In May, many businesses and destinations reopen for the season as the temperatures begin to rise. Some of these places may have been completely closed during the colder months, while others may have remained partially open but with limited access and services. Regardless, we’re excited to welcome them back and enjoy the experiences they have to offer.
It’s the perfect time to start planning day trips to your favorite ice cream shops, gorge trails, amusement parks, boat tours, and public gardens.
State & County Parks
While you can explore most of our parks all year long, many have limited resources, limited access, and trails that are closed completely. In May, they begin to reopen.
All Monroe County Parks are fully open May 1-Oct 31. That means gates, roads, trails, picnic areas, and restrooms. Monroe County parks are free, so take advantage of 12,000 acres of natural, zoological, horticultural, historical, and geological experiences.
Like Watkins Glen and Letchworth’s Lower Falls, New York State Park Gorge Trails tend to remain closed until later in the month when the pathways are free from debris and winter damage and deemed safe to open.
The Erie Canal officially opens for the season in mid-May.
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Monroe County parks are free and offer 12,000 acres of natural, zoological, horticultural, historical, and geological experiences.
Gorge trails call out from their deep, dark, and cool caverns. If you haven’t already, start checking these spectacular trails off your list.
50 New York State Parks Within a Two-Hour Drive of Rochester
Venture into one of these New York State Parks within a two-hour drive of Rochester and discover what makes them unique.
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.
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.
Businesses & Activities
You’ll find many of our seasonal businesses located along our lake shores. Destinations start opening in May, sometimes weekends only, before getting into the full summer swing in preparation for the long Memorial Day weekend.
Although you can stroll around the Genesee Country Village & Museum on Sundays in the wintertime, mid-May through Labor Day is when history comes to life through activities, refreshments, house tours, and guides. On weekends, you’ll find major special events like the Civil War Reenactment and Laura Ingalls Wilder Days. The village is closed on Mondays except for Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Sam Patch Erie Canal Tours holds its inaugural run on Mother’s Day each year. Colonial Belle opens in mid-May, along with all boating activities along the canal.
The free Discover Niagara Shuttle begins its scenic run between Niagara Falls State Park and Fort Niagara State Park weekends starting the first week of May, with daily service beginning Memorial Day weekend.
Plus, Olcott Lakeview Village Shoppes, The Silo, Panama Rocks & Rock City Park, Bristol Mountain Aerial Adventures, Balloons Over Letchworth, and more! Tell us your favorites in the comments below, and we’ll add them to the list.
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🍦The Best Ice Cream Shops Around Rochester
These top ice cream and frozen dessert shops in charming villages and city neighborhoods turn a simple scoop into an artisanal delight.
Explore The Lake Ontario Seaway Trail
The Lake Ontario Seaway Trail runs along the southern Lake Ontario shoreline, from Fort Niagara in Youngstown to Fort Ontario in Oswego.
Sam Patch Erie Canal Tours are a great way to experience the canal and learn about its history along your narrated cruise.
Seabreeze, Darien Lake, and Other Amusement Parks Near Rochester
When May comes around, you find the amusement parks with the dry rides opening on the weekends and water parks opening in mid-June.
Penn Dixie Fossil Park and Nature Reserve
At Penn Dixie, you keep every fossil you find, though it takes a keen eye and persistence to find the fossils, many of which are smaller than pebbles.
May Flowers
Although April is one of my favorite times to visit the Magnolia Collection in Highland Park, May is when flowers, flowering bushes, and trees burst to life.
Look for lilacs, tulips, daffodils, pansies, tree peonies, hyacinths, azaleas, flowering dogwood, crab, cherry, pear, and horse chestnuts.
Make sure to hike the Daffodil Trail in Powder Mills Park around May 1 and the Highland Park lilacs around May 10.
Sonnenberg Gardens opens on May 1.
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Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion
Located in the City of Canandaigua, Sonnenberg Gardens is an exceptional example of the lavish wealth and philanthropy of the Gilded Age.
Maintained by the Landmark Society, the Ellwanger Estate Garden is periodically open to the public for special events.
The Flower City: Exploring Rochester’s Extraordinary Flowers and Trees
Rochester became a global center for flower and tree nurseries in the mid-1800s, fostering our identity as The Flower City.
May Events
As spring takes hold in Rochester, there’s a palpable energy in the air as locals eagerly anticipate reopening favorite parks, attractions, and businesses. The merry month of May is an exciting time, with events and activities occurring throughout the city.
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Make Mom’s Day: 7 Ways to Celebrate Mother’s Day 2024
Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 12, 2024. And if you’re wondering how to make this day extra special for your mom, we’ve got you covered.
4 Ways to Spend Memorial Day Weekend Around Rochester
Over Memorial Day Weekend, May 24–27, 2024, we gather as a community to honor our fallen heroes and kick off the summer season in Rochester.
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.
What businesses and activities are you most looking forward to opening in May?
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.
