The Ultimate Guide for Spending Quality Time Together in Rochester, NY
We’ve broken these date ideas into themes to help you find a topic you already love or want to try. Whether it’s your first date or 50th, trying various activities with your partner is a great way to connect, learn more about each other, and shake up your routine.
Take a Walk In the Park
- Monroe County Parks
- Great Winter Walks
- Take a guided walk, as a couple or with a group
- Immerse Yourself in Green
- Our Favorite Places to Take a Walk
- New York State Parks
- Beautiful Boardwalks
- Paved Pathways for Easy Strolls
- Hiking Trails
- Gorge Trails
- Geo-caching
- Rock Cities
- Genesee Riverway Trail in the City
- Genesee Valley Greenway south of the city
- Nature Centers & Wildlife Preserves
- National Natural Landmarks
- Seek Solitude
- Get Away From It All
Wander Among the Flowers
- Public Gardens & Arboretums
- The Flower City
- Lamberton Conservatory
- Maplewood Rose Garden
- Webster Arboretum
Nature reserves
- Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge
- Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge
- MacKay Wildlife Preserve
- Helmer Nature Center
- Nature Centers and Preserves
Explore a Hidden Place
- Corbett’s Glen
- Sunken Garden
- Grimes Glen
- Rochester’s Hidden Sidewalk
- Channing H. Philbrick Park
- Turning Point Park
- Washington Grove
- Holley Canal Falls
- The Jump Off
- Akron Falls
- Havana Glen
- Griffis Sculpture Park
23 Hidden Places Around Rochester
From secret gardens to enchanting waterfalls, exploring hidden places around the Rochester area is the ultimate way to add some spice to your travel experiences.
Take a Scenic Drive
- Lake Ontario Seaway Trail
- Breathtaking Views of Fall Foliage
- Quirky Roadside Attractions
- Explore Rochester’s Street Art
- Roadside Waterfalls
- Lighthouses Along Lake Ontario
- Historic Routes 5 & 20
- Spend a Day in the Finger Lakes Region
- Erie Canal
- Self-Guided Tours
- Greater Rochester Nine-County Area
Head for Water
- Genesee River Through the City of Rochester
- Other Great Lakes Around Rochester
- Letchworth State Park
- Lake Ontario
- Our Favorite 5 Waterfalls
- The Finger Lakes
- Roadside Waterfalls
- Kayak Rochester’s Water Trails
- Whitewater Rafting with Adventure Calls Outfitters
Go for a swim
Explore the Genesee River
- Genesee Valley Park
- Turning Point Park
- High Falls
- Maplewood Park
- Seneca Park
- Letchworth State Park
- Hike or bike the Genesee Riverway Trail in the City, or the Genesee Valley Greenway south of GVP.
Rent a boat or jet ski
- Bayside Boat & Tackle
- South Bay Boat & Tackle
- Keuka Watersports
- Southpoint Marina Jet Ski Rentals
- BayCreek Paddling Center
Whitewater rafting
Take a boat tour
- Sam Patch Erie Canal Tours
- Colonial Belle Erie Canal Cruises
- Canandaigua Lady
- Maid of the Mist
- Whirlpool Jet Boat Tour
- Skaneateles Mail Boat
Spend Time Among the Animals
- Seneca Park Zoo
- Rosamond Gifford Zoo
- Buffalo Zoo
- Hidden Valley Animal Adventure
- Braddock Bay Raptor Research
- Wildwings at Mendon Ponds
On the farm
Farm Animal Rescue
- Farm Sanctuary
- Crackerbox Palace Farm Animal Haven at Historic Alasa Farms
- Asha Farmed Animal Sanctuary
- Lollypop Farm
Marine life
Rodeo, racing & shows
- Genesee Valley Hunt Races
- Attica Rodeo
- Ellicottville Championship Rodeo
- Knox Farm Polo Cup in East Aurora
Watch the sun set
These suggestions link to Google image search results to give you an idea for each area. Take a scientific approach to watching the optimal sun set using this calculation of the sun’s position at a given time, date and location. Try August 8 at 18:30 (sunset is 18:55) at Cobb’s Hill (43.1396542, -77.5723119).
Just pick a spot with a higher elevation than obstacles to the west. Add in some water or architectural elements and you’ve got a great view. Here are a few places to inspire you.
- Anywhere along Lake Ontario, especially when there is open water to your west. (Ontario Beach Park pier, Webster Park pier, Hamlin Beach, Braddock Bay Area, including the ponds)
- SUNY Geneseo Gazebo
- Lodge at Woodcliff
- High Falls
- Cobb’s Hill
- Anywhere you can see the beautiful Rochester skyline!
- Or, find the darkest sky near Rochester under which to observe the stars
Plan a Day Trip
Explore Below Earth’s Surface
- Search for fossils at Penn Dixie Fossil Park and Nature Reserve
- or Herkimer “Diamonds” at the Herkimer Diamond Mine or Ace of Diamonds Mine
- or the glowing calcite heart in Howe Caverns
Ride the rails
- Arcade & Attica Railroad
- Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum
- New York Museum of Transportation
- Medina Railroad Museum & Train Rides
- or dine at a train-themed restaurant
Get your motor running
- Motocross
- Monster Trucks
- Speedways
- Go-Carts: Outside and Inside
- Watch a race at Watkins Glen International Speedway
- or Drive the Glen yourself!
- Lake Alice Mud Bogs
Zip & climb
- Central Rock Gym
- Aerial Adventures at Bristol Mountain
- Niagara Falls Adventure Park
- Canyon Climb at Destiny USA
- The Niagara Zipper in Lockport
- RockVentures
Up, up & away
Fly high
Free fall
- Rochester Skydivers
- Western New York Skydivers
- Frontier Skydivers
- Finger Lakes Skydivers
- Skydive Central New York
Helicopter
- Rochester Helicopter Rides and Tours
- Rochester Helicopter Charters
- Buffalo Helicopter Charters
- BAC Helicopters
- Rainbow Air Helicopter Tours
- WNY Helicopter Tours
- FirstAir
Hang glide
Stargaze
- RMSC Strasenburg Planetarium Saturday night laser show and telescope viewing
- Find the Darkest Sky Near Rochester
Discover the strange and unusual
- Paranormal activities
- Visit Lily Dale for a spirited reading
- Explore one of our 100+ museums
Wander around a small bookstore
Or record store
Learn something new
- Rochester Brainery
- RMSC’s Science on the Edge
- Or plan a longer trip to Chautauqua Institute
Enjoy a playful 21+ date night in Rochester
- RMSC After Dark
- Strong Happiest Hour
- Zoo Brew
- Genesee Country Village & Museum special events
- Geeks Who Drink
- DeTOURS at the Memorial Art Gallery
Pinball & games
- The Strong National Museum of Play
- The Playhouse // Swillburger
- Rochester Pinball Collective
- Flower City Amusements
- Board games over a bowl of cereal at POP ROC or in Clyde at Undercroft Games
- Millennium Games
- Just Games
- Bowling plus giant Jenga®, cornhole, pool, shuffleboard, Skee-Ball®, ping pong, and seasonal outdoor games at Radio Social
- Veracity VRcade
- Lasertron
Professional sports
- Red Wings baseball
- Rochester Americans hockey
- Rochester Knighthawks indoor lacrosse
- Rochester Rhinos soccer
- Rochester RazorSharks basketball
- Buffalo Bills football
- Buffalo Sabres hockey
Team Up
Amuse yourselves
- Seabreeze and Other Amusement & Water Parks
- New York State and County Fairs
- Ride the carousel at Ontario Beach Park
Escape together
Break stuff
Explore artistic outlets
- Flower City Arts Center
- Memorial Art Gallery Creative Workshops
- Find inspiration at the annual Rochester Maker Faire
Create with glass or metal
Paint together
- Paint Nite
- Painting with a Twist
- Wine & Design
- or grab your paint, brushes, canvas, and an easel, and plan a day to paint outside (en plein air)
Glaze your own pottery
Make music
Swing your partner round
- Big Band Dances at Ontario Beach Park
- Line dancing at Nashville’s
- Rochester Swing Dance Network
- Groove Juice Swing
- Rochester Cajun Zydeco Network
- and so many more!
Write
Rochester date ideas for dining out
- Historic inns
- Authentic “dining car” diners
- Or another highly recommended restaurant
- Top ice cream shops
- Rochester’s Public Market
- Monroe County breweries
- Wineries with scenic Keuka Lake views
- Culinary trails and self-guided tours
- Pack a zero-waste picnic
- Enjoy a non-alcoholic experience with AltBar
Comedy
Movies
- See a classic or first-run movie at a small, historic movie theater
- Pick a gorgeous summer evening and head to the Avon Drive-In Theater, the Charcoal Corral & Silver Lake Drive-In in Perry, or Auburn’s Finger Lakes Drive-In.
- Free movies in the park at Highland Bowl and Ontario Beach Park, or Movies with a Downtown View
Concerts & events
Performing arts
- Kodak Center
- Blackfriars Theatre
- Rochester Broadway Theater League
- Geva Theatre Center
- Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra
- Downstairs Cabaret
- Multi-use Community Cultural Center
- or other Performing Arts Venues around Rochester
Mystery theater
- The Mystery Company
- Erie Canal Murder Mystery Tour on the Colonial Belle
- Mansion Mysteries at Sonnenberg
- Murder Mystery Train (Arcade-Attica RR)
- ACME Mystery Company (Syracuse)
Rochester date ideas during the December holidays
Try some snow sports
Things to Do in Rochester This Weekend
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132 Things to Do Around Rochester
We’ve pulled together a list of fun and unique things to do around Rochester, NY, within two hours of home—perfect for quick getaways.
23 Hidden Places Around Rochester
From secret gardens to enchanting waterfalls, exploring hidden places around the Rochester area is the ultimate way to add some spice to your travel experiences.
49 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.
These day trips are filled with carefully chosen options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as memorable experiences and events.
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What are your favorite Rochester date ideas?
Your insights and experiences are valuable. Please share them in the comments.
Don’t forget Charcoal Corral for a night of mini golf, arcade games, ice cream, dining and a drive in! They do classic car nights during the summer too!
Also, Jade Pottery is another option for creating in Henrietta!
Thank you so much for the recommendations, Jazmin! I happily added them both.