Rochester Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Rochester showing a house
This upstate New York city features top-rated cultural attractions, beautiful natural areas and a very special supermarket.

See everything from toys to lilacs to a grand canyon in the Rochester region of Central New York. Near downtown, go to the National Museum of Play at the Strong to marvel at childhood delights from the 1900s and beyond. Find the Rochester Museum & Science Centre, Strasenburgh Planetarium and Memorial Art Gallery nearby.

The George Eastman House features an important photographic museum with theatre, gardens, and varied still and film collections. Eastman, who founded Eastman Kodak, also created an architectural gem, the Eastman Theatre. Attend a symphony or theatre performance or perhaps a recital from the Rochester City Ballet or the renowned Eastman School of Music.

Watch the Rochester Red Wings play baseball at Frontier Field and the Rochester Americans play hockey downtown. Enjoy golf and cross-country skiing at Durand Eastman Park on the city’s north side along Lake Ontario. Highland Park celebrates spring during the Lilac Festival with over 1,200 aromatic plants.

Take advantage of numerous upstate New York waterways. The Genesee River has etched the “Grand Canyon of the East” at Letchworth Park south of Rochester. Follow the river through Rochester to the downtown High Falls area before it ends at Ontario Beach Park in Charlotte, pronounced sha-LOT. Ride the carousel, swim, walk the pier to the lighthouse or simply enjoy the sun and sand. Have a hamburger and famous Abbott’s frozen custard before you leave the area. To the east is popular Seabreeze Amusement Park with rides and water slides.

Visit the Finger Lakes area southeast of Rochester. These 11 narrow lakes offer boating, swimming and pristine beauty. Canandaigua is a quaint city with numerous festivals. Nearby is Bristol Mountain for winter skiing and summer hiking. Take a wine tour around Keuka Lake to sample some of New York State’s award-winning riesling varietals.

Fly into Rochester’s international airport or come by bus, train or rented car. Once in the city, purchase supplies for your visit at Wegmans, frequently identified as the nation’s finest supermarket chain. Visit the flagship Pittsford store to see why it’s one of Rochester’s most popular attractions.

Where to stay in Rochester

Genesee River\'s High Falls showing a city and street scenes as well as a couple

Downtown Rochester

3/5(6 area reviews)

Live music, theatres and museums highlight some of the noteworthy features of Downtown Rochester. Make a stop by Blue Cross Arena or Genesee River while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Downtown Rochester
Default Image

Irondequoit

While visiting Irondequoit, you might make a stop by sights like Seabreeze Amusement Park and Lake Ontario.

Irondequoit
Default Image

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
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
Default Image

Charlotte

While visiting Charlotte, you might make a stop by sights like Ontario Beach Park and Lake Ontario.

Charlotte
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
Hampton Inn & Suites Rochester/Victor
Hampton Inn & Suites Rochester/Victor
2.5 out of 5
7637 New York State Route 96, Victor, NY
The price is ₹9,142 per night from 11 Apr to 12 Apr
₹9,142
per night
11 Apr - 12 Apr
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Victor. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (934 reviews)
"Great"

Reviewed on 27 Mar 2024

Hampton Inn & Suites Rochester/Victor
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Rochester-Pittsford/Brighton, NY
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Rochester-Pittsford/Brighton, NY
3 out of 5
2835 Monroe Avenue, Rochester, NY
The price is ₹9,755 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
₹9,755
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Rochester. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,010 reviews)
"Nice property. Centrally located. Close to express ways."

Reviewed on 26 Mar 2024

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Rochester-Pittsford/Brighton, NY
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
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.
Ms P Place
Ms P Place
2 out of 5
140 Peck St, Rochester, NY
Stay at this residence in Rochester. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and a garden. Popular attractions Strong and Main Street Armory are located nearby. Discover ...
Ms P Place
Idyllic Rochester Apartment: 2 Miles to Downtown!
Idyllic Rochester Apartment: 2 Miles to Downtown!
Rochester, NY
Stay at this family-friendly apartment in Rochester. Enjoy free parking, a business centre and an arcade/games room. Popular attractions Village Gate and Main ...
Idyllic Rochester Apartment: 2 Miles to 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.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Rochester

3.7
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
1
" "5 - Excellent 16.666666666666668%
4 - Good
3
" "4 - Good 50%
3 - Okay
1
" "3 - Okay 16.666666666666668%
2 - Disappointing
1
" "2 - Disappointing 16.666666666666668%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

3/5 - Okay

Jos
23 Jul 2019

We were only passing through. We went to a freindly diner before we left.

Cities near Rochester