Visitors to Mayo Clinic, Olmsted Medical Center and other regional health centers often need to find ways to entertain themselves during spare time between appointments.
Good health, including when fighting illness, requires a positive attitude and to experience life to its fullest whenever possible. That's why, instead of letting boredom set in, I suggest you instead take advantage of entertainment opportunities around you.
Rochester and southeast Minnesota are a hotbed of activity for visitors and locals alike.
• Honkers baseball gets started with a "meet-the-players" day on May 31, with Olmsted Medical Center hosting an opening-day "Fireworks Extravaganza" June 2.
• June 17-26 is Rochesterfest, a street fair with live music, bustling lunch hours and demonstrations galore. My favorite healthy food during Rochesterfest is fresh strawberries and tamales and beans with rice.
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• Visit the Feith Family Statuary Park across the street from Mayo Clinic's Gonda Building. You'll find statues of people historically important to Mayo's development. The park is a great place to take family photos.
• Head to the Rochester Area Family Y for swimming, to the Rec Center for ice skating, or to one of Rochester's many fine fitness centers.
• Visit an area community, such as Lake City or Red Wing. A day trip can include lunch and wandering around town looking at the sites.
• Check out Austin's Spam Museum, a great place for kids in need of a little silliness — and a non-medical environment.
• We get a good selection of local and national entertainment here, so check the Mayo Civic Center to see what's currently playing. Recent events have included the Lipizzaner Stallions, the Harlem Globetrotters and a Willie Nelson concert. There's almost always something going on at the Civic Center, so wander over and check it out, or head to the art center, 40 Civic Center Drive S.E.
• Check out Rochester's walking trails that wind through the city, if you are able.
• Ask local residents for entertainment ideas, from great restaurants, shopping and movies to various art tours and escorted tours of Mayo Clinic.
• If you fish, the Zumbro River downtown sports small mouth bass and fun-to-catch carp.
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In a nutshell, imagine Rochester as a vacation destination worth writing home about!
