Last updated January 2024
Does the cooler weather coupled with the new school routines have you thinking about creative ways to burn off some energy for members of your family? Rochester MN has so many great opportunities for indoor activities to help blow off some steam. Check out the list below of ways to help alleviate pent-up energy while making lasting memories with your family!
Quarry Hill Nature Center
701 Silver Creek Rd NE, Rochester, MN 55906 // (507) 328-3950
Quarry Hill Nature Center is set within Quarry Hill Park on the NE side of Rochester. The Nature Center offers so many opportunities for open-ended exploration. Observe reptiles, fish, birds, and small mammals, or grab a pair of binoculars to watch the birds. Get up close with artifacts such as feathers, fossils, animal bones, and more. There is a climbing structure/treehouse and a library to read more about our environment and the animals we share it with. Outside the Nature Center, discover miles of trails and outdoor exploration.
The Machine Shed
Downtown: 11 2nd Street NE, Rochester, MN // (507) 202-6761
Apache Mall: 1010 Apache Mall, 1201 12th Street SW, Rochester, MN // (507) 206-6330
The Machine Shed is coined “Rochester’s Only Real Arcade” for a reason! Take the kids or re-live those high school days in an arcade that’s designed to bring out those nostalgic feelings. A flat fee allows you to play the classics and the all-in-one cabinets that house hundreds of games for the entire day! Because one arcade is never enough, The Machine Shed offers Rochester MN two locations.
Bowlocity Entertainment Center
2810 North Broadway, Rochester, MN // (507) 288-2601
Bowlocity is filled with activities for all ages and includes laser tag, arcade games, and of course bowling! You won’t need to look far for something for the whole family. The center also includes a sports bar to fuel up after a competitive game.
Roca Climbing & Fitness
6071 Rome Circle NW, Rochester, MN // (507) 218-1500
Roca Climbing and & Fitness amenities include indoor climbing, climbing instruction and training, a yoga studio, a fitness deck, retail shop, special group events, and a spectator area. Whether you want to take the family, or kids, or escape for a few hours to burn energy, Roca Climbing is home to many great opportunities in one location!
SPARK
(Located in Apache Mall in the south corridor of the J.C. Penny wing)
1201 12th Street SW Suite 632 Rochester, MN 55902 // (507) 218-3100
Spark – Place of Play (formerly Minnesota Children’s Museum – Rochester) offers endless amounts of fun with its beautiful permanent exhibits. There is also a Maker’s Space, and an open-ended play area for littler children. Spark offers an interactive world that brings a new appreciation for learning to all ages. With the offering of weekly classes, Spark will captivate and encourage play for everyone in the family.
The Escape Challenge
North: 6301 Bandel Road, Rochester MN // (507) 272-3041
Be one of the very few teams that can solve the mysteries of The Escape Challenge in the 60-minute challenge. This fun, intense, and brain-busting activity is sure to burn energy and challenge all players to accomplish the mission!
Air Insanity
1607 Hwy 14 East, Rochester MN // (507) 218-8385
Rochester’s first indoor trampoline park is a state-of-the-art family fun facility that will energize and excite the kid at heart in everyone! Air Insanity attractions include open jump arena, insane airbag, warrior battle beam, fidget ladder, insane dodgeball, toddler zone, warrior obstacle course, extreme warp wall, slam dunk courts, traverse climbing wall, insanity nerf zone, vault escape laser maze, and a virtual reality zone. Air Insanity is a great place for the whole family!
UNRAVELED Escape Room
4925 W Frontage Rd, Rochester MN // (507) 400-0386
Do you thrive on solving puzzles? UNRAVELED offers a series of real-life, interactive, challenges where you and your teammates are locked in a themed room and must find clues to solve the mystery. In 60 minutes, you will need to work through the complex storyline as a team in order to get out!
Boundless Indoor Playground
3825 Superior Dr NW, Rochester, MN 55901// (507) 285-3920
Boundless is an incredible 40,000-square-foot facility that provides year-round indoor play, activity, and social space for kids and adults of all abilities. Play is a foundational part of social and physical development for kids and people of all ages. You will need to see it for yourself!
For even more ideas, check out our guides: Indoor Play in Rochester MN, Fabulous Free Fun in Rochester MN, and 21 Ways to Spend Two Hours of Free Time in Rochester MN.
