Rochester · Olmsted County, MN

Cheap things to do in Rochester

Scout analyzed 61 Rochester places and surfaced the ones that actually fit cheap day out.

Places analyzed

Matches

Typical spend

$40

Typical visit

1.4 hr

Scout-verified spots

Viking HIlls

Purple Goat

Purple Goat is a restaurant suitable for a meal or drinks, offering a relaxed setting for an hour or two. Expect to spend $20-$50 per person on food and beverages.

FoodCocktailsRelaxed

$20–$50 typical1.3 hr visiteasy parking

Downtown

ThaiPop

ThaiPop is a good spot for a casual lunch or dinner, expecting to spend 1-1.5 hours and around $15-35 per person. It pairs well with a movie or shopping trip afterwards.

FoodRelaxedSocial

$15–$35 typical1.3 hr visitmoderate parking

Food & Drink

Old Abe Coffee Shop

Old Abe Coffee Shop is a good spot for a casual, budget-friendly meal or coffee break, suitable for a solo stop or a quick family bite. Expect to spend $10-25 per person for a visit of 45-60 minutes.

FoodWellnessRelaxed

$10–$25 typical45 min visiteasy parking

Food & Drink

Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co.

Visit Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co. for a relaxed coffee or tea break, suitable for an hour-long stop. Expect to spend $5-$15 per person for drinks and pastries.

FoodShoppingRelaxed

$5–$15 typical45 min visiteasy parking

Downtown

Lumi Restaurant and Bar

Lumi is suitable for a dinner outing, offering Mediterranean cuisine in a setting that can accommodate date nights or family meals. Plan for approximately 90 minutes and a per-person cost of $25-50.

FoodCocktailsRelaxed

$25–$50 typical1.3 hr visitmoderate parking

Historic Southwest

Twigs Tavern and Grille

Twigs is a hotel bar and grill with a patio, suitable for a casual meal or drinks. Expect to spend 1-2 hours and $20-$50 per person on food and drinks.

FoodCocktailsOutdoors

$20–$50 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking

Food & Drink

Five West

Five West is a modern American restaurant with an outdoor bar, suitable for a casual meal or drinks. Expect to spend 1-2 hours and around $30-$70 per person.

FoodCocktailsOutdoors

$30–$70 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking

Downtown

Terza

Terza is a solid choice for an evening meal of Italian food, suitable for dates or family dinners. Expect a moderate per-person cost and plan for about 90 minutes for your visit.

FoodCocktailsRelaxed

$35–$75 typical1.3 hr visitmoderate parking

Downtown

CRAVE Food & Drink Rochester

CRAVE is suitable for a contemporary meal, offering American fare and sushi in a bustling setting. Plan for about 1.5 hours and a cost of $30-70 per person.

FoodCocktailsRelaxed

$30–$70 typical1.3 hr visitmoderate parking

Food & Drink

First Meeting Noodle

First Meeting Noodle is suitable for a casual meal, often paired with errands or a movie. Expect to spend about an hour and $10-25 per person for a noodle or rice dish.

FoodRelaxedSocial

$10–$25 typical1.3 hr visiteasy parking

Kutzky Park

Canadian Honker Restaurant

This veteran American restaurant is suitable for a sit-down meal with family or friends, especially for breakfast or prime rib. Expect to spend 1-2 hours and $15-35 per person for a main meal.

FoodRelaxedSocial

$15–$35 typical1.3 hr visitmoderate parking

Nightlife

Forager Brewery

Forager Brewery is a good spot for a casual meal or drinks with family or friends, offering brewpub food, homemade beers, and often live music. Plan for 1.5 to 2 hours, with an average spend of $15-35 per person.

FoodCocktailsLive music

$15–$35 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking

Outdoors

Quarry Hill Park

Quarry Hill Park is ideal for a multi-hour family or solo outing, offering trails and a nature center for education and relaxation. It's a free outdoor experience, perhaps followed by a casual meal.

OutdoorsAnimalsViews

$0 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking

Downtown

Café Steam

Café Steam is a solid choice for a casual coffee break, light snack, or catching some live music. Expect to spend 1-2 hours and around $5-$15 per person.

FoodLive musicShopping

$5–$15 typical45 min visitmoderate parking

Family

Oxbow Park & Zollman Zoo

This park and zoo offers a full day of outdoor activities for families or solo adventurers, with opportunities for hiking and animal viewing. It's best enjoyed during good weather and can be a standalone outing or part of a weekend trip.

OutdoorsSportsAnimals

$0–$10 typical2 hr visiteasy parking

Meadow Park

The Workshop Food Hall & Bar

The Workshop Food Hall & Bar offers diverse casual dining options and drinks, suitable for a meal that lasts about 1.5 hours. Expect to spend $15-40 per person for food and a drink, often paired with other downtown activities.

FoodCocktailsShopping

$15–$40 typical1.3 hr visitmoderate parking

Food & Drink

Café Aquí

Café Aquí is a coffee shop best for a relaxed solo visit or a casual meet-up, ideal for a morning coffee or an afternoon break. Expect to spend $5-15 per person for a visit of under an hour.

FoodShoppingRelaxed

$5–$15 typical45 min visiteasy parking

Kutzky Park

Red Cow Rochester

Red Cow is good for a casual meal of burgers and pub fare, whether it's a family dinner or a relaxed date. Expect to spend 1-1.5 hours and around $20-$45 per person for food and drinks.

FoodCocktailsRelaxed

$20–$45 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking

Downtown

Chester's Kitchen & Bar

Chester's is suitable for a sit-down meal or drinks, ideal for a date or a small group outing. Expect to spend 1.5 hours and $35-75 per person for a main course and drinks.

FoodCocktailsViews

$35–$75 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking

Downtown

Bleu Duck Kitchen

Bleu Duck Kitchen is suitable for an upscale dinner or special occasion, often pairing with an evening out downtown. Expect to spend $50-120 per person for a 1.5-2 hour meal.

FoodCocktailsRelaxed

$50–$120 typical1.5 hr visitmoderate parking

Meadow Park

MOKA

MOKA is a reliable stop for a quick coffee, tea, or smoothie, and can be paired with running errands or as a brief break in a solo outing. Expect to spend 30 minutes and under $15 per person for a drink and a snack.

FoodShoppingRelaxed

$5–$15 typical45 min visiteasy parking

Outdoors

Quarry Hill Nature Center

Quarry Hill Nature Center is a good option for an outdoor family outing or solo adventure, offering hiking, nature exploration, and animal exhibits. Expect to spend 2-3 hours and a minimal amount if attending a class, otherwise it's free.

OutdoorsAnimalsHistory

$0–$5 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking

Outdoors

Whitewater State Park

Whitewater State Park is ideal for a half-day or full-day outdoor escape with hiking and scenic views, often paired with a picnic. Expect to pay for park entry and potentially camping, with activities ranging from easy strolls to challenging hikes.

OutdoorsAnimalsViews

$7–$20 typical1.5 hr visiteasy parking

Downtown

The Redwood Room

The Redwood Room is suitable for an evening meal or drinks with live music. Plan for a 1.5-2 hour visit, with typical costs ranging from $30-75 per person depending on food and drink choices.

FoodLive musicCocktails

$30–$75 typical1.3 hr visitmoderate parking