Mayo Clinic Tour

actual horse-drawn Mayo ambulance, circa 1905

We have visitors this week which means we are trying our best to show off Rochester. A cool new thing we did with them was the Mayo Clinic Tour. From the website:


Mayo Clinic offers a free guided tour for patients and their guests while they are at Mayo. The tour includes a 20-minute historical film about Mayo Clinic, followed by a 1 1/2-hour walking tour of the downtown campus. The tour is offered at 10 a.m., Monday through Friday. Children must be accompanied by an adult. The tour begins in Judd Auditorium, in the subway level of the Mayo Building.


I learned many fascinating things during this tour, about medicine and the ways the Mayo brothers revolutionized it. Thanks to the subway system downtown, you don't go outside during the tour, so it is perfect any time of year. It is also stroller friendly (although I think I could have paid better attention if I had left my one year old with a friend!). I am still hoping to try out Mayo's Art Tour, and also go back to visit their Heritage Hall Museum in the Mayo Building.

Mayo Clinic Craft Fair

This Saturday is Mayo Clinic's Annual Craft Fair at the Mayo Civic Center. It will be going from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and admission is free. I have some very talented friends that have been working up a storm in preparation for this fair. I am excited to view their craftiness (headbands, little girl dresses, quilts, etc.). I'm also going to be on the lookout for some Christmas decorations. I think it will be a great opportunity to support local artisans and crafters, as well as get in the holiday mood. See you there!

Image

Plummer House: Gardens

This fall weather is perfect and we're trying to take advantage each day with an outdoor activity. Today we explored the grounds of the Plummer House (1091 Plummer Lane SW). They only offer tours of the inside during the summer, so we'll have to go back next year.

From the website:

"Eleven acres of beautiful landscaped grounds, formal gardens, bird trail, quarry, and water tower highlight the features of the park. The grounds are open to the public from sunrise to sunset except when the house is reserved for private functions."

You can go here for more information on the home and history on Dr. Plummer, an inventor and one of the first physician's at Mayo Clinic.

Dale Chihuly Art

We recently walked through the Mayo Clinic's Gonda Building to see the work of Dale Chihuly, possibly the world's most renowned glass artist. I think his art is interesting and fun for kids (and adults) to experience, and I can imagine viewing his work then turning it into a little art activity at home using clay or paints or even melted crayons.

The Gonda Building is located at 200 1st St. SW. I believe there is a tour offered of the entire Mayo Campus ( highlighting the history, art, medical stories) that I would be interested to join sometime.