Frederick Law Olmsted’s Living Landscape in Rochester, New York
Highland Park is one of Rochester’s most beloved green spaces—and one of its most carefully designed. First planned in 1888 by Frederick Law Olmsted, the park rises above the city in a series of terraces, paths, and plant collections that reveal themselves gradually as you explore.
Best known for its world-class lilac collection, Highland Park is worth visiting well beyond peak bloom. Mature trees, seasonal gardens, and winding paths make it a place people return to again and again—sometimes for an event, sometimes for a walk, and sometimes just to see what has changed.
This illustrated map by Rochester artist Sarah Wisbey highlights many of the park’s most beloved landmarks. This map is also available in the print edition of Highland Park: Frederick Law Olmsted’s Living Landscape in Rochester, New York—a photographic portrait of one of Rochester’s most cherished public landscapes.
Highlights & places to explore
You don’t need a map to enjoy Highland Park, but knowing a few key areas helps you orient yourself.
The Lilac Collection
Over 1,200 lilac bushes representing hundreds of varieties blanket the hillsides. Peak bloom typically arrives in mid-May, but timing varies with the weather.
The Sunken Garden
A formal, geometric garden set below grade, offering a moment of structure and symmetry within the larger landscape. Learn more
The Pansy Bed
A seasonal display near the park entrance that changes plantings throughout the year and often serves as a visual welcome to the park.
The Poet’s Garden
A quieter space tucked along a narrow path, planted with native trees, shrubs, and flowers and shaped by decades of volunteer care.
Lamberton Conservatory
A year-round refuge built in 1911, with multiple climate zones, seasonal floral displays, and warm air in winter months. Learn more
Highland Bowl
An open hillside amphitheater used for concerts, Shakespeare performances, and community events.
When to go: a seasonal snapshot
Highland Park looks different every time you visit. Here’s a quick guide to what each season offers.
Spring
Early blossoms arrive gradually—magnolias, cherries, and crabapples—followed by lilacs in mid-May. Expect crowds during peak bloom.
Summer
Green, shaded, and quieter. A good season for walking paths, visiting the conservatory, or attending outdoor performances.
Fall
Color arrives subtly through trees and shrubs rather than dramatic foliage displays. Cooler temperatures make it ideal for lingering walks.
Winter
Snow reshapes the park’s curves and terraces. The conservatory becomes a warm destination, and the grounds are peaceful and open.
Visitor essentials
- Location: South Avenue, Rochester, NY
- Admission: Free for the park, minimal fee for the conservatory
- Hours: Open daily, dawn to dusk (Conservatory hours vary)
- Accessibility: Paved paths throughout, with some steep grades
- Events: Lilac Festival (May), summer performances, seasonal programs
Planning tips
- Check the Monroe County Parks, City of Rochester, and Highland Park Conservancy sites for current events and park details
- Visit early in the morning during lilac season to avoid crowds
- Pair a visit with nearby Mount Hope Cemetery
- Return outside peak bloom to experience the park’s quieter rhythms
Want to go deeper?
This guide offers an introduction—enough to help you plan a visit and get your bearings.
If you find yourself returning to Highland Park—watching the gardens change with the seasons, noticing small details along the paths, or wondering how this landscape fits into Rochester’s larger story—you may enjoy the book that grew out of years of exploring the park.
Highland Park
Frederick Law Olmsted’s Living Landscape in Rochester, New York
by Debi Bower
Ebook also available in Kindle Unlimited
PRINT RELEASE DATE: April 26, 2026
Preorder the paperback and hardcover today!
Highland Park: Frederick Law Olmsted’s Living Landscape in Rochester, New York is a photographic portrait of one of Rochester’s most cherished public landscapes. Through full-color photographs made across the seasons, the book explores the park’s gardens, collections, and quiet corners while reflecting on the ideas that shaped its design.
The ebook edition is available now, and the print edition will be released April 26—Frederick Law Olmsted’s birthday and the opening weekend of the Lilac Festival.
More information about Highland Park
- Download the park map from Monroe County Parks.
- If you are using Google Maps on your mobile device, add this map as a layer to help you navigate and not miss a thing!
Highland Park Conservancy
Highland Park Conservancy, founded in 1994, is a member-supported, all-volunteer organization: the official not-for-profit partner of Monroe County for the stewardship of Highland Park. You can learn more at highlandparkconservancy.org.
Explore More
Gardens & Arboretums
These carefully designed gardens, often cultivated for decades or even centuries, display exceptional collections of flowers and trees.
Lamberton Conservatory
Highland Park's Lamberton Conservatory is a calm, colorful space warmed to tropical temperatures and filled with the sound of running water.
Sunken Garden at Warner Castle
In Highland Park, walk behind Warner Castle or up the hill from Highland Bowl, and there you will find the magnificent Sunken Garden.
Ellwanger Garden
Maintained by the Landmark Society, the Ellwanger Estate Garden is periodically open to the public for special events.
Where are your favorite spots in Highland Park?
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.
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Thank you!
Debi
Enjoy the Journey Together!
Where is a good parking/starting point?
Anywhere around the park where you can find a spot! Most people will start looking for a place to park on Reservoir Avenue by Lamberton Conservatory, but the entire park is so walkable, it doesn’t matter if you park near the pansies on Highland, or in the parking lot by the playground or the parking lot near the memorials at Beikirch Park or in the parking lot at Warner Castle.
awesome have a question. – Rochester ny have cherry blossom trees ?? i would like to see them
Our Hamburg Garden Club will be visiting Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at Highland Park. I believe the Lilac Festival will be going on. Is there anyone that gives tours of Highland Park? We are interested in the different Lilacs, Azaleas, Rhododendrons, etc.
Thank You,
Karen Rathmann
Program Coordinator Hamburg Garden Club
Please check with Highland Park Conservancy! They conduct periodic public tours through the park, so I assume they also offer private tours. https://www.highlandparkconservancy.org/contact-us
Are there any wheelchair accessible areas in the park?
Many of our parks are accessible. I created a list of places offering paved pathways that will inspire you! https://daytrippingroc.com/paved-pathways/
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Absolutely gorgeous…. Wow