Rochester’s Favorite Newsletter

Rochester news, events, and recommendations delivered free every morning.

Rochester, MN
19Events this week
7Free things to do
86New spots
75New stories

● Checked Wednesday, October 28, before the 6 AM send.

This week in Rochester

Five picks from this week's calendar. See all 19 events, day by day →

Chip Night - Last Saturdays

Saturday 8pm · Pioneer Alano Club

Star Wars Unlimited Sundays

Sunday 1pm · Gamez & More · Free

P'tit Café - November 1

Sunday 2pm · Café Aquí

New in Rochester

Places that opened, reopened, or earned a mention this month — the ones we'd go back to.

Café Steam

Cafes

Coffee with community: Locally owned and beloved, Café Steam pours seriously good espresso with house-made flavors like vanilla bean and lavender, plus nitro cold brew when you need rocket fuel.

ordersteam.com ↗

Quarry Hill Nature Center

Parks & Outdoors

Rochester’s backyard classroom: From shady trails and a legit man-made cave to live critters and hands-on programs, Quarry Hill Nature Center is the easy win for a midweek reset.

qhnc.org ↗

The Music Mart

Hobbies, Books, & Crafts

Tune up your week: Family-owned The Music Mart has you covered for band and orchestra life, with instrument leasing, repairs that keep you playing, and a smart Shop by School setup so you grab exactly what your director wants.

themusicmart.biz ↗

Rochester’s best businesses

Every spot worth knowing, in one place.

The restaurants, shops, and services the newsletter recommends, all in one place — every listing checked, and paid pins marked every time.

Browse Rochester’s best →

Most read in Rochester

The five stories Rochester readers clicked most this month, from the daily editions.

  1. First rides on Link Bus Rapid Transit to begin in August 2027

    The city of Rochester, Minnesota, is set to begin the Link Bus Rapid Transit project on 2nd St.

    Full story at kttc.com ↗

  2. Minnesota Supreme Court rejects Lindell’s request for full recount

    The Minnesota Supreme Court has denied GOP candidate Mike Lindell's request for a full recount of the Aug.

    Full story at breezejmu.org ↗

  3. More Rochester Restaurant Changes: Two Chicken Spots Shutting Down

    Two Rochester restaurants, known for their chicken dishes, Porch and KFC, have announced they are closing their doors.

    Full story at krforadio.com ↗

  4. Olmsted County's creepiest exhibit returns just in time for Halloween

    The History Center of Olmsted County, Minnesota, has opened its 7th annual Creepy Doll Exhibit, just in time for Halloween.

    Full story at kimt.com ↗

  5. Construction on 2nd St. SW

    Construction restrictions are set to decrease on Second Street SW, where Link Bus Rapid Transit work continues.

    Full story at kimt.com ↗

Explore Rochester

The rest of what BaseLocal keeps current for the city.