blocks away from Mayo Clinic The Holiday Inn Express - 2  blocks away from Mayo Clinic The Hilton Garden Inn Hotel Rochester - 2 blocks away from Mayo Clinic The Days Inn Hotel Rochester - 1.5 blocks away from Mayo Clinic Hotels near St. Mary's Hospital Rochester, Minnesota The Marriot Hotel Courtyard -  less than half a block away from St. Mary's Hospital The Staybridge Suites - less than half a block away from St. Mary's Hospital The Springhill Inn and Suites -  less than half a block away from St. Mary's Hospital The Bell Tower Inn -  less than half a block away from St. Mary's Hospital The Alpine Inn - less than half a