Rochester has always been defined by water. It was born in the early 19th century as a small village on the Genesee River, a few miles south of Lake Ontario. The village was constructed around flour mills that took advantage of the three waterfalls on the river for power. When the Erie Canal was built a few years later, it was routed through Rochester, and the small village became 'America's first boomtown' a major trade center for grain being shipped east and goods being shipped west. It soon garnered the nickname "'The Flour City'", and its products were known as far away as England.

As time went on, and farmland opened up in the Great Plains, Rochester's flour industry faded, to be replaced by a succession of others, including clothing, shoes, boats, and horticulture. By the middle of the nineteenth century, Rochester's nurseries and gardens had led to a new nickname: "The Flower City", celebrated each year with the famous Lilac Festival each May. Rochester also became a center for social progressivism. The great abolitionist orator Frederick Douglass made his home here for many years, and suffragist Susan B. Anthony was a lifelong resident.

In the early 1900s, the modern city began to take shape, molded in large part by the philanthropy of George Eastman, whose Eastman Kodak camera company became the area's largest employer. The Eastman School of Music, the Eastman Theatre, the George Eastman Museum, and numerous other buildings and institutions remain today as testaments to his influence and generosity.

Since World War II, Rochester has seen a decline in population but has also seen periods of urban renewal funded by industry. In the 1960s and 70s, the city became known as the leading jazz' town in upstate New York, a legacy recalled today by the annual Rochester International Jazz Festival in June. Around the turn of the century, Rochester started calling itself "the World's Image Center", based on the local prominence of imaging giants Kodak and Xerox and optics company Bausch & Lomb. Those "Big Three" have all downsized in the years since, however, forcing yet another Rochester reinvention.

The industrial decline has been painful, but it has been countered by a rise in world-class historical and cultural attractions as the city learns to take advantage of what makes it unique.

Rochester is unashamedly part of the Snow Belt of the United States competing every year with its upstate neighbors for the coveted Golden Snowball Award (for most snowfall). Although snowfalls in Rochester were once legendary, the lake-effect snow lately has favored Syracuse and Buffalo. Indeed, Rochester has experienced several winters in the 21st century with less than six feet of snow. (Yes, that's low.)

Visitors are often surprised by the sheer amount of snow Rochesterians will put up with. It takes multiple feet of snow or biting cold frostbite-in-ten-minutes temperatures to close schools; anything less and you just put another layer on and grab the shovel. And forget about work or college being canceled; unless the governor has declared a state of emergency, you'll find commuters dutifully plunging forth across barely-plowed roads and highways. And sometimes, even then....

Simply stated, snow is a daily fact of life in Rochester winters, and the traveler must be prepared to deal with it as the locals do: with a hearty grumble of resignation, the assertion that "at least we don't have earthquakes, tornadoes, or hurricanes", and the knowledge that better days lie ahead.

Fortunately, those "better days" are truly gems, and few cities appreciate them more when they arrive. "The weather is beautiful" headlines can often be found in the news media when a wave of pleasant weather hits. July and August can be very humid at times, but relief is rarely more than a few days away. Summer heat indices average around 82 °F (28 °C) during the day and 64 °F (18 °C) at night. Heat waves can bring humidity alongside the heat and send heat indices upwards to around 94 °F (34 °C) or higher; and not go below 72 °F (22 °C) at night. May, June, late August, September, and early October have the most comfortable temperatures. Outside of those months, partly sunny days alternate with overcast conditions and heavy precipitation, ranging from light fluffy snow to heavy wet glop to cold damp drizzle.

But all this emphasis on winter should not overshadow Rochester's short but beautiful springs, warm summers, and very colorful autumns. Rochesterians make the best of winter, but they really take advantage of every nice day the rest of the year—and so should you.

• VisitRochester, ☏ +1 585 279-8300, [email protected]. The official visitor's association for the Greater Rochester area. In addition to English, brochures are available in eight foreign languages: Chinese (simplified), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish. VisitRochester has information centers in the following locations: 
  • 43.15717-77.603361 Center City Visitor Information Center, 45 East Ave Ste 400 (near East Main). M-F 8:30AM-5PM. This is the main office for VisitRochester. 
  • 43.1277-77.66632 Visitor Information Booth, Greater Rochester International Airport (lower level). Daily 10AM-6PM. Although only staffed during the listed hours, the booth's brochures can be picked up anytime. 
  • 43.098-77.6033 Tim Hortons Iceplex Booth, Tim Hortons Iceplex (on the MCC campus). Only staffed during major events, but the brochures are available anytime. (updated May 2024)

• 43.118889-77.67251 Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC  ^IATA), 1200 Brooks Ave (southwest of the city proper, 6 mi (9.7 km) southwest of downtown, I-390 to Exit 18B or I-490 to Exit 6), ☏ +1 585-753-7000. It's a very nice medium-sized airport, newly remodeled in 2018, with three runways and two concourses. Southwest and Delta see the most passengers, but American, United, and JetBlue also have multiple daily scheduled flights, mostly to their hub airports. There are direct flights to and from Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Detroit, New York City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Tampa, and Washington, D.C.
  
  Low-cost airlines Spirit, Allegiant, and Avelo also fly from Rochester to vacation destinations in the South: Raleigh/Durham, Greenville/Spartanburg (South Carolina), Myrtle Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Punta Gorda (Florida), and Orlando. (updated May 2024)

To travel to/from the airport:

• RTS Route 23 (West Ave./Airport) ($1 for a single trip, $3 for a day pass) operates between the airport and the RTS Transit Center downtown. Buses come every 30 minutes on weekdays or every 60 minutes weekends and nights.
• Taxis cost $2 plus $3/mile; $10 minimum; $2.50/add'l passenger. Monroe County Airport Taxi Service is the only taxi company contracted to have cars waiting for arriving passengers.
• Rental cars from most of the major agencies are obtainable at the airport.
• Hotel shuttles are free from many of the hotels on the west or south sides of the city.
• Ride hailing services vary in cost based on destination, type, time of day, and a variety of other factors. You can access these services via their websites or via their respective mobile applications on compatible IOS or Android devices. The most popular services in the Rochester area are Lyft and Uber.

Because Rochester is so close to Lake Ontario, the New York State Thruway (Interstate 90) doesn't pass through the city: it runs a few miles to the south, through the southern suburbs. It still provides the quickest route into the area from the east and west, though. Whichever way you're coming, you'll take I-490 to get into the city proper; it leaves the Thruway eastbound at Exit 47, passes through downtown Rochester, then rejoins the Thruway at Exit 45.

Exit 46, between them, is for I-390, the primary route into Rochester from points south. I-390's south end is at I-86, and it also connects with U.S. Route 15 out of Pennsylvania.

From the northeast, if you don't want to head south to the Thruway, most drivers will take State Route 104, a former federal route that constitutes the main rural drag through the northern part of Western New York. 104 also works if you're coming from the northwest—the northern part of the Niagara Frontier—but an alternative is the Lake Ontario State Parkway, which starts 35 mi (56 km) northwest of downtown and follows the lake shore to the Rochester harbor.

See also: Rail travel in the United States

• 43.16343-77.608552 Louise M. Slaughter Rochester station, 320 Central Ave (N Clinton Ave at Central Ave). Daily 5:30AM-12:30AM. The station's immediate environs are not particularly accommodating to pedestrians. You'll probably be fine if you're walking from, say, the transit center, but use caution after dark and don't try to venture north across the railroad tracks. The new Slaughter station itself, though, is up-to-date and modern, if a bit sterile; its parking lot is well lit and quite safe. Be prepared for delays and be aware there's not a whole lot to do to kill time in or around the station. There is some minimal retail and amenities like charging outlets. A few taxis will often be waiting at the station around the scheduled arrival times, or you may want to arrange for a rental agency to pick you up. (updated Jul 2024)
  • Amtrak, ☏ +1 215-856-7924, toll-free: +1-800-872-7245. Operates trains throughout the United States of America. (updated Dec 2020) Routes stopping at Rochester:
    • Empire Service operating twice daily between Niagara Falls (New York) and New York City including stops in Buffalo, Buffalo (Depew), Rochester, Syracuse, Rome, Utica, Schenectady, Albany (Rensselaer), Hudson, Rhinecliff, Poughkeepsie, Croton-on-Hudson, and Yonkers.
    • Maple Leaf operating daily between Toronto and New York City, in partnership with VIA Rail Canada. Stops between Toronto and Niagara Falls (New York) include in Oakville, Burlington, Grimsby, St. Catharines, and Niagara Falls (Ontario). Stops between Niagara Falls (New York) and New York City are the same as those made by the Empire Service. Border crossing processing takes place in Niagara Falls, where passengers must detrain with their baggage. Train crew members are staffed by VIA Rail within Canada, and by Amtrak within the United States.
    • Lake Shore Limited operating daily between Chicago and Boston or New York City. It makes stops at most stations along the route, though it does not stop at some of the smallest stations. Trains consist of train cars from both branches between Chicago and Albany (Rensselaer). The trains split into separate branches between Albany (Rensselaer) and both Boston and New York City. Stops between Chicago and Albany (Rensselaer) include South Bend, Elkhart, Waterloo, Bryan, Toledo, Sandusky, Elyria, Cleveland, Erie, Buffalo (Depew), Rochester, Syracuse, Utica, and Schenectady. Stops between Albany (Rensselaer) and Boston include Pittsfield, Springfield, Worcester, Framingham. Stops between Albany (Rensselaer) and New York City include Rhinecliff, Poughkeepsie, and Croton-on-Hudson.

Someday, the plan is to upgrade the rail station to incorporate a bus terminal for intercity buses. Until then....

• New York Trailways has a temporary bus station just across the street from the train station, at 186 Cumberland St. It is some distance north of the RTS hub, although several routes stop nearby.
• Greyhound doesn't even get that much; their busses stop out in the open at 120-124 Pleasant St, at St. Joseph's Park across from the St. Joseph's Garage. But at least it's a very short walk to the RTS hub.
• Megabus, the low-cost carrier with fares as low as $1 (in theory), now uses Trailways for their upstate bus network; if you book a trip from Megabus to or from Rochester, it will most likely be on a Trailways bus, at the Cumberland St. station.

With the Erie Canal, Genesee River, Lake Ontario, and Irondequoit Bay, waterways are a rare but not unheard-of method of getting to Rochester.

Coming from Lake Ontario, you have two main options. Irondequoit Bay has a large number of slips throughout its several miles of coastline, but the bay is only open April through October. (Then again, who's out boating in November or March?) You can also head up the Genesee River, where you have a few options. On the west bank, 3-hour courtesy dockage is available right in front of the terminal building, while the nearby Port of Rochester Marina has 30 transient slips (as well as 54 seasonal slips, for you long-term visitors) and a whole host of amenities, including a ship store, utilities, and laundry. The cost for a transient slip is the length of your boat in feet times $2.50 per day. The east bank has commercial marinas like Shumway Marine, with similar amenities, as well as mechanics in case your boat needs some repairs.

If you're entering from Canada, you must immediately report your arrival to U.S. Customs. Nominally, this must be done in person – tricky for boaters, since Rochester's customs office is at the airport! Fortunately, there are alternatives. Most conveniently, the CBP ROAM app lets you report directly from your phone. If you can't use the app for whatever reason, there are tablets available at the Port of Rochester Marina and at Shumway Marine.

If you're on the Erie Canal coming from points east or west, you can often moor in one of the villages along the way, including Pittsford, Fairport, and Brockport, although these are all a few miles outside of Rochester. You could also take the canal to the river, then turn north; you can tie up at Brooks Landing near the University of Rochester, or at Corn Hill Landing just south of the I-490 bridge. Both landings are on the west side of the river.

Six major rental agencies have desks at the Greater Rochester International Airport: Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, and National. Most also have locations scattered throughout the city and surrounding towns, and they will usually come pick you up if you're coming in from, say, the Amtrak station. Contact your preferred agency for details and locations.

Those who balk at needing a car to get anywhere in the Rochester area can at least take heart that it is a very drivable city. A common local maxim is that the travel time between any two points in or around the city is twenty minutes. The expressway system was designed in the 50s, when Rochester's population was booming; this growth slowed to a stop soon afterward, leaving a network of high-capacity roads that rarely see congestion. You'll encounter some mild rush-hour slowdowns, especially on Interstates 390, 490, and 590, but visitors from more populous areas will scoff at what Rochesterians call "traffic".

Construction and severe winter weather can disrupt Rochester's normally placid roads, however. In winter, pay close attention to traffic advisories, and if they say "no unnecessary travel"—they mean it. Most of the time, though, drive slowly and carefully and you'll be fine. It takes locals a snowfall or two to remember this every November, so be extra-cautious early in the season.

Outside of downtown, any place you want to go will have its own parking lot of some sort. Downtown, you'll find a mix of dedicated lots, street parking, public lots, and parking garages. Most surface lots are $5/day or thereabouts, with higher prices near the Blue Cross Arena on game/concert nights. The garages are generally priced reasonably as well. Street parking is free evenings and weekends; the same is true at some of the garages, though special events will negate that.

Surface roads

[edit]

The expressways will get you close to your destination, but navigating the surface streets is necessary as well. Rochester's early founding as a milling village means that its major avenues were laid out to facilitate traffic to outlying and neighboring settlements—namely, in a radiating pattern. In general, "avenues" radiate outward from downtown and "streets" connect the avenues, but this is not set in stone and there are almost as many exceptions as there are examples.

The only place it's really tricky to drive is downtown. There is a small selection of one-way streets, just few enough to confuse you when you encounter one. There are also some turning restrictions on weekdays, especially for turning onto Main Street; watch the signs carefully. Outside of downtown, you shouldn't have any problem navigating the surface streets; most are well signed.

The area bus system is the Regional Transit Service (RTS), run by the Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA). While the buses are clean, efficient, comfortable, and cheap, the low frequency and inconvenience of the bus routes can make using the service frustrating.

The bus routes are designed as a hub-spoke system, optimized for travelers headed to and from downtown. The hub in this case is the downtown 43.158-77.6083 RTS Transit Center between North Clinton Avenue and St. Paul Street, just north of Main Street. As a result, travelers trying to get from one suburb to another often have to ride one bus all the way into the city, then another all the way back out. The system works great for getting to the center of downtown, but the typical rider will be faced with a walk or another bus ride to get the rest of the way to his or her destination.

If the bus routes are convenient for you, though, RTS service is hard to beat, especially when the roads get slushy in winter. Every RTS bus has a bicycle rack on front, which can provide some flexibility if you're willing to bike to a bus stop.

Fares are $1 per ride, or $3 for an all-day pass. You can also prepay with RTS Go via card or mobile app; debits are capped at $3 per day and $56 per month. Cards are sold at the transit center and online. Discounted fares are available for children and seniors (although you'll need a Medicare or RTS low-fare card for the senior discount). Kids under five ride free, and youngsters must be at least age 11 to ride without an adult. The $1.00 fare is valid for an hour so you can change buses without paying again; be sure to ask the driver for a transfer ticket.

Bus schedules are available online and throughout the city, especially at transit hubs and information centers.

RTS also operates an On Demand service within seven separate suburban areas. Using the RTS On Demand app, you can schedule a pickup anywhere within an On Demand zone and the wheelchair-accessible vehicle will take you anywhere else within that zone. If you're going to or from a connection hub (which lets you connect to the regular RTS Connect bus routes), the fare is only $1; it's $3 if you want curb-to-curb service.

Downtown Rochester is very walkable, at least for eight months out of the year. Traffic is light outside of rush hours, and crosswalks are plentiful. You will still see some remnants of the Rochester Skyway, once an extensive system of enclosed elevated walkways and underground tunnels connecting numerous buildings downtown, but there's not much left. Its continuity was severely disrupted when Midtown Plaza closed in 2008, and subsequent walkway removals resulted in just a couple of disjointed connections remaining, mostly from parking garages to office buildings.

On the surface streets downtown, most areas are relatively safe, but be careful in the northeastern area (bounded by E. Main Street, East Avenue, the Inner Loop, and N. Clinton Avenue), especially at night.

Outside of downtown, there are a number of pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods, including Park Avenue and the South Wedge, but they are not well connected to each other, or to downtown. Safety and navigation become issues the farther out you get from tourist attractions and recreation areas. Especially at night, you'll want vehicular transportation available.

One exception to the general lack of walkability is the Genesee Riverway Trail, an almost-completed walking and biking route along the river. Once completed, this trail will take you from the Erie Canal on the south edge of the city all the way to Lake Ontario at the harbor. It also connects with other trails, especially the Genesee Valley Greenway south of the city.

Outside of the city, the inner suburbs are similarly hard to walk in, but there are pockets of village-like atmospheres where walking can be pleasant, such as Twelve Corners in Brighton and the Titus-Hudson area of Irondequoit.

Rochester has (outside the winter months) a bike-share program operated by Veo^{[dead link]}. They have e-bikes and electric scooters available throughout the city (either at some set locations or wherever previous users left them). The cost is $1 to unlock plus a small per-minute fee, and you'll need the VeoRide app to unlock the vehicle and pay.

Whether you use Veo or bring your own bike, much of the advice above for pedestrians applies to you as well. A network of paths runs through the city and its suburbs, including the Genesee Riverway Trail, El Camino Trail and the Pittsford Trail System, which are fully accessible for bicycles. The low traffic in Rochester is a boon for cyclists, allowing brave ones to take to the highways (but stay off the expressways!). Also, as noted above, all RTS buses have bike racks mounted on the front, which can be a great convenience.

You can hire a taxi, but you'll need to call ahead to have one pick you up unless you're at the airport or the Amtrak station. Prices are set by the city at $0.50 per ¹⁄₆ mi (0.27 km), plus $2.00 per additional passenger ($2.50 to/from the airport). $10.00 minimum to/from the airport; $5 minimum otherwise. Local limousine companies can provide more luxurious transportation for a somewhat higher fee.

Uber and Lyft provide ride-hailing service throughout the county, though availability is sketchy overnight.

Most boating in Rochester is exclusively recreational in nature, but you may find it a convenient way to travel between destinations.

The Genesee River is not navigable through downtown; you can go downstream from the south (Erie Canal) as far as the Anthony-Douglass Bridge (I-490), or upstream from the north (Lake Ontario) as far as the Lower Falls, but the three waterfalls and the downtown area are no-go. That still leaves some options, however. Mooring is available at the harbor near Lake Ontario and at Brooks Landing and Corn Hill Landing between the canal and downtown. The Erie Canal passes along the southern city limits, providing access from points east and west to the upper river. It's doable, but be sure to plan for the additional transportation you'll need once your boat is docked.

The Erie Canal is drained every November and not refilled until the end of April.

Famed landscaper Frederick Law Olmsted designed Rochester's first large public parks, which today comprise Highland, Genesee Valley, Maplewood, and Seneca Parks. Each remains a popular destination for locals and visitors alike, supplemented with an array of smaller city parks.

• 43.14-77.571 Cobb's Hill Reservoir Park. Cobb's Hill provides a great panoramic view of downtown. Located on the corner of Culver and Monroe, it is an easy walk from the cafes on Park Ave. Large duck pond, baseball diamond, tennis courts and a nice (although steep) trail to the top of the hill, where the reservoir is located. A path popular with runners circles the reservoir. Adjacent to Washington Grove, 26 acres of old-growth Oak–Hickory forest right in the middle of the city. 
• 43.12-77.642 Genesee Valley Park, Moore Rd (take Elmwood Ave or E River Rd west from Mt Hope Ave). Daily 7AM-11PM. At the confluence of the Genesee River and the Erie Canal, the park is a great place to step off onto the Genesee Riverway Trail, the Genesee Valley Greenway, and the Erie Canalway Trail (see below). It's also known for its golf course, one of the major public courses in the area. (updated May 2024)
• 43.13-77.613 Highland Park, Highland Ave at South Ave, ☏ +1 585 753-PARK (7275). Daily 7AM-11PM. Most famous for its hundreds of lilacs, Highland Park is the site of the annual Lilac Festival. Even when the lilacs aren't blooming, though, there are countless other examples of Rochester's horticultural tradition. There is a Sunken Garden behind the Warner Castle, and the Highland Park Bowl, a natural amphitheater, hosts concerts and films during the summer. Adjacent Beikirch Park hosts the county's Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the AIDS Remembrance Garden. (updated May 2024)
  • 43.1322-77.6084 Lamberton Conservatory, 171 Reservoir Ave, ☏ +1 585 753-7270. Daily 10AM-4PM except 25 Dec. The conservatory holds a number of more exotic plants that wouldn't survive outside in Rochester, including desert and tropical species. Open year-round and a wonderful refuge from the stark winter landscapes. Adults $3, youths/seniors $2, under 6 free. 
• 43.182-77.635 Maplewood Park (Maplewood Ave off Driving Park Blvd (South) or Bridge View Dr off Lake Ave (North)). Maplewood is often overlooked, but it's an important piece of the park system. A long, thin park designed by Olmstead as Seneca Park West, it has three distinct areas. The southern park is home to the beloved Maplewood Rose Garden and (with a hike down to river level) has lovely views of the Lower Falls. You can also access Lower Falls Park and see the Middle Falls via the Genesee Riverway Trail. Be sure to check out the sculpture called "The Seat of Remembering and Forgetting". At the northern end you'll have nice views of the Veterans Memorial Bridge and the river gorge, and a pedestrian bridge lets you cross the river to Seneca Park. In between is a wooded trail with some recreation space. (updated May 2024)
• 43.154-77.6026 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park (Manhattan Square), 353 Court St, ☏ +1 585 428-7541. This urban park near the Strong Museum features a unique concrete amphitheater with a distinctive metal superstructural sculpture, some play equipment, and a public outdoor skating rink that (in warmer months) converts to a reflecting pool with fountains. It's a major gathering space for Rochesterians and hosts the ROC Holiday Village every December. (updated May 2024)
• 43.1283-77.62147 Mount Hope Cemetery, 1133 Mt Hope Ave, ☏ +1 585 428-7999. Daily 7:30AM-dusk. Frederick Douglass, Susan B. Anthony and other historic figures are buried in this beautiful Victorian cemetery. Also a great place for running or walking. Guided tours are available periodically throughout the year; the Halloween tour is particularly popular. (updated May 2024)
• 43.198-77.6188 Seneca Park, 2222 St. Paul St. 7AM-11PM (summer hours). While it's best known for the Seneca Park Zoo, the rest of Seneca Park largely maintains its Olmsted design focused on pastoral fields and river overlooks. Trout Lake, formed by damming a natural spring, is a gem. You can access Maplewood Park and the Genesee Riverway Trail via pedestrian bridge over the river. (updated May 2024)
• 43.231-77.6179 Turning Point Park, 260 Boxart St. No other park (at least, without a beach) gets you as close to the water as Turning Point, named for the large basin where ships coming upstream from Lake Ontario could turn around before reaching the Lower Falls. The park's long trail (part of the Genesee Riverway Trail) includes a southern descent down the gorge to water level, a beautiful curving boardwalk over the river basin, and a northern wooded trail heading toward the harbor. Lots of nature to be found here, including some wetlands. Pastoral and serene. (updated May 2024)

Ontario Beach Park and Durand-Eastman Park are also important locations, but they're better known for their beaches and are covered below.

Rochester's art scene flies a bit under the radar, but there's a lot around if you're willing to look for it. For a nice sampling, you can check out First Friday, a monthly event in which small galleries throughout the city open their doors to expose works from lesser known artists to the public (6PM-9PM, first Friday of every month). Or wait until June, when the Rochester Contemporary Art Center sponsors the annual 6x6 exhibition of tiny 6-inch (150 mm) square tiles, each created anonymously by a different local artist (or celebrity!); only after they're auctioned off to benefit RoCo do the buyers find out the names of the artists!

• 43.1488-77.556910 Artisan Works, 565 Blossom Rd (Park across Blossom Rd; look for the yellow elephant), ☏ +1 585 288-7170. F-Su noon-5PM. A non-profit organization housed in a huge warehouse, Artisan Works comprises a labyrinth of hallways and levels where every square inch is covered with art in all media (but mostly painting and sculpture). Everything is for sale. The gallery provides studio space to dozens of artists, some of whom may be working when you visit, and all of whom are happy to chat about what they're making. Also within is the Triangle Theater, a 30-seat movie theater which features films by student and local filmmakers. Adults $15, students/seniors $10, under 5 free. (updated May 2024)
• 43.25274-77.6107111 Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse, 70 Lighthouse St (Lake Ave to Latta Rd, go SE 400 ft (120 m), turn left before river), ☏ +1 585 621-6179. May-Oct: F-Su 1-5PM; other times by appointment. The oldest remaining lighthouse on Lake Ontario sits high above the Rochester harbor, and visitors can climb to the top of it to see the light, the lens – and the view. Now if, when you get to the lighthouse, you wonder where the shore is, it's half a mile (almost a kilometer) northeast. That's how much land has been added to the northern shore of New York since the lighthouse was built in 1822. The museum inside the keeper's house has a lot of displays on Rochester's harbor history. Adults $5; ages 5-17 $2; under 5 free. (updated May 2024)
• 43.1521-77.580312 George Eastman Museum, 900 East Ave, ☏ +1 585 327-4800, [email protected]. Tu-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 11AM-5PM. The world's oldest photography museum, the George Eastman Museum could really be considered three museums in one. First, and most visible, is the George Eastman House, the mansion built by the founder of Eastman Kodak, restored to appear much as it did when he was alive, illustrating the life of Rochester's elite in the early 20th century. Second, the museum hosts regular rotating exhibits highlighting the history of photography and film. Third, and perhaps most importantly, the museum houses an enormous archive of photographs, film, and related technology, among the largest in the world. Other institutions regularly send film here for conservation. Guided tours of the house are available, and the exhibits can be toured at your own pace, but access to the archives is restricted to serious researchers only. Films are presented regularly in the museum's Dryden Theatre (see below). Adults $22, seniors $20, students $9, under 5 and active military free. (updated May 2024)
• 43.1555-77.583213 Image City Photography Gallery, 722 University Ave (in the Neighborhood of the Arts), ☏ +1 585 271-2540, [email protected]. Tu-Sa noon-6PM; Su noon-4PM. A gallery devoted to photography with a new show every four weeks. If a work strikes your fancy, feel free to purchase it! Free. (updated May 2024)
• 43.158-77.58814 Memorial Art Gallery, 500 University Ave, ☏ +1 585 276-8900. W-Su 11AM-5PM; Th 11AM-9PM; closed major holidays. The premier art museum in the area, with over 12,000 items, from artists both obscure and renowned. A real Baroque Italian organ resides inside. The Centennial Sculpture Park on the grounds is open 24/7. Adults $20, seniors $18, students $9, under 6 free; $2 less online; half price Th after 5PM; free for active military. (updated May 2024)
• 43.1579-77.60515 RIT City Art Space, 280 East Main St (Sibley Building), [email protected]. F 1-9PM, Sa Su 1-5PM. A small-ish art gallery operated by RIT, featuring the work of fine arts students, faculty, alumni, and other artists of note. Free. (updated May 2024)
• 43.1567-77.60116 Rochester Contemporary Art Center (RoCo), 137 East Ave, ☏ +1 585 461-2222, [email protected]. W-Su noon-5PM (9PM on F). This non-profit arts center supports local artists, in part by exhibiting their work to the public. But it's not just local artists you'll find in the gallery; they regularly host works from around the world. It's also a gathering place for the local arts community, so dropping by isn't just about viewing the art; it's also about connecting with the artists. $2 ($5 for 6x6 exhibition). (updated May 2024)
• 43.147-77.56617 Rochester Medical Museum and Archives, 1441 East Ave, ☏ +1 585 922-1847, fax: +1 585 922-0018, [email protected]. M-F 10AM-4PM. Several different collections, for both exhibition and research, are combined here to document the public health of Rochester and Monroe County. (updated May 2024)
• 43.1526-77.587518 Rochester Museum and Science Center, 657 East Ave, ☏ +1 585 271-4320. Tu-Sa 9AM-5PM (+M during school breaks), Su 11AM-5PM. A science museum filled with hands-on exhibits and activities. Fantastic for kids, but a lot of it is fun for parents, too. Major hands-on exhibits include Wonders of Water, How Things Work, and Illumination: The World of Light and Optics. Don't miss the enormous mastodon skeleton in Expedition Earth, or the musical Tesla coils in the Electricity Theater. Other permanent exhibits focus on the people of the Haudenosaunee, 19th-century Rochester, and the Underground Railroad. The Strasenburgh Planetarium is next door; get a $4 discount on combined admission when you purchase in person. Adults $19, military/veteran $16, seniors/students $18, ages 3-18 $17, under 3 free. (updated May 2024)
  • 43.1522-77.586819 Strasenburgh Planetarium, 657 East Ave. W-Su, show times vary. The planetarium adjacent to the RMSC offers a variety of large-format films and planetarium shows using their state-of-the-art star projector. Laser shows set to music are also quite popular. A few space-related exhibits occupy areas outside the star theater. Purchase tickets in person to save $4 on combined admission with the RMSC. Prices per show: adults $12, seniors/students/youths $10, under 3 free. (updated May 2024)
  • RMSC also operates the Cummings Nature Center in Naples.
• 43.2065-77.623820 Seneca Park Zoo, 2222 St Paul St (Rt 104 to Clinton Ave; follow signs for zoo), ☏ +1 585 336-7200. Apr-Oct: daily 10AM-5PM; Nov-Mar: daily 10AM-4PM; closed first Sa in Jun, Thanksgiving, 25 Dec, 1 Jan. Rochester's zoo is nestled inside the Olmsted-designed Seneca Park. While small—the entire zoo can easily be enjoyed in an afternoon—a lot of value is packed into the small area. The zoo has the only African elephants in the state, part of their Step Into Africa exhibit that includes a rhinoceros, giraffes, lions, baboons, and zebras. The Rocky Coasts exhibit, with polar bears, sea lions, and penguins, is another highlight. Apr-Oct: ages 12-62 $12, ages 63+ $11, ages 3-11 $9, under 3 free; $2 discount Nov-Mar. (updated Aug 2019)
  • Zoo Brew. 5:30PM-9PM, various dates in summer (and ZooBRRRew in winter). Enjoy live music, drink beer and wine, socialize, and enjoy other activities among the animals of the zoo. Ages 21 and up only. $10 advance, $15 gate, $50 VIP. (updated May 2024)
• 43.1399-77.542121 Stone-Tolan House Museum, 2370 East Ave. Apr-Dec: Su Tu (except holidays) - tours @ noon, 1PM, 2PM; closed Jan-Mar. The oldest remaining building in Monroe County, parts of which were built as early as 1792. The house later served as a tavern for travelers along East Avenue; it's been restored and serves as an excellent example of the era. Adults $5, under 18 $1. (updated May 2024)
• 43.153-77.60222 The Strong National Museum of Play, 1 Manhattan Sq (Use parking garage ($7) entrance on Howell St), ☏ +1 585 263-2700. Su-Th 10AM-5PM, F Sa 10AM-8PM. This downtown children's museum, the only one in the world with a specific focus on play, is the place to visit if you have kids from 1-12. You can easily spend a whole day here, or visit a couple of times to enjoy everything. This museum focuses on learning through play and features tons of interactive exhibits, including some focused on well-known themes like Sesame Street. The kid-sized Wegmans supermarket is always a must-do. One nice feature is that most exhibits have information for adults to read (such as on how fairy tales have changed with the times) while the kids do things like climb on a pirate ship. Older visitors (those who can remember the 1980s) may also enjoy the classic arcade cabinets in the eGameRevolution exhibit. The Strong is also home to the National Toy Hall of Fame and the World Video Game Hall of Fame. The museum's Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden costs $6 extra and has a limited number of timed tickets available each day. $25; under 2 free. Butterfly Garden $6 extra; Skyline Climb $8 extra. Discounts for students, veterans, military, SNAP recipients, and members of other museums in the Association of Children's Museums. (updated Jun 2024)
• 43.153278-77.62811123 Susan B. Anthony Museum & House, 17 Madison St (Parking at 19 Madison St or on street), ☏ +1 585 235-6124. Tu-Su 11AM-5PM, except major holidays. This is the house where the women's rights activist lived for many years, and where she was arrested after voting illegally in 1872. The museum highlights Anthony's influences, the many reforms she worked for (suffrage, abolition, temperance, education, and a purse of her own among them), her friendship with Frederick Douglass, and her trial for voting. Tours last up to an hour. Don't forget to check the gift shop!. Adults $20, seniors $15, students $8, under 5 free. (updated Jun 2024)
• Wall\Therapy. Public art came to Rochester in a (literally) huge way in 2012, in which Wall\Therapy invited urban artists from all around the globe to come and use the city's blank walls as canvases. It started in the Public Market neighborhood, then in 2013 moved to El Camino and the South Wedge. Later years saw other neighborhoods throughout the city receive new murals. You can see a map of locations on the website. No admission needed; just stroll around and gawk. 

• East Avenue. Don't miss a drive down historic East Ave; with the mansions of Rochester's past barons still mostly intact, you can really see a history lesson of the Rochester area. Another great place to see off of East Ave is the Sandringham/Ambassador Drive neighborhood; some of the greatest residential architecture in Rochester can be viewed here. 
• Corn Hill. Most famous for its annual Corn Hill Arts Festival, this area can be nice to walk around any time of the year. As Rochester's oldest residential neighborhood, there are lots of beautiful historic homes. Corn Hill Landing, on the river, has shops and restaurants. 
• Grove Place. Small residential neighborhood in downtown Rochester. Full of beautiful 19th-century townhouses. Several good restaurants are in the neighborhood and it is in easy walking distance to Eastman Theater and the Eastman School of Music as well as the Memorial Art Gallery. 
• High Falls. The majestic High Falls of the Genesee are what attracted settlers to the area in the first place. A 96-foot (29 m) waterfall in the center of downtown is certainly a unique sight; viewing is best from the Pont de Rennes pedestrian bridge. But also take a walk around the old warehouses on the west bank between the bridge and the falls; this is the area known as "High Falls" and home to a very nice museum/visitor's center and some very old milling equipment. 
• Neighborhood of the Arts. An eclectic neighborhood along University Avenue, near the Village Gate and the Rochester Museum and Science Center. Lots of public artwork (thanks to ArtWalk), some small shops and eateries, and beautiful Victorian homes. Very walkable. 
• Park Avenue. There are a lot of great trendy shops in this district, and it's serviced by the RTS service. However, it's definitely not an entire day activity, and things close relatively early. 
• South Wedge. A triangular neighborhood bordered by the Genesee and Interstate 490. The South Wedge is what some may call an "up and coming" neighborhood. Many nightlife options and a growing number of shops and businesses. Close to Alexander Street, the University of Rochester and Mt. Hope Cemetery. 

Once May rolls around, snow becomes less likely, and Rochester's renowned festival season begins. Pretty much every weekend from May through October, there's at least one festival of some sort going on in Rochester or its suburbs. Rochester's festivals run the gamut, focusing on such diverse subjects as horticulture, music, crafts, and food—and admission is free for almost all of them!

The flagship festival is, of course, the Lilac Festival, which has been drawing visitors from out of town to Highland Park for over a century. Newer, but no less popular, is the Rochester International Jazz Festival, which has quickly grown into one of the country's top jazz festivals. Less well-known outside of Rochester is the Corn Hill Arts Festival, but it epitomizes the local festival scene and shouldn't be missed if you're in town in mid-July. Rochester's diversity is on display in the many cultural festivals around the city and the local areas, including Greek, Puerto Rican, and Ukrainian festivals. (The local Oktoberfest, which was a huge event held in Irondequoit for decades, is now a bit smaller and held in Webster.)

Among the suburban festivals, be sure to check out Fairport Canal Days in early June. Of the many festivals centered on the Erie Canal, this may be the best, and it's held in the quintessential canal town.

The closest Renaissance Festival is in Sterling, Cayuga County. It's about 45 minutes away, but it's worth the trip. It's open weekends from July through mid-August every year.

The listings below are only a sampling of the top festivals.

Rochester's sports scene is in flux. The city was once the best in the country for minor-league sports. The first decade of the 21st Century saw the city with as many as seven professional sports teams, including high-level lacrosse and women's soccer teams. There was even talk of Rochester getting a team into Major League Soccer, thanks to the runaway popularity of the Rochester Rhinos.

But today, as in many cities, the situation is quite different. No MLS team ever materialized. The Red Wings and Amerks remain beloved, but all the other teams have folded or relocated. Even the lacrosse Knighthawks are a replacement for the original, now-departed team.

But that's just context for talking sports with locals. Don't let it keep you from checking out the excellent competition, especially since tickets won't break the bank, unlike major-league sports.

• 43.15839-77.620842 Rochester Red Wings (baseball), 1 Morrie Silver Way (Plymouth Ave just north of the Inner Loop), ☏ +1 585 454-1001, [email protected]. Apr-Sep. A Rochester tradition since 1899, the Red Wings are the AAA affiliate of the Washington Nationals. Innovative Field is a beautiful 90s ballpark situated downtown with convenient $6 parking. The general manager and his team can't control the product on the field, but they hit it out of the park when it comes to promotions and the gameday environment. Free fireworks shows set to music are just one of the possibilities to accompany a game. Food options at the park are a bit better than the average, too—there's the usual hot dogs and beer (white hots and Genny, since this is Rochester, after all), but maybe you'd like to try the beef on weck, rice bowls, mac and cheese, or the "Home Plate" (the stadium's take on the Garbage Plate). $15–28. (updated Jun 2024)
• 43.15431-77.611453 Rochester Americans (hockey), 1 War Memorial Sq (W Broad at Exchange Blvd), ☏ +1 585 454-5335. Oct-Apr. Known fondly as the "Amerks", Rochester's storied hockey team is the AHL affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres. The Blue Cross Arena at the Rochester War Memorial is an old building, but it was renovated in the 1990s and is now a fine downtown hockey arena. One of the oldest and most successful teams in the league: hockey night in Rochester is still a fun time, especially in the playoffs. $10-42. (updated Jun 2024)
• 43.1538-77.610884 Rochester Knighthawks (lacrosse), 1 War Memorial Sq (W Broad at Exchange Blvd), ☏ +1 585 454-4335, fax: +1 585 454-3954. Dec-Apr. The K-Hawks are a top-tier indoor lacrosse team, featuring some of the best talent in the world. If you've never seen an indoor lacrosse match, a National Lacrosse League game is a great introduction. The original Knighthawks won back-to-back-to-back NLL championships (2012–14) and had several future Hall-of-Famers on the roster, but all that left town for Halifax in 2019. The new team is owned by the Pegula family (who also own the Amerks, Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Sabres... and the rival Buffalo Bandits). It's struggled to reach the same heights as the old team, but the fan base is slowly coming back after the pandemic. $17-30. (updated Jun 2024)
• 43.1876-77.64335 Rochester Lancers (soccer), 1127 Dewey Ave (Wegmans Stadium, Aquinas Institute). The state of American professional soccer below MLS is constantly in flux, and so it goes in Rochester as various teams try to recapture the magic of the Rhinos. The Lancers, named after the city's very successful 1970s team, play in the UPSL, a massive multi-level semi-pro league with hundreds of teams throughout the country. (updated Jun 2024)
• 43.1621-77.62946 Flower City Union (soccer), 460 Oak St (Rochester Community Sports Complex). Also in the local semi-pro soccer scene Flower City Union won the 2023 NISL championship before deciding to move to the NPSL, which plays a more regionalized schedule with less travel. They play at the Rhinos' old digs, the massive soccer-specific stadium on Broad Street northwest of Innovative Field. (updated Jun 2024)
• 43.0822-77.675877 RIT Tigers (hockey), Lomb Memorial Dr, Henrietta (Gene Polisseni Center, RIT campus on Rt 252), ☏ +1 585 475-4121. Oct-Mar. Who needs football? Rochester Institute of Technology has hockey! Rochester's only Division I college teams play a hard-hitting and very successful brand of hockey, and they've already made waves in just a short time at the top level, including a Frozen Four appearance for the men in 2010. The Gene Polisseni Center on campus combines the old-school atmosphere of the Tigers' previous barn with plenty of modern amenities. The legendary Corner Crew cheering section harasses opposing goalies all night, every night. This classic college hockey atmosphere is worth experiencing. Women: Adults $5, under 13 $3; Men: Adults $12-15, under 13 $6-8.  
• 43.11438-77.508518 Buffalo Bills Training Camp (football), 3690 East Ave, Pittsford (St. John Fisher College: Rt. 96 or I-490 to Rt. 31F), toll-free: +1-877-BB-TICKS (22-84257). Late Jul - late Aug. The closest the Rochester area gets to major-league team sports is the Bills' annual summer training camp, held since 2000 in northern Pittsford. There's lots to do besides just watch practices, too; you can participate in interactive games, peruse the merchandise, or try to get some autographs. You can get a lot closer to the players here than at the stadium in Orchard Park! Free (parking shuttle $1). 

As befits the home of Eastman Kodak, Rochester is a destination for film buffs. The flagship film festival, the High Falls Film Festival, is no more, though The Little Theatre continues its legacy with its Women In Film series. The local LGBTQ+ film festival, ImageOut, continues, along with the venerable Rochester International Film Festival for short films. (See the Festivals section above for details on those.) Polish and Jewish films are also highlighted in local series.

Rochester has a few multiplexes remaining, but it's also home to some charming small cinemas, where the atmosphere is almost as important as the films.

• 43.1393-77.5969 ROC Cinema, 957 S Clinton Ave (Park at Dollar Tree or on street), ☏ +1 585 271-1786, [email protected]. Rochester's oldest neighborhood movie theater. It's just a single screen, but you can order food and drink to be delivered to your seat. Shows a select first-run film each week; free showings of older favorites on Mondays. $10-12. 
• 43.1005-77.631110 Rochester Movies 10, 2609 W Henrietta Rd, Brighton, ☏ +1 785-3335. Formerly a second-run discount theater, Movies 10 now shows first-run films. Still cheaper than a multiplex, though! $5-10. 
• 43.1526-77.580311 Dryden Theatre, 900 East Ave (at the George Eastman Museum), ☏ +1 585 271-3361. The George Eastman Museum knows that part of preserving the history of film is showing films to audiences. That's the role of the Museum's Dryden Theatre. The Dryden shows a wide variety of Hollywood classics, international and independent films—literally something different every night of the week. The programming is thoughtful and cutting-edge, with frequent visits by directors and actors. Nearly all films begin at 7:30PM and are preceded by a brief film talk. Tickets $5-12, except during special events such as visiting filmmakers. 
• 43.1561-77.597912 The Little Theatre, 240 East Ave, ☏ +1 585 258-0400. Run by local public broadcaster WXXI, the historic Little shows a wide variety of foreign, independent and classic films in five theatres. There is also a cafe bakery (serves a full dinner menu along with wine and beer), sometimes with live music. Evenings $11, matinees $9, seniors/students/military $7, Monday screenings $8. 
• 43.1274-77.6295613 UR Cinema Group (University of Rochester, Hoyt Hall), ☏ +1 585 275-5911. The University of Rochester's own student-run movie group. Movies are shown on Fridays and Saturdays, as well as most Thursdays while Fall and Spring semesters are in session. Movies of every conceivable genre are shown throughout the year, including pornography. Th Free; F-Sa $3. 

Local multiplexes are Cinemark Tinseltown in Gates, Regal Eastview in Victor, AMC Webster, and Apple Cinemas in Greece and Pittsford.

The prominence of the Eastman School of Music means that some of the world's best musicians have passed through Rochester during their school years, and many have stuck around to enrich the city's cultural life. If big arena concerts make it to Rochester, they usually go to the Blue Cross Arena. But there are many smaller venues in the city as well.

• 43.1607-77.588714 Auditorium Theatre (Rochester Broadway Theatre League), 885 E Main St, ☏ +1 585 222-5000, [email protected]. Housed in an historic Masonic temple building, the Auditorium Theatre is Rochester's Broadway roadhouse; the Rochester Broadway Theatre League brings to town several touring productions each year. The theater is aging and acoustically imperfect, but it's due for extensive renovations soon (now that RBTL owns the whole building), and it's the only area theater with the space to put on the big shows. Other concerts and performances dot the schedule throughout the year; see the web site for upcoming events. (updated Jun 2024)
• 43.1603-77.590815 Blackfriars Theatre, 795 E Main St, ☏ +1 585 454-1260. Blackfriars Theatre is a mid-sized professional theatre that has entertained audiences since the 1950s, providing a local showcase for actors and actresses, theater artists and technicians who have chosen to make Rochester their home. They're performance space on East Main is near the Auditorium Center. (updated Jul 2024)
• 43.1579-77.601116 Eastman Theatre (Gibbs St at E Main St), ☏ +1 585 274-1100, [email protected]. The Eastman Theatre dates back to George Eastman's time and contains three halls within its space.  
  • Kodak Hall, 60 Gibbs St. The main hall is what most people think of when they think of the Eastman Theatre, and it's the best place to catch the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (see below), one of the top mid-sized city orchestras in the country. Opened in 1922, it was designed by George Eastman as a concert hall and movie house. Today, after renovations to improve sightlines and comfort, it seats 2,400. It's by far the best large performance space in Rochester, with the expected variety of events going on all year. (updated Sep 2017)
  • Kilbourn Hall, 26 Gibbs St. Kilbourn, which also opened in 1922, is one of the finest small concert halls in the world, and it serves as the primary performance space for Eastman School of Music students. As such, audiences are in for a treat, in the form of free recitals and concerts throughout the year, as elite music students exhibit their talents on stage. 
  • Hatch Recital Hall, 433 E Main St. Hatch opened in a new wing of the Theatre in 2010, providing an even more intimate space for recitals than Kilbourn. It incorporates the latest acoustical designs and technology to provide the most precise listening and performing experience possible. (updated Sep 2017)
• 43.156-77.602717 Garth Fagan Dance, office/studio: 50 Chestnut St, ☏ +1 585 454-3260, fax: +1 585 454-6191. The Tony-award winning choreographer Garth Fagan has his own dance troupe in Rochester, his adopted hometown. When they're not touring the country, they put on a variety of performances both around the city and at their studio space. Truly world-class dancers provide a show you can't match in any other city this size. (updated Jun 2024)
• 43.1525-77.60518 Geva Theatre Center, 75 Woodbury Blvd, ☏ +1 585 232-1366. Geva, the city's premiere professional theater company, hosts a variety of productions on its two stages, housed in a converted armory! The yearly production of A Christmas Carol is a popular family tradition. Cafe on site. Discounts are available for students and seniors. (updated Jun 2024)
• 43.1559-77.615719 Hochstein Performance Hall, 50 N. Plymouth Ave, ☏ +1 585 454-4596, [email protected]. Hochstein Performance Hall is part of Hochstein School of Music & Dance, which has served as a community center for Greater Rochester since 1920. Located in the heart of the city, the elegant 857-seat Performance Hall offers free recitals and performances regularly, including the long-running "Live from Hochstein" Broadcast and Concert Series. 
• 43.19753-77.6327720 Kodak Center (Theatre on the Ridge), 200 W Ridge Rd, ☏ +1 585 254-0181, [email protected]. Part of the sprawling industrial complex once known as Kodak Park, Kodak Center is a live performing arts, event, and conference center featuring a 1,978-seat main theater with the biggest stage in Rochester, 180-seat Studio Theater, 48-seat Club Theater, conference rooms, a gymnasium, and many other spaces. Numerous musical, stand-up comedy, and dramatic acts are featured throughout the year. The center also hosts the Kodak Visitor Center where visitors can learn about the history of Kodak. There is a 1,000+ spot parking lot located across the street for patrons and a 30 minute visitor lot directly next to the theater. (updated Jul 2023)
• 43.1561-77.602321 Montage Music Hall, 55 Chestnut St, ☏ +1 585 413-1642. M-F 10:30AM-5:30PM, Sa Su 7PM-1AM. A longstanding music club, it's an intimate venue but some great bands come through. The drinks aren't anything to write home about, but folks don't come here for the drinks. (updated Jul 2024)
• 43.15623-77.5808522 MuCCC (Multi-use Community Cultural Center), 142 Atlantic Ave, [email protected]. The MuCCC is a non-profit 80-seat theater housed in a converted church. Its purpose is to host theater groups without permanent spaces of their own, such as the Rochester Community Players and several Black theater companies. (updated Jul 2024)
• 43.1562-77.569123 Photo City Music Hall, 543 Atlantic Ave, ☏ +1 585 451-0047. 500-person capacity live music venue with drink specials. (updated Jul 2024)
• 43.157-77.601524 Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Box office: 108 East Ave, ☏ +1 585 454-2100. Box office: M-F 10AM-5PM. One of George Eastman's greatest legacies, the Rochester Philharmonic is an outstanding orchestra, especially for a city the size of Rochester. The RPO's main performance space is the Eastman Theatre (see above), but they get around town to other venues, especially in the summer. Pops conductor Jeff Tyzik, once Doc Severinsen's arranger for the Tonight Show Band, has taught the RPO to swing like few other professional orchestras can, but their classical chops are equally noteworthy. $20-75 for most formal concerts, less (or even free) for casual concerts. (updated Jun 2016)
• 43.1549-77.603725 Theater at Innovation Square, 131 Chestnut St (parking garage underground; enter off Chestnut or Court), ☏ +1 585 281-4893. The former Xerox Auditorium is adjacent to what used to be Xerox's world headquarters. Xerox Tower is now Innovation Square, and the auditorium—once used for board meetings and the like—is now a beautiful and intimate performance venue with very good acoustics. It seats 700 but feels like 300. (updated Jul 2024)
• 43.1606-77.611526 Water Street Music Hall, 204 N Water St. Long the most popular music club in the area, the venerable Water Street is back after several years in somewhat different forms. The main hall has room for 1,000 revelers, and the venue is careful with its booking to avoid some of the capacity and rowdiness problems of the past. There are not many places like it in Rochester. Jack's on Water Street is an attached restaurant and occasional (smaller) performance venue. (updated Jun 2024)

In addition to Montage and Water Street, there are other bars and clubs that present live music frequently, most notably The Bug Jar. See Drink, below.

Rochester in is in the midst of a mini-boom in spaces designed to get together with friends and have some fun playing games. Time will tell how many of them last, but for now you have several options, and some of them have surprisingly good food and drinks to go along with the games.

• 43.1553-77.604627 Dice Versa, 280 East Broad St (attached to Tower 280). Tu-Th 4PM-11PM, F 4PM-1AM, Sa noon-1AM, Su noon-8PM. There are some other bars and restaurants around that have a handful of board games for patrons to borrow, but it's safe to say no place has as huge a collection as Dice Versa, with over 300 games stacked on their shelves. True, you have to pay a cover charge to play games, but (during the week) you can game all day if you want (Friday and Saturday there's a 3-hour limit). The food (sliders, mac and cheese, flatbreads, and apps) is tasty and it's easy to eat way too much of it during a long gaming session. Their drink menu is also inventive and fun; try the Potion Shop, which lets you roll a 20-sided die to have fate choose the contents of your shot glass. $8/person for board gaming (12 and under free). (updated Jul 2024)
• 43.1546-77.604728 Great Lakes Gaming (GLG), 100 S Clinton Ave, Floor 22 (in Innovation Square),