The Greater Rochester Area comprises nine counties that fall under the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce. Some counties are also part of the 5-county Rochester Metropolitan Area, 7-county Genesee Valley Region, 14-county Finger Lakes Region, and 17-county Western New York region. Eight are part of DEC Region 8. Five are connected along the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.
We are all part of Upstate New York.
But no matter how we group ourselves, each county has something special to offer. What follows is a highlight to inspire you to explore the greater Rochester region.
Monroe County & the City of Rochester
County Seat: City of Rochester
Major Municipalities: Greece, Irondequoit, Henrietta, Brighton, and Penfield are among the largest of the 19 towns and villages
Major bodies of water: Lake Ontario, Genesee River, Erie Canal
Major parks and natural areas: Braddock Bay, Irondequoit Bay, Highland Park, City of Rochester Parks, and Monroe County Parks.
Sights & Attractions: Some places and events that draw visitors nationwide are the Strong Museum, International Jazz Festival, Eastman Museum, Eastman Theatre, and Rochester Museum & Science Center + Strasenburgh Planetarium.
Scenic Drives: Lake Ontario Seaway Trail; NY-251 through Wheatland, Rush, and Mendon; NY-65 south to the Sunflower Field, Mendon Ponds Park, and Honeoye Falls; NY-31 and roads that hug the canal, like E. Canal Rd in Brockport, Canal Road through Adam’s Basin, and Schoen Place in Pittsford; Fishers Rd-Park Rd-Railroad Mills Road loop around Powder Mills Park; or any of the historic neighborhoods in the city.
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A perfect day in Rochester would include a visit to one of its world-class museums, spending time in its exceptional parks, and seeing both High Falls and Lake Ontario.
Genesee County
County Seat: City of Batavia
Major Municipalities: LeRoy, Bergen, East Bethany, Darien Center
Major bodies of water: Oatka Creek, Tonawanda Creek
Major parks and natural areas: Darien Lakes State Park, Genesee County Park & Forest, Bergen Swamp, Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, Dewitt Recreational Area, Indian Falls
Sights and attractions: Six Flags Darien Lake, Holland Land Office Museum, JELL-O Gallery Museum, Rolling Hills Asylum, Hartford Livery Museum, Tonawanda Reservation Historical Society
Scenic Drives: Take NY-33 into Batavia and NY-77 north through Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, or take NY-98 south to US-20. and loop home on NY-19.
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Oatka Creek is a clear centerpiece for the Village of LeRoy, with a waterfall, 2 dams, and an 8 foot Statue of Liberty replica on her shoreline.
Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge
At 10,828 acres, Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge is the state’s largest refuge. Alabama Swaps amasses 19,000-acres designated for wildlife.
Livingston County
County Seat: Village of Geneseo
Major Municipalities: Caledonia, Avon, Geneseo, Dansville
Major bodies of water: Genesee River, Conesus Lake, Hemlock Lake
Major parks and natural areas: Letchworth, MacKay Wildlife Preserve
Sights & attractions: Vintage Drive-In, National Warplane Museum, Wadsworth Homestead, Abbey of the Genesee, New Deal Gallery, Mount Morris Dam, Genesee Valley Hunt, Five Arch Bridge, Caledonia Fish Hatchery, Big Springs Museum
Scenic drives: Nations Rd, CR-408 south to Nunda, CR-15 south to Springwater, NY-20A between Geneseo and Lakeville.
Ontario County
County Seat: City of Canandaigua
Major Municipalities: City of Geneva, Victor, Naples, Bristol, Phelps, Clifton Springs, Honeoye, Farmington
Major bodies of water: Canadice Lake, Honeoye Lake, Canandaigua Lake, and a bit of Seneca Lake
Major parks and natural areas: Ontario County Park, Harriet Hollister Spencer State Recreation Area, Ontario Pathways Trail, RMSC Cumming Nature Center
Sights and Attractions: Sonnenberg Gardens, Ganondagan State Historic Site, Bristol Mountain, Antique Wireless Museum, Canandaigua City Pier boat houses, New York Kitchen, CMAC, 1816 Farmington Quaker Meetinghouse Museum, Smith Opera House
Scenic Drives: Any combination of roads between Canandaigua and Naples: NY-21, NY-64, CR-16, CR-64, CR-33, CR-34, CR-36; NY-15A + US-20A; NY-444 + CR-41.
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Of the five Finger Lakes closest to Rochester, Canandaigua Lake and the city’s historic downtown have the most to offer visitors.
Nestled in the hills at the southern end of Canandaigua Lake, Naples is known for its beautiful surroundings and annual Grape Festival.
Orleans County
County Seat: Village of Albion
Major Municipalities: Holley, Medina, Ridgeway, Shelby
Major bodies of water: Erie Canal, Lake Ontario, Oak Orchard Creek/River
Major parks and natural areas: Lakeside Beach State Park, Holley Canal Falls, Clarendon Falls, Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge
Sights & attractions: NY-104 Cobblestones, Medina Historic District, Lyndonville Shoe Trees, Medina Sandstone Hall of Fame, Holley Depot Museum and Historic Society, Medina Railroad, Albion Courthouse Square District, Pullman Universalist Church, Oak Orchard Lighthouse
Scenic Drives: NY-63 through Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, Medina, and Lyndonvile; CR-98 from Albion to Oak Orchard Lighthouse.
Seneca County
County Seats: Village of Waterloo and Village of Ovid (It became a two-shire county in 1822.)
Major Municipalities: Seneca Falls, Lodi, Interlaken
Major bodies of water: East side Seneca Lake, West Side Cayuga Lake down to Trumansburg
Major parks and natural areas: Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, Bishop Preserve, Seneca Lake State Park, Cayuga Lake State Park, Sampson State Park, former Seneca Army Depot
Sights & attractions: Women’s Rights National Historic Park, National Women’s Hall of Fame, It’s a Wonderful Life Museum, National Memorial Day Museum
Scenic Drives: Skip the thruway and make a slow-road loop of NY-96 and US-20.
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Seneca Falls, on historic Route 5 and 20, is the birthplace of the Women’s Rights movement and is the inspiration for It’s a Wonderful Life.
Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge
Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge is a 7,000-acre preserve on the north end of Cayuga Lake, under one of the most active flight lanes.
Wayne County
County Seat: Hamlet of Lyons
Majoy Municipalities: Wolcott, Sodus, Pultneyville, Newark, Palmyra, Macedon, Walworth, Ontario
Major bodies of water: Erie Canal, Lake Ontario
Major parks and natural areas: Chimney Bluffs State Park, B Forman Park, Montezuma Audubon Center
Sights & attractions: Brantling, Huckleberry Swamp, G & S Orchards, Alling Coverlet Museum, Hoffman Clock Museum, Hotchkiss Peppermint Museum, William Phelps General Store, Sodus Bay Lighthouse Museum, Ohmann Theater, Museum of Wayne County History, Fox Sisters Property
Scenic Drives: Make a loop combining NY-104 and NY-31 through all of the canal towns, and, depending on how far east you head, take NY-89 between Wolcott and Savannah, NY-414 between N. Rose and Clyde, NY-14 between Sodus Point and Lyons, or NY-88 between Sodus and Newark.
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Explore the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor
Enjoy each Erie Canal city, town, and village along the 115-mile stretch between the Cayuga-Seneca Canal and the Niagara River.
Wyoming County
County Seat: Village of Warsaw
Major Municipalities: Wyoming, Perry, Castile Java, Silver Springs, Silver Lake, Varysburg, Arcade, Attica
Major bodies of water: Silver Lake, Genesee River
Major parks and natural areas: Letchworth from Perry south to Portageville, Beaver Meadow Audubon Center, Silver Lake State Park
Sights & attractions: Arcade & Attica Railroad, Hidden Valley Animal Adventure, Spotlight Theater, Charcoal Corral and Silver Lake Twin Drive-In, Wyoming County Historical Museum, Wyoming “Gaslight Village”
Scenic Drives: Make a loop of NY-19 and 19A; follow the wind turbines from US-20A and loop NY-78 or NY-39 and NY-77.
Yates County
County Seat: Village of Penn Yan
Major Municipalities: Dresden, Italy, Milo, Dundee
Major bodies of water: West side of Seneca Lake, North side of Keuka Lake, south-east shore of Canandaigua Lake
Major parks and natural areas: Keuka Lake State Park, Keuka Lake Outlet Trail, High Tor WMA
Sights & attractions: Keuka Lake Wineries, The Windmill, Penn Yan Diner, Garrett Memorial Chapel, Yates County History Center
Scenic Drives: Loop NY-14 and 14A with NY-54, CR-1, and CR-44 connecting Penn Yan, Dresden, Dundee, and Milo.
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8 Wineries with Scenic Keuka Lake Views
Visit these wineries in Penn Yan, Dundee, and Hammondsport to taste award-winning wines paired with scenic Keuka Lake views.
More to explore around the Greater Rochester area
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🎡 2024 New York State & County Fairs
State and county fairs, featuring agricultural-themed competitions, amusement, and entertainment, have been popular since the early 1800s.
Farms & Farmers’ Markets: Your Guide to Locally Grown Produce
Exploring local markets and roadside produce stands is a great way to immerse yourself in the community and support family farms.
8 Roadside Attractions Worth Going Out of Your Way For
There are so many interesting roadside attractions near Rochester. As you’re driving around the area, you should at least see these five!
Rochester’s railfans can appreciate the remarkable structures preserved by dedicated preservationists who recognize their value.
Explore New York’s Finger Lakes Region
The Finger Lakes region is a popular tourist destination, featuring 11 lakes, charming cities and villages, and scenic farmland.
Water Trails: Over 50 Places to Explore Rochester’s Waterways
Paddle your way to peace and quiet along Rochester’s water trails. Use these launches for canoes, kayaks, and small motorized watercraft.
80+ Hiking Trails Around Rochester
Less traveled than in our parks, these hiking trails around Rochester offer a secluded and rustic area to immerse yourself in nature.
19 Historic Inns & Hotels Around Rochester
These historic inns will transport you back to when Rochester was a frontier town, only accessible by train, boat, or stagecoach.
Carefully preserved and restored to their former glory, these authentic dining-car diners will delight anyone who loves a bit of nostalgia.
Where are your favorite places to explore around the Greater Rochester area?
Your insights and experiences are valuable. Please share them in the comments.
People often ask me if I get free access to places while exploring. The answer is no unless I’m invited to previews or granted behind-the-scenes access as part of my media role. Generally, I don’t mention my project, Day Trips Around Rochester, NY, because I want the same experience you would have. I create and share content simply because it brings me joy. I would appreciate your support—a cup of coffee or two to help fuel future field trips—if you have found valuable information here that has helped you explore the Rochester area.
Enjoy the Journey Together!
