Monroe County, located in Upstate New York, has a population of 750,000 people. Out of this, 210,000 residents live in the City of Rochester, which means that 72% of the population lives outside the city. Each town and village in Monroe County has something unique to offer, and they are listed in order of their population. It is impossible to capture everything that makes each town or village special, but here is a glimpse of what makes each one stand out.
Day Trips Around Rochester, New York
Best of Rochester Award-Winning Book for Best Published Literary Work of 2023.
Suburban Towns in Monroe County
Greece
est. 1822 / pop. 96,095
Irondequoit
est. 1829 / pop. 51,692
Seneca Park & Zoo (technically Rochester)
Seabreeze (The Jack Rabbit is America’s oldest continuously operating roller coaster)
Whispering Pines (America’s oldest miniature golf course)
Henrietta
est. 1818 / pop. 42,581
Rochester Institute of Technology
Brighton
est. 1814 / pop. 36,609
Access points along the Erie Canal
Penfield
est. 1810 / pop. 36,242
Chili
est. 1822 / pop. 28,625
Gates
est. 1813 / pop. 28,400
Suburban Towns / Villages in Monroe County
Perinton / Fairport
town est. 1812 / pop.46,462,
village est 1867 / pop.5,353
Access points along the Erie Canal
Colonial Belle Erie Canal Tour
Lollypop Farm and Barktoberfest
Webster
town est. 1840 / pop. 42,641
village est. 1905 / pop. 5,399
Webster Park Lake Ontario
Webster Arboretum at Kent Park
Herman’s Farm Market & Cider Mill
Pittsford
town est. 1827 / pop. 29,405
village est. 1827 / pop. 1,355
Access points along the Erie Canal
Lock 32 Erie Canal Park & Lockapalooza
Wegmans Food Markets’ flagship store
East Rochester
coterminous, both town and village est. 1897 / pop. 6,600
originally named Despatch, renamed in 1906
Rural Towns & Town/Villages in Monroe County
Ogden / Spencerport
town est. 1817 / pop. 19,856
village est. 1867 / pop. 3,601
Spencerport Depot & Canal Museum
Access points along the Erie Canal
Parma / Hilton
town est. 1808 / pop. 15,633
village est. 1885 pop. 5,886
Sweden / Clarkson / Brockport
Village spans 2 towns:
Sweden town est. 1814 / pop. 14,175
Clarkson town est. 1819 / pop 6,736
village est. 1829 / pop. 8,336.
Access points along the Erie Canal
Low Bridge / High Water Festival
The Strand Movie Theater (America’s second-oldest)
Mendon / Honeoye Falls
town est. 1813 / pop. 9,245
village est. 1791 / pop. 2,674
Wild Wings at Mendon Ponds Park
Hamlin
est. 1852 (Town of Union), renamed in 1861 / pop. 9,045
Riga / Churchville
town est. 1809 / pop. 5,590
village est. 1852 / pop. 1,961
Wheatland / Scottsville
town est. 1821 / pop. 4,775
village est. 1790 / pop. 2,001
Genesee Country Village & Museum
Rush
est. 1818 / pop. 3,478
Honeoye Creek Falls at Veterans Memorial Park
New York Museum of Transportation
Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum
Gro-Moore Farms U-Pick Strawberries
Explore More
Monroe County parks are free and offer 12,000 acres of natural, zoological, horticultural, historical, and geological experiences.
A free library card allows you to access 31 Monroe County libraries, including Central Library and Libby, the digital library.
31 Craft Breweries in Rochester and Monroe County
Considering all the breweries that call the Greater Rochester area home can be overwhelming. Let’s focus on the ones here in Monroe County.
Rochester’s Fun Facts: Oldest, Original, Only, & More!
Rochester’s fun facts will inspire you to explore more. And these are just some of the historical tidbits that make Rochester special.
The Greater Rochester Nine-County Area
The Greater Rochester Area is made up of nine counties that fall under the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce.
Where are your favorite places around Monroe County?
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.
Leo’s Bakery and Deli, East Rochester; DiPisa Subs, 196 Court St. in downtown Rochester