Welcome to my hometown of Rochester, NY. I as well as many locals like to call our city Ra-Cha-Cha.
I'm here to make you fall in love with a place I've been lucky enough to grow up in. We have something for everyone and you can appreciate all the seasons. So don't let the snow scare you, it just makes life interesting trying to shovel a path out for your car and makes for great skiing. If you leave the state of NY and they ask where you are from and you only say the state of NY they, of course, will assume you are from NYC or live nearby...nope we are closer to Toronto than NYC.
In this blog post, you'll find recommendations for some of my favorite places to visit, things to do, and of course, the places to eat/drink from a local. Do you think I missed any places that should be added to this list? What places are you looking forward to trying? Come hungry because we have lots of delicious places here...so without further ado, let's go (yallah)!
There are so many great museums in the area for kids and adults! Below are my favorites:
You get an inside peek at George Eastman's home where the pioneer of photography and motion picture film lived. He was the founder of Kodak. Dryden theater exhibits unique films that you wouldn't easily be able to view elsewhere. The mansion also has some of the prettiest gardens. It's a favorite location to take graduation photos, prom, and wedding photos!
My sister's bat-mitzvah party was held on the top floor of the museum. This room has glass windows instead of walls and was spectacular during sunset. The museum also has great party packages for kids. One of my first jobs was as a catering assistant and the museum was a venue I loved to work at. My favorite ride as a kid was the submarine simulator where you can go on a deep dive adventure. The museum educates the community on science, technology, local history, and in a building next door operates the Planetarium where you can journey across the universe.
This is a favorite among families as it is devoted to playing and is home to the National Toy Hall of Fame, an indoor butterfly garden (a favorite of mine), and a large collection of electronic games. I also loved as a kid, their Sesame Street section, shopping at their children's size supermarket (we love Weggies aka Wegmans it's a way of life), and finally the doll collection.
- ARTISANWORKS-
It is a great venue to hold an event like a Wedding or a Bat-mitzvah. It is a renovated factory building integrating arts of all kinds
Activity and some food recommendations
Lots of trails to pick from but my favorite is the one with fairy homes, it's called Birdsong trail.
- Charlotte Beach
In the summer there are concerts with different bands on the beach. Enjoy frozen custard from Abbotts while you watch the sunset.
- Sea Breeze Area
Don's Original has great onion rings and other comfort food in an old-fashioned counter-serve American diner & sports pub. Marge's Lakeside Inn has a vintage feel on the beach with live music. I loved their wine slushies. Lastly, Seabreeze Amusement Park has a typical roller coaster and bumper car rides but also has a water park. There aren't often lines for the rides.
- Canandaigua/Naples/Bristol/Geneva (greater finger lakes area)
All of these places are beautiful no matter the season but my favorite times to visit are during the summer and winter. CMAC located in Canandaigua is great for outside concerts on the lawn as well as canoeing on the water. Naples (Hunt Hollow and private) and Bristol (more trails and they have fall sky rides/Ziplining/aerial adventures) both have great skiing locations. Finally, my favorite winery in Upstate NY is in Geneva, NY called Three Brothers Wineries and Estates.
-Hiking (a short drive away from Rochester, NY but still in Upstate)
Niagara Falls (I have a separate post going into details on things to do here.)
Ithaca (I went to college in the town of Ithaca and have a post detailing everything you need to know about this city which can be found here!)
-Fall on the farm
Here you can find fresh produce, picture-worthy spots, hayrides, you can feed some of the farm animals, visit the teepees and walk through spookily decorated areas.
So much fun and so much to do- Start with a tractor ride to pick-apples, strawberries, lavender, or sunflowers (depending on the season). Along the way, there are many photo opportunities. They also have pumpkins already picked for you to take home. On the other side of the farm, they have activities like lawn games, mini-golf, a corn maze, instead of a ball pit one filled with corn, a magic pillow/like a trampoline, barrel horses, playgrounds, animals to feed or pet, train ride. In the stores, you can find treats like fresh apple cider and donuts, specialty drinks, pizza, kettle corn. You could spend hours here!
- There are many farms in the area where you can pick fruit like Whittier Fruit Farm.
🍎 🍏 🍑
- Pittsford Schoen Place
Growing up a highlight was taking a boat ride on the Sam Patch and singing the classic Erie Canal song. There are many boutiques and restaurants in the area to enjoy this area.
- Aladdin's Natural Eatery (Greek food) in Schoen Place on the famous Erie Canal. It was the first canal in the United States to connect western waterways with the Atlantic Ocean. The project started in 1817 and was completed by 1825. My favorite items on their menu - Hummus, Spanakopita, Greek Salad, Grecca Pasta. If you order any dish that is grilled make sure to let them know you want it done on the lighter side unless you like your food with heavy charred grill marks.
Their ice cream is rich and creamy on the farm, they sell other local treats and have a bakery.
One of my favorite locations for brunch.
Their dessert (sweet) and savory crepes are so tasty it's hard to just pick one...so my suggestion is to share with your dining companions.
- Food truck rodeo's downtown
Festivals
Highland park smells amazing in spring not only because of the lilac bushes but also the other flowers, trees in full bloom. There are craft beer, wine tastings, kids' activities, artwork, and live music to enjoy.
One of the world’s leading jazz festivals presenting legendary performers held annually in downtown Rochester, NY
- Fairport and Pittsford Canal Days
Both Celebrate the village in their town during the summer with food, beverages, performances, and booths with knick-knacks on the Erie Canal.
The Parade & Festival celebrates LGBTQ+ life and culture.
It may be cold outside here in December, but there are igloo pods to rent, while you can enjoy hot cocoa and coffee. There is also ice skating, shopping, music, and food.
Coffee shop recommendations
- Spot
- Java’s
- Equal grounds (LGBTQ+ friendly)
More Bar recommendations
The flamingo wallpaper is memorable as well as their mozzarella sticks and mixed drinks.
They match your favorite desserts to wines and other beverages!
- Nox
Cozy Harry Potter vibes. I love their s'mores dessert and mixed drinks.
Unique Bars
Riot Room-The signature drinks here are good but pricey. There is only one room that you can break stuff in. But with that said I enjoy the atmosphere and graffiti styled walls. I like the concept! They have competition with the Axes & Ales across the street. The employees at Axes & Ales I found to be annoying, especially when it comes to signing their waiver but again it's a fun concept to go to with friends. A bit dangerous but maybe that's what makes people coming back for more.
More Restaurant recommendations
Greater City of Rochester locations
I love the vibe at this place. In the summer people ride their motorcycles into the venue and bands play music out of an RV. There is corn hole to play in the back!
Not only do they have a delicious Mediterranean menu that rotates and cocktails they also have bowling, life-size games to play like Jenga and Connect Four!
Their tater tots are my personal favorite and they are always adding new fun toppings to them. Their milkshakes are also amazing and their menu can easily be made vegan if requested! Their bar is adorable with a rainbow colorful boxed wall with their drink options. The entire space has retro arcade games.
- Pop Roc Cereal Bar and Comic Shop
The name says it all.
- Cedar Mediterranean restaurant (Lebanese)
- Han noodle bar (Chinese and v affordable)
Park Ave locations
- Jines (Greek/American)
- Red fern (vegan/vegetarian/GF)
- Sinbad's (Lebanese)
Monroe Avenue locations
- Mamasans (Thai and Vietnamese food)
- Plum Garden (Japanese-Sushi and Hibachi)
Brighton/Twelve Corners locations (all options below are kosher)
- Brownstein's
- Lipmans
Henrietta locations
Indian food with a twist. It reminds me of the style of ordering at Moe's, Chipotle, or Subway.
Rochester is well known for a menu item called the "Garbage Plate". I think it is nasty but this wouldn't be a review of Rochester, NY without mentioning it.
* If you are a meat lover and don't mind your food touching*
Places to get beauty services done-
- BrowsROC
Companies that Call Rochester their home
- Wegmans
- Xerox
- Kodak
Notable People
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