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Visit all of our Monroe County favorites!

Your 2024 Holiday Spirit Guide: Festive Events that Celebrate the Season

As the holiday season approaches, Rochester transforms into a place filled with community warmth, light, and festive spirit.

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Lamberton Conservatory: 2024 Holiday Show

The Lamberton Conservatory 2024 Holiday Show runs from Friday, Dec. 6, through Sunday, Jan. 12. Enjoy it on Friday and Sunday nights!

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Our 3 Favorite Neighborhoods with Spectacular Christmas Light Displays: 2024 Edition

Enjoy our favorite extreme Christmas lights around Rochester! These homeowners and communities go all out to celebrate the holiday season.

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Roc Holiday Village 2024

The 17-day Roc Holiday Village begins Dec. 6 with free ice skating, shopping, music, fire pits, and food from cozy indoor and outdoor vendors.

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Skaneateles Dickens Christmas 2024

Experience the magic of Skaneateles’ Dickens Christmas with festive performances, carriage rides, and a cast of merry-making characters.

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Day Trips Around Rochester, New York

Your guide to exploring within two hours of Rochester and the Finger Lakes region.

Best of Rochester Award-Winning Book for Best Published Literary Work of 2023.

D is for Day Trip

This A-to-Z guide explores the essentials of finding new day trips around Rochester, from charming country stores to vibrant festivals and stunning natural wonders.

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Rochester-Area Shopping Guides

Rochester offers delightful shopping experiences, from charming neighborhood boutiques to bustling shopping destinations in nearby villages.

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Escape Winter: 5 Warm & Cozy Places

With tropical temperatures or cozy environments, these Rochester-area destinations offer pleasant snowy-day getaways—at least for a few hours.

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Kindling Community: A Guide to Finding Rochester’s Cozy Fireplaces

I’ve curated a list of spots around the city perfect for quiet reading or community engagement next to a comforting fireplace.

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Your Rochester Date Guide for Spending Quality Time Together, Day or Night

Whether it’s your first date or 50th anniversary, trying various activities with your partner is a great way to shake up your routine.

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Food & Beverage Guide

Whether savoring a gourmet meal, enjoying local delicacies, or embarking on a culinary adventure, you’ll love Rochester’s dining scene.

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Museums Around Rochester

Rochester is home to world-renowned museums and thought-provoking galleries. You can spend weeks exploring our rich cultural heritage.

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Theaters Around Rochester

Sit back, relax, and enjoy a show on stage or screen. Experience diverse artistic expression, from Broadway productions to classic movies.

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My Favorite Books About the Rochester Area

I’ve provided links to borrow these Rochester-themed books from a Monroe County Library or to purchase them online via Amazon or Bookshop.

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Easy Waterfalls

Not all waterfalls are hidden in dark ravines. Many of the region’s most stunning waterfalls can be viewed from the road or a short walk.

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132 Things to Do Around Rochester

We’ve pulled together a list of fun and unique things to do around Rochester, NY, within two hours of home—perfect for quick getaways.

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Unplugged and Offline: Take This Guidebook on the Road

Day Trips Around Rochester, New York, the book, encourages offline spontaneity, serendipity, and the joy of getting lost in the right direction.

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Nature Centers and Preserves Around Rochester

The various nature centers, preserves, and management areas all work to protect and maintain natural spaces for the benefit of all.

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22 Monroe County Parks

Monroe County parks are free and offer 12,000 acres of natural, zoological, horticultural, historical, and geological experiences.

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Holiday Spirit in Rochester cover
FEATURED

Your 2024 Holiday Spirit Guide

Festive events that celebrate the season.

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People often ask me if I get free access to places while exploring. The answer is no unless I’m invited to previews or granted behind-the-scenes access as part of my media role. Generally, I don’t mention my project, Day Trips Around Rochester, NY, because I want the same experience you would have. I create and share content simply because it brings me joy.

If you have found valuable information that has helped you explore the Rochester area, become a paid subscriber on Substack. You’ll receive an email whenever I publish new content and have the opportunity to interact with a growing community.

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I appreciate your support to continue producing valuable and meaningful content.

Thank you!
Debi

Find hundreds of fun and unique things to do around Rochester, NY, within two hours of home—perfect for a spontaneous day trip. Use our themed guides and maps to plan memorable adventures all year long.