City Guide: Rochester

Pristine parks, lively arts and nightlife combine with epic festivals and family-friendly fun.

From world-renowned attractions and historic museums to internationally recognized festivals and prime proximity to Finger Lakes wine country, Rochester reveals everything a major metro city has to offer from a cultural perspective, with all the fun and beauty that comes with an all-season adventure destination.

Rochester is known as "Festival City", with festivals almost every weekend of the year! Check out some of the most exciting annual events: Rochester Lilac Festival, Rochester International Jazz Festival, Rochester Fringe Festival, Roc Holiday Village, and Corn Hill Arts Festival.

Fun Facts | Views From Rochester | Explore Rochester | Hotels & Stays | Where to Eat | Getting There | Getting Around

FUN FACTS

University of Rochester

Rochester is the birthplace of Kodak film, created by George Eastman in 1888. Learn more at the George Eastman Museum.
The city is known for its "Garbage Plate", which consists of a plate piled high with various combinations of meats, chili, baked beans, macaroni salad, fried potatoes, sauces, and more. Chow down at local hot spots, Nick Tahou Hots or Dogtown Hots.
Every year in June, Rochester hosts one of the world's leading Jazz festivals.
Rochester is home to "The Strong", the only collections-based museum in the world devoted solely to play boasting the National Toy Hall of Fame and the world's largest Donkey Kong arcade game.

Views From Rochester

Explore Rochester

Nature & Outdoor Adventure

Highland Park

Nestled amongst hills and valleys created from glacial deposits. Home of the Lilac Festival. more
Ontario Beach Park

This 39-acre park contains one of the Great Lakes' best natural sand beaches. more
Genesee Valley Park

800-acre park designed by famed landscape architect Frederic Law Olmsted. more
High Falls

95-ft waterfall producing hydroelectric power in the middle of Rochester. more

History

Genesee Country Village & Museum

The largest and most comprehensive living history museum in New York State. more
National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House

Home of the pioneer for women’s rights during her most politically active decades. more
RMSC Museum & Science Center

Founded as Rochester's Municipal Museum, this is a hub for lifelong science learning. more
Mount Hope Cemetery

Final resting place of Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass. more

Family Fun

Strong Museum of Play

The only major museum devoted to the study and interpretation of PLAY! more
Seneca Park Zoo

Home to over 90 species including mammals, reptiles, birds, amphibians, fish, and arachnids. more
Seabreeze Amusement Park

You’ll find thrilling rides, classic family rides, live shows, and summertime food. more
Rochester Red Wings

The Rochester Red Wings are the Triple-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. more

Arts & Culture

George Eastman Museum

World's oldest museum dedicated to photography, and home to historic film archives. more
Geva Theatre Center

Professional shows & public programs in a renovated 19th-century arsenal. more
Memorial Art Gallery

Offers a panorama of the world’s art, from relics of antiquity to contemporary art. more
Eastman School of Music

One of the nation's best music schools, presenting over 700 concerts a year. more

Budget
Mid-Range
Luxury

Comfort Suites of Rochester/Henrietta

Conveniently located, indoor heated pool. more

Holiday Inn Express Irondequoit

Clean, comfortable suburban hotel, two miles from Lake Ontario. more

Best Western Rochester Marketplace Inn

94 well-appointed guest rooms fully equipped with free high-speed internet and cable TV. more

Hilton Garden Inn Rochester Downtown

Relaxed hotel offering dining, conveniently located downtown more

A B&B at the Ellwanger Estate

Beautifully restored landmark home with a veranda and lush gardens. more

Woodcliff Hotel & Spa

Full-service hotel and spa on a hilltop. more

The Inn on Broadway

An elegant boutique hotel in a landmark 1929 building. more

Strathallan DoubleTree

A downtown hideaway with a pool and rooftop bar. more

The Del Monte Lodge Renaissance Rochester Hotel & Spa

Sleek rooms with modern furnishings, valet parking and a trendy restaurant on-site. more

Where to Eat

Rochester Public Market

300+ vendors including farmers selling fresh produce and food trucks. more

Nick Tahou Hots

Where the regional specialty the "Garbage Plate" was invented. more

DogTown

German-style franks named after dog breeds, with burgers & veggie options. more

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que

Known for their slowly smoked meats and live music. more

The Gate House

Wood-fired pizza and delicious burgers named after local celebrities. more

Genesee Brew House

A family-friendly brewpub serving Genesee Brewing Company beers. more

Tournedos Steakhouse

A classic steakhouse with fresh seafood and in-house dry-aged beef. more

Max of Eastman Place

Fine dining and seasonal specialties in a comfortable setting. more

Good Luck

Innovative, upscale American plates in an intimate warehouse-style space. more

getting there

By Train

Take Amtrak to Rochester station (ROC) at 320 Central Ave. Taxi and rideshare services are available to downtown shopping district and city attractions.

By Plane

Fly into Frederick Douglass–Greater Rochester International Airport.

By Car

By car, Rochester is just over 1 hour from Buffalo, 3 hours from Toronto, 3.5 hours from Albany, 5 hours from Montreal and Philadelphia, and 5.5 hours from NYC.

By Bus

New York Trailways offers New Yorkers a safe and modern charter bus option that serves all major New York cities and hundreds of small towns, offering several drop-off points within Rochester. You can also travel to Rochester via Megabus, which has departure stations all throughout the country.

Getting Around