60 Day Trips within 30 Minutes of Rochester

Sometimes, you need a spontaneous adventure or a quick getaway to refresh your day. These day trip ideas within 30 minutes of Rochester are perfect for when someone says, “I’m bored!”

City of Rochester

Central Library of Rochester & Monroe County

The Monroe Country Library System comprises 20 town and village locations, 10 Rochester Public Library branch locations, and the Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County, located in the heart of downtown Rochester. More than just books, our libraries lend items like art, museum passes, toys, games, musical instruments, and tools. They offer programming that strengthens literacy skills and community connections. Libraries provide private access to information and support services for job seekers, entrepreneurs, in-depth research, and continuous learning.

Cobb’s Hill

Nestled between Culver Road, Monroe Avenue, and Highland Avenue, lower Cobb’s Hill Park is primarily recreational, but the hill makes it unique. Encircling a reservoir is a paved 0.7-mile walking path offering a panoramic view of the Rochester skyline. A trail through Washington Grove leads visitors through a tranquil urban forest of old oak trees to a series of ever-changing graffiti-tagged water towers.

George Eastman Museum

The museum honors the life and contributions of George Eastman, the father of modern photography. As the world’s oldest photography museum, it houses an impressive collection of over 400,000 photographic objects and 28,000 moving image titles. Visitors can tour Eastman’s unique home and explore the museum’s permanent collections and temporary exhibitions. The 500-seat Dryden Theatre offers film screenings in their original format on most evenings.

Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse

Constructed in 1822, this is America’s oldest surviving active lighthouse on Lake Ontario. To reach the 12-foot-high lantern room, you must climb a tight 40-foot-high spiral staircase, followed by an 11-rung ladder, and crawl through an opening in the ceiling. The view from the top is worth the effort.

Eastman Theatre

This grand theater, built by George Eastman in 1922, features several stages, the largest being the 2,326-seat Kodak Hall, the principal concert hall for the world-renowned Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO). Hanging above the auditorium is a stunning 20,000-piece crystal chandelier. The Eastman School of Music offers over 700 student recitals and faculty shows each year in the 222-seat Hatch Recital Hall and 444-seat Kilbourn Hall, many of which are free to attend. The school provides concerts via live stream at esm.rochester.edu/live, making it easy to enjoy the music from the comfort of your home. But the pleasure of attending a live performance at Eastman Theatre includes admiring intricate architectural details and the fantastic 19-foot-long glass chandelier created by world-renowned sculptor Dale Chihuly that hangs above the stairway in Wolk Atrium.

The Little Theatre

Specializing in screening independent and foreign films, The Little also shows first-run movies, live-stream events, themed series, throwback features, and cult classics. Enjoy food, live music, and art in their cafe.

Maplewood Park

This two-mile linear Olmsted-designed park follows the river from Middle Falls north to Kings Landing, the oldest cemetery in Rochester. Most visitors start at the Rose Garden in Lower Maplewood and walk down the stairs to access the Genesee River Trail. Walking upstream, you’ll find Lower and Middle Falls. The trail heading downstream leads through Middle Maplewood and along Seneca Parkway, which Olmsted also designed as part of the park system. After passing under the New York State Route 104 Veterans Memorial Bridge, the path continues into Upper Maplewood. It ends at the Pure Waters Pedestrian Bridge, which spans the Genesee River and connects to Seneca Park. The area, known as Casconchiagon—River of Many Falls—was the site of a Seneca Nation village until 1819. After Congress passed the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, Kelsey’s Landing became a terminus for the Underground Railroad, where boats would dock and guide freedom-seeking African Americans, including Frederick Douglass in 1859, to safety across Lake Ontario to Canada.

Memorial Art Gallery

MAG boasts a rich permanent collection, an impressive range of traveling exhibitions, and a diverse schedule of classes and events, like third-Thursday DeTOURs. On the museum’s grounds, wander through Centennial Sculpture Park, which features world-renowned artists alongside whimsical photo-ops, including some best viewed at night. Try to decipher the Morse code set into the red brick sidewalk.

Edgerton Model Railroad

If you’re a fan of transportation heritage and Rochester history, you’ll love visiting the detailed model railroad room. Each of the four season-themed layouts showcases a different story from the 1950s, featuring operating model trains touring throughout the scene. You can explore the intricate details of each display during open house tours held on the last Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and during special hours throughout December.

Ellwanger Estate Garden

The Landmark Society of Western New York maintains this half-acre secret garden, which once belonged to renowned horticulturist George Ellwanger. Now functioning as a bed-and-breakfast, the estate opens its garden to the public during special events such as Lilac Weekends in May and Peony Weekend in June.

Ontario Beach Park

At the northernmost tip of the city, the Genesee River borders the park to the east. Besides a sandy beach with plenty of parking, visitors can enjoy a leisurely stroll on the boardwalk and pier, indulge in the original 1902 Abbott’s Frozen Custard, ride on the 1905 Dentzel Carousel, and tour the 1822 Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse.

The Hidden Sidewalk

To access the secret half-mile-long sidewalk, start at Ontario Beach Park in Charlotte and walk west along Beach Avenue. You will find the main entrances across from Clematis and Cloverdale Streets, with smaller entrances between roughly every fourth house. Note that the lawns, gardens, and docks along the sidewalk are privately owned and not open to the public. Only the sidewalk itself is available for public use.

Strong National Museum of Play

The Strong houses the world’s largest and most comprehensive collection of play-related materials. Besides its fascinating interactive exhibits, the museum has a kid-sized Wegmans grocery store, historic pinball and arcade games, and a ropes course above Skyliner Diner. The Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden offers a beautiful rainforest environment for those looking to escape cold weather. The museum also houses the National Toy Hall of Fame, World Video Game Hall of Fame, and various collections from Margaret Woodbury Strong, ensuring plenty to see and do for an entire day.

Mount Hope Cemetery

The cemetery, established in 1838, is a popular destination for Rochester residents seeking a peaceful retreat from the bustling city. Walkers, runners, and bikers often use the well-maintained roadways, even during the colder months. While the landscape is delightful year-round, this beautiful Victorian cemetery is extraordinary in October. The diversity of trees in the arboretum displays a vibrant array of colors, with bold yellows and reds carpeting the ground before the snow arrives. The cemetery is divided into two sections: the south side, which is the newer area, and the north side, which is older and home to notable figures such as Nathaniel Rochester, Susan B. Anthony, and Frederick Douglass. The north section’s winding cobblestone roads are best explored on foot and provide a glimpse into the cemetery’s rich history, ecology, and geology. Maps and guided tours are available to provide more in-depth information about the land’s fascinating past, including ice age landforms and fossils. There are several entrances, including the main south entrance at 1133 Mount Hope Avenue and the north gatehouse entrance at 791 Mount Hope Avenue.

Geva Theatre

Geva is a vibrant theater that offers an intimate setting for classic and contemporary plays and musicals. Major productions are performed on the 522-seat Wilson Stage, including the annual showing of A Christmas Carol. Smaller-scale productions, including improv comedy, one-actor shows, and readings, use the 180-seat Fielding Stage.

Lamberton Conservatory

Take a break and unwind in the Lord and Burnham–designed glasshouse filled with exotic, desert, and economic plants, including banana trees. Enjoy tropical temperatures and the soothing sounds of running water. Find turtles lounging by indoor ponds, with tiny button quail and tortoises wandering around. The theme of the Seasonal Display Room changes five times throughout the year, with the beloved Holiday Show in December. During this time, the conservatory is open on Friday and Sunday evenings to fully appreciate the beautiful festive lights.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park

Next to The Strong National Museum of Play, this five-acre park hosts a variety of events throughout the year, with the most popular being the Rochester International Jazz Festival in June, Party in the Park on Thursday nights during the summer, Rochester Fringe Festival in September, and Roc Holiday Village in December. In winter, the reflecting pool transforms into an ice-skating rink. The park’s most notable feature is its 2,000-person sunken concrete amphitheater, designed by landscape architect Lawrence Halprin in 1972. In 2017, after undergoing extensive rehabilitation, the fountains were restored and now feature renewed public art and a partial quote by Dr King: “…Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

Street Art

Rochester has a vibrant street art culture, with dozens of murals, graffiti, and other forms of public art on display throughout the region. The art is diverse and includes commissioned works by professional artists and pieces created by community members. These murals capture historical moments and current social and political issues. Areas mentioned here offer a high concentration of wall art but keep an eye out for pops of color as you explore the region’s cities, villages, and back roads through the countryside.

Rochester Museum & Science Center

RMSC’s city campus features the three-story science museum and the Strasenburgh Planetarium. In the museum, don’t miss the two singing Tesla coils in the Electricity Theater, where audience members can volunteer to stand inside a Faraday cage while the coils sing a duet with lightning. The planetarium offers a state-of-the-art view of our solar system and the visible universe using near-real-time data. The lounge chairs in the planetarium are not fixed to the floor, making the space accessible for wheelchairs and strollers. On Saturday nights, when the summer sky over Rochester is clear, guests can climb the observation tower’s 60 steps to view planets, nebulae, and other celestial objects through telescopes. The entrance to the tower is outside the main planetarium building, near the back parking lot.

Susan B Anthony House & Museum

The docent-led tour brings to life Anthony’s mission to secure inalienable rights for all Americans and, most notably, women’s right to vote. Her Rochester home served as headquarters for the National American Woman Suffrage Association. In Anthony Square, just down the street, you will find a life-sized sculpture of Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass having tea, discussing the day’s news, or perhaps sharing a birthday celebration—Anthony was born on February 15, and Douglass chose February 14, not knowing his birthdate. While they did not always agree, they shared a lifelong friendship and rest near each other in Mount Hope Cemetery.

Roc City Skatepark

Skateboards, BMX bikes, rollerblades…you’ll be amazed at the moves! Find the skatepark between South Avenue and the Genesee River, midway between Dinosaur Bar-B-Que on Court Street and Gateway Park on Mount Hope Avenue. The official way to enter the skatepark is from the Genesee Riverway Trail. There are also plans for a phase two expansion to look forward to.

Seneca Park Zoo

The 20-acre Seneca Park Zoo is a small portion of the 300-acre county park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted in 1893. The zoo operates a seasonal ZooTram shuttle, transporting visitors between the extreme ends of the park for a nominal one-way fee. Many people walk through the zoo and take the tram back up to the main entrance, appreciating Seneca Park’s scenic views. Beyond the zoo, you will find a trout pond surrounded by pavilions, a playground, and hiking trails. The north trail leads toward Lake Ontario over a tiny but steep waterfall, with several risky descents to the river’s edge using deteriorating wood steps. The south trail ends at the scenic Pure Waters Pedestrian Bridge, part of the Genesee River Trail, which spans the river to connect with Maplewood Park.

ARTISANworks

This unique and immersive experience challenges the senses and defies conventional boundaries. Discover a world of vibrant color and intricate design. From the original works of Picasso and Warhol to the artist studios that showcase the creative process in action, this is a space where art lives. Explore the 360-degree canvas and discover hidden gems that can surprise, inspire, and sometimes shock you. Whether you are a seasoned art enthusiast or simply looking for something new and exciting, ARTISANworks promises to be an unforgettable experience.

Rochester Public Market

The Public Market is a great day-trip destination in a bustling area filled with shops, restaurants, and cafes. You can find a wide variety of fresh produce, meat, seafood, and artisanal products like pasta, honey, and spices. The market is also home to popular coffee shops and restaurants. A seasonal open-air trolley transports visitors between the market and the Trinidad Street lot between North Union and Scio Streets. Be sure to check the website for free special events. Open all year on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Saturdays from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Genesee Valley Park

Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted in 1888, find GVP where the Erie Canal, Red Creek, and Genesee River intersect. Visitors can rent kayaks and canoes from the Genesee Waterways Center. Enjoy the four beautiful concrete footbridges that connect the park across each waterway. When Olmsted originally designed the landscape, the Erie Canal ran through Rochester over an aqueduct—now the Broad Street Bridge. In 1918, the state changed the canal route to follow the city’s southern border through Genesee Valley Park, leading to the addition of the bridges.

Turning Point Park

The park’s most striking feature is a 3,572-foot-long bridge over the Genesee River Turning Basin. The boardwalk takes visitors onto the river, close to blue herons, swans, turtles, deer, and other wildlife. Consider starting your walk from the north at Petten Street by the marina and O’Rorke Bridge for minimal elevation change. Along this section, you’ll see the abandoned 150-foot Spirit of Rochester, which offered lake cruises from 1985 to 2004. To begin at the south end, park in the Boxart Street lot. Most people walk north and down the steep, paved road toward the river, but you can also take the train-grade path by heading south for a half-mile from the parking lot and turning left at the Genesee Riverway Trail’s split near Brewster Harding Park. This route through Bullock’s Woods follows a seasonal creek with a small waterfall.

Highland Park

Host to Rochester’s celebrated Lilac Festival in May, Highland boasts the most extensive collection of lilacs in the country, with over 500 varieties across 1,200 shrubs. You’ll also find a vast Japanese maple collection, 35 types of magnolias, 700 rhododendron specimens, and 300 conifer varieties in the pinetum. Many of the trees are the tallest of their species in the state, though few are native. Highland has even been described as a museum or zoo of exotic plants and trees. Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University sent the original specimens to Rochester for simultaneous scientific study. Meander along paved and mown-grass pathways to find Lamberton Conservatory, Poet’s Garden, Highland Bowl, and Warner Castle’s Sunken Garden.

Durand Eastman Park

In 1888, landscape architect Bernard H. Slavin designed this county park that covers 977 acres and includes five lakes, the two most prominent being Durand and Eastman Lakes. You’ll find a section of pedestrian-only roadway between Log Cabin and Zoo Roads that is perfect for a walk in the arboretum. Walk across Lakeshore Boulevard to explore the seven-mile Irondequoit Lakeside Multi-Use Trail, a paved sidewalk along 5,000 feet of Lake Ontario shoreline with a portion of wetland boardwalk. Additionally, there is a city-managed Lake Ontario swimming beach.

High Falls

High Falls is the name of the waterfall, the neighboring historic district, and a future Rochester state park. Popular spots to view the falls include High Falls Terrace, the Pont de Rennes Bridge, and Genesee Brew House’s rooftop patio while enjoying a casual meal and a tasty beverage. On the west side of the river, visitors can walk along cobblestone streets to learn about the area’s hydropower history and see the top of the falls near the Gorsline Building.

Warner Castle Sunken Garden

In 1951, Monroe County Parks purchased the castle and grounds as an extension of Highland Park. The 1854 Gothic-style castle is now the headquarters for the Landmark Society of Western New York. In 1930, landscape architect Alling S. DeForest, who also designed the Eastman estate’s gardens, added the sunken garden to the property. Photographers often capture wedding and family photos in the garden, but it can be a peaceful retreat if you visit when it’s not crowded.

Monroe County

Braddock Bay Fish & Wildlife Management Area

Greece

The Braddock Bay WMA includes Braddock Bay Park and many surrounding wetlands and bird migration paths. If you are driving along Edgemere Drive near the ponds or the parkway between Island Cottage and Bennett Road, dining at the Braddock Bay Tavern & Grill, or fishing in Salmon Creek, you are enjoying the beauty of the Braddock Bay WMA. The Town of Greece and the Department of Environmental Conservation partner to maintain the site, recognized as an Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society. The DEC’s website describes the WMA as a “shallow water bay-marsh complex existing in five units along the Lake Ontario shoreline, ranging from two to six miles west of Rochester.” Visitors can explore different locations within the WMA, such as Owl Woods/Rose Marsh, Braddock Bay Marina, and Beatty Point.

Helmer Nature Center

Irondequoit

Explore 45 acres owned and operated by the West Irondequoit Central School District as an outdoor classroom. Find one-and-a-half miles of combined dirt, wood chip, boardwalk, and gravel trails, with many spots covered in tree roots through the valley floor. The terrain is hilly and tree-covered, making Helmer an excellent place for peaceful woodland exploration.

Oatka Creek Park

Scottsville

In this undeveloped county park, some pathways may be muddy and shared with horses, but there is little elevation change. The pathways lead through woodlands and wildflower meadows, offering a peaceful and picturesque experience. One highlight of the park is the purple trail that leads to a bridge over Oatka Creek, while the black trail features a beautiful quaking aspen grove.

Webster Arboretum

Webster

Covering 32 acres, the arboretum is maintained by local garden clubs and boasts a pond, winding paths, various trees and shrubs, and formal gardens with over 200 daylily cultivars.

Erie Canal Lock 62

Pittsford

Old Erie Canal Lock 62 is tucked just far enough off the beaten path that many do not realize it’s there. Next time you are in Pittsford Plaza, take a look for it right behind Applebees. It is one of the best-preserved antiquated locks along the canal system.

Channing H. Philbrick Park

Penfield

Irondequoit Creek drops 90 feet over one mile through this town park, creating the cascades that make it unique. While the Irondequoit Creek Trail spans the park’s length and beyond, the most exciting section lies east of Linear Park Drive. Near the kiosk next to the upper parking lot, find the easy-to-walk dirt path that follows the creek toward an unusual series of wooden footbridges. Or, walk across the pedestrian bridge that connects Linear Park Drive with North Washington Street to find the Mills Trail—a quick path that leads to the cascades along the creek’s south bank. Follow the Fishing Trail downstream to see the sandy cliff resembling Chimney Bluffs, complete with bank swallow nests.

Breese Park

West Henrietta

Breese Park is located along the Genesee River in West Henrietta. You’ll find a large parking lot, picnic tables, and woodland play stations along a hard-packed gravel path that follows the river. Even though access to the park is through a highly residential area, this doesn’t feel like a residential park. There are no amenities, like restrooms.

Corbett’s Glen

Penfield/Brighton

To visit Corbett’s Glen North, start from the parking lot on Penfield Road. From there, you can follow stone dust, wood chips, and pine needle trails that lead toward the south end. The pathways are easy to navigate, though some parts of the trail, like the Stone Steps, can be steep. As you continue your journey, you will eventually reach the well-known Tunnel Falls and Postcard Falls along Allen Creek. Please note that wading in the creek is only allowed for trout fishing. If you prefer to start at the park’s south end, you can park along the designated shoulder on Glen Road. The trails here lead through marsh meadow, shrubland, and wetland. Walking through the park, you may notice that the paths seem to pass by people’s backyards, and they do! These homeowners are passionate about protecting the park and want to keep it healthy for everyone’s enjoyment.

Tinker Nature Park

Henrietta

The park comprises 68 acres along the Pittsford-Henrietta town border, with trails and boardwalks for all abilities. The one-mile perimeter trail is flat and ideal for jogging, biking, skiing, snowshoeing, and walking. Shorter trails branch off the perimeter path and take visitors through unique ecosystems such as woodland, wetland, and meadow. Be sure to visit the Hansen Nature Center and check out the Tinker Homestead and Farm Museum during an open house or by appointment.

Mendon Ponds Park

Pittsford

Explore 21 miles of marked trails across 2,500 acres of woodlands, wetlands, and glacially created landforms like kettles, kames, eskers, and bogs. Named for its four most significant ponds—Hundred Acre, Round, Quaker, and Deep Ponds—one of the park’s unique bodies of water is Devil’s Bathtub, a rare meromictic lake with a depth of about 47 feet at its deepest point. Be sure to check out Wild Wings Inc.’s bird of prey facility and nature center, and enjoy a walk along the nearby Fairy Birdsong Trail.

Sandra L. Frankel Nature Park & Brickyard Trail

Brighton

The 0.8-mile Brickyard Trail spans the park, connecting Brighton Town Hall and Library on Elmwood Avenue with Buckland Park on Westfall Road. About halfway along the hard-packed gravel trail, you’ll find a quiet sitting area with educational signage that shares the area’s unique and significant history as a brickyard. It’s an ideal location for birding.

Thomas Creek Wetlands Walk

Fairport

This nature trail is perfect for observing Thomas Creek’s flow toward Irondequoit Creek. The wetland offers two separate paths—one is gravel, and the other is a boardwalk—that lead to a seasonal viewing platform and connect with the Erie Canalway Trail. At the beginning of the path, interact with an analemmatic sundial, constructed with stones from Newark’s 1849 Enlarged Erie Canal Lock 58, by observing your shadow’s position. The plaque reads, “Stand on the current month, press your palms together and raise them high in the air. Note where your shadow crosses the hour markers: standard time above, daylight saving below.”

Hamlin Beach State Park

Hamlin

The park offers seven miles of paved and dirt hiking trails and a self-guided tour of a historic CCC/POW camp. The lake shore is perfect for reading a book in the shade with your toes in the sand. In Area One, you can find green space, an unguarded beach, a kayak launch, and the Yanty Creek Environmental Nature Trail. Areas Three and Four have guarded swimming beaches, picnic tables, pavilions, playgrounds, bathhouses, and concession stands. Area Five has green space, an unguarded beach, and the Devil’s Nose hiking trail along the West Bluff.

Ellison Park

Penfield

Established in 1926, Ellison is the first official Monroe County Park. It features five blazed trails of varying difficulty, making it a great spot for outdoor enthusiasts. The park is also a popular spot to launch a kayak or canoe and paddle downstream on Irondequoit Creek toward Irondequoit Bay. A log blockhouse replica can be found near North Landing Road, marking the presumed site of Fort Schuyler, a 1721 colonial fur trading post. Historical markers provide information about Indian Landing, a portage route used by the Haudenosaunee people to avoid the Genesee River’s waterfalls.

Brighton Town Park

Brighton

Brighton Town Park is surprisingly serene despite it being bordered on one side by office buildings and across the pond by a major expressway.

Meridian Centre Park

Brighton

Meridian Centre Park is located off Winton Road in Brighton. There are several points of access from the large parking area to the Erie Canal path, where you’ll find several small boat launches and fishing docks.

Powder Mills Park

Pittsford

Follow the marked trails to take a stroll through Irondequoit Creek’s wetlands, meadows, and woodlands. Bring a handful of quarters to the fish hatchery to purchase food pellets to feed up to 20,000 fish at different stages of development. In partnership with Swain Ski Resort, Powder Mills has a gradual ski slope accessed by a single rope tow, an on-site lodge, rental equipment, and experienced ski and snowboard instructors. Don’t miss the fascinating Mushroom House next to the hatchery parking lot. (See Roadside Attractions.) Visit the Daffodil Meadow from late April through mid-May to see the flowers in full bloom. Park along Thornell Drive to access the 0.2-mile hard-packed gravel pathway, or take the moderately challenging 0.7-mile dirt trail along Irondequoit Creek to reach the meadow from Powder Mills Park.

Genesee Country Village & Museum

Mumford

GCV&M is a living history museum with 68 structures on 700 acres, making it the largest and most comprehensive museum of its kind in the state and the third largest in the country. The 19th-century village features a range of buildings that were moved to the museum’s grounds starting in 1966, such as frontier homesteads, Victorian mansions, churches, schools, shops, and taverns. Visitors can learn about the history of each building and take part in events such as Highland Days, Civil War Days, Novel Weekend, and Independence Day. The museum also hosts the Agricultural Fair and Spirits of the Past in October and Yuletide in the Country storytelling tours in December.

Seabreeze Amusement Park

Irondequoit

Oh, how we miss our amusement parks in the winter! When May comes around, you find the parks with dry rides opening on the weekends, with the water parks opening closer to Father’s Day in mid-June.

New York Museum of Transportation

Rush

Explore NYMT’s vast collection of train and trolley cars, buses, signs, photos, model railroad displays, and two Midtown Plaza monorail cars. During special events, enjoy a scenic two-mile round-trip ride on a 90-year-old electric trolley car—the only trolley ride in New York State.

Sam Patch Erie Canal Tours

Pittsford

The Sam Patch, an 1800s packet boat replica, is a floating classroom and offers leisurely 90-minute cruises. Expert guides share stories about the Erie Canal’s commercial history, engineering innovations, and its impact on current recreational use, highlighting interesting sights.

Charles E. Sexton Memorial Park

Webster

This park, formerly known as North Ponds Park, features a one-mile paved path that circles two large ponds with minimal elevation change. Along the path, you’ll find eight fitness stops designed for various abilities and heights. The path also connects with other trails in Webster, such as the Bird Sanctuary Trail, Hojack Rail Trail, and Route 104 Trail, making it a great starting point for longer hikes or rides.

Black Creek Park

Chili

Black Creek is one of the largest of Monroe County’s parks, second only to Mendon. It features a variety of trails with varying lengths, difficulties, and conditions, with some trails muddy throughout the year. Visitors can enjoy a leisurely walk around the pond or launch a kayak in the creek. In the winter, the park offers one of the best sledding hills in the county.

Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum

Rush

Dedicated RGV volunteers are expanding, restoring, and preserving New York’s most extensive collection of historic railway equipment. Visit the restored 1930s Industry Depot to purchase a ticket and hop aboard a train departing every 30 minutes. You can sit back and relax or grab a spot at the back of the caboose for an open-air view. Enjoy a 1.5-mile round-trip ride to the restoration shop as often as you desire.

Greece Canal Park

Greece

Greece Canal Park encompasses 577 acres, with 4 easy walking trails varying in length under 1.5 miles over level or gently rolling terrain. It is one of two Monroe County Parks connected with the Erie Canal and one of two with dog parks.

Greater Rochester

Conesus Lake

Lakeville

Located just 30 minutes from Rochester, Conesus Lake is the westernmost and closest Finger Lake to the city. Vitale Park in Lakeville is an excellent spot for picnicking and walking along the lake’s northern end, with paved walkways and a footbridge leading to a picturesque island. The Conesus Lake Boat Launch on the east shore allows easy water access for kayaking through Conesus Inlet Wildlife Management Area’s wetlands.

Canadaigua Lake

Canandaigua

Canandaigua Lake, located 30 minutes from Rochester, is surrounded by private homes and summer cottages. The city of Canandaigua is at the lake’s northern end, while the Town of Naples is on the southern end. There are several ways to enjoy the water, including renting a kayak, swimming at Kershaw Park, or cruising onboard the Canandaigua Lady, a 19th-century steamboat replica. You can also check out the 80 boathouses on City Pier. It is possible to drive around the entire lake in about an hour. Some popular spots to visit along the way include Onanda Park on the east shore and Deep Run Park on the west.

Ganondagan State Historic Park

Victor

Atop Boughton Hill sits the original site of a significant 17th-century Seneca town, which at its peak had 150 longhouses where a replica stands today. Visitors can appreciate the Seneca Art & Culture Center’s museum and enjoy miles of woodland and meadow trails throughout the year. The longhouse is open for tours from May to October.

MacKay Wildlife Preserve

Caledonia

Visitors can explore a sea of round moss-covered boulders, a diverse collection of hardwoods, and unusual land formations. The preserve is bordered by Spring Street to the east, with a fieldstone wall marking the western border. The southern boundary is an active train track, while the northern border is the inactive Lehigh Valley line.

Vintage Drive-In

Avon

Yes, there are still drive-in theaters near Rochester! The Vintage Drive-In in Avon is the closest, but there are five others within a 90-minute drive.

Where are your favorite day trips within 30 minutes of Rochester?

I’d love to hear from you—please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.