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.

Many of the region’s most stunning waterfalls can be viewed from the road, parking area, or a short walk on a pathway.

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.

Nearly 80% of the upstate population lives within 25 miles of the Erie Canal. Explore the 115-mile stretch between the Cayuga-Seneca Canal and Niagara River.

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!

If you’re looking for picturesque autumn scenery, these locations offer stunning fall foliage and unique landscapes.

During Maple Weekends, March 18-19 and 25-26, 2023, producers open their sugar shacks to honor the art and science of turning sap into syrup.

Exploring local markets and roadside produce stand are a great way to immerse yourself in the community and support family farms.

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 river merges with the Erie Canal and continues north through Rochester before reaching Lake Ontario.

Are you ready to play in the snow? Take your sled to one of Monroe County’s thrilling sledding hills, like Mendon Ponds and Black Creek.

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

Host to the Lilac Festival in May, Highland has the most extensive collection of lilacs in the country, with 500 varieties across 1,200 shrubs.

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.

Shopping locally is about discovering something uniquely Rochester while directly impacting the lives of our families, friends, and neighbors.

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 majestic year-round, and I recommend going at different times throughout 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.

It can be overwhelming to consider all the breweries that call the Greater Rochester area home. Let’s focus on the ones here in Monroe County.

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’s railfans can appreciate the remarkable structures preserved by dedicated preservationists who recognize their value.

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 includes cities, villages, farmland, and 11 lakes that collectively create one of the most popular tourist destinations.

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.