About Day Trips Around Rochester, NY

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.

I have compiled a quick reference list of 104 natural attractions, parks, museums, and tours to inspire your day trips from Rochester.

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.

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

Instead of being an escape, I see these places as opportunities that encourage us to transcend space, time, and our state of mind.

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

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

These day trips are filled with carefully chosen options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as memorable experiences and events.

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

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

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

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

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

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

In addition to my website, here are some links to Rochester travel and tourism sites, blogs, and magazines to inspire your day-trip plans.

From Rochester’s annual events and festivals to seasonal activities, I’ve curated a list of the best things to do around Rochester all year.

From secret gardens to enchanting waterfalls, exploring hidden places around the Rochester area is the ultimate way to add some spice to your travel experiences.

Venture into one of these New York State Parks within a two-hour drive of Rochester and discover what makes them unique.

Have fun finding these fun roadside attractions—shoe trees, a skeleton army, a metal dragon, a shark girl—within two hours of Rochester.

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

Less traveled than in our parks, these hiking trails around Rochester offer a secluded and rustic area to immerse yourself in nature.

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.

Use our curated Google Maps to help you locate the best waterfalls, ice cream shops, farm markets, sledding hills, Christmas lights and more.