AREA ACTIVITIES

Photo by Erin Young

MAYO CIVIC CENTER Mayo Civic Center is Southern Minnesota’s premier destination for local, regional, national and international conventions, entertainment, social and sporting opportunities. 507-328-2220, mayociviccenter.com

ROCHESTER ART CENTER Exhibitions of local, regional, and nationally acclaimed artists, as well as classes and workshops for children and adults. Free family days and book clubs. 507-282-8629, rochesterartcenter.org

ROCHESTER CIVIC THEATER Rochester Civic Theater is Minnesota’s largest community theatre. Visit website for 2019 theater season. 507-282-8481, rochestercivictheatre.org

NOW THRU SEPTEMBER

GENOME: UNLOCKING LIFE’S CODE POSITIVE EXPOSURE FIRST PERSON PLURAL

BEYOND THE DIAGNOSIS MYRIPHON INTIMATE GRAVITY G-ENGA21ST ROCHESTER CIVIC MUSIC

507-282-8629 | 40 CIVIC CENTER DRIVE SE |ROCHESTERARTCENTER.ORG

RIVERSIDE CONCERTS “Down by the Riverside” is an annual free outdoor summer concert series held In Mayo Park Sun eves during July & Aug. “Riverside Live” is a series of ticketed indoor concerts Sept-May. 507-328-2200, riversideconcerts.com

Photo by Erin Young

AMISH TOURS of HARMONY Tours of the largest Amish colony in Minnesota are 45 minutes southeast of Rochester in Harmony. Visit the Amish gift & furniture store. Tours are held year around, except Sundays. 1-800-752-6474, amish-tours.com

BARN QUILT TOURS,

CALDONIA, MN Driving tours of almost sixty beautifully painted barn quilts which adorn agricultural buildings in this scenic area. Bus tours offered on selected dates. Maps available on website. 507-725-TOURS, caledonia.com/barn/quilts

ASSISI HEIGHTS

ROCHESTER MN Call ahead at 507-282-7441 Sits atop one of the highest hills in Olmsted County and resembles the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Italy. Tours are available Mon at 2 p.m. & Sat at 1:30 p.m. or by appt.

ROLLINGSTONe LUXEMBOURG HERITAGE MUSEUM

Rollingston, MN Former city hall with thousands of items from Luxembourg immigrants. Open all year by appointment. Free admission by calling ahead. 507-689-2330

NIAGARA CAVE,

HARMONY MN Pan for gemstones and fossils, play mini golf, enjoy 10 acres of picnic grounds. Safe, lighted, one-hour tour of one of the top-rated caves in the US. 507-886-6606, niagaracave.com

Available For Weddings!

Plummer House Tours

June - August • Noon - 6pm Self Guided • Every Wednesday The Plummer house includes many innovations that were quite novel for their time. The 5 story home is over 300 feet long with over 20,000 square feet total with 11,000 square feet of living space.

Visible from much of SW Rochester, the Plummer

House and its water tower mark the summit of a Rochester neighborhood nicknamed Pill Hill, so called because it typically houses many Mayo doctors.1091 Plummer Lane SW · Rochester

MYSTERY CAVE, PRESTON MN Stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, fossils, and beautiful underground pools. Scenic, educational and photographic tours available. 507-937-3251, dnr.state.mn.us

HISTORY CENTER OF OLMSTED COUNTY Historic farmsteads, historic buildings, and the History Center museum. History Center museum houses the exhibit gallery, gift shop, Wilson Library and the Wickland Archives. 507-282-9447, olmstedhistory.com

The History Center also operates seasonal tours of Mayowood Mansion. Mayowood

Mansion Regular Season Public Tour

Schedule: April-October.

ROCHESTER HONKERS The Northwoods Baseball League is celebrating 25 seasons! Come meet Slider, the mascot, and enjoy game at Mayo Field. Special events like fireworks and the Mason Jar giveaway. The Honkers play 34 home games. 507-289-1170, northwoodsleague.com/rochester-honkers a

NATIONAL EAGLE CENTER,

WABASHA MN Climb in an eagle’s nest or test your strength against an eagle’s, learn how eagles soar and view wild eagles on the river. Open daily, live eagle programs. 651-565-4989, nationaleaglecenter.org

ROCHESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY 101 2nd St. SE 507-328-2300 Nationally-recognized Rochester Public Library is conveniently located to serve community members who travel by car, bus, or bike. The library is also home to the busiest Bookmobile in the state of Minnesota (based on circulation). With hundreds of free activities for residents and visitors, and a robust collection of books, audiobooks, and DVDs, the library has something for everyone!

FOUR DAUGHTERS WINERY, SPRING VALLEY MN Four Daughters Vineyard & Winery is a fully operational winery, cidery, restaurant and event center. Their sprawling estate includes a tasting room and large production areas, as well as a 6 acre vineyard on the property. 507-346-7300, fourdaughtersvineyard.com

lark toys, kellogg This toy store was voted the best in Minnesota and one of the top 10 toy stores in the world. It offers toys that stimulate imaginations and leave room for kids to create from their minds and hearts. LARK makes their own fudge in-house and boast an amazing antique toy museum. The solid wood hand-carved LARK Carousel is a work of art that people of all ages can view and ride, and the 18-hole mini golf course with waterfalls and a play-through cave is fun for all. 507-767-3387, larktoys.com, 63604 170th Ave.

rad zoo, owatonna The RAD Zoo is one of the largest displays of reptiles and amphibians in the world, with more than 150 different kinds of snakes, turtles, lizards, crocodilians, and amphibians, all on display. 507-455-1465, 3297 Country Rd. 45N, Don’t Age Alone... TheRadZoo.com

125 LIVe, ROCHESTER

The RAD Zoo is one of the largest displays of reptiles and amphibians in the 125 Elton Hills Dr. NW world, with more than 150 different kinds of snakes, turtles, lizards, crocodilians, and amphibians, all on display. Zoo co-owner and director Jamie Adam Pastika has run the business 507-287-1404, 125livemn.org with his wife, Melissa Gail Pastika, and their staff for eight years. "We cater o families looking for a fun, educational experience for their kids. We make · a point that everyone who visits our zoo has an opportunity to pet at least one animal, typically an alligator or a large boa or python," said Jamie. Spend your day with us!Daily shows give guests a chance to learn more about the animals, and pet a few of them at shows end. During weekend feeding times, guests can watch many of the snakes and crocodiles dining. Grab a coffee before joining The Pastikas are constantly working on new exhibits. This summer they hope to have sailfin dragons as well as a tank of South American river turtles. your friend for a late morning Pastika said that there are many satisfying aspects of being a zookeeper, like taking care of the animals by trying to build them homes similar to what they would experience in the wild. He enjoys watching excited kids interact card game. Hit up the gym to try directly with the animals. "Our goal at the Zoo is to try to instill a greater appreciation for wildlife and wild places among our children so that they will grow up to help something new with one of our preserve them." 3297 COUNTRY RD. 45N, OWATONNA I THERADZOO.COM over 70 fitness classes offered each week, or relax in the warm water pool. Stick around to shoot some pool in our billiards lounge, or embrace your creativity with an afternoon art class.

Join 125 Live Today

If you are breathing, you are aging. At 125 LIVE in Rochester, the goal is to make sure no one from 18 years and up ages in a silo. Every adult can benefit from exercise and fitness programs to social clubs, games and programs in arts. “At 125 LIVE, we offer something for every dimension of wellness for active adults,” says Operations Director Ken Baerg. “We want someone in their 20s to prepare and be healthy in their 40s. We want someone in their 40s to grow and be ready for the 60s. We want those in their 70s and 80s to be fit physically, mentally and spiritually.”

125 ELTON HILLS DR. NW, ROCHESTER | (507)287-1404 125LIVEMN.ORG | INFO@125LIVEMN.ORG

COVERED BRIDGE PARK, ZUMBROTA, MN This is the site of Minnesota’s only authentic covered bridge, which spans the Zumbro River and leads to a public walking trail. Home to Kid’s Kingdom, one of the region’s largest play areas.

On The North Side Of The Zumbro River Is The Scenic 64-Acre Covered Bridge Park. It Contains Nature And Trails, Modern Camp Sites, Restrooms/Shower, Shelters, Picnic Areas, Kids Kingdom Playground, Horseshoe, Softball Fields, Swimming Pool, Stream Fishing, Frisbee Golf, Volleyball Area, And Ice Rink. Across Hwy. 58 The East Covered Bridge Park Is A Modern Softball Complex, Full Outdoor Basketball Court And Skate Board Park. 507-732-7318 (Zumbrota City Hall), ci.zumbrota.mn.us

FOSTER AREND PARK, ROCHESTER MN 4000 East River Rd NE. Sandy beach, swimming, fishing & picnic grounds with shelter. 507-328-2525

Photo by Chad Johnson

OXBOW PARK & ZOLLMAN ZOO, BYRON MN The zoo is anchored in the middle of the 600-acre park, and it showcases circa 40 different Minnesota-native species, including all animal classes: fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds and mammals. Oxbow offers educational programs about Minnesota wildlife. Zoo and nature center tours, hiking trails, and picnic facilities. Open all year. 507-775-2451, co.olmsted.mn.us

QUARRY HILL NATURE

CENTER, ROCHESTER MN Designated as a Park and Trail of Regional Significance by the Greater Minnesota Parks and Trails Commission, Quarry Hill Park is a historic and natural treasure at the heart of the community. Hiking trails, biking trails, a pond, restored oak savanna, limestone fossil quarry and historic sandstone caves shape the park’s 329 acres. 507-281-6114, qhnc.org

ROCHESTER PARK & RECREATION

DEPARTMENT, ROCHESTER MN Swimming at 2 outdoor pools and one lake. Golf courses, miles of trails for bicycling, hiking, jogging, and other recreational activities. 507-328-2525, rochestermn.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation