Categories: TRAVEL

Complete Guide to Visiting Rochester, New York

Rochester, NY is nestled along the Erie Canal, near Lake Ontario, about one hour east of Buffalo and one hour west of Syracuse. It’s easily accessed from the NYS Thruway, I-90. Rochester is also home to the Rochester International Airport

Touring the city and its neighboring suburbs is easy via the highway system by car, or by taking the RTS bus system. Plan your bus trip here. The disadvantage of car travel in the summer is all of the construction happening on the major highways and the ever-rising cost of gas. The RTS bus system has low rates and is trying to maintain those low rates for consumers. However, you do have more freedom by traveling by car. Drive your own to town, or rent one at the airport.

By car, get off of the Thruway on Route 490 at either exit 47 (The Rochester/LeRoy exit) or 45 (Rochester/Victor). Access the southern suburbs by getting off exit 46 (Rochester/Corning) on Route 390.

Traveling along the western part of 490, you will find easy access to suburbs such as Churchville and Chili. The Chili area gives you Roberts Wesleyan College, Northeastern Seminary, and the Rohrbach Brewing Company. Take a tour of the campuses, then enjoy some German food and the best local beer.

A little further west is the town of Mumford, home to the Genesee Country Village and Museum. This is the largest living museum in the state of New York. Travel back in time to the pioneer days.

Come just outside the city of Rochester and you will hit 390. Go north to visit Greece, home of the Greece Ridge Mall

Keep going to reach Charlotte (pronounced shar-LOT), the Port of Rochester. Eat at the Pelican’s Nest as you gaze across Lake Ontario toward Canada. Visit the Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse at 70 Lighthouse Street. Browse for appliances and furniture at Charlotte Appliances. Their quality of merchandise is just as good as the local chains. Their prices sometimes beat the chains!

Head south on 390 to visit Henrietta. Henrietta is home to Monroe Community College (MCC). You can also find a plethora of plazas filled with shopping, including Kohls, AC Moore, Christmas Tree Shoppes, Borders Books and Music, Pier One, and more. It is also home to the Marketplace Mall. Nearby are tons of restaurants, including Carrabbas Italian Grill, Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse, Red Lobster, the International House of Pancakes, and Macaroni Grill. Cross under the 390 Overpass to find Outback Steakhouse, Tully’s Good Times, and The Full Belly Deli. Keep traveling east on Jefferson Road, make a left on Winton Road, and you will find Comix Cafe, Mykonos Cafe, and Beers of the World.

Keep heading north on Winton Road, and you will eventually reach the Brighton/Pittsford area. Be sure to make your way to the canal and wander along Schoen Place for shopping, great food, and cute little shops with an old-time feeling.

Monroe Avenue is home to more exquisite shopping experiences. Shop for affordable, top-end shoes at Shoe Concepts. They also sell those nifty Italian purses that are made out of cork. Close by is Pittsford Plaza, home to the largest wine retailer in NY, Century Pittsford Wines, as well as one of the largest Barnes and Noble stores. Grab a bite to eat at Camille’s Sidewalk Cafe then grab a cup of java at Finger Lakes Coffee Roasters. Support world artists when you stop in at One World Goods.

After relaxing in Pittsford, take Monroe Ave west back into the city. Be sure to stop in at Poster Art for your favorite popular artists or classic reprints of masterpieces. Go further down the street to shop for natural foods at Abundance Cooperative Market. Just a few blocks away is the Strong National Museum of Play, which is fun for all ages.

Be sure to also check out the Rochester Museum and Science Center and Strasenberg Planetarium

A trip to Rochester isn’t complete without visiting the George Eastman House, to enjoy the gardens and to see the history of Kodak.

View great works of art in the Memorial Art Gallery. Then discover local talent at Artisan Works.

Discover further historical roots of the Rochester region as you visit Mt. Hope Cemetary. See the final resting place of people such as Bausch and Lomb (yes, the contact guys), Susan B. Anthony, and Frederick Douglass.

Lots of local restaurants in the city beckon you to tantalize your taste buds. It’s hard to choose where to start! You have world-famous barbeque at Dinosaur Barbeque. Go Cajun while you enjoy some jazz at the Beale Street Cafe. Get great burgers and wings at Merchants Grill.

And of course, you have to check out the local bar scene. One local favorite is JD Oxfords. High Fidelity (formerly Milestones) boasts a fabulous weekly musical lineup. And of course, there is my personal favorite, Johnny’s Irish Pub.

The possibilities are endless!

Alphabetized Guide to Links

Abundance Cooperative Market http://www.abundance.coop/

Artisan Works http://www.artisanworks.net/