I’m always researching new ideas for day trips around Rochester. Filter our guides by drive time, direction, or season to enjoy a spontaneous getaway or plan a multi-day expedition. Planning your weekend? Feeling spontaneous? Guests visiting from out-of-town? Bookmark this page and make it your first stop before you hit the road.
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Rochester, delivered
A weekly Substack newsletter, with periodic essays exploring behind-the-scenes work and reflections on traveling close to home. While the content is free, paid subscriptions support my ongoing research and writing.
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Springtime in Rochester
Enjoy delightful early springtime day trips around Rochester filled with March migrations, April showers, and May flowers.
Summertime in Rochester
Summer produce, fresh water, and nearly 13,500 square miles to explore. Enjoy everything summertime in Rochester has to offer.
Autumn in Rochester
Scenic train rides, leaf-peeping, bird migrations, and ghost walks happen only in autumn in Rochester—take advantage of them while you can!
Wintertime in Rochester
It's cold, it's snowy, it's dark. It's wintertime in Rochester! Here are a few suggestions to help embrace our winter season.
Start with a Single Destination
These 25 day trips feature carefully chosen options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner at some of the most popular local restaurants, along with unique experiences and events that make each destination truly special. You’ll find a range of ideas to help you make the most of your time and create lasting memories. Here is a sample of the guides available on my Day-Trip Destinations guide:
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Explore Skaneateles
The Village of Skaneateles is the perfect place to get away and enjoy the pace of lake life, surrounded by unique boutiques and restaurants.
Explore Fairport
With a wonderfully walkable Main Street and a picture-perfect setting along the Erie Canal, Fairport is the quintessential canal village.
Explore Naples
Nestled in the hills at the southern end of Canandaigua Lake, Naples is known for its beautiful surroundings and annual Grape Festival.
Use My Themed Google Maps
These are a few of the most popular of my Day Trip maps:
Inspiration Guides
We have dozens of themed guides to inspire your next Rochester day trip. Pick a destination or a few places to see along the way.
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Books by Debi Bower
Day Trips Around
Rochester, New York
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Hidden Places Around
Rochester, New York
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Hidden Places Around
Rochester, New York
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Highland Park
ebook now available in KU!
Preorder 4/26 paperback and hardcover today.
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What resources do you use to plan a day trip from Rochester?
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.
If my work has helped you explore and appreciate the Rochester area, please consider becoming a paid subscriber on Substack. You’ll receive an email whenever I publish new content and have the chance to connect with a growing community of local explorers.
Thank you for supporting my efforts to keep producing meaningful and helpful content.
Thank you!
Debi
Enjoy the Journey Together!
