Springtime in Rochester

In March, local producers open their sugar shacks to the community to celebrate the innovative process of turning sap into syrup during Maple Syrup Weekend.

Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge is the largest in New York State at 10,828 acres, not even including the surrounding Oak Orchard and Tonawanda WMAs.

Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge is a 7,000-acre preserve located on the north end of Cayuga Lake, under one of the most active flight lanes in the Atlantic Flyway.

The Braddock Bay complex includes the bay and the surrounding wetlands. We break it down so you can start exploring!

Our nature centers, wildlife preserves, management areas, etc., all serve to protect and sustain life, while making nature accessible to people to enjoy.

Watch raging torrents flow over their banks and brinks after heavy rains for a spectacular, multi-sensory experience. Behold the power of water!

These beautiful creeks around Rochester impact us in such subtle ways they sometimes disappear into the background of our lives.

Impressive waterfalls are not all buried in dark ravines accessible only by difficult trails. And for some, you do not need to get out of your car.

Think of this as a starter-set of five exceptional waterfalls near Rochester that you should absolutely visit if you haven’t already!

Powder Mills Park favorites include the fish hatchery, Daffodil Meadow Trail in early May, The Mushroom House, and fishing Irondequoit Creek.

Highland Park was designed to be enjoyed year-round. Every pathway, every tree, every vista & every relationship between the land & water is intentional.

Rochester became a global center for flower and tree nurseries in the mid-1800s, fostering our identity as The Flower City.

Follow the pathways that meander around Webster Arboretum–40 acres of open spaces, flower & herb gardens, water elements, and a wide variety of trees.

Enjoy a peaceful afternoon at one of these arboretums, labyrinths, estate gardens, or botanical gardens, all within a 2-hour drive of Rochester.

Gorge trails call out to us from their deep, dark, and cool caverns. If you haven’t already, check these spectacular trails off your list!

Venture into one of these New York State Parks within a two hour drive of Rochester and discover what makes them each unique!

Monroe County parks are free, so take advantage of 12,000 acres of natural, zoological, horticultural, historical and geological experiences!

The Discover Niagara Shuttle is a 2-hour round-trip journey from any starting point if you’d like to simply enjoy the ride. Otherwise, you can hop on and off at any stop–no ticket required!

The Lake Ontario Seaway Trail is the portion that runs along the southern Lake Ontario shoreline, from Fort Niagara in Youngstown to Fort Ontario in Oswego.

The Erie Canal spans 100-miles between Lockport and Lyons, with Rochester located right in the middle. Choose just 15 miles to explore for a great day trip!

Ice cream, gelato, Italian ice, frozen yogurt, and custard—we love these shops for their outstanding atmosphere, taste, variety, and innovation.

Yes, there are still drive-in theaters near Rochester! The Vintage Drive-In in Avon is the closest, but there are five others within a 90 minute drive.

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.

When May comes around, you find the amusement parks with dry-rides opening on the weekends, with the water parks opening closer to Father’s Day in mid-June.

Arcade and Attica Railroad offers a 2-1/2 hour train experience, including a 30-minute layover at Curriers Station where you can explore the train yard and grab a bite to eat.

Once a month, between June and October, you can spend the day riding the train at the Rochester Genesee Valley Railroad Museum.

Enjoy a scenic 2-mile round-trip ride on an 90-year-old electric trolley car at the New York Museum of Transportation, and themed-events during the year.

We’ve broken these date ideas into themes to help you find a topic you already love or want to try to avoid the routine rut.

Rochester is open for the season! We’re excited to enjoy the warmer days of springtime at our favorite places and businesses opening in May.

“Festival season” in Rochester runs from May to September. Let’s focus on the six most popular summertime City of Rochester festivals!