Downtown Rochester Travel Guide

Rochester
Memorial Art Gallery featuring heritage elements, interior views and art
This lively downtown is full of opportunities for recreation and relaxation and is the best place to connect with the unique history of the city.

Downtown Rochester, cut through by the Genesee River, is the heart of this upstate New York city. Filled with museums, parks and historic sites, it’s the perfect place to understand this fascinating region. Walk through exhibits, splash in park fountains or sit on a rooftop and watch the Genesee River’s High Falls crash into the river below.

Follow the Heritage Trail, a 1.25-mile (2-kilometer) path, marked with granite or blue paint and winding through the city’s downtown. It stops at a number of historically significant spots from Rochester’s industrial past as well as sites commemorating the activism of local heroes Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony.

Cross the Pont de Rennes Bridge. This pedestrian suspension bridge traverses the cliffs over which the waterfall splashes, bathing everything in a cool mist, the perfect refresher on a hot summer day.

Wander through old industrial neighborhoods on the way to Susan B. Anthony House, once the famous suffragette’s home and the place from which she launched her first attempt to vote.

Go back over the bridge and visit The Strong National Museum of Play, an enormous multi-level museum and amusement park featuring a miniature Wegmans supermarket, pinball arcade and immense toy collections.

Emerge into nearby Manhattan Square Park and Ice Rink. Glide across the ice or relax in the shady garden in summer.

Play with fossils or watch a star show at nearby Rochester Museum and Science Center, learning all about the Great Lakes region.

Downtown Rochester straddles the banks of the Genesee River, upstream from Lake Ontario. Drive here in 90 minutes from Niagara Falls or 3.5 hours from Albany, New York. Train service is available to New York City and other regional destinations including Canada. Downtown Rochester has an extensive bus service and is quite walkable.

There’s no better way to spend your last night in Downtown Rochester than at a free or close-to-free concert at Eastman School of Music, one of the country’s top music schools.


Popular places to visit


Top hotels in Downtown Rochester

Holiday Inn Rochester NY - Downtown, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn Rochester NY - Downtown, an IHG Hotel
3 out of 5
70 State St, Rochester, NY
The price is ₹9,505 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
₹9,505
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Rochester. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants and breakfast. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
6.4/10 (1,001 reviews)
"The hotel is under construction (remodeling) so there is a lot of random stuff in the hallways, but otherwise the room was completely comfortable The one concern on our room was that the lock was not very reliable. Sometimes our keys worked and other times they did not, this was a little frustrating ..."

Reviewed on 30 Jan 2024

Holiday Inn Rochester NY - Downtown, an IHG Hotel
Hyatt Regency Rochester
Hyatt Regency Rochester
3.5 out of 5
125 East Main Street, Rochester, NY
The price is ₹10,431 per night from 21 Apr to 22 Apr
₹10,431
per night
21 Apr - 22 Apr
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Rochester. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast and room service. Our guests praise the clean rooms in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,001 reviews)
"The hotel was great! Nice rooms, the staff was great!"

Reviewed on 21 Mar 2024

Hyatt Regency Rochester
Hampton Inn & Suites Rochester Downtown
Hampton Inn & Suites Rochester Downtown
2.5 out of 5
101 South Union Street, Rochester, NY
The price is ₹14,917 per night from 16 Apr to 17 Apr
₹14,917
per night
16 Apr - 17 Apr
Stay at this hotel in Rochester. Enjoy free parking, a free airport shuttle and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (147 reviews)
Excellent
"It was super fantastic-clean, fresh and friendly!"

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2024

Hampton Inn & Suites Rochester Downtown
Hilton Garden Inn Rochester Downtown
Hilton Garden Inn Rochester Downtown
3 out of 5
155 E Main St, Rochester, NY
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹13,027 per night from 14 Apr to 15 Apr
₹13,027
per night
14 Apr - 15 Apr
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Rochester. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants and breakfast. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (613 reviews)
"the hotel was quite nice. The staff was very helpful. Questions were answered with a smile and kindness which is a wonderful customer service. Not everyone can handle the public, but your staff did a great job."

Reviewed on 19 Mar 2024

Hilton Garden Inn Rochester Downtown
The Strathallan Rochester Hotel & Spa - DoubleTree by Hilton
The Strathallan Rochester Hotel & Spa - DoubleTree by Hilton
4 out of 5
550 East Ave, Rochester, NY
The price is ₹13,395 per night from 4 Apr to 5 Apr
₹13,395
per night
4 Apr - 5 Apr
Stay at this spa hotel in Rochester. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (696 reviews)
"Great staff, cleanliness"

Reviewed on 11 Mar 2024

The Strathallan Rochester Hotel & Spa - DoubleTree by Hilton
Courtyard by Marriott Rochester Downtown
Courtyard by Marriott Rochester Downtown
3 out of 5
390 East Avenue, Rochester, NY
The price is ₹13,424 per night from 4 Apr to 5 Apr
₹13,424
per night
4 Apr - 5 Apr
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Rochester. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and breakfast. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (145 reviews)
"Very clean. Excellent staff. Parking was safe. Great neighborhood"

Reviewed on 9 Mar 2024

Courtyard by Marriott Rochester Downtown
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Downtown Rochester

Rochester showing drinks or beverages

Rochester Central Business District

While visiting Rochester Central Business District, you might make a stop by sights like Genesee River and Blue Cross Arena.

Rochester Central Business District
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Corn Hill

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Corn Hill and surrounding area, you can visit Blue Cross Arena and Genesee River.

Corn Hill
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South Wedge

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in South Wedge and surrounding area, you can visit Strong and Blue Cross Arena.

South Wedge
Memorial Art Gallery featuring heritage elements, interior views and art

Neighborhood of the Arts

You'll enjoy the museums and live music in Neighborhood of the Arts. You might want to make time for a stop at Main Street Armory or Rochester Auditorium Theater.

Neighborhood of the Arts
Memorial Art Gallery which includes night scenes

East Avenue

Unique features of East Avenue include the museums and restaurants. Make a stop by Park Avenue or George Eastman Museum while you're exploring the area.

East Avenue
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Brighton

Brighton is well liked for its museums and art galleries. If you're hoping to see more of the larger area, Highland Park and Park Avenue are some interesting sights nearby to check out.

Brighton

Downtown Rochester Travel Guide