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Visitor's Guide to Rochester: GOP Debate Edition

Even if you're just passing through on your way to the next political stop, you surely have time for a Yates donut and a Lazy Daze lager.

I like to think I know my town pretty well. After all, I've been writing about its shops and restaurants, hidden gems and well-known attractions for more than a year. 

We'll be welcoming hundreds of guests to Rochester and Rochester Hills for the at this week. What better way to welcome them than a guide for getting out and about?

Here are some of my recommendations; feel free to chime in, loyal readers, with yours.

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Start the day, hit the trail

It's going to be a long day. Why not start it with some fresh air and exercise to clear the political pundits' thoughts from your head?

The , Michigan's first rail-to-trail, receives more than 100,000 visitors annually. You can pick it up at Rochester Municipal Park, west of downtown. If you're really motivated, you can walk or run all 8.9 miles of it.

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It's the most important meal of the day

After all that walking, you'll be hungry. May I suggest for breakfast?

I'm not the only fan of this cozy cafe located at 606 N. Main St. (north of University). Patch readers voted it their favorite place for breakfast in our .

I highly recommend the . My husband is partial to the omelettes. Honestly, it's hard to go wrong with anything on the menu.

If your schedule doesn't allow time for a sit-down breakfast, grab an from  at 225 S. Main. Get a dozen if you want (I promise you'll make friends).

A gift for those left at home

Perhaps before you left home you promised souvenirs to some sad faces. If you did, downtown is the place to do your shopping. Here's a quick list of some stores to make your shopping easier:

  • For the little ones, you've got to hit on Fourth Street. From baby toys to cool scientific experiments, this quaint little shop is stuffed with gifts for kids of all ages.
  • For your teen/tween girl, stop by on Main Street. As the name implies, nearly everything in the store, from jewelry to scarves, is $10. (I suggest the studded tights.)
  • For your teen/tween boy, you can't beat the cool clothing and accessory offerings of South Street Skatepark. Don't be fooled by the name though, it's actually on Main Street.
  • For your better half, the one who is holding down the fort while you're here, it's hard to go wrong with on Main. The store houses a unique collection of jewelry and antiques that owner  has traveled the world to obtain. 
  • Oh, wait! You were thinking more along the lines of "rolled up T-shirts stuffed in your carry-on"? and Fams Screen Printing, both on East University, have cute Rochester and Michigan-loving choices.

Wondering what's on the buildings?

As you're walking around downtown, you may notice all the lights strung on the buildings. They're hard to miss; there's 1.5 million of them.

It's Rochester's sixth annual , the jewel of our holiday season. More than 1 million people come from all over to see them.

Unfortunately, the lights won't be on while the debate is unfolding on stage. The switch is flipped on for the holiday season on Nov. 28.

Lunch date then Great Estate

It's now about time to make your way across town to Adams Road. You've got a date with a great estate.

First, fortify yourself with lunch. I recommend stopping at  Kruse and Muer is also a Rochester favorite, winning and . For pizza, is my favorite; I also can never get enough of its .

If you haven't gotten all the shopping out of your system, is a beautiful outdoor shopping mall anchored by Parisian and Whole Foods with a whole lot of mall favorites, like and , in-between. 

Now it's time to head to for the 1:30 p.m. tour. Meadow Brook is the historic home built in the late 1920s. It's an example of Tudor-revival architecture in America and was built by Matilda Dodge Wilson. Yes, that Dodge. You are, after all, in the Motor City.

Tickets to the tour can be purchased in the Museum Shop for $15. The tour typically takes an hour to an hour and a half.

Time to wind down

You've been on the run all day, and it's going to be a hectic night. Here are a few suggestions of things to do to unwind this afternoon.

  • Tonight's debate takes place on the campus of Oakland University, home to the Golden Grizzlies. It was founded in 1959 by the aforementioned Wilson and her husband, Alfred. The campus is lovely, built into rolling hills. Take a drive or walk around and see it in the daylight.
  • My out-of-state friends tell me that cider mills in the fall are just a Michigan thing. I suggest at the corner of Avon and Dequindre. Get a warm cinnamon-sprinkled donut and a cup of cold, fresh-pressed cider, then have a seat on a riverside log and enjoy.
  • If that all sounds like too much work, how about a trip to the ? No, you can't check out books, but it's a lovely building overlooking Paint Creek. You can find a quiet corner and review your notes for tonight, look at magazines or just "check out" for awhile.

Dinner and a debate

The debate is just a couple hours away. Do you have time for dinner? Here are a few places to consider:

  • Irish:
  • Southern bistro:
  • Mexican:
  • Polish:
  • Seafood:
  • Italian:
  • American:
  • Sushi:
  • Steak:

Cheers to you!

Well, you've survived the debate. I offer a toast to you. But where to raise the glass?

If you're in the mood for a martini, The Commons at has a menu full of them. You can get one in red (Royal Pomegranate) or blue (Blue Martini) or even purple for the undecided (Lavender Martini).

If you'd rather raise a pint of brewed-in-Rochester beer, head to  Beer Company on Waters Street. From its Lazy Daze lager to its Rochester Red, they're all brewed in-house.

Thanks for visiting our fair city. I hope it treated you well. Let us know where you went — and what you thought!

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