We’ve pulled together a diverse list of day trips from Rochester within an hour-and-a-half of Center City. These destinations are perfect for quick getaways, and for out-of-town guests who are exploring the Rochester area.

These first 68 day trips from Rochester are all within 30 minutes of Center City

1. Channing H Philbrick Park (Linear Park)

As Irondequoit Creek passes through Channing H Philbrick Park in Penfield, it drops 90 feet over one mile giving us the cascades that make this park so special.

2. ARTISANworks

I’ve heard ARTISANworks described as a walk-through kaleidoscope, a bombardment on the senses, a 360° canvas, a space that defies all boundaries, a place that can’t be described but must be seen, surprising, inspiring, and in some instances shocking.

3. Sam Patch Erie Canal Tours

Sam Patch Erie Canal Tours are a great way to experience the canal, the locks, & learn about its history along your narrated cruise. Seasonal.

4. Thomas Creek Wetlands Walk

Most folks when visiting Fairport walk along the canal path not knowing that the Thomas Creek Wetlands Walk is running parallel to them. There is also a viewing platform where you can relax and take in the sights and sounds.

5. Durand Eastman Park

Durand Eastman Park’s landscape design was inspired by the work that Olmsted had done 20 years earlier in Highland, Seneca, and Genesee Valley Parks.

6. Webster Arboretum at Kent Park

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

7. Greece Canal Park

Greece Canal Park encompasses 577 acres, with 4 easy walking trails varying in length under 1.5 miles over level or gently rolling terrain.

8. Erie Canal Lock 62

Old Erie Canal Lock 62 is tucked just far enough off the beaten path that many do not realize it’s there, just over the hill behind Pittsford Plaza.

9. Cobbs Hill

The view from Cobbs Hill, the quiet, the breeze, the friendly nature of people walking and taking it all in—there’s nothing quite like it in Rochester.

10. MacKay Wildlife Preserve

There are interesting man-made and geologic wonders to discover at MacKay Wildlife Preserve in Caledonia, including a sea of round, moss-covered boulders.

11. Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse

You can climb the Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse’s 40 foot high tower and enjoy the view of Lake Ontario, the Genesee River, and Ontario Beach Park. Seasonal.

12. Conesus Lake

Conesus Lake is the westernmost Finger Lake and the closest to Rochester. You can drive around the entire lake in 30 minutes.

13. Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Park at Manhattan Square

Concerts, events, and festivals at Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Park at Manhattan Square are organized more frequently now, and the cascades behind the stage will make for a beautiful backdrop.

14. Oatka Creek Park

Oatka Creek Park in Wheatland is one of the more strollable in the Monroe County Park system, with little change in elevation along the 3.3 mile loop trail.

15. Tinker Nature Park

At Tinker Nature Park you can look for Tinker Bell in one of the 20+ miniature homes along the Fairy Trail, or take a meditation walk in the labyrinth.

16. Rochester’s Hidden Sidewalk

To find Rochester’s hidden sidewalk, start at Ontario Beach Park & head west on Beach Ave. Across from Clematis St. & Cloverdale St. are the two main entrances.

17. Meridian Centre Park

Meridian Centre Park is located off Winton Road. There are several points of access from the large parking area to the Erie Canal path.

18. Braddock Bay Fish and Wildlife Management Area

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

19. Maplewood Park

Maplewood Park is a linear park that follows the river from Driving Park and the Lower Falls to just north of Route 104, ending at the pedestrian bridge over the Genesee.

20. Turning Point Park

Turning Point Park’s most striking feature is a 3,572 ft-long bridge over the Genesee River Turning Basin, part of the greater Genesee Riverway Trail.

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21. Rochester Public Market

The Rochester Public Market is the place to grab the freshest local and wholesale fruit, veggies, seafood, beef, cheese, bread, flowers and spices. The market is surrounded by excellent restaurants, cafes, a donuts shop, and a distillery.

22. High Falls

High Falls is both the name of the waterfall and the district in the city where it can be found. There’s plenty of parking and food options on both sides of the river.

23. Warner Castle Sunken Garden

When you stroll around the back of Warner Castle and down the lawn, you’ll discover the Sunken Garden. It’s a peaceful retreat, and beautiful anytime of the year. Continue walking behind the garden and you’ll find yourself at Highland Bowl.

24. Lamberton Conservatory

Tropical plants need tropical temperatures, so visiting Lamberton Conservatory in winter is a welcome escape from the cold! Don’t miss the Spring Show that runs late-March through May and the Holiday Show in December.

25. Mount Hope Cemetery

Mount Hope Cemetery is a special place all year-round, but there’s something about Autumn that turns it into a virtual painting.

26. Highland Park

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

27. Mendon Ponds Park

Mendon Ponds Park is the largest Monroe County Park with 2,500 acres of woodlands, ponds, wetlands and glacially created landforms.

28. Seneca Park

The Seneca Park Zoo is a but a small part of the greater 297-acre Seneca Park, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted in 1893. Did you know that Durand-Eastman once had a zoo? Down in the valley off Zoo Rd.

29. Corbetts Glen Nature Park

Corbetts Glen Nature Park is a hidden green space in a suburban jungle, nestled in between an express way and 2 highly trafficked roads near the Penfield/Brighton Town border.

30. Genesee Valley Park

Genesee Valley Park is a Frederick Law Olmsted-designed park located at the intersection of the Erie Canal, Red Creek, and Genesee River.

31. Frankel Nature Park

Sandra L. Frankel Nature Park is a 72-acre linear park connecting the Brighton Town Hall and Library on Elmwood Ave with Buckland Park on Westfall Road. The 0.8-mile Brickyard Trail runs the length of the park.

32. Breese Park

Breese Park is located along the Genesee River in the small community of Riverton on the far west side of Henrietta. Set your sights on late-April to early-May to see the native bluebelles, trilliums, and ferns in their full spring glory!

33. Ellison Park

Irondequoit Creek meanders through Ellison Park on its way to Irondequoit Bay and Lake Ontario, offering visitors year-round fishing and non-motorized boating opportunities.

34. Helmer Nature Center

The paths at Helmer Nature Center, made primarily of wood chip, boardwalk, and hard-pack gravel, are easy to navigate and clearly marked. There are sloped portions that take you down to the valley floor where the terrain around you is hilly and tree covered making it peacefully quiet.

35. Ellwanger Estate Garden

While the Ellwanger Estate is private, the garden is maintained by the Landmark Society and is periodically open to the public for special events.

36. Canadaigua Lake

Canandaigua Lake is home to the smallest island, one of only two islands in the Finger Lakes. You can drive around the entire lake in 60 minutes.

37. George Eastman Museum

The George Eastman Museum is a beautiful tribute to his life & legacy, and is the world’s oldest photography museum with one of the oldest film archives.

38. Memorial Art Gallery

Rochester’s Memorial Art Gallery has an extensive permanent collection, an incredible variety of traveling exhibitions, & a well-rounded calendar of events.

39. Brighton Town Park

Brighton Town Park is surprisingly serene, despite it being bordered on one side by office buildings and across the pond by a major express way.

40. Great Embankment Park

Great Embankment Park has a small sitting area, a few benches, a small boat launch and a dock great for fishing; perfect to start your trip along the canal.

41. Rochester Museum & Science Center

Rochester Museum and Science Center’s Strasenburgh Planetarium hosts free telescope viewings on clear Saturday nights from the Observation Tower.

42. Black Creek Park

At 1,505-acres, Black Creek Park is one of the largest of Monroe County’s 20 parks, second only to Mendon.

43. Powder Mills Park

Powder Mills Park favorites include the fish hatchery, and Daffodil Trail, and the Mushroom House, which is technically private property but still draws a crowd!

44. Susan B Anthony House & Museum

Susan B Anthony’s passion for securing women’s right to vote started with her work as an agent of the anti-slavery movement.

45. Vintage Drive-In

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.

46. Stokoe Farms

Stokoe Farms offers a full day of family activities. On a beautiful Autumn day, you can expect it to be a very popular place! Stop back in December to cut your own Christmas tree.

47. Strong Museum

The Strong National Museum of Play has a wealth of interaction for toddlers, school-aged children and adults, including play-shopping at Wegmans!

48. Ontario Beach Park

Lake Ontario Beach Park is located at the northernmost tip of the city of Rochester, and is bordered on the East by the mouth of the Genesee River.

49. Genesee Country Village & Museum

All summer long the Genesee Country Village and Museum hosts themed events on the weekends like Highland Days, Civil War Days, and a Fiddlers Fair. In the winter, the village is open for Sundays strolls.

50. Ganondagan State Historic Park

Everything you will see and do at Ganondagan is centered around these core values: peace, cooperation, and respect for each other and the natural world.

51. Hamlin Beach State Park

Hamlin Beach State Park has 7 miles of beautiful biking and walking trails, including a mile-long self-guided tour of a CCC/POW camp.

52. 6 Hidden Places Around Rochester

We drive past some of Rochester’s most unique features every day, completely unaware that these hidden places exist!

 

53. Central Library of Rochester & Monroe County

Central Library occupies two buildings located across the street from each other on South Avenue in Center City Rochester.

54. Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum

R&GVRRM is the only operating railroad museum and home to the largest collection of historic trains in New York State, with fun train rides every third weekend from April through December.

55. New York Museum of Transportation

The New York Museum of Transportation houses fourteen full size trolley cars, a caboose, steam locomotive, antique highway and horse-drawn vehicles, and the various associated smaller items that illuminate our transportation history. Your half-hour excursion on the only trolley ride in New York State is aboard one of the museum’s 87-year-old trolley cars.

56. Canawaugus Park

Oatka Creek is generally shallow enough to wade under the NY-251 bridge, but directly under the George Bridge, when creek water depth is 8 or 9 feet deep, it is safe to jump or swing into the waterhole.

57. Eastman Theater

The magnificent theatre, which originally contained 3,352 seats, was built by George Eastman as a center for music, dance, and silent film with orchestral and organ accompaniment. An architectural gem, its opulent décor reflects the taste and elegance of the 1920s.

58. The Little Theatre

The Little Theatre is the premier cultural center for the presentation of American independent and foreign films, visual arts and music for the greater Rochester community.

59. Geva Theatre

Come see the fabulous sets and costumes, the imaginative interpretations of great plays, the development of new work – all up close and personal. The best seat in the house is the one you choose to sit in.

60. The Hungerford

Located at 1115 E Main St, near the corner of E Main and N Goodman, The Hungerford building is home to an eclectic group of talented artists. Great place to visit during First Fridays and Second Saturdays.

61. 23 City of Rochester Parks

Many of our City of Rochester parks have beginnings embedded in Rochester’s youth. Some were designed by (and later inspired by) notable landscape architects such as Frederick Law Olmsted and Lawrence Halprin.

62. Rochester’s Olmsted-Designed Parks

Each April 26 we celebrate the birth of Frederick Law Olmsted, and the gift of Olmsted-designed parks left in our care. “Rochester is fortunate to be one of a handful of American cities that have a park system designed by the most revered landscape architect in American history.”

63. 20 Monroe County Parks

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

64. 32 Monroe County Libraries

Signing up for a free library card gives you access to all 32 Monroe County libraries! The Monroe Country Library System comprises town & village locations, Rochester Public Library branch locations, and the Central Library.

65. 21 Craft Beverage Tasting Rooms in Monroe County

It can be overwhelming to consider all of the craft beverage artisans that call Western NY home. So, let’s focus on the ones we have in our backyard.

66. 81 Performing Arts Venues Around Rochester

Rochester has an excellent performing arts scene! Find plays and musicals by high school and college students, local professionals, and touring companies.

67. 10 Rochester-Area Neighbors with Extraordinary Holiday Lights

These homeowners and communities go all out with their holiday lights to celebrate the season, so let’s get out there and celebrate with them!

68. Braddock Bay Fish and Wildlife Management Area

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

These 28 guides for day trips from Rochester, NY are a mix of 30-90 minute trips

69. 6 Amusement Park

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

70. 43 New York State Parks Within a 2-hour Drive of Rochester, NY

Venture into one of these New York State Parks within a 2-hour drive of Rochester and discover what makes them each unique!

71. 31 Quirky Rochester-Area Roadside Attractions

Here are a few unusual Finger Lakes, Western New York and Rochester-area roadside attractions that make for an interesting day trip.

72. New York State & County Fairs

Our state and county fairs offer their own unique blend of agriculture, amusement and entertainment: parades, demolition derbies, contests, food, tractor shows and pulls, midway rides, vendors, livestock exhibits, and live music.

73. 45 Trails Around Rochester That Are Not Just a Walk in the Park

Here are a few less populated, rustic, or unusual trails around Rochester that will inspire you to take a hike.

74. 40 Public Gardens Around Rochester

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

75. 211 Annual Events Around Rochester

Centered on food, drink, music, and culture these festivals & events around Rochester bring our community together throughout the year.

76. 22 Places Around Rochester to Visit After Heavy Rains

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

77. 7 Paranormal Activities Around Rochester

There is something about October that peeks our interest in paranormal activities. These day trips encourage you to explore the other side of Rochester.

78. Spend a Day in the Finger Lakes Region

The Finger Lakes Region is one of the most beautiful places on earth, and right in our backyard! It is easy to get out there and explore.

79. 80 Other Museums Around Rochester

It’s time to explore some lesser-know, off-the-beaten-path, and odd-collection museums around Rochester, NY.

80. Top 30 Ice Cream Shops Around Rochester

We love these ice cream shops for their outstanding atmosphere, taste, variety, and innovation. Try a specialty flavor like Concord Grape from Lynnie Lou’s, Lavender Goat Cheese from Eat Me, or Cookie, Fig and Honey from Hedonist.

81. 6 Amusement Parks Near Rochester

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

82. 18 Rochester-Area Chocolatiers

Any one of our fine Rochester-area chocolatiers makes for a great day trip detour or destination! Many of the chocolates are crafted by 3rd- and 4th-generation descendants using traditional family recipes with modern twists.

83. 10 Ways to Savor Autumn Around Rochester

Scenic train rides, leaf-peeping in our arboretums, fall bird migrations and ghost walks happen only in autumn so take advantage of them while you can!

84. 9 Places to Rent Snowshoes Around Rochester

If you’re looking to spend more time outdoors, try snowshoeing! There are a few places around Rochester to rent snowshoes and learn how to use them.

85. 12 Historic Small Movie Theaters Around Rochester

There is something about a 100-year-old small movie theater that enhances your experience and transcends you through space and time.

86. Susan B Anthony

Susan B Anthony’s passion for securing women’s right to vote started with her work as an agent of the anti-slavery movement.

87. The Lake Ontario Seaway Trail

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.

88. 5 Old Country Stores Around Rochester

When you walk into one of these old country stores, you feel like you are stepping back in time with aisles of old fashioned toys, knickknacks and candies.

89. 9 Rochester U-Pick Seasons

There are U-Pick farms all around the Greater Rochester Area. Often times, picking your own product is as much a family adventure as it is entertainment!

90. 29 Culinary Trails and Self-Guided Rochester-Area Tours

From beer, wine and cheese culinary trails to barn quilt, cobblestone and farm self-guided tours, these itineraries help you plan your ultimate day trip!

91. 33 House and Garden Tours Around Rochester

Every year there are dozens of opportunities around Rochester to walk through grand and historic homes, and meticulously manicured garden spaces.

92. 48 Nature Centers, Preserves, Refuges, and Observatories Around Rochester

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

93. 39 Natural Swimming Areas

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.

94. 13 Places to Spend Maple Syrup Weekend

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

95. 21 Historic Inns & Hotels Around Rochester

These historic inns around Rochester offer unique dining experiences. Unlike bed & breakfasts, their dining rooms are open to the public. Unlike restaurants, they offer lodging. And their food is as extraordinary as their stories.

96. 15 Miles on the Erie Canal near Rochester

Of the Best 100 Miles on the canal, 85 of them are between Lockport and Palmyra. Here are a few ideas to start exploring your own 15 miles on the Erie Canal!

These next 11 day trips from Rochester are 30-60 minutes from Center City

97. The Jump Off Trail: Ontario County Park Gannett Hill

The Jump Off Trail in Ontario County Park is ADA-accessible and affords one of the most beautiful scenic views in the Finger Lakes Region.

98. Harriet Hollister Spencer State Recreation Area

Harriet Hollister Spencer State Recreation Area is a New York State Park located in the hills six miles south of Honeoye Lake.

99. Stony Brook State Park

Stony Brook State Park is absolutely stunning year round, but my favorite time to visit is on a mild November day, once the crowds and heat of summer have slipped away.

100. Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge

Swallow Hollow Nature loop trail is an accessible trail of ramps, gravel pathways and boardwalks making it easier to enjoy this unique ecosystem.

101. Jerome’s U-Pick Grapes

My family has been going to Jerome’s U-Pick Grapes nearly every year for 20 years. To avoid the crowds, go the weekend after the Naples festival.

102. Oatka Creek in LeRoy

Oatka Creek is a clear centerpiece for the Village of LeRoy, with a waterfall, 2 dams, and an 8 foot Statue of Liberty replica on her shoreline.

103. Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park

The 50-acre estate is one of just two public gardens in all of the New York State Parks System.

104. Chimney Bluffs State Park

Land and water clash at Chimney Bluffs, sculpting the most dramatic landscape on the Lake Ontario shore. You can experience massive earthen spires from above or along the lake shore on nature trails.

105. Grimes Glen

Visitors discover the sights, sounds, and smells of pristine Grimes Creek – its bubbling cascades, crystal clear pools, and two sixty-foot waterfalls, all framed by majestic hemlock trees, bountiful wildflowers in Spring, and shale bluffs towering up to 200 feet overhead.

106. The Cobblestone Museum

Decorated in Victorian fashion, the Cobblestone Church, Ward House, and Schoolhouse provide visitors with a look into the lives of those who lived during the later half of the 19th century.

107. Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village

Tour historical homes, a rural church and one-room schoolhouses from the Buffalo Niagara region. Interact with costumed interpreters who will show you what life was like in the 19th century.

These next 16 day trips from Rochester are 60-90 minutes from Center City

108. Letchworth State Park

Letchworth State Park comprises 14,350 linear acres along the Genesee River. It takes 30 minutes to drive from the Mount Morris entrance to the Glen Iris.

109. 8 Gorge Trails Near Rochester

Gorge trails call out to us from their deep, dark, and cool caverns. They lead us along their timeline, exposing history as their waterfalls walk backwards.

110. MacKenzie-Childs in Aurora

The grounds at MacKenzie-Childs headquarters in Aurora are open to the public. They offer free, guided Second-Empire Farmhouse tours throughout the day.

111. 7 Wineries with Scenic Keuka Lake Views

There are sophisticated publications out there dedicated to the intricacies of wineries, vineyards, cellars, and tasting rooms in the Finger Lakes Region. Our priority is simply to show you which ones have the most spectacular scenic Keuka Lake views!

112. Skaneateles Dickens Christmas

My favorite time to visit Skaneateles starts the day after Thanksgiving when the little lakeside town kicks off their annual Skaneateles Dickens Christmas.

113. Niagara Falls, USA

Niagara Falls is beautiful year round, and I highly recommend going at different times throughout the year to witness the uniqueness of each season.

114. 15 Discover Niagara Shuttle Stops

The round-trip on the Discover Niagara Shuttle takes around 2 hours if you’d like to simply enjoy the ride. Otherwise, you can hop on and off at any stop.

115. Old Fort Niagara

Fort Niagara was active for 300 years as a strategic stronghold during the French and Indian Wars, War of 1812, American Revolutionary War, and American Civil War.

116. Watkins Glen State Park

Glen Creek descends 400 feet along its 2-mile course through Watkins Glen State Park. Follow the 806-step Gorge Trail and wind your way over and under 19 breathtaking waterfalls.

117. Taughannock Falls State Park

Taughannock Falls is one of the most accessible waterfalls in our park system. You can walk in the creek and play in the tiny cascades along the gorge.

118. Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge

Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge is a 7,000-acre (28 km2) preserve located on the north end of Cayuga Lake, under one of the most active flight lanes in the Atlantic Flyway.

119. Penn Dixie Fossil Park and Nature Reserve

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.

120. Eternal Flame Hiking Trail

When you reach the Eternal Flame, sheltered in a tiny cave under a beautiful little waterfall, you’ll find it is a fascinating reward for all of your hard work.

121. Albright-Knox Art Gallery

Pick a beautiful day to visit Albright-Knox so you can explore the grounds outside, along with Delaware Park in the museum’s backyard.

122. Hidden Valley Animal Adventure

Enjoy a Wild Game Safari guided trolley tour over two miles of trails on 63 acres of land. All together, Hidden Valley is home to over 400 animals representing 40 species from around the world.

123. Arcade & Attica Railroad

A 90-minute steam train ride from the historic station & museum to Curriers Depot through the countryside and farmlands that have remained virtually unchanged since the line was originally laid in the 1880’s.