Year round, there are numerous activities to do indoors and out. With the variety of seasons come a variety of activities, such as winter skiing and hiking, spring golf, summer baseball, inline skating, fall camping and football. And if spending the night out is more your thing, there are numerous movie theaters and nightclubs.
Rochester has an extensive system of recreational trails that weave through the most scenic parts of the city. The network presently covers 60 miles of trails ideal for walking, jogging, biking or in-line skating.
In 2007, National Geographic recognized Rochester and the surrounding area as one of the Top 50 Adventure Cities in the nation! As the magazine states, "With an ideal mix of terrain, activity and opportunity, Rochester is a place where you can live the adventure dream daily."
Besides paths, Rochester is filled with parks that are spacious and well maintained. Many have tennis courts, baseball fields, soccer fields, and playground equipment. If you like to swim, there are three outdoor swimming areas and a number of indoor pools for the winter months.
Oxbow Park near Byron has trails and a zoo featuring animals found in the area and is a popular get away for picnics and get-togethers. Quarry Hill Nature Center also has a number of trails that wind through the outskirts of town and a nature center as well. Both of these have animal care units for injured wild animals showing the area's commitment to the environment it thrives in.
If golf is more your idea of a good time on a weekend, Rochester features eight area golf courses and many others are located in the surrounding region. Rochester also has numerous amateur leagues for soccer, softball, tennis, and more no matter what your skill level.
Rochester is also home to the Rochester Honkers, a member of an NCAA sanctioned summer baseball league, and the Minnesota Ice Hawks, a Junior B hockey team.
After being outside all day biking, relaxing, picnicking or fishing, Rochester offers plenty to do at night. The city features two megaplex movie theatres which show not only the latest Hollywood hits but also international films regularly. A number of nightclubs are located around the city and a popular past time in the spring, summer and fall, is to sit outside with a drink, some appetizers, and friends to talk the night away.
Dancing and music is also widely available. The Wicked Moose nightclub in town plays dance music and other cafes and bars offer indoor and outdoor music depending on your taste. In the summer many of these establishments have teen night, providing teenagers a chance to hang out with friends and showcase local bands.
Thursdays on First in the summer and Down by the Riverside Live concert series are very popular and attract national and international musicians with free concerts and other events.
Unlike popular belief that everything stops as soon as winter comes, usually the opposite is true. Many residents look forward to winter since it gives them a chance to do some of their favorite activities like skiing, sledding, snow shoeing, and winter camping. Ice skating and hockey are popular with city residents as many indoor and outdoor rinks are available. With the cool crisp clean air, many people just like to go out and take a walk or play with their children in the snow.
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With Rochester being surrounded by hills, children love sledding when the snow falls.
Soccer sports leagues are just one of the many sports residents can participate in.
Biking along the many trails throughout Rochester is practical and a good way to exercise.
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