The future home of Rochester High Falls State Park!
When they chose this area to develop, our earliest settlers realized the value of High Falls. Very few cities in America have an incredible waterfall as a central focal point!
The area known as High Falls includes the waterfall, a historic district, and the future site of Rochester High Falls State Park. Popular spots to view the falls from the northeast 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. Visitors can stroll along Browns Race on the west side of the river to explore the area’s hydropower history and catch a glimpse of the falls near the Gorsline Building’s viewing terrace.
The East Bank High Falls Viewing Platform
Use the small parking lot at High Falls Terrace Park, next to the brew house. Walking south using the Brewery Line Trail along the east side of the river, you will find a viewing platform overlooking the falls.
Genesee Brew House
If you want to see the falls, I recommend parking at the Genesee Brew House off St. Paul Boulevard. You can then head up to the roof for a drink or find a window seat to enjoy a meal and a tasty brew.
Pont de Rennes Pedestrian Bridge
The Platt Street Bridge was closed to cars in 1977 and re-opened as the Pont de Rennes pedestrian bridge in 1982. Looking out over the gorge, you can see rock formations of shale, limestone, and sandstone with bands of iron ore.
In preparation for the new High Falls State Park, the city updated the bridge in 2024 to create a better viewing experience.
These sedimentary rocks, formed by the accumulation of deposits from the Hudson Valley, are over 400 million years old. Soils from the then Alpine-like mountains were washed into a shallow sea.
The sediment compressed and cemented to form layers of rock. The red sandstone, locally called Medina sandstone, provided an excellent building material and is often found on Rochester sidewalks, curbs, and older buildings. Learn More
The West Bank Viewing Terrace
A portion of the original Gorsline Building is now a terraced park for viewing the falls and river gorge. Don’t miss three landmarks seen only from this location: the eastern view of the lip of High Falls, the original wheel pit of Rochester’s early sawmill, and The Leap, a small balcony near the spot where waterfall daredevil Sam Patch took his last jump. More than half of Rochester watched as Sam took his fatal plunge on Friday, the 13th of November, 1829. Learn More
High Falls Historic District
If you are also interested in the region’s geological and industrial heritage or want to learn about the extraordinary work Greentopia is doing to revitalize the space, start on the west side and park on the street or in the parking garage on Lake Ave. Wander the beautiful cobblestone streets, look over the original Brown’s Race mills, and admire the buildings. An informative self-guided walking tour is also available.
A guided walk to the base of High Falls
To my knowledge, a guided walk was only offered a handful of times during ROC the Riverway weekend in October.
High Falls State Park
Construction of the new High Falls State Park in Rochester, NY, is slated to begin in 2026. While the park may not be complete until the early 2030s, sections will open in phases so that we can enjoy the space as soon as possible. Follow the updates at highfallsstateparkny.com
Learn more in the High Falls State Park Design Workshop Final Report, 8/26/24 (pdf), produced by the Community Design Center of Rochester in collaboration with Greentopia. Greentopia designed the High Falls New York State Park logo.
More information about High Falls
Cost: Free
Located in the City of Rochester (get directions)
More information: cityofrochester.gov
Greentopia
“Through extraordinary ecological design, stewardship, and community advocacy, we will create a resilient Rochester—one neighborhood at a time. Together, we will reclaim the power of the Genesee River to connect us to each other and to inspire the creation of a vibrant, flourishing new Rochester.” Greentopia Mission & Vision
Explore More
Geologic History of the Rochester Area
These day trips into Rochester’s geologic history will remind you just how amazing our corner of the Earth is.
At Genesee Valley Park, the river merges with the Erie Canal and continues north through Rochester before reaching Lake Ontario.
Not all waterfalls are hidden in dark ravines. Many of the region’s most stunning waterfalls can be viewed from the road or a short walk.
Rochester’s Fun Facts: Oldest, Original, Only, & More!
For years, I’ve been collecting fun facts about Rochester from books, websites, historical markers, and casual conversations.
Where is your favorite spot to view High Falls?
I’d love to hear from you—please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
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Thank you!
Debi
Enjoy the Journey Together!
Too bad that people such as myself don’t feel very safe going downtown. All of the downtown area is surrounded by the highest crime areas in the city of Rochester. Beautiful river falls but surrounded by run down homes, vacant store fronts, police cars screaming through Main Street. Too bad Rochester turned out this way. Not the same city I grew up in.
I lived and grew up in Rochester. Graduated from high school in 1960. It was a wonderful and safe childhood. I returned for my 50th highschool reunion. Even at that time I could see how the city had changed. Very rundown. Felt very unsafe driving through the once safe areas