With tropical temperatures or cozy environments, these Rochester-area destinations offer pleasant snowy-day getaways—at least for a few hours.
People don’t notice whether it’s winter or summer when they’re happy.
Anton Chekhov
1. Strong Museum’s Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden
Dancing Wings inside the Strong National Museum of Play is the only butterfly garden in Upstate New York that is open year-round. With a rainforest environment, it’s the perfect retreat from winter.
Rochester, delivered
A weekly Substack newsletter, with periodic essays exploring behind-the-scenes work and reflections on traveling close to home. While the content is free, paid subscriptions support my ongoing research and writing.
2. Lamberton Conservatory
Tropical plants need tropical temperatures, so visiting Lamberton Conservatory in winter is a welcome escape from the cold! Each December, the Holiday Show welcomes you with holiday lights, greens, and poinsettias. The Spring Show opens around the first weekend of spring and runs through the Lilac Festival in May. It features hyacinth, daffodils, and tulips, and the color and aroma make it a welcome retreat from winter.
3. Monroe County Libraries
Signing up for a free library card gives you access to all 31 Monroe County libraries! The Monroe County Library System comprises town and village locations, Rochester Public Library branch locations, and the Central Library. Each library has unique amenities and environments, so spend some time this winter exploring a few. You can also check out a local bookstore.
4. RMSC + Planetarium
In the Rochester Museum & Science Museum, you’ll interact with immersive installations like At The Western Door, Rochester’s Underground Railroad, Science on a Sphere, Expedition Earth, Adventure Zone, and the Electricity Theater’s Singing Tesla Coils. New and innovative exhibits keep each visit unique. The state-of-the-art Strasenburgh Planetarium takes guests on a journey to explore space from all viewpoints, not just Earth’s perspective. It’s an extraordinary asset for the Rochester community, and I highly encourage you to explore the Universe, especially if you haven’t been there in years.
5. More Museums Around Rochester
Take some time to explore some of our lesser-known, off-the-beaten-path, and odd-collection museums.
Explore More
Rochester, NY Events & Activities: Your Guide to Year-Round Fun
From Rochester's annual events and festivals to seasonal activities, I've curated a list of the best things to do around Rochester all year.
50 Hidden Places Around Rochester
From secret gardens to enchanting waterfalls, exploring hidden places around the Rochester area is the ultimate way to add some spice to your travel experiences.
132 Things to Do Around Rochester, NY
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.
How do you like to escape winter in Rochester?
I’d love to hear from you—please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
Help Support My Work
People often ask if I get free access to the places I visit. The answer is no—unless I’m invited to a special preview or offered behind-the-scenes access through my media role. Most of the time, I don’t even mention Day Trips Around Rochester, New York when I visit a place. I want to have the same experience you would.
I create and share this content because it brings me joy—and I hope it adds value to your adventures, too.
If my work has helped you explore and appreciate the Rochester area, please consider becoming a paid subscriber on Substack. You’ll receive an email whenever I publish new content and have the chance to connect with a growing community of local explorers.
Thank you for supporting my efforts to keep producing meaningful and helpful content.
Thank you!
Debi
Enjoy the Journey Together!
