Day Trip Maps

Sometimes you just need a fun, spontaneous adventure or quick getaway to refresh your day. Try one of these day trips within 30 minutes of 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.

We’re always researching new ideas for your next Rochester day trip. Filter our day trips by drive-time, direction, or season.

Impressive waterfalls are not all buried in dark ravines accessible only by difficult trails. For many, you don’t need to leave your car.

Enjoy our four favorite extreme Christmas lights, plus 100+ more extraordinary Rochester-area homes and holiday-themed events.

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

Ice cream, gelato, Italian ice, frozen yogurt, and custard—we love these shops’ outstanding atmosphere, taste, and innovation.

The Erie Canal spans one hundred miles between Lockport and Clyde, with Rochester in the middle. Choose fifteen miles to explore for a great day trip.

The Lake Ontario Seaway Trail runs along the southern Lake Ontario shoreline, from Fort Niagara in Youngstown to Fort Ontario in Oswego.

These lighthouses along Lake Ontario in New York are within a two-hour drive of Rochester. And where there’s a light there’s a sweeping view!

These destinations offer colorful fall foliage and varied landscapes so you can appreciate them each in their own unique way.

During Maple Weekends March 19-20 and 26-27, 2022, producers open their sugar shacks to celebrate the process of turning sap into syrup.

Find out which locally grown produce (fruits, vegetables, plants) are at their peak each month, and enjoy Rochester-area harvest festivals.

Many of our City of Rochester parks have beginnings embedded in Rochester’s youth. Some were even designed by notable landscape architects.

At Genesee Valley Park, the Genesee River begins her journey through the city, racing over a dam and three waterfalls before emptying into Lake Ontario.

The great thing about sledding is that there are no barriers to entry, and Monroe County Parks have the best sledding hills around Rochester!

Rochester is well-known for its 11 Finger Lakes and two beautiful Great Lakes. But there are even more fresh-water lakes to enjoy.

Highland Park was designed by Olmsted to be enjoyed year-round. Every relationship between the land and water is intentional.

If you’re cruising on Edgemere along the ponds, or on the parkway near Manitou, you’re enjoying the Braddock Bay Wildlife Management Area.

Rochester is fortunate to be one of a handful of American cities with a park system comprised of Frederick Law Olmsted-designed parks.

You don’t have to wait for Small Business Saturday to shop local! We have some incredibly talented individuals throughout the Rochester area.

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

Niagara Falls is beautiful year round. I highly recommend going at different times during the year to witness the uniqueness of each season.

The Discover Niagara Shuttle is a 2-hour round-trip from any starting point if you’d like to simply enjoy the ride. Or, hop on and off.

From Vidler’s to the Aurora Theatre to the Roycroft Arts & Crafts movement, the early 1900s are alive and well on Main Street in East Aurora.

One of the most popular holiday family traditions is searching for the perfect real Christmas tree on the farm and decorating it together.

These Rochester craft breweries show off their newest and most popular creations while giving you a complete food experience.

Ranked as one of the “Top Ten Small Towns,” spend a day in Lewiston, with its excellent shops, restaurants, and Niagara River views.

Take a drive through the Livingston County countryside to explore charming village Main Streets, historic districts, nature trails and lakes.

The Village of Skaneateles is the perfect place to get away and enjoy the pace of lake life, surrounded by unique boutiques and restaurants.

Rochester railfans are incredibly lucky that passionate preservationists before us saw the value in retaining structures we appreciate today.

Routes 5 & 20 is a 67-mile stretch of scenic highway where NY-5 & US-20 converge, following an ancient foot trail of the region’s first people.

The Finger Lakes Region is one of the most beautiful places on earth and right in our backyard! It is easy to get out there and explore.

Sometimes you just need a fun, spontaneous adventure or quick getaway to refresh your day. Try one of these day trips within 30 minutes of Rochester.

A free library card allows you to access 31 Monroe County libraries, including Central Library and Libby, the digital library.