6 Fun Things to do in Rochester, New York
Published November 14th, 2023
Photography by Jay Kana unless otherwise noted.
Upstate New York is one of the the most captivating places in the state and home to beautiful regions including the Finger Lakes, Ellicottville, Buffalo, and our featured destination, Rochester.
While I only had two days for a first taste of Rochester, I left with a determination and desire to return.
What’s there to do in Rochester? Plenty! Here’s how to spend a day or two with six fun things to do in Rochester, New York.
Black Button Distilling
Founded in 2012 by Jason Barrett, Black Button Distilling boasts being Rochester’s first grain-to-glass distiller in quite a while. How long? Well, since prohibition! They specialize in craft spirits with locally sourced ingredients but it’s more than that. Combining specialized equipment and an equally specialized process, there’s a reason that Black Button is world-famous.
Their lineup includes over 10 whiskey’s, six gin and vodka offerings, plus curated list of cocktails and they even offer classes!
Dinosaur Bar-B-Que
Duff’s has been my favourite wing place for decades. Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, even after one visit, is trying to take the top spot. How? By serving up absolutely spectacular wings that are perfectly cooked and seasoned, plus flourishing with flavour.
Opened in 1998, this BBQ joint serves up a wealth of mouthwatering meats, including brisket, pork, chicken, burgers, sides and more. Throw in stellar service and it’s easy to see why they’re so popular.
Locals Only
This modern breakfast and lunch spot has an open concept that lets you balance a quaint feeling without the overcrowding from the table beside you. The open concept kitchen adds to the allure of the atmosphere and echos their message of “creating delighted guest experiences through food, beverage, entertainment, art and meaningful human connection.”
Food-wise, I popped in for breakfast and the right-sized menu offers classic and cool options, plus a remarkable coffee selection.
Genesee Brewing Company
Established in 2012 and sitting handsomely at nearly 10,000 square feet, the Genesee Brewing Company is one of the largest and oldest continually operating breweries in America.
Spanning two floors, there’s a tasting room, restaurant, bar, private event space, there’s over a dozen types of beer available. Soak up some sweet scenery from their rooftop patio and chat with the friendly team as you enjoy locally made beer.
High Falls
Living in Mississauga, I wish we had a 96 foot waterfall in the heart of our city. Alas, we don’t but Rochester’s High Falls is a photographers haven, with so much sweet scenery surrounding the area, a beautiful skyline and can be a place to slow down and soak in city.
George Eastman Museum
Founded nearly 80 years ago in 1947, the influential George Eastman is credited as being the pioneer of popular photography and motion picture film. Look at how far we’ve come in photography since then! It also holds the claim to being the oldest photography museum in the world, with over a million objects and pieces From tours to exhibitions to the terrace garden to hands-on workshops and more, it’s certainly worth the experience.
Memorial Art Gallery
With a collection spanning over 12,000 pieces, this two-floor museum whisks you away through the past, with exhibits including 17th to 20th century European art, Asian, Renaissance and Medieval art, plus a variety of temporary exhibitions, including until ay 2024, the Infinity Mirrored Room experience.
Pittsford
Image via Town of Pittsford
15 minutes southeast of Rochester brings you to picturesque Pittsford on the shores of the Erie Canal. Here, you’ll find a network of parks and trails, farm stands and markets, attractive shopping selections, plus a blend of history and charm.
Also, here’s a review on the car I drove for this Rochester road trip; a 2024 Lexus UX 250h hybrid.
To start planning your visit to Rochester, visit their website.