Use our curated Google Maps to help you locate the best waterfalls, ice cream shops, farm markets, sledding hills, Christmas lights and more.
Color-coded by distance from Center City
60 Day Trips within 30 Minutes of Rochester
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.
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.
Planning Your Next Rochester Day Trip
We’re always researching new ideas for your next Rochester day trip. Filter our day trips by drive-time, direction, or season.
Waterfalls
26 Roadside Waterfalls Near Rochester
Impressive waterfalls are not all buried in dark ravines accessible only by difficult trails. For many, you don’t need to leave your car.
Christmas Lights
7 Spectacular Christmas Lights Around Rochester – 2021 Edition
In addition to our seven favorite neighborhoods for 2021, we’ve mapped out 100+ more extraordinary Rochester-area homes for you to enjoy.
New York State Parks within Two Hours of Rochester
49 New York State Parks Within a 2-hour Drive of Rochester
Venture into one of these New York State Parks within a two-hour drive of Rochester and discover what makes them unique.
Top Ice Cream Shops
49 of the Best Ice Cream Shops Around Rochester
Ice cream, gelato, Italian ice, frozen yogurt, and custard—we love these shops’ outstanding atmosphere, taste, and innovation.
Erie Canal from Tonawanda to Lyons
The Erie Canal spans 100 miles between Lockport and Clyde, with Rochester in the middle. Choose 15 miles to explore for a great day trip.
Lake Ontario Seaway Trail
The Lake Ontario Seaway Trail runs along the southern Lake Ontario shoreline, from Fort Niagara in Youngstown to Fort Ontario in Oswego.
9 Lake Ontario Lighthouses in New York
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!
Scenic Drives & Overlooks
Fall Foliage: 7 Breathtaking Views Near Rochester
These destinations offer colorful fall foliage and varied landscapes so you can appreciate them each in their own unique way.
Maple Syrup Farms
🍁 Maple Weekends: 10 Sweet Sugar Shacks Near Rochester
During Maple Weekends March 19-20 and 26-27, 2022, producers open their sugar shacks to celebrate the process of turning sap into syrup.
Farms and Farmer’s Markets
Locally Grown Produce: Your Guide to Rochester’s Harvest Seasons
Find out which locally grown produce (fruits, vegetables, plants) are at their peak each month, and enjoy Rochester-area harvest festivals.
City of Rochester Parks
Many of our City of Rochester parks have beginnings embedded in Rochester’s youth. Some were even designed by notable landscape architects.
Genesee Riverway Trail
13 Places in the City to Enjoy the Genesee River
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.
Sledding Hills
16 of the Best Sledding Hills Around Rochester
The great thing about sledding is that there are no barriers to entry, and Monroe County Parks have the best sledding hills around Rochester!
Other Great Lakes around Rochester
39 Other Great Lakes Near 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
Highland Park was designed by Olmsted to be enjoyed year-round. Every relationship between the land and water is intentional.
Braddock Bay
Braddock Bay Wildlife Management Area
If you’re cruising on Edgemere along the ponds, or on the parkway near Manitou, you’re enjoying the Braddock Bay Wildlife Management Area.
Olmsted Parks
Rochester’s Olmsted-Designed Parks
Rochester is fortunate to be one of a handful of American cities with a park system comprised of Frederick Law Olmsted-designed parks.
Additional Google Maps
Shop Local
100+ Places to Shop Local, Rochester!
You don’t have to wait for Small Business Saturday to shop local! We have some incredibly talented individuals throughout the Rochester area.
Hiking Trails
74 Hiking Trails Around Rochester
Less traveled than in our parks, these hiking trails around Rochester offer a secluded and rustic area to immerse yourself in nature.
Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is beautiful year round. I highly recommend going at different times during the year to witness the uniqueness of each season.
18 Discover Niagara Shuttle Stops
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.
East Aurora
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.
Christmas Tree Farms
22 Christmas Tree Farms Around Rochester
One of the most popular holiday family traditions is searching for the perfect real Christmas tree on the farm and decorating it together.
Monroe County Breweries
27 Craft Breweries in Rochester and Monroe County
These Rochester craft breweries show off their newest and most popular creations while giving you a complete food experience.
Lewiston
Ranked as one of the “Top Ten Small Towns,” you’ll love a getaway in Lewiston, with its excellent shops, restaurants and Niagara River views.
Livingston County
Day Trips in Livingston County
Take a drive through the Livingston County countryside to explore charming village Main Streets, historic districts, nature trails and lakes.
Skaneateles
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
Rochester railfans are incredibly lucky that passionate preservationists before us saw the value in retaining structures we appreciate today.
Routes 5 & 20
Routes 5 & 20 is a 67-mile stretch of scenic highway where NY-5 & US-20 converge, following an ancient foot trail of New York’s first people.
Our 11 Finger Lakes
Explore the Finger Lakes Region
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.
Day Trips within 30 Minutes
60 Day Trips within 30 Minutes of Rochester
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.
Monroe County Libraries
A free library card allows you to access 31 Monroe County libraries, including Central Library and Libby, the digital library.
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