Reminder:
Before you do anything in your free time, it is smart to clear it with your doctor or a member of his team. He might want you to stay away from certain things like, for example, in my case, driving to the Twin Cities and being far away from Mayo. It is also important you listen to your body. If you feel like you shouldn't do something, then do not do it. Do not push your body, just let it recover. If you feel up to doing some things, start slow and work your way up. Just always make sure you feel okay and that you are not pushing yourself.
Outside the hospital:
Here are some thoughts about things to do outside the hospital in Rochester. Outside the hospital in Rochester, there are actually plenty of fun things to do. First, you can always go and see a movie. There are two movie theaters in Rochester. The one I recommend is the Rochester Galaxy 14 Cine; it is the best one. It has comfy seats, something you will really appreciate after surgery. Here is a link if you want more information (http://www.wehrenberg.com/theaterDetail.aspx?theatre=190)
Shopping in Rochester:
1- There are also plenty of places to go shopping. There are three main shopping malls in the Rochester area. First, you have Shops at University Square. This is right in downtown Rochester and has some shops that include Games by James, some dining options and many more choices. This is also where Chesters and Chocolaterie Stam are located. Here is a link to their website if you want to look into it more. (http://shopsatuniversitysquare.com/)
2- The next mall is the Apache Mall. This mall is really big and has pretty much everything that you would need. For example, it has Macy's, American Eagle, Coach, Footlocker, Forever 21, Radio Shack, and a variety of food choices. This mall is really easy to get to if you have a car and, if not, you can always take a cab. There is also a bus system that runs from the hotels and hospitals to the Apache Mall. Here is a link if you would like more information. (http://www.apachemall.com/)
3- Another shopping area happens to be in the same mall center as Galaxy Cine 14. This shopping center is called Shoppes on Maine. In this shopping area there is a Dicks Sporting Goods, Target, Lowe's and some food options. This is also really easy to get to and is right off the highway. Here is a link if you want more information
( http://www.rochestercvb.org/listings/?action=display&listingID=971&menuID=167&hit=1)
4- Walmart- There is also a new Walmart shuttle that runs from St. Mary's Hospital to Walmart for free. Just ask the Mayo employees standing near the main entrance door at St. Mary's for more information.
5- Thursdays on 1st- Every Thursday (except during the winter) there is a huge fair between the Marriott and Khaler hotels. There are tons of cool stands to buy literally anything, I have bought my dad at least three birthday presents from this fair.
6- Miscellaneous - In Rochester, there are also some street fairs during the Spring, Summer and Fall that are always fun to go to and walk around. You also have the subway system that has a ton of shops that are fun to visit. In this system there are a variety of food options and a pharmacy that has a lot of the medical items you might need. If you do not find the medical items you need here, you can also try the Mayo Store in the subway system.
Bowling Alley: There is a bowling alley close to the Mayo Clinic that is a great place to go and just have fun. It is called Colonial Lanes and is only about a 5 minute drive from St. Mary's. There is also another alley, Bowlocity, which is another fun alley to go to. It is very important you make sure you feel okay to go and to make sure your doctor is okay with you bowling. If your doctor says do not go, it is very important you listen to him. http://www.coloniallanesmn.com/ http://bowlocity.wstemp03.com/
Bounce House: This is yet another place to go to just have fun and forget about the hospital. They have tons of fun bounce houses and unlimited laser tag. http://development.smgwebdesign.com/finished/houseofbounce/
Quarry Hill: Quarry Hill is an amazing nature center. This is about 12 minutes away from St. Mary's Hospital. There are a ton of attractions here to have fun. There are birds, cave tours, nature walks and more. There are many trails to walk on and streams. It is a good place to go to get out of the hospital, and have some fresh air in nature. http://qhnc.org/
Oxbow Park: This is a huge park that is located around a 15 minute drive from St. Mary's. This is another place that you can go to just get fresh air and forget about hospitals. There are ski trails, walking trails, a zoo and tons of learning centers. This park would be a great place to go for another day trip or just for an hour to get your mind off of the hospital.
Hockey Team: Rochester has their very own hockey team! Although they are not a professional team, it is still fun to go out and see a great hockey game in person. Before you go, just make sure your doctor is okay with you going to this game -- yet another way to forget about all the hospital and medical things. http://www.mnicehawks.com/
Rochester Children's Museum: This is a great place for all kids to go and have a fun time! This museum has all sorts of fun activities ranging from a creativity jam to a paint your own face station. At the museum there are rotating exhibits and also activities that they have every day. All you need to do is get a pass at the door and you are in! It is a quick 7 minute drive from St. Mary's. http://rochester.mcm.org/
Bike Trails: In Rochester there are more bike trails than any other city! This is a great activity to do to get some exercise in and have some fun outside the hospital. Just make sure you clear it with your doctors first and be safe when you are bike riding. If you can't find a bike, you can always just walk the trails -- still a great thing to do outside the hospital. http://www.rochestermn.gov/home/showdocument?id=778
Amish Tours: There are also bus tours that take you around the Amish land in the area. You can go to their farms, where they live and more. Another fun activity to do if you are interested in life around Mayo.
Golfing: There are also many public golf courses in the area. Rochester is actually the city that has the most golf courses per capita in the country. There are around 12 public golf courses, all in the area around Mayo.
Fly Fishing: If you like fishing then Rochester has got it. There are tons of streams and rivers that are great for fly fishing.
Full day adventures:
Off to the Twin Cities!
If Rochester is not enough for you and you have a whole day off, you could drive to the Mall of America in Minneapolis. It is about an hour and 20 minute drive from Rochester. In this mall there is literally everything and, if you need anything at all, you should be able to find it here. The mall has an A&W root beer stand, Lego Store, Apple Store, American Girl Store, and so on. It also has stores that feature: clothes, toys, shoes, beauty products, accessories, all the big brands, electronics, and more. It has a movie theater, a roller coaster, a house of comedy, a flight simulation center, an aquarium, a mirror maze, a scavenger hunt, an exhibit dedicated to Star Trek and a putt putt golf course. It also has a huge variety of food. This is definitely worth the drive and a ton of fun -- I recommend doing this if you can. Here is their website for more information (http://www.mallofamerica.com/)
Other fun activities in the Twin Cities:
Some more fun things to do are: go see a Minnesota Timberwolves basketball game, Minnesota Twins baseball game, Minnesota Vikings football game or Minnesota Wild Hockey game.
Before you do anything in your free time, it is smart to clear it with your doctor or a member of his team. He might want you to stay away from certain things like, for example, in my case, driving to the Twin Cities and being far away from Mayo. It is also important you listen to your body. If you feel like you shouldn't do something, then do not do it. Do not push your body, just let it recover. If you feel up to doing some things, start slow and work your way up. Just always make sure you feel okay and that you are not pushing yourself.
Outside the hospital:
Here are some thoughts about things to do outside the hospital in Rochester. Outside the hospital in Rochester, there are actually plenty of fun things to do. First, you can always go and see a movie. There are two movie theaters in Rochester. The one I recommend is the Rochester Galaxy 14 Cine; it is the best one. It has comfy seats, something you will really appreciate after surgery. Here is a link if you want more information (http://www.wehrenberg.com/theaterDetail.aspx?theatre=190)
Shopping in Rochester:
1- There are also plenty of places to go shopping. There are three main shopping malls in the Rochester area. First, you have Shops at University Square. This is right in downtown Rochester and has some shops that include Games by James, some dining options and many more choices. This is also where Chesters and Chocolaterie Stam are located. Here is a link to their website if you want to look into it more. (http://shopsatuniversitysquare.com/)
2- The next mall is the Apache Mall. This mall is really big and has pretty much everything that you would need. For example, it has Macy's, American Eagle, Coach, Footlocker, Forever 21, Radio Shack, and a variety of food choices. This mall is really easy to get to if you have a car and, if not, you can always take a cab. There is also a bus system that runs from the hotels and hospitals to the Apache Mall. Here is a link if you would like more information. (http://www.apachemall.com/)
3- Another shopping area happens to be in the same mall center as Galaxy Cine 14. This shopping center is called Shoppes on Maine. In this shopping area there is a Dicks Sporting Goods, Target, Lowe's and some food options. This is also really easy to get to and is right off the highway. Here is a link if you want more information
( http://www.rochestercvb.org/listings/?action=display&listingID=971&menuID=167&hit=1)
4- Walmart- There is also a new Walmart shuttle that runs from St. Mary's Hospital to Walmart for free. Just ask the Mayo employees standing near the main entrance door at St. Mary's for more information.
5- Thursdays on 1st- Every Thursday (except during the winter) there is a huge fair between the Marriott and Khaler hotels. There are tons of cool stands to buy literally anything, I have bought my dad at least three birthday presents from this fair.
6- Miscellaneous - In Rochester, there are also some street fairs during the Spring, Summer and Fall that are always fun to go to and walk around. You also have the subway system that has a ton of shops that are fun to visit. In this system there are a variety of food options and a pharmacy that has a lot of the medical items you might need. If you do not find the medical items you need here, you can also try the Mayo Store in the subway system.
Bowling Alley: There is a bowling alley close to the Mayo Clinic that is a great place to go and just have fun. It is called Colonial Lanes and is only about a 5 minute drive from St. Mary's. There is also another alley, Bowlocity, which is another fun alley to go to. It is very important you make sure you feel okay to go and to make sure your doctor is okay with you bowling. If your doctor says do not go, it is very important you listen to him. http://www.coloniallanesmn.com/ http://bowlocity.wstemp03.com/
Bounce House: This is yet another place to go to just have fun and forget about the hospital. They have tons of fun bounce houses and unlimited laser tag. http://development.smgwebdesign.com/finished/houseofbounce/
Quarry Hill: Quarry Hill is an amazing nature center. This is about 12 minutes away from St. Mary's Hospital. There are a ton of attractions here to have fun. There are birds, cave tours, nature walks and more. There are many trails to walk on and streams. It is a good place to go to get out of the hospital, and have some fresh air in nature. http://qhnc.org/
Oxbow Park: This is a huge park that is located around a 15 minute drive from St. Mary's. This is another place that you can go to just get fresh air and forget about hospitals. There are ski trails, walking trails, a zoo and tons of learning centers. This park would be a great place to go for another day trip or just for an hour to get your mind off of the hospital.
Hockey Team: Rochester has their very own hockey team! Although they are not a professional team, it is still fun to go out and see a great hockey game in person. Before you go, just make sure your doctor is okay with you going to this game -- yet another way to forget about all the hospital and medical things. http://www.mnicehawks.com/
Rochester Children's Museum: This is a great place for all kids to go and have a fun time! This museum has all sorts of fun activities ranging from a creativity jam to a paint your own face station. At the museum there are rotating exhibits and also activities that they have every day. All you need to do is get a pass at the door and you are in! It is a quick 7 minute drive from St. Mary's. http://rochester.mcm.org/
Bike Trails: In Rochester there are more bike trails than any other city! This is a great activity to do to get some exercise in and have some fun outside the hospital. Just make sure you clear it with your doctors first and be safe when you are bike riding. If you can't find a bike, you can always just walk the trails -- still a great thing to do outside the hospital. http://www.rochestermn.gov/home/showdocument?id=778
Amish Tours: There are also bus tours that take you around the Amish land in the area. You can go to their farms, where they live and more. Another fun activity to do if you are interested in life around Mayo.
Golfing: There are also many public golf courses in the area. Rochester is actually the city that has the most golf courses per capita in the country. There are around 12 public golf courses, all in the area around Mayo.
Fly Fishing: If you like fishing then Rochester has got it. There are tons of streams and rivers that are great for fly fishing.
Full day adventures:
Off to the Twin Cities!
If Rochester is not enough for you and you have a whole day off, you could drive to the Mall of America in Minneapolis. It is about an hour and 20 minute drive from Rochester. In this mall there is literally everything and, if you need anything at all, you should be able to find it here. The mall has an A&W root beer stand, Lego Store, Apple Store, American Girl Store, and so on. It also has stores that feature: clothes, toys, shoes, beauty products, accessories, all the big brands, electronics, and more. It has a movie theater, a roller coaster, a house of comedy, a flight simulation center, an aquarium, a mirror maze, a scavenger hunt, an exhibit dedicated to Star Trek and a putt putt golf course. It also has a huge variety of food. This is definitely worth the drive and a ton of fun -- I recommend doing this if you can. Here is their website for more information (http://www.mallofamerica.com/)
Other fun activities in the Twin Cities:
Some more fun things to do are: go see a Minnesota Timberwolves basketball game, Minnesota Twins baseball game, Minnesota Vikings football game or Minnesota Wild Hockey game.