I have a few specific things I look for when qualifying a place as the perfect picnic spot. A picnic table, followed by scenery and proximity to water, shade, and relative privacy.
Here are my top recommendations so you can start planning your own picnic. I’d love to hear about your favorite spots in the comments below.
I’ve provided Google map links to each picnic table location. Please keep in mind tables can be moved, or even removed. It is my wholehearted intent to get you as close as possible to the right place.
Day Trips Around Rochester, New York
City of Rochester
1. Port of Rochester
Rochester
Like many of the parks, there are a few picnic tables spread throughout Ontario Beach Park, with many more under the pavilions. I like this one on the riverside closer to the Port Of Rochester restaurants, with a great view of interesting boat traffic at the mouth of the Genesee.
Read about our Ontario Beach Park experience
2. Granite Mills Commons
High Falls, Rochester
This public seating area is right next to the pedestrian bridge on the west side of the river.
Read about our High Falls experience
3. Highland Park
Rochester
This is probably the best known picnic table in Highland Park. Perfectly placed beneath the largest Katsura tree in New York, it’s an easy walk from Highland Drive.
Read about our Highland Park experience
4. Eastman Museum
Rochester
There are a few picnic tables near the University Ave. side of the mansion to enjoy seasonal changes around the formal garden.
Read about our Eastman Museum experience
5. Genesee Valley Park
Rochester
There are a handful of picnic sprinkled around Genesee Valley Park, with many more under pavilions. I particularly like this one by the Roundhouse.
Monroe County
6. Brighton Town Park
Brighton
Picnic tables can be found all along the water’s edge.
Read about our Brighton Town Park experience
7. North Ponds Park
Webster
There are several picnic tables around each of the ponds.
Read about our North Ponds Park experience
8. Rotary Park
Honeoye Falls
Enjoy the swift current of Honeoye Creek running through the park.
9. Black Creek Park
Chili
There are a few picnic tables scattered around the pond at Black Creek Park.
Read about our Black Creek Park experience
Erie Canal
10. Kennelley Park
Fairport
A great public seating area next to the Erie Canal within a stone’s throw of Moonlight Creamery. It’s the perfect place to watch the lift bridge allow boat traffic through.
11. Port of Pittsford Park
Pittsford
Most people spend their time across the Erie Canal at Schoen Place. I enjoy the opposite side, relaxing with a good book from the library and watching the Sam Patch and Colonial Belle navigate the water alongside smaller canal boats and kayaks.
12. Lock 32 State Canal Park
Pittsford
Not only a fabulous picnic table in the shade but a great spot to watch the canal boats lock through. I’ve spend many a summer lunchtime here at this table.
13. Holley Canal Park
Holley
Another lovely spot on the Erie Canal when, with a nice flow of boat traffic, you can watch the lift bridge in action.
Read about our Holley Canal Falls experience
14. Holley Canal Falls
Holley
Although part of the same Holley Canal Park, the canal is not viewable here at the base of the falls and it feels like a whole new place.
Read about our Holley Canal Falls experience
Lake Ontario
15. B. Forman Park
Williamson
This picnic table has great shade and a wide-open view of Lake Ontario.
In case you are curious, as was I, the park is named for Benjamin Forman, originator of B. Formans’ department store. A Wikipedia fun fact, “Once the largest store of its kind between New York and Chicago, the company, founded by Benjamin Forman in the first decade of the twentieth century, closed in 1994. B. Forman Co., along with McCurdy & Co., created Rochester’s Midtown Plaza, one of the first enclosed downtown malls in the United States.”
Things you can think about while enjoying your picnic!
16. Hamlin Beach State Park
Hamlin
Hamlin Beach offers an overwhelming amount of picnic tables under shady trees. Some are closer to the beach, while others are along the walkways throughout the park.
Read about our Hamlin Beach experience
17. Golden Hill State Park
Barker
This particular picnic table is behind the lighthouse so it’s pretty secluded with a great view of Lake Ontario.
Finger Lakes
18. Honeoye Lake Overlook
Honeoye
This is a popular stopping point on US-20A with a great view of Honeoye Lake.
Read about our Honeoye Lake experience
NOTE: In July, the hillside is covered in Wild Parsnip. It looks like a yellow Queen Anne’s Lace, yet is a highly poisonous, invasive species. The plant produces a compound that causes intense, localized burning, rash, severe blistering, and discoloration on contact with the skin on sunny days. This is not an allergic reaction, it is a chemical burn brought on by an increase in the skin’s sensitivity to sunlight. Do not attempt to make a bouquet with it! Things to think about as you enjoy your picnic.
19. Canandaigua Lake Overlook
Naples
Another popular overlook on CR-12 with an unobstructed view of Canandaigua Lake’s south end.
Read about our Canandaigua Lake experience
20. Long Point Park
Conesus Lake, Geneseo
A picnic table and a swimming beach is a great combination! Located on the west side of Conesus Lake.
Read about our Conesus Lake experience
21. Vitale Park
Conesus Lake, Lakeville
There are a few picnic tables throughout Vitale Park offering great views of Conesus Lake’s north end.
Read about our Conesus Lake experience
22. Seneca Lake State Park
Geneva
The Seneca Lake north shore is lined with picnic tables and shade trees.
Read about our Seneca Lake experience
More Greater Rochester Picnic Spots
23. Ganondagan
Victor
To find this picnic table, follow the Trail of Peace to the furthest point with a lovely view overlooking Victor.
Read about our Ganondagan experience
24. Papermill Falls
Avon
Papermill offers a picnic table next to a waterfall on a country road.
25. Griffis Sculpture Park
East Otto
There are several picnic tables throughout the park, but I like this one in particular near the pond.
Read about our Griffis Sculpture Park experience
26. Gannett Hill
South Bristol
Gannett Hill is part of Ontario County Park with an expansive view of the Canandaigua Lake valley. This is also where you’ll find the Jump Off Trail.
Read about our Gannett Hill experience
27. Moss Lake
Houghton
Moss Lake is a National Natural Landmark, so no boating or swimming here. Just a quiet picnic spot with an abundance of aquatic life, including the sphagnum moss mat and thousands of bullhead fish.
A note about the directions. Google does not have this area street-mapped. Just know when you pull in to the parking lot, you’ll see the lake and the picnic table is right there.
28. Darien Lakes State Park
Darien Center
The aptly named Picnic Island on Harlow Lake is a perfect spot to spend a few leisurely hours. Also popular for fishing.
29. Silver Lake State Park
Perry
There are a few shaded picnic tables near the marina which makes for a great spot to watch the boats come and go.
30. Letchworth State Park
Castile
Arguably there are hundreds of picnic tables throughout Letchworth that are all are worthy of mention! But this area near Wolf Creek is my favorite, with these stone tables at Eddie’s Overlook.
And I promise you, these picnic tables won’t move!
Read about our Letchworth experience
36 Places to Immerse Yourself in Green
I find green to be a soothing color, especially when surrounded by it. Here are some of my favorite places to go green!
These boardwalks are integrated into larger trail systems to assist individuals in navigating wetlands and conserving wildlife.
10 Spots to Seek Solitude Around Rochester
It’s critical to spend time outside. Here are a few spots where I find ample space for solitude and solace in nature.
39 Other Great Lakes Near Rochester
Rochester is well-known for its 11 Finger Lakes and two beautiful Great Lakes. But there are even more freshwater lakes to enjoy.
These day trips are filled with carefully chosen options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as memorable experiences and events.
20 Paved, Gravel, and Boardwalk Pathways for Easy Strolls
These paved pathways and boardwalks are ideal for folks using strollers, walkers, wheelchairs, or managing other mobility challenges.
4 Old Country Stores Around Rochester
These old-fashioned country stores house aisles full of nostalgic candies, toys, and knickknacks that transport you back in time.
On a hot day, you can sit under a waterfall, swim in a lake, or jump in a creek at one of these refreshing natural swimming areas.
Where are your favorite picnic spots around Rochester?
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.
I guess that there are no great spots in Genesee Park. Strange. The river runs right through it.
There surly must be! I just don’t have a photograph to represent. Happy to add GVP if you have a photo I can share! GVP is wonderful for lots of reasons.