Location: Rochester
Top Things to do in Rochester
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Top 10 Things to do in Rochester, New York (NY)
From family-friendly activities to professional sports teams, museums and galleries, Rochester has something for everyone. Enjoy the scenic Erie Canal, Genesee River and Lake Ontario. Don't miss the Strong National Museum of Play (America's second-largest children's museum) or the International Museum of Photography. Be sure to sample one of Rochester's famous "white hots," Rochester's version of the hotdog! And don't miss the nearby Finger Lakes region with its wine trails and gorges.
Restaurants in Rochester
1. The Strong National Museum of Play
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,156 reviews
The Strong is a highly interactive, collections-based museum devoted to the history and exploration of play. It is one of the largest history museums in the United States and one of the leading museums serving families. The Strong houses the world's largest and most comprehensive collection of historical materials related to play and is home to the International Center for the History of Electronic Games, the National Toy Hall of Fame, the World Video Game Hall of Fame, the Brian Sutton-Smith Library and Archives of Play, the Woodbury School, and the American Journal of Play. Together, these enable a multifaceted array of research, exhibition, and other interpretive and educational activities that serve a diverse audience of adults, families, children, students, teachers, scholars, collectors, and others around the globe.
Reviewed By V7823XUmichaelb
This museum is fun for all ages and for hours! They have a mini Wegmans, toys HOF, a butterfly exhibit and so much more! Fabulous.
2. Highland Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 499 reviews
The annual Lilac Festival is the most popular event on the calendar here, one of the country's oldest city arboretums.
Reviewed By Freespirit134 - Rochester, United States
Highland Park is beautiful all year round, but in spring it is particularly lovely. Witch hazel bushes are the first to bloom with pale yellow blossoms, similar to forsythia, but not quite as bold a color. Carpets of spring bulbs appear along the paths and hillsides. There are numerous benches dotted along the walkways, often in locations that capitalize on the views to the distant hills of the Finger Lakes. Lamberton Conservatory is also a great place to visit while you're in the the park (also offers restrooms). Along the edge of Highland Ave there's a new playground constructed from natural tree limbs that makes a fun place for kids to climb & play. Also there's a small playground with swings & a climbing structure across from the conservatory. The park & conservatory is a popular place for wedding & prom photos. (If you are a professional photographer call Lamberton Conservatory to check on hours & restrictions for using a tripod) Fun for all ages!
3. Frontier Field
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 288 reviews
Reviewed By Traveler58434490932
Great place to enjoy a family outing and to see the Rochester Red wings play minor league baseball , very clean stadium with friendly and helpful staff .
4. Seabreeze Amusement Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 669 reviews
Seabreeze, the fourth oldest park in America, is located on the scenic bluffs overlooking Lake Ontario north of Rochester. Enjoy the excitement of four roller coasters, a classic wooden carousel, thrill rides, family and kiddie rides, a midway of food and games and live shows daily. There's also a full water park with wave pool, tube slides, body flumes, lazy river, kiddie slides and more. The 1920 Jack Rabbit wooden roller coaster is listed as the oldest continuously operating coaster in America. The park is a classic combination of traditional amusement park and modern water park. Open daily mid-June through Labor Day; also open weekends in May, early June and early September.
Reviewed By K1451VUjamesc - Batavia, United States
Loved the wooden barrell that I used to try to get thru The wooden rollercoaster was fun the electric bumper cars werecool and most of all was the merry go round though I was there during the original round and round till an electrician decided he didnt have a clue bout his job and burnt the original circle down
5. George Eastman Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,037 reviews
The George Eastman Museum is located in Rochester, New York, on the estate of George Eastman, the pioneer of popular photography and motion picture film. Founded in 1947 as an independent nonprofit institution, it is the world's oldest photography museum and one of the oldest film archives. The museum holds unparalleled collections-encompassing several million objects-in the fields of photography, cinema, and photographic and cinematographic technology, and photographically illustrated books. The institution is also a longtime leader in film preservation and photographic conservation.
Reviewed By lesliek79 - Montreal, Canada
My primary interest was the history of photography, and the Kodak company’s inventions and innovations that popularized photography. The “History of Photography” exhibit was much smaller than I expected, featuring only a few historically important images and many cameras. A smaller exhibit (upstairs in the house) featured Kodak inventions and progress that included details about the early box cameras and the use of photosensitive emulsions on rolls (substituting individual plates). It was this exhibit that demonstrated Mr. Eastman’s genius. The temporary Warner Brothers Cartoons exhibit was informative and delightful; a throwback to my early television viewing experience. The congenial tour guide was a font of knowledge about George Eastman’s personal history and life, entry into photography, entrepreneurial skills, financial success and philanthropy. The tour of his mansion highlighted it’s history and attested to Eastman’s affluence, interests and tastes. He was a wealthy man whose interests reflected the mores of his time. His legacy reverberates in Rochester’s cultural and social life, generally, and through his inventions and philanthropy internationally.
6. National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 257 reviews
The National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House shares the story of Susan B. Anthony's lifelong struggle to gain voting rights for women and equal rights for all. We keep her vision alive and relevant by preserving and sharing Anthony's National Historic Landmark home; collecting artifacts and research materials directly related to her life and work; and making these resources available to the public through tours, publications, the internet, and interpretive programs. Come visit us today!
Reviewed By LenaL8711 - Rochester, United States
This experience is priceless. Very well structured and interesting. My son got chills when standing in Susan B Anthony’s bedroom. This was the room she was in when she passed. Would recommend for anyone.
7. Rochester Museum & Science Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 319 reviews
Reviewed By JackL448 - East Syracuse, United States
The museum is three floors with my visit limited to only the first floor. The first floor is mostly the Expedition Earth & the Adventure Zone. The E.E. starts with small sea live exhibit before the end of the dinosaurs. There is one dinosaur-a Albertosaurus-65,000,00 years ago. Next is wildlife about 15,000 years ago with replicas of the Mastodon, Caribou, Raindeer & Muskox. Nearby is a replica of a mile high glacier, which a visitor can walk through along with much information. Also small wildlife of the modern era. The Adventure Zone is mostly for the children. Exhibits are the Erie Canal-which a visitor can operate the locks-open & shut-and move a tug to the locks. Following exhibits are a sailing exhibit, a three life chair for different ages, a rock climbing wall a climbing slide structure, with netting-this exhibit was closed-ending with a Rain Garden Theater. The second floor concerns the slavery of the United States & how the African-Americans were able to escape their predicament of slavery. In detail is the life & words of Frederick Douglass, Harriet Jacobs, Austin Steward, Thomas James & Henry Brown. Much of the history includes some photographs from the 1850's, many prints/illustrations, & how the Underground Railway was used to Freedom. After the African-American exhibit is the Native-Americans from the U.S., Central America & Canada. The U.S. Indians include Iroquois, Navajo, Pueblo, Indians of Peru & Guatemala, Indians of the Northwest, Plains & Southeast, Algonquian Indians of Canada. In glass cases are clothing, vases, blankets, weapons of war & masks. One interesting exhibit is the Iroquois Wood Carvings. The Native-American exhibit is larger than the African-American, however both are interesting & educational. Also on the second floor is "Iullumination" -The World of Light & Optics. The 'Galley'-which has something the way light works or affects our lives. The Forces of Nature and Science on Sphere-which is a 4-5 metric sphere that rotates while hanging from the ceiling-about weather patterns. Other museum feature are: an elevator that services all three floors, restrooms on each floor, a fountain located on the second floor and a gift shop behind the admission booth. A map of the third floor exhibits of: Rochester In 1838, The Changemakers-Rochester Women Who Changed the World & The Electricity Theater. With a short walk is the Strasenburg Planetarium. When the coronavirus calms down, I will retrn to visit the third floor and the planetarium. My visit lasted about three & half hours that included photography-lighting is excellent-reading as much as possible, & talking with the staff. Each member I talked with was polite & answered all my questions. There is no cafe, however within a 1/4 mile is Calabresella's On The Park-a sub/deli shop. The gentlemen at admissions helped with instructions to the shop. Walking only takes about 12-13 minutes. Parking is what I would call a medium lot with at least 4 handicapped spaces, My visit was on a Saturday morning & afternoon, not many visitor. One staff member informed me during certain months there are student tours. Hours: Monday-Saturday 9:30-4:30. Sunday 11:00-4:00. Admission: Adults-$16.00. Senior & collage students-with ID-$15.00. Ages 3-18-$14.00. I realize this is a long review for just three floors, however each floor is very detailed, well exhibited & displayed. Both floors are interesting, historical and educational. A visit is highly recommended for any length of time.
8. Rochester Public Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 171 reviews
Reviewed By WMSGKB - East Lansing, United States
The market was everything I was hoping for and more. Within five minutes of being there I was greeted by a nice young man from a fresh fish still who gave me an introduction to the market when I told him I had never been. The variety of products was incredible, the efficient operation and friendliness of the people was delightful, and the atmosphere was lively and interesting. If I lived nearby I could see myself doing over half of my grocery shopping at the market every week. The next time I am anywhere near Rochester I will plan another visit.
9. Artisanworks
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 154 reviews
Reviewed By Deliverease
Very unique offering of art and artifacts. A great place to see whether you live in the Rochester area or from out of town. You'll never see anything like it.
10. Seneca Park Zoo
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 617 reviews
Seneca Park Zoo inspires our community to connect with, care for, and conserve wildlife and wild places. When you visit the Zoo, you will see signs of transformation. Enjoy the new Cold Asia habitats for snow leopard and red panda and Animals of the Savanna expansion. featuring Masai giraffes, plains zebras, a white rhino, and many smaller species. Take the tram and shop in the Savanna Outpost. Enjoy the expansive Tropics Adventure Zone where the Main Building used to stand, and imagine the possibilities with the tropics complex that will be built in that space over the next several years. Your visit directly helps save animals from extinction, as you support the efforts of Seneca Park Zoo, a national leader in species survival and conservation action. Plan your visit today at senecaparkzoo.org.
Reviewed By nateo439
It’s amazing that we live so close to such a great zoo! They have such an impressive variety of animals for such a small city and there’s so much for kids to interact with and play with. It’s a great way to spend a day outside with family or friends. It’s a great deal for the cost and a great mission to support!!
