13 Unique Things to do in Rochester, NY
Last Updated on July 14, 2026 by Marisa
When I say that we fell in love with Rochester…I am not lying. We just returned from a weekend there and we honestly said it was one of the best mini trips we have done in a long time!
When I say that we fell in love with Rochester…I am not lying. We just returned from a weekend there and we honestly said it was one of the best mini trips we have done in a long time!
In this post you will discover the best things to do in Rochester, NY, from The Strong Museum of Play and High Falls to local restaurants, coffee shops, and family-friendly attractions. Basically all the things we did that made us feel that we want to make this a yearly spot we visit!
Less than three hours from Toronto, Rochester, New York is an underrated getaway packed with family-friendly attractions, incredible restaurants, great coffee shops, and fascinating history. Whether you’re travelling with kids or planning a weekend escape, you’ll find everything from world-class museums and scenic waterfalls to lively public markets and historic canal cruises.
One of the things I loved most about Rochester was how easy it was to explore. Many of the city’s top attractions are just minutes apart, making it simple to experience a lot in just a few days.
How many days do you need in Rochester, NY?
We spent 3 nights here and felt it allowed us to really see everything well. I would 100% come only for a 1-2 nights though and still feel like it was worth it!! I will share our itinerary breakdown below for you to see. Next time, we are thinking of doing 2 nights in Rochester followed by 2 nights in the Finger Lakes region ( only 45 minutes away). Lots of ways to mix up the itinerary!
Where to stay in Rochester, NY with kids?
We stayed at the Hampton Inn & Suites and LOVED it. Its quite literally 20 steps away from the entrance of the front doors of the Strong Museum, incliudes FREE breakfast, has an indoor pool and an amazing on site restaurant ( called Lila’s!)
Our room was perfect too- mini fridge, updated bathrooms and we basically felt like we lived there after 3 nights lol. And while the outside looks like a typical hotel, it really had a lot of personality inside!
Here is our exact 3 day Itinerary:
Day 1:
- Morning Coffee at Ugly Duck or Fair Pour
- Strong Musuem of Play
- Lunch at Gennesee Brewing
- Make your way to Pittsford area
- Boat trip on the Erie Canal
- Dinner at Arford Park for casual pizza
Day 2:
- Rochester Public Market ( get breakfast here!)
- George Eastman Musuem
- Lunch at Don Originals
- Seabreeze Amusement Park
- Dinner at Radio Social
- Post drink cocktail at Easy Sailor
Day 3:
- Coffee + Stroll through the Sculpture Park at Memorial Art Musuem ( FREE!)
- Rochester Science Museum
- Lunch at Mood Burger Bar before heading home!
1. Visit The Strong National Museum of Play
If there’s one attraction that should be at the top of your Rochester itinerary, it’s The Strong National Museum of Play. This award-winning museum is unlike any other, offering over two floors of interactive exhibits that celebrate the joy of play for visitors of all ages. While it’s especially popular with families, adults will love the nostalgia of exploring the National Toy Hall of Fame, vintage arcade games, doll collections, and the world’s largest collection of toys and games. I saw toys I had completely forgot about ( I’m looking at you Pet Monster!)
Kids can spend hours climbing through imaginative play spaces, shopping in the Wegmans Super Kids Market ( this was wild- the kids even got real receipts!!), exploring Sesame Street, or wandering through the beautiful butterfly garden. If you’re visiting Rochester with children, this is a non-negotiable stop.
TIP: I recommend allocating anywhere between 3-5 hours here easily. You also can get a 2 day pass to break up it up a bit!
Visit their INSTAGRAM for up to date information!
2. See High Falls
One of Rochester’s most iconic landmarks, High Falls is a breathtaking 96-foot waterfall that flows right through the heart of downtown. It’s hard to believe such a dramatic natural attraction exists in the middle of the city, making it one of Rochester’s most photographed spots. The surrounding Genesee River Gorge has played a huge role in the city’s history and helped establish Rochester as one of America’s first booming industrial centres. You can also file this under FREE things to do in Rochester NY 😉
TIP: For the best view, head to the rooftop patio at Genesee Brew House, where you’ll enjoy panoramic views overlooking both the waterfall and the river. The food was GREAT and so were the beer flights 😉
3. Cruise the Historic Erie Canal on the Sam Patch
One of the most memorable experiences from our trip was stepping aboard the Sam Patch, a replica nineteenth-century packet boat that cruises along the legendary Erie Canal from nearby Pittsford ( which is a dreamy suburb of Rochester that is worth the visit alone!!)
It was a 90 minute cruise which was the perfect length for us and the kids! The highlight is passing through Lock 32, where you’ll experience first-hand how the canal’s lock system works. Watching the water rise and lower around the boat is fascinating for both adults and children
AFTER OR BEFORE THE CRUISE: Get ice cream or a treat from Pittsford Diary Farm. The little strip of Pittsford is SO cute in general that even if you don’t do a cruise, I would recommend visiting this area!
4. Wander Through the Rochester Public Market
Operating since 1905, the Rochester Public Market has been a Saturday morning tradition for generations…and after one visit, it’s easy to understand why ( I would go here every week if I was a local!!)
Hundreds of local vendors gather each week selling everything from seasonal produce and fresh flowers to artisan cheeses, baked goods, handmade crafts, spices, maple syrup, and international street food. They have permannet vendors, seasonal ones and even a row of restaurants that operate on non market days within!
TIP: Get breakfast sandwiches and coffee from Public Provisions ( YUM) and fresh juice at Market Squeeze. We also recommend bringing some cash!!
Save my Rochester Google Map with all my pins!!
5. Spend the Day at Seabreeze Amusement Park
If you’re visiting Rochester during the summer, Seabreeze Amusement Park is a must for families. Located just minutes from downtown on the shores of Lake Ontario, it’s one of the oldest continuously operating amusement parks in the United States, offering more than 60 attractions for all ages. It felt like an amusment park from a movie!!
You’ll find everything from thrilling roller coasters and family rides to a full water park with slides, a lazy river, and splash areas perfect for younger kids. My daugther who is 4 especially loved the Kiddie Corner area with tons of easy rides.
TIP: Before or after your visit, stop by nearby Don’s Original for one of Rochester’s famous White Hots or a classic frozen custard, then take a walk along the nearby pier for beautiful views of Lake Ontario.
6. Discover the Rochester Museum & Science Center
The Rochester Museum & Science Center (RMSC) is another fantastic stop for families, especially if your kids love hands-on learning. The museum features interactive exhibits covering science, technology, engineering, nature, and Rochester’s local history, making it both educational and entertaining.
One of the biggest highlights is the Strasenburgh Planetarium, one of the largest planetariums in the Northeast where you can catch a show all about the planets in the massive theatre!
7. Experience Radio Social
If you’re looking for something fun to do in Rochester after a day of sightseeing, head to Radio Social. Housed inside a beautifully restored historic warehouse, this isn’t your average bowling alley…it’s part restaurant, part cocktail bar, and one of the city’s most popular gathering spots. Kind of a post that really checks all the boxes.
This is one of those perfect for adults AND the kids type of places.
8. Do an unofficial Brewery Tour
Rochester has an incredible craft beer scene, making it easy to spend an afternoon brewery hopping. Start with Fatty Beer Co. for creative small-batch brews ( and right across from the hotel we stayed!!), then head to Rohrbach Brewing Company’s Railroad Street Beer Hall, Rochester’s oldest craft brewery, for classic German-inspired beers in a historic setting. Don’t miss Strangebird Brewery, a local favourite known for its inventive beers and excellent food, and if you’re exploring Pittsford, stop by Lock 32 Brewing Company for a pint overlooking the historic Erie Canal.
9. Explore the Memorial Art Gallery
Whether you’re an art lover or simply looking for a quieter way to spend an afternoon, the Memorial Art Gallery (MAG) is one of Rochester’s cultural highlights. Home to more than 12,000 works spanning 5,000 years of history, the collection ranges from ancient artifacts to contemporary masterpieces.
One of my favourite parts of the property is the Centennial Sculpture Garden, where large-scale outdoor artworks are scattered throughout beautifully landscaped grounds. It’s a peaceful place to wander before heading inside to explore the galleries. We grabbed coffees and did this one morning and it was the most perfect way to start the day.
10. Eat your way through the city and discover Rochester’s food scene
One of the biggest surprises during our visit was just how good Rochester’s food scene is. From artisan bakeries to creative restaurants and excellent coffee shops, there are plenty of places worth planning your day around. We actually had a hard time deciding on some meals because SO many sounds amazing!!!
Left: Speak Easy Entrance at Easy Sailor, Shakes at Moo’d Burger Bar, Tiki Cocktails at Easy Sailor
Coffee: The Siren & Sea ( cute place in a bookstore) | Ugly Duck Coffee ( 10 minute walk from our hotel- so yummy!) | Fairpour ( across the street from our hotel- serves breakfast too!)
Lunch Options: Moo’d Burger Bar ( get the Hangover Burger and the Banana Pie shake-woah!!), Atlas Eats ( Brunch spot), Crust Pie Co. ( baked goods), Rohrbach Beer Hall ( beer + food together- win/win), and Genesee Brewing House ( mentioned above)
Dinner Options: Goodluck ( was featured in Esquire recently/a little more fancy), Easy Sailor ( coolest speak easy Tiki bar!! I would go for just a cocktail with kids), Dinosaur BBQ (YUM!!) & Ardor Park Artisanal Pizza: Neighbourhood Pizza spot that feels cozy and just right!!!
11. George Eastman Museum
This museum really exceeded our expectations. Step back in time at the former mansion of Kodak photography pioneer George Eastman…complete with beautifully preserved gardens ( out of a magazine) and rotating photography exhibits.
I thought this would be a spot more for the adults but my kids spent a full hour in the Discovery Room which is a hands-on kids’ space where children can explore cameras, light, color, and photography through interactive activities. MUST DO!
12. Corbett’s Glen
If you’re looking for a short nature escape, Corbett’s Glen Nature Park is worth the 15-minute drive from downtown. The easy trail follows Allen Creek through a wooded ravine to a picturesque waterfall and even passes through an old stone railway tunnel. It feels more like something you’d find deep in the Finger Lakes than just outside Rochester
13. Bonus: Go Wine Tasting Along the Canandaigua Wine Trail– Things to do in Rochester NY and surrounding areas
It’s hard to believe a cool city like Rochester has an incredible wine region just 40 minutes away!!!
If you’re visiting without young kids…or can sneak away for an afternoon…the nearby Canandaigua Wine Trail makes an excellent day trip. Discover boutique wineries overlooking the lake, grab a tasting and let the kids run around…pretty much the perfect afternoon!
You can view my travel guide to Finger Lakes which is VERY close to Rochester
We wrapped up our weekend in Rochester already planning our next visit. It’s the kind of destination that surprises you…in the best way possible and if we had to compare it to a city or place- we would say it’s as if Toronto, Hamilton and Niagara on the Lake had a baby- the best of each place rolled into one!
As Canadians, one thing that really stood out was how genuinely warm and welcoming everyone was. Every person we met made us feel right at home, and it made us even more excited to return. Also, we felt our Canadian Dollar went a long way despite the current exchange rate!!
If you’re looking for an easy cross-border getaway that’s packed with things to do, Rochester deserves a spot at the top of your list.
