5 of the Best Picnic Spots in Rochester, MN

Summer is the time for swimming! We've got you covered if you're looking for a great place to take a dip in driving distance from Rochester, MN. From indoor pools and lakes to waterparks, we've got something for everyone. Read on to find our picks for swim spots near Rochester. more 4 Favorite Spots for Swimming in Driving Distance of Rochester, MN Rochester Recreational Centre Rochester Recreation Center offers a variety of amenities, including a heated pool, a hot tub, a sauna, and a fitness center. Various classes are also provided at the Centre, such as aqua aerobics, pickleball, and skating. In addition, the Centre has a café that serves healthy food options. The Rochester Recreational Centre also offers a variety of other recreational activities, such as basketball, volleyball, and weightlifting but a reservation is required in advance. Foster-Arend Lake Foster-Arend Lake is a popular swim spot located within driving distance of Rochester. The lake is fed by artesian springs and has an average depth of six feet. It is also home to various fish, including largemouth bass, bluegill, and rainbow trout. The surrounding area is lush and green, making it a beautiful place to spend a day. There are also several public beaches and picnic areas nearby, making it easy to enjoy the lake. In addition, the lake is also famous for its canoe and kayak rentals, as well as its fishing pier. Bear Creek Reservoir The 114-acre reservoir is just a short drive from the city in Chester Woods County Park and offers visitors a wide range of recreational activities. The reservoir also has a well-maintained beach area where sunbathers can relax. The reservoir is also home to channel catfish, bluegill, and black crappie, making it a popular spot for fishing enthusiasts. Plenty of picnic tables and grills are available for those who want to enjoy a delightful meal with friends or family. The Bear Creek Reservoir also offers camping opportunities, so load your camping supplies in your roomy Toyota Highlander XLE before your journey. Cascade Lake Park Cascade Lake Park located just a short drive from the city, offers a wide range of swim opportunities for people of all ages and abilities. Around the lake, there are several beaches where visitors can enjoy the sand and sunshine. The lake also has a lot of shallow spots that are great for wading or having fun in the water. For those looking for a little more adventure, there are also several hiking trails that wind through the park. Whether you want to visit a traditional waterpark or take a dip in one of our many natural spots, explore the above locations. Contact us at Rochester Toyota to purchase a new or pre-owned vehicle, and we'll help set you up with the perfect vehicle for your summer adventures.

Minnesota is a beautiful state with fantastic attractions and incredible scenery. If you are looking for the best views for your road trip or need a great day out with the family, you will love the areas around Rochester, MN. more Get in the Toyota and Check Out The 4 Best Views Near Rochester, MN 1. Mayowood Mansion The Mayowood Mansion is a stunning work of architecture, the first concrete structure of its kind in Minnesota. Dr. Charlie and Edith Mayo built this 23,000-square-foot home with thirty-eight rooms in 1910. The mansion stands on a gorgeous 3,000-acre country estate and is open for public tours. Contact the History Center of Olmsted County to schedule your family's tour of the mansion. Inside the Mayo mansion, you will find original Mayo family artifacts, including items from their world travels. You will also learn about the community and celebrity guests that graced its halls. The mansion's terrace overlooks the Zumbro River and the incredible botanical gardens on the grounds. The Mayo Mansion is a must-see for anyone who loves history. 2. Sekapp Orchard Sekapp Orchard is the perfect stop for any family. The orchard is family-run and has been in business for over 50 years. The 160-acre farm features more than 75 acres of beautiful fruit treats with a wide variety of apples and berries you can enjoy. In addition, Sekapp Orchard allows you to pick your own apples starting around August 20th. Visit Sekapp Orchard in the fall to enjoy their harvest season activities. The corn maze, redesigned yearly, features six-foot corn stalks to ensure you can't easily see your way out. Sekapp Orchard also sets up a straw bail maze and now features a straw bale mountain that is the perfect climbing spot. In addition, the orchard boasts many other attractions and activities suitable for all ages. 3. Cascade Meadows If you are looking for a beautiful day outdoors, you will love the expansive 100 acres of the Cascade Meadow Wetlands and Environmental Science Center. Cascade Meadows offers great learning opportunities and event spaces. When you visit Cascade Meadows, you can enjoy interactive exhibits and self-guided, themed outdoor trails. 4. Assisi Heights The quiet interior of the Toyota Camry Hybrid creates a peaceful atmosphere on your way to Assisi Heights, where you can spend a few hours in quiet reflection. Assisi Heights Spirituality Center, built in the 1950s, serves as the motherhouse for the Sisters of St. Francis. This gorgeous building is built on a wooded hill and reflects the Umbrian Region in Italy. They host events such as tree walks, green land tours, and history hikes. While Minnesota has many fantastic views, Rochester has the best. Take a break from the world at Assisi Heights, enjoy the fruit at Sekapp Orchard, check out the wildlife at Cascade Meadows, and learn about the history of the Mayo family at the mansion. Don't let your old vehicle stop you from visiting these fantastic sites. Visit us at Rochester Toyota to test drive one of our new and used vehicles today.

While many may agree that watching actors on television is a fun and easy pastime, sometimes you want to experience the action live. In Rochester, MN we have an abundance of talented entertainers that know how to put on a spectacular show. We've compiled a list of 4 performance art theaters you have to check out next time you're bit by the thespian bug. more 4 Great Theaters and Performance Venues in Driving Distance of Rochester, MN 1. Rochester Civic Theatre This antiquated theater began as a ragtag team of wannabe actors who simply wanted the chance to perform. That small group's idea sparked a flame in the community and has since grown to be one of the most well-respected and renowned performance theaters in the city. In celebration of its 71st season of business, they are putting on a full production of Willy Wonka. They have made it their mission to enrich their community with a passion for the arts - which they have achieved through education and inclusion. They offer interpreted performances for those with hearing difficulty, wheelchair-accessible seating, and they allow service dogs. Their unabashed care for anyone wanting to enjoy the arts is one of the reasons we love them! 2. Rochester Repertory Theatre This local theater not only puts on plays we all know and love, like A Christmas Carol and Radium Girls but also features works by local playwrights. They work with hundreds of volunteers and they empower artists to work with a diverse team of directors, designers, and technicians, which results in powerful performances. The stage itself may be small, but the performers will leave you with a huge and lasting impression. 3. Absolute at the Historic Chateau Theatre The Absolute Theatre troupe performs in the beautifully ornate Chateau, a historic theater built in the heart of downtown Rochester in 1927. The medieval style of architecture brims with theatrical possibilities. This beauty has been preserved and renovated as both a movie theater and a bookstore at different times but has returned to its roots in the arts with the Absolute Theatre Company. You don't want to miss their murder mystery shows, which set them apart from the other community theaters. These special performances always donate to a deserving cause, such as the Boys and Girls Club and the Elder Network. 4. RCTC Hill Theater Students of the Rochester Community and Technical College have the opportunity to be involved with the whole process of writing, directing, creating, and acting in a play. The Hill Theater produces three main plays each year which are all worked on by students of the college and draw audiences of thousands to watch the students succeed. We have no shortage of talented performers in Rochester. Get your tickets to the upcoming Willy Wonka at Rochester Civic Theatre, or support your local aspiring drama student at the Hill Theater. When you're done, come tell us all about it at Rochester Toyota!