Things to Do in Rochester

Are you looking for some amazing things to do in Rochester, NY, to plan a trip? Well, don’t be bothered about it, as it is limitless. Among this list, you can visit world-renowned attractions to participate in various activities. Along with it, historic museums and internationally renowned museums allow you to discover the history and culture of not only New York. You will also know how New York is related to the rest of the world. As you delve deeper into the city of Rochester, you will be able to see that it is largely associated with film and still photography. That is why it is known as "the Imaging Capital Of The World." Moreover, you will also learn about local flour production and floriculture industries. Because of these industries, Rochester is known as the “Flour City” and the “Flower City”. It became a main industrial point because of the fertile Genessee River. 

Rochester is famous for its music industry, too. It is home to major music sites such as Eastman School of Music, one of the world's most prestigious conservatories. You will also encounter the vibrant music culture at the Rochester International Jazz Festival. The industry also gives you a musical vibe with various museums dedicated to music. These are The Strong National Museum Of Play and the George Eastman Museum. Along with industries, Rochester, NY, is famous for the region of Finger Lakes, which is the birthplace of the modern women’s rights movement. It depicts tales of movements and its famous figures, such as Susan B. Anthony, who helped shape the area and the nation for centuries. 

Thus, Rochester offers everything that a major city should have. It covers culture, history, industry, fun and beauty. Because of the beauty of Rochester, it is perfect to travel with your family and friends. It is home to over 100 major family-friendly attractions, such as Seneca Park Zoo and Ontario Beach Park. These attractions altogether offer a lot of things to do in Rochester. 

Rochester Tourism Guide

Destination Info
  • IATA Code ROC
  • Airport Name Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport
  • Airport Address 1200 Brooks Ave, Rochester, NY 14624, United States
  • No. of Runways 3
  • Airport Enquiry No. +1 585-753-7000
  • Official Site https://rocairport.com/
  • Country Code +1
  • Currency USD
  • Ideal Duration 2 to 3 Days
  • Visa Required Not Required for Domestic Traveller
  • Best Time to Visit July to August
  • Airline Serving Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines
  • Attractions The Strong National Museum of Play, Seneca Park Zoo, George Eastman Museum, Highland Park

List of 10 Things to Do in Rochester

  • 1
    Take A Tour Of The Strong National Museum of Play

    Taking a tour of arts, crafts, dolls, toys, and paintings at the Strong National Museum Of Play is one of the best things to do in Rochester. You will see American and European decoratives of arts, prints, paintings, and Japanese crafts during your visit here. This museum will present the world’s largest and most comprehensive collections of historical materials. These collections are represented in important areas of the museum, such as the International Centre For The History Of Electronic Games, the National Toy Hall Of Fame, The World Video Game Hall Of Fame, The Brian Sutten-SMith Library and Archives of Play the Woodbury School and the American Journal Of Play. This museum is one the oldest museums in Rochester that you should plan to visit. 

  • 2
    Learn The Art Of Still Photography At The George Eastman Museum

    The George Eastman Museum preserves a worthwhile collection of photography and cinema. Taking a look at this vast collection is one of the best things to do in Rochester, NY. The collection includes more than 16,000 objects of photographic and cinematographic technology, internationally renowned books, periodicals, and other materials on still photography and moving images. You should visit this place as you will see George Eastman’s home furnishings, decorative arts, and personal and business correspondences. His furnishings include a private library, photographs, negatives, films, and related personal items. Moreover, the museum also presents a major collection of nineteenth-century photographers such as Carleton Watkins, Eadweard Muybridge, Timothy H. O’Sullivan, and William Henry Jackson.  

  • 3
    Explore The Wildlife Of Seneca Park Zoo

    You must plan to visit Seneca Park Zoo if you are in Rochester. This 20-acre zoo is home to over 90 species of mammals, reptiles, birds, amphibians, fish and arachnids. The zoo is divided into several areas of exhibits that enable you to witness more than thousands of animals of these species. One of the most amazing areas is the Rocky Coast. This area is dedicated to animals, birds, and fishes of the world's polar and temperate coastal regions. These animals include African penguins, California sea lions, snowy owls, Canada lynx, and sandhill cranes. Moreover, this exhibit is also about the underwater world, where you can be close to sea lions that may swim behind large glass windows. Therefore, exploring the wonders of Seneca Zoo Park is one of the best things to do in Rochester. 

  • 4
    Enjoy The Lush Greenery Of Highland Park

    If you are a nature lover, visiting Highland Park is one of the best things to do in Rochester. This botanical garden of Rochester is a nursery that occupies most of a glacial morain. A water reservoir and Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School share it. This park features more than 1200 lilac shrubs of over 500 varieties. The park has woody plants that include Japanese maples and sweet-smelling magnolias. Besides, there is a wide collection of shrubs such as batberries, azaleas, mountain laurels, and Andromeda. The park also features herbaceous plants, including spring bulbs and wildflowers. The park is also beautified with a pansy bed with 10,000 plants designed into an oval carpet. Thus, Highland Park has beautiful flowers and thousands of trees and plants. 

  • 5
    Enjoy Fine Arts At Memorial Art Gallery

    If you are fond of fine arts, Memorial Art Gallery is for you. This art gallery is a focal point of fine arts that comprises more than 12000 collections of objects. It showcases works of modern artists such as Monet, Cezanne, Matisse, Homer, and Cassatt. You will also find art from contemporary writers such as Wendell Castle, Albert Paley, and Helen Frankenthaler. You will see works of other artists, such as Breaking The Pose By Jerome Witkin, Colonel Nathaniel Rochester by John James Audubon, Crested Swans by John Scjoll, and Harem Scene By Daniel Israel. After studying these collections, you can also attend various festivals organized here. One of the most notable festivals of this place is the Rochester-Finger Lakes Exhibition. Memorial Art Gallery is a major attraction that offers a lot of things to do in Rochester. 

  • 6
    Take Roller Coast Rides At Seabreeze Amusement Park

    Seabreeze Amusement Park entertains you and your kids with joy rides and water pools. This place is the best to spend some fun time with your kids. It is located in Irondequoit Bay, which is the suburb of Rochester. If you are around this amusement park, you can also get a glimpse of Lake Ontario. Inside the park, you can hop on over 25 amusement rides and enjoy food concessions. You will be able to play midway games and an arcade, too. There is also a museum, live entertainment, and picnic areas inside this amusement park. The park features a variety of waterslides, a lazy river, and a wave pool. This amusement park is a treasure of fun that engages you for a whole day.

  • 7
    Enjoy Baseball At Innovative Field

    Innovative Field is one of the largest grounds for organizing various festivals, sports matches, and concerts here. It is ideally a baseball stadium that has been home to the Rochester Red Wings of the International League since 1997. If you are a baseball lover, this stadium is a place for you. You can roam around this field or enjoy its majestic view at nearby restaurants and cafes. This famous attraction celebrates Black History Month: The Best Black Players to Play for the Red Wings. To celebrate this month, Minor League Baseball teams will select at least 5 of the best Black players to play in the upcoming matches. Throughout the February. Various other festivals will be organized at the Innovative Field in the forthcoming months throughout 2024. 

  • 8
    Breathe The Cool Breeze At Ontario Beach Park

    Enjoying the refreshing air at Ontario Beach National Park is one of the best things to do in Rochester, NY. The park's beach area allows you to enjoy your day by taking a romantic stroll along the picturesque pier, riding the 1905 Dentzal Menagerie Carousel, and boating in the lake. You can also spend your pleasure time with your family on a picnic on a 39-acre beach. You can dive into Lake Ontario’s best sand beaches in this park. It is located in the northwest quadrant of the city on the shores of Lake Ontario. This park allows fishing for people over 16 years of age. Various festivals are also organized in this beach park. 

  • 9
    Roam Around The Pristine Surroundings of Turning Point Park, Trail And Rain Garden

    Taking a walk-through at Turning Point Park Garden is the cherry on the cake when you are in Rochester. This calm and peaceful attraction is located in the neighbourhoods of Charlotte near Lake Ontario. It falls on the northwest side of Rochester. During your trip to this garden, you can ride bikes, hike along the trails, and discover the park’s distinct areas including Bullock’s Woods, a wooded oak forest. On the trails of Turning Point Garden, you can enjoy nature and watch beautiful views of the Genessee River. Moreover, you can also explore attractions such as Turning Point, Ontario Beach Park, and Genesee River, which are located closer to each other. You can plan to visit here for a day or two during your trip to Rochester. 

  • 10
    Enjoy The Soothing Waterflow At The High Falls

    The soothing waterfall of High Falls is one of the most amazing things you can see in Rochester. This waterfall is the most important point of the city because it is a part of Rochester’s early industrial development plan. The industries in this city are powered by the falling water of High Falls. Its waterfalls are on the Genessee River, which flows through the city. One of the most notable attractions surrounding this waterfall is the Pont Pe Rennes Bridge. It is a pedestrian bridge that spans the Genesee River, a few hundred feet from the base of the falls. From this pedestrian bridge, you can also get a view of the city of Brown’s Race. Thus, enjoying the waterfall of High Falls is one of the best things to do in Rochester. 

Rochester Monthly Temperature

MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Low 18°F19°F27°F37°F50°F57°F63°F61°F54°F44°F33°F26°F
High 33°F35°F43°F57°F71°F77°F83°F80°F74°F62°F48°F39°F

FAQs About Things to Do in Rochester

1 Is Rochester, NY, worth visiting?

Rochester is one of the most important cities in the United States. It is home to several industries, such as floriculture and flour production. This metropolitan city is also well known for its development in science and technology. Besides these features, the city boasts major attractions such as Ontario Beach Park. These features make Rochester a must-place to visit during vacations. 

2 What is Rochester, NY, best known for?

Rochester is best known for the Genesee River, High Falls, and Lake Ontario. It is also known for floriculture, flour mills, music, film, and photography industries. Rochester has everything that a metropolitan city should have. Plan your holidays for 3-4 days here to discover all this city boasts about. 

3 How do you spend a day in Rochester, NY?

You can spend your entire day in Rochester, which has over 100 top attractions. You have a lot of things to do in Rochester at these attractions. These attractions include The Strong National Museum Of Play, George Eastman Museum, Highland Park, Mount Hope Cemetry, Geva Theatre Centre, Seneca Park Zoo, and Memorial Art Gallery. 

4 What is an interesting fact about Rochester?

The exciting fact about Rochester is that it is a metro city in the hustle-bustle of New York. It is one of the busiest cities in the state of New York. The city is full of attractions, such as water parks, amusement parks, zoos, and beach parks. 

5 Why is Rochester famous?

Rochester is famous around the world for its contribution to the development of industries in New York. This city is well known as the “Imaging Capital Of The World” for its association with film and still photography.