Debi is the Founder and Chief Content Officer for Day Trips Around Rochester, NY
I’ve lived in Rochester my whole life (40+ years) with my husband and two daughters. By weekday, I am a digital designer in marketing for Wegmans. On weekends, I am a day-tripper, writer, and photographer, exploring the nooks and crannies that make our part of New York State unique.
I prefer to take the slow roads and eat in small-town restaurants throughout the Genesee Valley and Finger Lakes regions.
And I love to make plans and change them as I go! I could spend weeks planning a road trip, mapping out the best route, things to do, sights to see, and places to eat. The planning process helps me get to know a destination well enough to be spontaneous, react to unforeseen challenges, and day trip in the moment.
Over the past 20+ years, I’ve been vigorously researching unique places to explore. I’d amassed long lists of exciting destinations I’d found in books, blogs, and Instagram, plus state, county, and city tourism brochures.
This site—Day Trips Around Rochester, NY—is a collection and continuous curation of destinations around Rochester. I’m excited to share this with you, so please subscribe to our email. Periodically, we’ll let you know what’s trending, what’s new, and what’s interesting.
Please join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. I’m always looking for new ideas and perspectives—please reach out anytime!
You won’t see me captured in many of my photographs, though I do have a few. Having not cut my hair since February 2020, it’s down to the middle of my back now. So these photos are a little dated:
Over the years, I’ve captured more foot-selfies than face-selfies. I call the series, Walking on the Surface of Life. And yes, I’ve had the same shoes for a very long time! I’m all set for any season between my Sketchers, Tevas, and snow boots.
Our mission is to inspire exploration, appreciation, preservation, and conservation of our natural and human communities. To that end, we seek out destinations within a two-hour radius of Rochester, NY that foster a passion for both.
Hi Debi,
My partner and I will be staying in Rochester for a week or so soon. I love to swim in nature, and I am wondering if many of the places you mentioned are still open. I prefer places without lifeguards and roped off area but that seems to be a rarity these days. Is there a favorite place you might recommend?
They are indeed a rarity! Any sanctioned natural swimming hole will have a lifeguard on duty, and the weather can affect your ability to access them. The only place that’s wide open is Grimes Glen, but it’s not so much a swimming spot as it is a creek walk. That said, people swim unguarded in Lake Ontario and the Finger Lakes all the time.
Hello Debi
I was just curious how to you pick the best homes/neighborhood for the 7 Spectacular Christmas Lights Around Rochester – 2021
Hi LLP! They’re just my personal favorites.
Debi,
I hope you are well… I noticed no updates on high school musicals in 2022 and many links are broken
I loved seeing community bands featured !
Hi there, Jeanette! For the past few years, I’ve not updated the list. With capacity restrictions, even if there was a musical, I felt they’d be more for the families and less for the community. I’m hoping to be able to update this content for the 2022-23 school year. I miss going! I’ll be sure to update the links as well. So many are linked to event calendars that once the date passes, the page dies. I would love it if every school had a dedicated performing arts page and updated it when the musical and dates were determined! Some day 🙂 Thank you so much for your interest!
Hi Debi,
I just saw your Video on NYMT. I recently did one also. If you have time, take a glance at it. https://youtu.be/u3BLAFoKTqw
Such a fun video, Nicolas! Thank you for sharing it with me. It really captures the experience of being there. I really enjoyed the “bus chatter” sounds when looking at the Greyhound, imagining it in full operation.
Hi Debi, My name is Debbi Bower and I own the Corbett house within Corbetts Glen. It was funny to see your article of Day Trips Around Rochester NY where Corbetts Glen won the top billing and also written by Debi Bower…..somewhat bizarre, I’d say! . Thank you for your article!!!
Debbi!!! I’m so happy to see your note!! Honestly, Rochester is such a small city. I’d love to stop by and meet you in person some time.
We just started exploring local parks thanks to your recommendations. Thank you so much!!
Marjorie, thank you so much for letting me know! We’re surrounded by beautiful and unique places to explore. Have fun!
Hi Deb
Two days left for the NYS Tourism Awards. I think you should be nominated. Can you call me?
Bill 518-527-7824
I’m the Marketing Director for the NYS Canal Corp.