Rochester is a southeastern Minnesota town located just outside of the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. There are rolling hills and farmland surrounding the city, and it is also part of the Driftless Area, the only part of North America that was never hit by glaciers. Because of this, the area has deep river valleys and rugged terrain that you can view on a scenic drive, and there are many different areas and roadways where you can travel to see the sights. Check out these scenic drives near Rochester, MN.
Grand Rounds
The Grand Rounds is a well-known bike trail, and the road right next to the trail is the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway. This road circles the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes in one big loop with several loops within it if you want to check out the different lakes. This scenic drive offers both an urban feel but with many beautiful views to see along the way. The loop runs for 53 miles, and if you drive it when the weather is nice, you can even get out along the way to rent kayaks, paddle boats, and canoes. It’s a short drive from Rochester to the Byway, but well worth it.
Rochester to Niagra Cave
The drive from Rochester to Harmony along Route 52 has many sights to see along the way, and then the short trip from Harmony to Niagra Cafe is a great way to explore the back roads of Minnesota. Once you get to the caves, make sure to do some exploring on foot. There is a wishing well, the echo chamber, and a 60-foot high waterfall that you can view from a bridge.
Historic Bluff Country National Scenic Byway
The Historic Bluff Country National Scenic Byway follows the Root River Valley and then winds its way through many hills and bluffs. There are many things to see along the way including the International Owl Center in Houston, MN, the Peterson Station Museum in Peterson, and the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center where there are over 500 acres of forests, wetlands, and prairies. There is always wildlife to see at the Nature Center, and beautiful scenery any time of year.
St. Croix Scenic Byway
Instead of heading south, you can start in Rochester and drive north on Route 52 to the St. Croix National Riverway. This route takes you through several national parks, and through the scenic town of Stillwater. This historic area is the perfect place to stop for lunch and to enjoy many activities on and near the water. You can then continue on to the bluffs of Taylors Falls and Wild Mountain where you can ski and snowboard in the winter and take a ride down the alpine slides or try go-carting in the summer.
There are so many different routes you can take from Rochester if you want to explore the beautiful Minnesota scenery. Whether you head north or south or even make your way to Minneapolis and St. Paul, there is always something to see.
Image by Tony Asleson is licensed under CC-BY-SA 2.0
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