Where to stay in Rochester

See

Rochester may not be the most popular place for sightseeing, but the Genesee River gorge and its three waterfalls are certainly worth a trip. For nature lovers, the most scenic of the city's parks is probably Highland Park, although Genesee Valley Park has more recreation options. Where Rochester shines is in its selection of cultural attractions; the variety and quality compare favorably to cities twice its size. The most prominent of these is the Strong National Museum of Play, absolutely a can't-miss attraction if you have young kids with you or enjoy a sense of nostalgia. The Rochester Museum and Science Center also has fun hands-on exhibits and an adjacent planetarium.

• Cobb's Hill Reservoir Park
• Genesee Valley Park
• Highland Park
• Lamberton Conservatory
• Maplewood Park
• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park
• Mount Hope Cemetery
• Seneca Park
• Turning Point Park
• Artisan Works
• Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse
• George Eastman Museum

Do

You might sometimes catch residents complaining that there's not much to do around Rochester, but a little research reveals a wealth of opportunities, even during the long winters. Nearly everything is family-friendly, too; Rochester is consistently ranked one of the best cities in the world for visiting with kids. In addition to the many parks and museums, kids will have a great time at Seabreeze Amusement Park in Irondequoit, near the mouth of the bay (see listing, below).

• Rochester Riverside Convention Center
• Imagine RIT
• Rochester Lilac Festival
• Rochester Cocktail Revival
• Rochester International Film Festival
• Harborfest
• Rochester International Jazz Festival
• Corn Hill Arts Festival
• Rochester Pride
• Puerto Rican Festival
• Park Ave Summer Stroll
• Clarissa Street Reunion

Eat

Dining in Rochester is typical of most mid-sized American cities. The immediate suburbs are crawling with large chain restaurants, but you can find more original fare in the city proper, and in outlying areas away from the biggest commercial strips. There is one mainstay of local cuisine that travelers with a large stomach and no fear of cholesterol should absolutely try: the famous Garbage Plate of Nick Tahou's Hots. For a few dollars, a "Plate" comes with your choice of meat served on top of macaroni salad, home fries, and onions, topped with "hot sauce" and ketchup and/or mustard.

Drink

The big local brew is Genesee, along with its label-mates Genny Lite and Genesee Cream Ale. Don't believe the wags who tell you the beer is "brewed from the waters of the Genesee"; although the river is clearer than it used to be, you won't find its influence in the local beverages. Genny isn't as popular around town as you might expect for the eighth-largest brewery in the country, but it's working at making a comeback, and few locals would turn down a Cream Ale or Original Honey Brown if offered one. As the saying goes: if a bar doesn't serve Genny, even if no one you know drinks it, it's not a real bar.

Stay safe

Like most other cities, Rochester is generally safe but there are areas that are more prone to crime than others. Potentially dangerous areas exist in the northeast and southwest city neighborhoods. However, there is nothing in these neighborhoods of any particular interest to non-residents so it is unlikely that the average visitor would encounter these areas. Use common sense and situational awareness and crime will not be a problem. The suburban areas of Rochester generally enjoy a low crime rate. Call 911 in case of emergency. You can also text 911; be sure to provide a very specific location, as the dispatcher won't automatically receive location information.