Rochester Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Pont de Rennes Bridge featuring a city, landscape views and a sunset
Rochester featuring a house
Memorial Art Gallery showing outdoor art and a house
Downtown Rochester which includes a fountain as well as an individual female
Memorial Art Gallery featuring interior views, religious elements and heritage elements

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 featuring a city and street scenes as well as a couple

Downtown Rochester

4/5(1 area review)

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
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Irondequoit

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

Irondequoit
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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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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
Memorial Art Gallery featuring 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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Maplewood

If you're spending some time in Maplewood, Kodak Center for Performing Arts and Genesee River are top sights worth seeing.

Maplewood
Baymont by Wyndham Henrietta/Rochester

Baymont by Wyndham Henrietta/Rochester

2 out of 5
905 Lehigh Station Road, Henrietta, NY
The price is AU$123 per night from 19 Oct to 20 Oct
AU$123
19 Oct - 20 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Henrietta. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
6.6/10 (484 reviews)
"Enjoyed my stay"

Reviewed on 12 Oct 2025

Baymont by Wyndham Henrietta/Rochester
Woodcliff Hotel and Spa

Woodcliff Hotel and Spa

4 out of 5
199 Woodcliff Dr, Fairport, NY
The price is AU$318 per night from 19 Oct to 20 Oct
AU$318
19 Oct - 20 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Fairport. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,015 reviews)
"Yes"

Reviewed on 13 Oct 2025

Woodcliff Hotel and Spa
Super 8 by Wyndham Henrietta/Rochester Area

Super 8 by Wyndham Henrietta/Rochester Area

2 out of 5
1000 Lehigh Station Rd, Henrietta, NY
The price is AU$124 per night from 9 Nov to 10 Nov
AU$124
9 Nov - 10 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Henrietta. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
6.6/10 (1,029 reviews)
Ok.
"No pool. No breakfast. TV had no remote. Amenities included coffee and a bed and a shower."

Reviewed on 4 Oct 2025

Super 8 by Wyndham Henrietta/Rochester Area
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.
Stylish 3 Bedroom W/ AC ❄️, Mesh WiFi 🛜, Billiards 🎱 table, Games🎯🎮,parking

Stylish 3 Bedroom W/ AC ❄️, Mesh WiFi 🛜, Billiards 🎱 table, Games🎯🎮,parking

Rochester
Stay at this apartment in Rochester. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and a pool table. Popular attractions Strong and Rochester Museum and Science Center ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (11 reviews)
"Great apartment for our visit to Rochester. It had everything we needed. The pool table and games were an enjoyable addition. Located in a quiet neighborhood, but within walking distance to most everything. Brian was great, a super responsive host."

Reviewed on 19 July 2025

Stylish 3 Bedroom W/ AC ❄️, Mesh WiFi 🛜, Billiards 🎱 table, Games🎯🎮,parking
Charming 3-bedroom house in Rochester/UofR & RIT

Charming 3-bedroom house in Rochester/UofR & RIT

2 out of 5
Rochester
Stay at this vacation home in Rochester. Enjoy laundry facilities and air conditioning. Popular attractions Strong and Genesee Valley Park are located ...
8/10 Very Good! (31 reviews)
"As described. Very clean. Great communication with owner and quick responses."

Reviewed on 11 Aug 2025

Charming 3-bedroom house in Rochester/UofR & RIT
Charming 2-bedroom apartment close to everything on quiet street

Charming 2-bedroom apartment close to everything on quiet street

2 out of 5
Rochester
Stay at this apartment in Rochester. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Strong and Cobbs Hill Park are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (13 reviews)
"Fantastic apartment in a really nice neighborhood. Melanie is an excellent host. We look forward to coming back next time we’re visiting Rochester!"

Reviewed on 2 Oct 2025

Charming 2-bedroom apartment close to everything on quiet street
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

Activities

Reviews of Rochester

3.5
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
0
5 - Excellent 0%
4 - Good
1
4 - Good 50%
3 - Okay
1
3 - Okay 50%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

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