Rochester has a history as a haven for the arts. Internationally recognized Eastman School of Music has made its home in Rochester since 1921. With the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Geva Theatre, Strong Museum, Eastman Theatre, Strasenburgh Planetarium, Memorial Art Gallery and the International Museum of Photography at George Eastman House, Rochester’s level of sophistication is evident.

Located just over six hours from New York City on the western edge of the Finger Lakes region, Rochester is the third largest city in New York State.  More than 1,000 restaurants in the Rochester area prepare food to please any palate.

The beautiful Rochester Riverside Convention Center, is scenically positioned over the Genesee River. Many of the hotels throughout downtown are linked to area businesses, restaurants, Midtown Plaza and more than 100 specialty shops by the climate-controlled, enclosed Rochester Skyway system.

Downtown's High Falls district, a restored 1800s industrial neighborhood, features  views of the falls from the Pont de Rennes Bridge.  The Center at High Falls museum offers an overview of Rochester history, including the role the Erie Canal played in making Rochester one of America's first boom towns. 

Rochester's 100 year old Public Market is located in the heart of the city. Bargains abound on Market Days, which are Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Vendors offer fresh foods, locally grown produce, ethnic delicacies, and specialty items. Special events throughout the year such as Sundays "Greatest Garage Sales Ever", "Flower City Days" and "Homegrown at the Market" add to the excitement.

Some of the local parks preserve historical sites and others were created especially for recreation. Cobb's Hill Park between Highland Avenue and Culver Road contains Lake Riley, the old Erie Canal turning basin. The city can be viewed from its hilltop. Upper Falls Park, on the Genesee River off St. Paul Street, has a 100-foot waterfall. Originally used to power the city's flour mills, the falls continue to generate electricity. Monroe County Park at Clover Street and Pond Road is a 2,500-acre park with a natural preserve and self-guided trails.

Rochester's contribution to education and technology is evident at the University of Rochester's Laboratory of Laser Energetics, where nuclear fusion research takes place.

The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra performs at the Eastman Theater. The historic Geva Theatre Centre and other local theater, musical companies, and touring Broadway troupes offer productions throughout the year. The Eastman School of Music is said to produce more professional musicians than any other conservatory in the country.

One of the most popular recreational pursuits in the Rochester area is fishing. Lake Ontario and its tributaries offer both ice fishing and warm-water angling in season. Species include coho and giant chinook salmon, smelt, bass, pike and steelhead, rainbow and brown trout. Other water sports include swimming, boating, and sailing in Lake Ontario in the summer, and in the winter, ice boating and skating.  Hiking and biking are popular along the historic, beautifully maintained Erie Canal Trail.

Sports fans eagerly follow the progress of the Knighthawks in lacrosse, the Brigade arena football, Rochester Americans ice hockey, and Rochester Redwings baseball.  The summer training camp of the Buffalo Bills is in Rochester. 

The Spirit of Ontario, a high-speed ferry that holds up to 220 vehicles and 750 passengers, moves rapidly across Lake Ontario to Toronto, Ontario, Canada at 50 miles per hour, arriving in just over two hours! Nicknamed “The Breeze,” the boat departs from the Rochester Terminal on North River Street.

Rochester is centrally located as a hub for day trips throughout the area.  Visit the Corning Glass Museum, the Finger Lakes Wine Region, and nearby Niagara Falls.  Get ready for hours of fun and adventure in historic Rochester.

George Eastman House

900 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14607

(585) 271-3362

As the world’s preeminent museum of photography, Eastman House cares for and interprets hundreds of thousands of photographs encompassing the full history of this medium.

Eastman House is also one of the oldest film archives in the United States and is now considered to be among the top cinematic collections worldwide. The motion picture archives hold more than 25,000 film titles produced between 1894 and the present.

Be sure to explore the mansion that was once home to George Eastman, founder of the Eastman Kodak Company. The house and its exquisite gardens have been restored and offer visitors access to what was once a privileged view.

Memorial Art Gallery

500 University Avenue Rochester, New York 14607-1415

Telephone: (585) 473-7720

Wednesday 10–4; Thursday 10–9; Friday 10–4; Saturday 10–5; Sunday noon–5 Closed Mondays, Tuesdays, Christmas and New Yea's Day

 A visit to the Memorial Art Gallery is a journey through more than 5,000 years of art history. The Gallery's permanent collection of more than 10,000 objects has been called the best balanced in the state outside of metropolitan New York City. View major exhibitions from world-class museums and private collections on subjects ranging from Old Masters to cutting-edge movements. Explore the vitality of the Rochester region though contemporary craft installations and the biennial Rochester-Finger Lakes Exhibition.In addition to its collection, the Gallery offers a year-round schedule  of temporary exhibits. Don’t miss the Gill Family Center, offering interactive activities for visitors of all ages.

The Frederick Douglass

Museum & Cultural Center

25 East Main Street

Rochester, NY

(716) 546-3960

Closed at this time. Relocation is planned.       

Genesee Country Village & Museum

Flint Hill Rd.

Mumford, NY

(716) 538-6822

Located just 20 miles from Rochester, the Historic Village and the John L. Wehle Gallery of Wildlife & Sporting Art, North America's premier collection of wildlife and sporting art, are open May-October.

The museum also includes the Genesee Country Nature Center — 175 acres featuring five miles of hiking trails through woodlands, wetlands and meadows. The nature center is open year round.

Genesee Country Village and Nature Center is located about a half-hour to Rochester's southwest in Mumford. The Village features 59 restored houses, businesses, and places of worship from the 19th century. A stroll through the village (especially on one of their event days such as Highland Gathering, War of 1812 Encampment, and Civil War Reenactment) brings parents and kids alike back to the 1800s. The GCV's Silver Base Ball Park is the only place where you're likely to hear "Fine hurl, sir!" meant as a polite compliment. Also, make sure to visit the Nature Center's fine trails, both summer and winter.  

Rochester Museum & Science Center

657 East Ave

Rochester, NY

716-271-4320

The Rochester Museum & Science Center creates inspiring, entertaining and educational experiences enabling visitors to explore science and technology, the natural environment and our region's cultural heritage.

Strasenburgh Planetarium

657 East Ave

Rochester, NY

716-271-4320

Daily.  Call for times.

The Star Theater features large-format nature films, star shows, and laser sound-light shows.  “I see the sky” is presented on Saturdays at 10 AM and is designed for children ages 3-5 and their parents.  The observatory is open May-October, call for schedule. 

Seabreeze Amusement Park

Culver Road

Rochester, NY

716-323-1900

Daily noon-10. 

An amusement and waterpark with roller coasters, water slides, children’s rides, a classic wooden carousel, and a log flume.  Live shows are also presented.        

Seneca Park Zoo

2222 Saint Paul Street

Rochester, NY

(716)-336-7200  

Daily 10-5. 

Features a Rocky Coasts exhibit that offers underwater viewing of sea lions, polar bears, and penguins.  The zoo houses many species of animals in their natural habitats.

The Strong Museum

One Manhattan Square

Rochester, NY

716-263-2700Mon.-Thurs.10-5;  Friday, 10-8 ; Saturday, 10-5;  Sunday, 12-5

Named by Child Magazine as “One of the Top 10 children’s museums in the country.”  Interactive exhibits include:  Adventures with Clifford, the Big Red Dog; Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood; Sesame Street; One History Place; Time Lab; Making Radio Waves; Making things Happen; Exploring the Science of Art; Enchanted Museum, and Lady Liberty.

Susan B. Anthony House

17 Madison St

Rochester, NY

716-235-6124

Tues.-Sun. 11-5.

The Susan B. Anthony House was the home of the legendary American civil rights leader during the most politically active period of her life, and the site of her famous arrest for voting in 1872.  Today, the house is a museum with National Historic Landmark status. The Susan B. Anthony Preservation District is a nine-block area around The Susan B. Anthony House and Susan B. Anthony Square. It is one of the last intact 19th century middle-class neighborhoods in the country.  

Blue Cross Arena

1 War Memorial Square

Rochester, NY

716-758-5391

Sports and entertainment facility hosting ice hockey games, skating, basketball, wrestling, and many other citywide events and entertainment.  Includes meeting rooms, restaurants, and 1200 parking spaces.   

Population:  219,158

County  Monroe

Land area: 35.8 square miles

Area code: 585

Average weather in Rochester, New York

Normal climate around Rochester, New York

Airport

Greater Rochester International Airport

1200 Brooks Avenue Rochester, NY 14624 Phone: (585) 464-6020

By Car:  Rochester is within a day's drive of most major metropolitan areas in the northeastern U.S. and eastern CanadaThe New York State Thruway (I-90), travels across the region from Albany  to Rochester and beyond. The major rental car agencies have outlets at the airport.  A car is a virtual necessity for travel in and around Rochester.

By Train:  Amtrak 800/USA-RAIL has service to Rochester from New York City, Buffalo, Boston, and other cities.

By Bus: Bus service to Rochester is available on Greyhound Bus Lines  800/231-2222 with stations in Ithaca, Syracuse, Geneva, and Rochester, and Trailways  800/343-9999; which travels to Rochester from New York City, Elmira, Geneva, and Syracuse.

Holidays

National Holidays:  

New Year's Day Jan. 1

Martin Luther King, Jr., Day 3rd Mon. in Jan.

President's Day 3rd Mon. in Feb.

Memorial Day last Mon. in May

Independence Day July 4

Labor Day 1st Mon. in Sept.

Thanksgiving Day 4th Thurs. in Nov.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Dec. 24 and 25

New Year's Eve Dec. 31

 Events

Mid-March

St. Patrick's Day Parade Sponsored by the St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee.  (585) 234-5164.

May-August

Concerts by the Shore Wednesdays, May-August 7:30pm Ontario Beach Park Sponsored by Ontario Beach Park Program Committee, City of Rochester, Wegmans (585) 865-3320.

First Sunday in May

Kite Flight  11am-4pm Ontario Beach Park Sponsored by the Ontario Beach Park Program Committee, City of Rochester. (585) 865-3320.

Mid-May

Lilac Festival Highland Park Sponsored by the City of Rochester, County of Monroe, Greater Rochester Visitors Association Produced by Beau Productions (585) 256-4960 or (800) 677-7282

Memorial Day Parade Downtown Rochester sponsored by Veterans Memorial and Executive Council.  (585) 473-0710.

Monthly on Saturdays

Greatest Community Garage Sales "at the Market" Sundays 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Rochester Public Market, 280 N. Union St. Sponsored by City of Rochester. (585) 428-6907.

Mid-June

Maplewood Rose Festival Maplewood Rose Garden Corner Lake Ave. and Driving Park Sponsored by Maplewood Neighborhood Assoc., City of Rochester.  428-6770.

Mid-June

International Jazz Festival

Various venues (585) 234-2002

Late June

Rochester Harbor and Carousel Festival Ontario Beach Park Sponsored by Ontario Beach Park Program Committee, City of Rochester. (585) 865-3320.

4th of July

Red, White and BOOM! Fireworks Monday, July 4, 2005, 10 pm Sponsored by City of Rochester, produced byRochester Events Network.  (585) 428-6697.

Mid-July

Rochester MusicFest  sponsored by the City of Rochester Genesee Valley Park  

Mid-July

Rochester MusicFest

Elmwood Ave. & Moore Dr. (585) 428-6690

Genessee Valley Park

Mid-July

Corn Hill Arts Festival Sponsored by Corn Hill Neighbors Association.

Mid-July

Monroe County Fair July 13-17, 2005 334-4000

Early August

Park Avenue Arts Festival Sponsored by Park Ave. Merchants Association. (585) 244-0951

Mid-August

Carifest and Parade Sponsored by Rochester West Indian Festival Committee. (585) 254-7569.                                         Late August

Clarissa St. Reunion Clarissa Street (585) 234-4177.

Labor Day Parade Downtown Rochester Sponsored by Rochester Labor Council.  (585) 263-2650.

First Sunday in February

Lakeside Winter Celebration 12 noon-4pm Ontario Beach Park Sponsored by Ontario Beach Park Program Committee, City of Rochester. (585) 865-3320.

Mid-September

Clothesline Arts FestivalMemorial Art Gallery grounds Sponsored by Memorial Art Gallery.  (585) 473-7720.  

Early October

Rochester River Romance Various locations including Ontario Beach Park. (585) 428-6770, (585) 865-3320.

Early October

Stonehurst Capital Regatta Genesee River Sponsored by University of Rochester.

(585) 275-4111.

Mid-November

High Falls Film Festival  

Blackfriars Theater

(585) 454-1363

28 Lawn St Rochester, NY 14607

In its 55th season of providing quality theatrical entertainment to the Greater Monroe County and Finger Lakes region. Blackfriars Theatre is an mid-sized professional theatre that has entertained audiences for more than 50 years in downtown Rochester, New York. Our mission has been to provide the best possible showcase for actors and actresses, theater artists and technicians who have chosen to make Rochester their home. Many of our family have moved on to acting and technical roles in regional theatre, Broadway,  movies and television - a testament to the training Blackfriars provides.

Blackfriars Theatre produces between 5 plays each year (4 per season, 1 special summer show).

Rochester Philharmonic

108 East Ave Rochester, NY 14604

(585) 454-2620

Founded in 1922, and sponsored at that time by George Eastman, founder of Eastman Kodak Company and the world-renowned Eastman School of Music, who believed that all Rochester residents could experience musical learning throughout their lives, from pre-school through college and beyond.

Each season, the RPO presents nearly 50 concerts and more than 200 related events that serve a diverse population totaling approximately 100,000 children and adults.

Downstairs Cabaret Theatre

20 Windsor Street

Rochester, NY 14605

(585) 325-4370

Produces musicals, comedies, dramas, new works year round in an intimate setting.

RAPA:  Rochester Association of Performing Arts

723 East Main Street

Rochester, NY 14605

(585) 325-3366

Offers instruction in music and theater training and provides quality productions for community enrichment.

Geva Theatre

75 Woodbury Blvd.

Rochester, NY 14607

(585) 232-1366

Professional resident theater presents classics, new plays, and musicals.  Main stage seats 552; next stage: 180.  

Ontario Beach Park 4800 Lake Ave 14613 585-256-4951Maplewood

Open year-round from 6 am to 11 pm. Picnic shelters are available May 15 through October 15. There are no park entrance fees. A permit is required for access to shelters. Call the reservations office at 585-256-4951 to obtain a permit.

Ontario Beach Park is located in the NW quadrant of the City on the shores of Lake Ontario.

Ontario Park features a lighthouse, restaurants, and ice cream. There is a playground with a wood chip base and a beach, a great children's festival in the summer, and a terrific "Cold Rush" festival in the winter.  One of the most heavily-used parks in Monroe County, Ontario Beach Park attracts thousands of visitors annually. This 39-acre park contains one of the Great Lakes' best natural sand beaches.

The Rochester Public Market

280 North Union St.

Rochester,

Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6am to 1pm and Saturdays from 5am to 3pm year-round.

The Market consists of three sheds: two open air and one enclosed shed, housing approximately 300 vendors. In addition to fresh, locally grown produce, vendors sell food staples as well as country crafts, sportswear, and gift items. Saturday is the busiest day, followed by Thursday and Tuesday. Tuesday is the best option for a first visit with the children; customer traffic is light and it's easy to negotiate a curious child and an armful of purchases. 

Mendon Ponds Park (585)256-4950

Mendon Ponds Park, which is approximately 10 miles southeast of Rochester, is located south of the New York State Thruway I-90 in the Towns of Pittsford and Mendon. It is boarded by Clover Street on the west and Pittsford-Mendon Center Road on the east.

Open daily from 7AM-11PM Mendon Ponds Park is the largest Monroe County Park with 2,500 acres of woodlands, ponds, wetlands and glacially created land forms. Its unique complex of glacial features helped to make it a National Natural Historic Landmark. There is a 550 acre nature preserve, with seven miles of self guided trails, full of wildlife, plants, and hand fed chickadees. Parents take their children there both winter (great sledding, nicely groomed cross-country ski trails) and summer (bring a kite).

Erie Canal Hiking and Biking

1-800-4CANAL4 (1-800-422-6254)

The Rochester area is part of the Erie Canal Heritage Trail, a 100-mile segment of the Trail between Tonawanda in the west and Newark in the east.

The New York State Canal System is not only rich in history, but also culture. Many immigrants worked long and hard on "Clinton’s Ditch" to create this magnificent waterway.  For those who traveled along the Canal in packet boats or passenger vessels, the Canal was an exciting place. Gambling and entertainment were frequent pastimes on the Canal and often, families would meet each year at the same locations to share stories and adventures.

Today, the Canal has returned to its former glory and is filled with pleasure boats, fishermen and cyclists riding the former towpaths where mules once trod.  The excitement of the past is alive and well.

The Canal has wonderfully maintained trails for both hiking and biking. Great for a family mini-trip.

Frontier Field

Rochester Redwings Baseball One Morrie Silver Way Rochester, New York 14608 Phone: (585) 454-1001

There's nothing like a baseball game for great, inexpensive, family fun. The Red Wings may be a minor league team, but Frontier Field, a deluxe and conveniently laid out facility, is a major league hit with fans. The Rochester Red Wings are the Triple-A team for the Minnesota Twins. A Red Wings game is not only great baseball, but it's an event that involves many different organizations in the community, as sponsors of inter-inning contests and fun for the whole family!