OptOutside: Ideas for Spending Time Outdoors on the Day After Thanksgiving

On the Friday after Thanksgiving, you may want to leave the shopping lists behind and spend part of the day outdoors. REI introduced #OptOutside in 2015, closing its stores on Black Friday and encouraging employees and customers to make time for fresh air. Around Rochester and the Finger Lakes, that could mean a woodland trail, a walk beside the water, or an afternoon exploring a village on foot.

Hit the Trail

Late November reveals details that foliage can hide: the shape of the land, stone walls along an old farm road, and longer views through the trees. If you want help choosing a route, start with this guide to more than 80 hiking trails around Rochester. You could explore the glacial landscape and 21 miles of marked trails at Mendon Ponds Park, follow the gorge at Letchworth State Park, or choose a shorter walk at Corbett’s Glen.

Monroe County parks and many town trails are free to explore. New York State Park vehicle-use fees vary by location and season, so check before leaving home. Dress in layers, wear footwear suited to mud or ice, and keep in mind that daylight fades early at this time of year. A short walk close to home counts just as much as a full-day hike.

Wander Near Water

Water shapes many of our favorite places to walk. Consider the Genesee Riverway Trail through Turning Point Park, the Lake Ontario shoreline at Ontario Beach Park, or one of the region’s boardwalk trails through wetlands and along the water. Lucien Morin Park follows Irondequoit Bay, while Braddock Bay offers a different view of the Lake Ontario landscape.

With the leaves down, waterfalls and creek beds can be easier to see. Channing H. Philbrick Park follows Irondequoit Creek through a mile-long gorge, and Corbett’s Glen offers a short route to Tunnel Falls. For ideas that do not require a long hike, browse these easy-to-see waterfalls near Rochester. Trails, boardwalks, and overlooks may be wet, icy, or closed for the season, so check current conditions and stay behind barriers.

Meander Down Main Street

Opting outside does not have to mean taking a trail. You could walk through a village, notice the architecture, stop beside the water, and step into a locally owned café or shop along the way. East Aurora, Skaneateles, Canandaigua, and Hammondsport each offer a compact downtown with nearby places to explore.

Let the weather and your interests shape the day. Choose one destination, or combine a Main Street walk with a park, historic site, or lakeside path. My guide to favorite places to walk offers more possibilities in cities, villages, forests, glens, and along the lakeshore.

OptOut Inside

Cold rain, strong wind, and icy paths may change the plan. On those days, consider a place that keeps you connected with nature, history, or creative work. Lamberton Conservatory in Highland Park brings tropical, desert, and seasonal plants together under glass.

A nature center, library, or one of the region’s museums can also offer a quieter alternative to shopping. If conditions allow, pair the indoor destination with a brief walk nearby. Highland Park surrounds Lamberton Conservatory, and several Rochester museums sit within neighborhoods that are interesting to explore on foot.

Create Your Own Tradition

There is no single way to OptOutside. You might return to the same trail each year, invite family or friends to choose the destination, or use the day to explore a part of the region you have not visited in a while. The plan can be as simple as a neighborhood walk or as involved as a day trip across the Finger Lakes.

The value is in paying attention—to the late-autumn landscape, to the people you are with, and to the places close to home. Choose an outing that fits the weather, the available daylight, and your energy for the day.

Where do you like to spend time outside on the Friday after Thanksgiving?

I’d love to hear from you—please reach out and share your thoughts and experiences.