Attractions/Restaurants
The Rochester area has a lot to offer. The city's local tourism website VisitRochester has much more information. Approximate driving times are given in the descriptions below.
International Jazz Festival Rochester's 21st annual International Jazz Festival is June 20-28, 2025. Described as "one of the most popular and most respected jazz festivals in the country," the festival includes free outdoor concerts and ticketed big name shows. Restaurants On campus dining is limited and is offered without comment. Pellegrino's & Elmwood Inn (20 min walk from UR) - deli cafe & restaurant/bar, respectively. (next to Tim Horton's/Cam's Pizza). On Mt. Hope Ave north of Elmwood Ave. Distillery (20 min walk from dorm) - sports bar and restaurant on Mt. Hope Ave between Elmwood Inn and Pellegrino's. College Town (15 min walk from campus) is at Mt. Hope Ave south and Elmwood Avenue. Mavrik's Pizza and Tim Horton's on one corner, Barnes and Noble Bookstore on another and Dollar Tree on another. At the south end of Collegetown is a large CVS pharmacy that also has some grocery and household items. There are the usual coffee shops and college fare Chipotle, Moe's Southwest grill (like Chipotle), India House Express, Mamasan's Thai food, Subway, Joy Mart, Tai Chi Bubble Tea, Starbucks, McDonald's, Dunkin Donuts, Beerhead Bar and Eatery, and Texas de Brazil steakhouse. The Mt Hope diner is great for standard fare at good prices and is especially popular for breakfast on the weekends. Just past that is the Mt. Hope plaza with the Abyssinia Ethiopian restaurant and SEA (South East Asian) restaurants. Something different! Alice's Market (1477 South Avenue) is one block east of the Distillery and is a small corner grocery store with inexpensive deli sandwiches and prepared meals; they are open 7:30 am to 7:30 pm Monday-Friday; 9-6 on Saturday. Corn Hill Landing complex (30 min walk/5 min drive from UR, downtown) - restaurants along the Genesee River include wood-fired pizza, noodle house, and wine bar. Swiftwater Brewing Company 378 Mt. Hope Ave has home brewed beers and small menu. There are MANY breweries and wineries in the area. John's Tex Mex (30 min walk/5 min drive from UR, 426 South Ave) has, as the name would suggest, lots of Tex Mex food. Great vegetarian options. The Old Toad (10 min drive from UR) - English pub and restaurant with large selection of local and international beers, and an atmosphere conducive to good conversation. Dinosaur BBQ (10 min drive from UR, downtown) - BBQ with live blues. Phillips European Arguably the best desserts in town. For more Upscale Dining in or near downtown, ask for suggestions. George Eastman House Visit Eastman's Victorian mansion and learn about his life and his contributions to photography. A variety of traveling and temporary photography exhibits keep the gallery aspect of the Eastman House fresh. Learn more here (10 min from UR). There will be a few Wednesday evening "garden vibes" concerts on the lawn in the summer of 2024, check their website. Canoe and Kayak Rentals Canoes and kayaks are available to rent each weekend and on weekdays by appointment at the Genesee Waterways Center located at Genesee Valley Park on the west side of the river from campus on the south side of Elmwood Avenue. There are also canoe and kayak rentals at Bay Creek Paddling Center on the south end of Irondequoit Bay (about a 25 min drive from UR). Strong National Museum of Play Not just for kids - the museum has toys from every decade and hands-on exhibits, including one on the history of video games with dozens of classic arcade terminals and a ropes course. Learn more here (10 min from UR). Ontario Beach Park Ontario Beach Park has a sandy beachfront with swimming and volleyball nets, a lighthouse museum, and a historic carousel. (25 min drive from UR) Rochester Museum and Science Center A science and natural history museum that includes hands-on exhibits, a recently renovated and upgraded planetarium, artifacts from local Native American cultures, and information on Rochester's contribution to the Underground Railroad. Learn more here (10 min drive from UR). Memorial Art Gallery The University of Rochester's Memorial Art Gallery is home to an Italian baroque organ, works by Monet, an Egyptian sarcophagus, and thousands more pieces. Admission is free with UR ID. Learn more here (10 min drive from UR). Eastman School of Music & Eastman Theatre There is always good music affiliated with the University of Rochester's Eastman School of Music downtown campus (10 min drive from UR). There are often live-streamed concerts; check their online schedule. The Little Theatre This independent movie theatre is in downtown Rochester. Enjoy a foreign, classic or independent film, or live music and local art in the cafe. See what's playing here (10 min drive from UR). Erie Canal Explore the canal by foot, canoe, bike or boat. Quaint villages (Pittsford, Fairport) are scattered along the Canal with shops, restaurants and historic buildings. Canoe rental is 2 min walk from UR. Running Looking for a nice place to go for a run? Right next to UR campus are Genesee Valley Park (long flat paths along the Genesee River and Erie Canal - signage and maps are in the park) and Mount Hope Cemetery (short steep glacially-formed hills among historic graves). Ganondagan State Historic Site A living history museum dedicated to preserving Native American culture. See cultural demonstrations and artifacts and learn how the Iroquois Confederacy influenced early America. Learn more here (30 min drive southeast of UR). Letchworth State Park Called the "Grand Canyon of the East," Letchworth State Park is an hour drive south of Rochester and well worth the trip. Hiking trails, waterfalls, camping, a scenic drive and the elegant Glen Iris Inn & Restaurant make for a memorable day. Finger Lakes The nearby Finger Lakes region is home to wine tours, boating, museums, hiking and more. |