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.
Explore More
Strong National Museum of Play
The Strong National Museum of Play boasts the world’s most extensive collection of play-related historical materials.
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 spring weekend 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 Country 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.
Explore More
A free library card allows you to access 31 Monroe County libraries, including Central Library and Libby, the digital library.
New & Used Bookstores Around Rochester
Books take us on a journey through time and space. If you’re looking for a new adventure, check out these bookstores around Rochester.
4. RMSC + Planetarium
In the 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.
Explore More
Rochester Museum & Science Center
Between the star shows, laser shows, interactive exhibits, and Singing Tesla Coils, the Rochester Museum and Science Center will entertain you for hours!
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 is home to world-renowned museums and thought-provoking galleries. You can spend weeks exploring our rich cultural heritage.
Colorful Places: Day Trip Ideas to Brighten a Gray Rochester Day
In a city where weather often impacts our mental health, exposing yourself to vibrant hues can help dispel the gloom of a gray Rochester day.
Sit back, relax, and enjoy a show on stage or screen. Experience diverse artistic expression, from Broadway productions to classic movies.
12 Ideas for Staying Warm & Active Throughout the Winter in Rochester
Don’t let winter in Rochester force you into hibernation. If snow doesn’t appeal to you, think of everything there is to do indoors.
Shared Rochester Experiences that Make Great Gifts
Giving the gift of shared Rochester experiences offers rewards that go well beyond mere personal joy—where less is genuinely more.
Fun, Family-Friendly Restaurants, Cafes, and Breweries
I asked our day-trip community: “Do you know of any Rochester-area restaurants that are great for date night and kid-friendly but not kid-centric?” Here’s what you said!
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!
