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 next time someone says, “I’m bored!”
Short Day Trips Close to Home
- Braddock Bay
- Conesus Lake
- Oatka Creek Park
- Rochester’s Hidden Sidewalk
- Mount Hope Cemetery
- Helmer Nature Center
- Webster Arboretum
- Erie Canal Lock 62
- Cobb’s Hill
- MacKay Wildlife Preserve
- Channing H. Philbrick Park
- Turning Point Park
- Highland Park
- Durand Eastman Park
- High Falls
- Breese Park
- Corbett’s Glen
- Tinker Nature Park
- The Sunken Garden
- Mendon Ponds Park
- Frankel Nature Park
- Thomas Creek Wetlands Walk
- Maplewood Park
- Hamlin Beach State Park
- Ellison Park
- Brighton Town Park
- Ontario Beach Park
- Meridian Centre Park
- Powder Mills Park
- Seneca Park
- ARTISANworks
- Rochester Public Market
- Genesee Valley Park
- Vintage Drive-In
- Strong Museum
- Genesee Country Village
- Canadaigua Lake
- Ganondagan State Historic Park
- Seabreeze Amusement Park
- Central Library
- New York Museum of Transportation
- The Little Theatre
- Sam Patch Erie Canal Tour
- North Ponds Park
- Rochester Museum & Science Center
- Susan B. Anthony House & Museum
- Canawaugus Park
- Black Creek Park
- George Eastman Museum
- Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse
- Memorial Art Gallery
- Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum
- Geva Theatre
- Lamberton Conservatory
- Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park
- Greece Canal Park
- Eastman Theatre
- Stokoe Farms
- Great Embankment Park
- Ellwanger Estate Garden
1. Braddock Bay Fish & Wildlife Management Area
Greece
The Braddock Bay complex includes the bay and the surrounding wetlands. We break it down so you can start exploring!
2. Conesus Lake
Lakeville
Conesus Lake is the westernmost Finger Lake and the closest to Rochester. You can drive around the entire lake in 30 minutes.
3. Oatka Creek Park
Scottsville
Oatka Creek Park in Wheatland is one of the more strollable in the Monroe County Park system, with little change in elevation along the 3.3 mile loop trail.
4. Rochester’s Hidden Sidewalk
City of Rochester
To find Rochester’s hidden sidewalk, start at Ontario Beach Park & head west on Beach Ave. Across from Clematis St. & Cloverdale St. are the two main entrances.
5. Mount Hope Cemetery
City of Rochester
Mount Hope Cemetery is a special place all year-round, but there’s something about Autumn that turns it into a virtual painting.
6. Helmer Nature Center
Irondequoit
The paths at Helmer Nature Center in Irondequoit, made primarily of wood chip, boardwalk, and hard-pack gravel, are easy to navigate and clearly marked.
There are sloped portions that take you down to the valley floor where the terrain around you is hilly and tree covered making it peacefully quiet.
7. Webster Arboretum
Webster
Follow the pathways that meander around Webster Arboretum’s 40 acres of open spaces, flower & herb gardens, water elements, and a wide variety of trees.
8. 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, just over the hill behind Pittsford Plaza.
9. Cobb’s Hill
City of Rochester
The view from Cobb’s Hill, the quiet, the breeze, the friendly nature of people walking and taking it all in—there’s nothing quite like it in Rochester.
Make sure you wander back through Washington Grove to the ever-changing art on the water towers.
10. MacKay Wildlife Preserve
Caledonia
There are interesting man-made and geologic wonders to discover at MacKay Wildlife Preserve in Caledonia, including a sea of round, moss-covered boulders.
11. Channing H. Philbrick Park
Penfield
As Irondequoit Creek passes through Channing H. Philbrick Park (previously Linear Park) in Penfield, it drops 90 feet over one mile giving us the cascades that make this park so special.
12. Turning Point Park
City of Rochester
Turning Point Park’s most striking feature is a 3,572 ft-long bridge over the Genesee River Turning Basin, part of the greater Genesee Riverway Trail.
13. Highland Park
City of Rochester
Highland Park was designed to be enjoyed year-round. Every pathway, every tree, every vista and every relationship between the land and water is intentional.
14. Durand Eastman Park
City of Rochester
Durand Eastman Park’s landscape design was inspired by the work that Olmsted had done 20 years earlier in Highland, Seneca, and Genesee Valley Parks.
15. High Falls
City of Rochester
High Falls is both the name of the waterfall and the district in the city where it can be found. There’s plenty of parking and food options on both sides of the river.
16. Breese Park
West Henrietta
Breese Park is located along the Genesee River in the small community of Riverton on the far west side of Henrietta.
Set your sights on late-April to early-May to see the native bluebelles, trilliums, and ferns in their full spring glory!
17. Corbett’s Glen
Penfield/Brighton
Corbett’s Glen Nature Park is a hidden green space in a suburban jungle, nestled in between an express way and 2 highly trafficked roads near the Penfield/Brighton Town border.
18. Tinker Nature Park
Henrietta
Tinker Nature Park comprises 68-acres in Henrietta with a 1.2 mile flat perimeter trail for jogging, biking, skiing, snowshoeing or walking.
19. Warner Castle Sunken Garden
City of Rochester
When you stroll around the back of Warner Castle and down the lawn, you’ll discover the Sunken Garden. It’s a peaceful retreat, and beautiful any time of year.
Continue walking behind the garden and you’ll find yourself at Highland Bowl.
20. Mendon Ponds Park
Pittsford
Mendon Ponds Park is the largest Monroe County Park with 2,500 acres of woodlands, ponds, wetlands and glacially created landforms.
21. Frankel Nature Park & Brickyard Trail
Brighton
Sandra L. Frankel Nature Park is a 72-acre linear park connecting the Brighton Town Hall and Library on Elmwood Ave with Buckland Park on Westfall Road. The 0.8-mile Brickyard Trail runs the length of the park.
22. Thomas Creek Wetlands Walk
Fairport
Most folks when visiting Fairport walk along the canal path not knowing that the Thomas Creek Wetlands Walk is running parallel to them. There is also a viewing platform where you can relax and take in the sights and sounds.
23. Maplewood Park
City of Rochester
Maplewood Park is a linear park that follows the river from Driving Park and the Lower Falls to just north of Route 104, ending at the pedestrian bridge over the Genesee.
The Rose Garden is in bloom between mid-June and mid-November.
24. Hamlin Beach State Park
Hamlin
Hamlin Beach State Park has 7 miles of beautiful biking and walking trails, including a mile-long self-guided tour of a CCC/POW camp.
25. Ellison Park
Penfield
Irondequoit Creek meanders through Ellison Park on its way to Irondequoit Bay and Lake Ontario, offering visitors year-round fishing and non-motorized boating opportunities.
26. 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 express way.
27. Ontario Beach Park
City of Rochester
Lake Ontario Beach Park is located at the northernmost tip of the city of Rochester, and is bordered on the East by the mouth of the Genesee River.
28. Meridian Centre Park
Brighton
Meridian Centre Park is located off Winton Road. There are several points of access from the large parking area to the Erie Canal path.
29. Powder Mills Park
Pittsford
Powder Mills Park favorites include the fish hatchery, and Daffodil Trail, and the Mushroom House, which is technically private property but still draws a crowd!
30. Seneca Park Zoo
City of Rochester
The Seneca Park Zoo is a but a small part of the greater 297-acre Seneca Park, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted in 1893.
31. ARTISANworks
City of Rochester
I’ve heard ARTISANworks described as a walk-through kaleidoscope, a bombardment on the senses, a 360° canvas, a space that defies all boundaries, a place that can’t be described but must be seen, surprising, inspiring, and in some instances shocking.
32. Rochester Public Market
City of Rochester
The Rochester Public Market is the place to grab the freshest local and wholesale fruit, veggies, seafood, beef, cheese, bread, flowers and spices.
The market is surrounded by excellent restaurants, cafes, a donuts shop, and a distillery.
33. Genesee Valley Park
City of Rochester
Genesee Valley Park is a Frederick Law Olmsted-designed park located at the intersection of the Erie Canal, Red Creek, and Genesee River.
34. 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.
35. Strong National Museum of Play
City of Rochester
The Strong National Museum of Play has a wealth of interaction for toddlers, school-aged children and adults.
The Strong houses the world’s largest and most comprehensive collection of historical materials related to play. And it all started with a little girl whose love of collecting mirrored her parents, who happily encouraged her—Margaret Woodbury Strong.
The Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden is the only year-round indoor butterfly garden in upstate New York.
36. Genesee Country Village & Museum
Mumford
Genesee Country Village & Museum is the largest and most comprehensive living history museum in New York State—and the third-largest in the United States.
The village square is located in the heart of the complex, surrounded by homes, businesses and churches, and plays host to the smaller activities like contests, games & performances.
Experienced museum interpreters in period-appropriate dress share the story of each home, business or activity while you explore the diversity and complexity of 18th century life in the Genesee Valley.
37. Canadaigua Lake
Canandaigua
Canandaigua Lake is home to the smallest island, one of only two islands in the Finger Lakes. You can drive around the entire lake in 60 minutes, with several scenic overlooks and public places to swim along the way.
38. Ganondagan State Historic Park
Victor
Everything you will see and do at Ganondagan is centered around these core values: peace, cooperation, and respect for each other and the natural world.
Ganondagan’s museum and walking trails are open all year, while the Longhouse is open only during the non-winter months.
39. Seabreeze Amusement Park
City of Rochester
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.
40. Central Library of Rochester & Monroe County
City of Rochester
Central Library occupies two buildings located across the street from each other on South Avenue in Center City Rochester.
41. New York Museum of Transportation
Rush
The New York Museum of Transportation houses fourteen full size trolley cars, a caboose, steam locomotive, antique highway and horse-drawn vehicles, and the various associated smaller items that illuminate our transportation history.
Your half-hour excursion on the only trolley ride in New York State is aboard one of the museum’s 87-year-old trolley cars.
42. The Little Theatre
City of Rochester
The Little Theatre is the premier cultural center for the presentation of American independent and foreign films, visual arts and music for the greater Rochester community.
43. Sam Patch Erie Canal Tours
Pittsford
The Sam Patch is a replica 1800s packet boat that serves as a floating history museum for tourists, locals, and 4th graders all around the Rochester area.
Sam Patch Erie Canal Tours are a great way to immerse yourself in the canal’s history and operation during your narrated cruise.
44. North Ponds Park
Webster
The 1-mile paved loop trail in North Ponds Park circumnavigates both ponds. It is perfect for a leisurely stroll, jog, or bike ride.
45. Rochester Museum & Science Center
City of Rochester
Experience the vastness of the Universe & the complexity of human history all in a single day.
The new technology inside RMSC’s Planetarium allows you to explore the solar system and the entire visible universe from any perspective.
46. Susan B Anthony House & Museum
City of Rochester
Susan B Anthony’s passion for securing women’s right to vote started with her work as an agent of the anti-slavery movement.
47. Canawaugus Park
Scottsville
Here’s a popular spot for kids during hot weather and high creek water in Oatka Creek at Canawaugus Park.
Oatka Creek is generally shallow enough to wade but directly under the bridge it’s much deeper. When creek water depth is 8 or 9 feet deep it is safe to jump from George Bridge into the waterhole.
Another attraction is a rope for swinging into the waterhole. Genesee Valley Greenway Trail is a green corridor lined trail extending 84 miles south from Rochester, through Scottsville, Avon, Geneseo, Mount Morris and Portageville.
48. Black Creek Park
Chili
At 1,505-acres, Black Creek Park is one of the largest of Monroe County’s 20 parks, second only to Mendon.
49. George Eastman Museum
City of Rochester
The George Eastman Museum is a beautiful tribute to his life & legacy, and is the world’s oldest photography museum with one of the oldest film archives.
50. Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse
City of Rochester
You can climb the 40-foot tower in the Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse and enjoy the view of Lake Ontario, the Genesee River, and Ontario Beach Park.
51. Memorial Art Gallery
City of Rochester
Rochester’s Memorial Art Gallery has an extensive permanent collection and an incredible variety of traveling exhibits.
Make time to explore outside, too! Besides the engaging sculptures and extraordinary architecture, there is Morse Code set in the brick sidewalks outside the main entrance & poetry along University Ave.
52. Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum
Rush
R&GV Railroad Museum is the only operating railroad museum and home to the largest collection of historic trains in New York State, with fun train rides every third weekend from April through December.
53. Geva Theatre
City of Rochester
See the fabulous sets and costumes, the imaginative interpretations of great plays, the development of new work – all up close and personal. The best seat in the house is the one you choose to sit in.
54. Lamberton Conservatory
City of Rochester
Lamberton Conservatory is the perfect place to spend inside on a gray day. Many folks visit to seek a calm, colorful space warmed to tropical temperatures.
It’s also a great place to photograph tropical flowers and foliage.
55. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park
City of Rochester
Five-acre Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Park at Manhattan Square is in the heart of Center City, right next to the Strong National Museum of Play.
56. 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.
57. Eastman Theatre
City of Rochester
The magnificent theatre, which originally contained 3,352 seats, was built by George Eastman as a center for music, dance, and silent film with orchestral and organ accompaniment.
An architectural gem, its opulent décor reflects the taste and elegance of the 1920s.
58. Stokoe Farms
Wheatland
Stokoe Farms offers a full day of family activities. On a beautiful Autumn day, you can expect it to be a very popular place! Stop back in December to cut your own Christmas tree.
59. Great Embankment Park
Pittsford
Great Embankment Park has a small sitting area, a few benches, a small boat launch and a dock great for fishing; perfect to start your trip along the canal.
60. Ellwanger Estate Garden
City of Rochester
While the Ellwanger Estate is private, the garden is maintained by the Landmark Society and is periodically open to the public for special events.
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Where are your favorite day trips within 30 minutes of Rochester?
Share your thoughts with us in the comments. Your insight and experience is invaluable!
1. Clover street canal locks.
2. Seneca Park Zoo
3. Letchworth State Park (eagles)
4. The public beach at Charlotte
5. The views at Irondequoit Bay (jetties)
6. Webster Park Picnics
7. Farmington (Finger Lakes) horse racing
8. Strolling along Park Ave.
9. Cornhill festival
That’s a great set list! Irondequoit Bay is fascinating between the cliffs and history of the area. I am unfamiliar with the jetties. I’ll have to explore further! Thank you for the recommendations, Paul!