Transformative Travel Destinations

Imagine destinations that do more than offer a temporary escape—they transport you to a world where time slows, senses heighten, and moments feel profound. These are places of transcendence that challenge the ordinary and awaken a deeper awareness. Whether it’s nature’s awe-inspiring beauty or a cultural experience, these destinations help us reconnect with the present and with ourselves.

Transcending Space

These destinations have been described as otherworldly, Narnia, Terabithia, Oz (or “not in Kansas anymore”), and hidden gems. You can’t go wrong with a place with the word “glen” in its name.

Corbett’s Glen

Brighton

To visit Corbett’s Glen North, you can start from the parking lot on Penfield Road. From there, you can follow stone dust, wood chips, and pine needle trails that lead toward the south end. The pathways are easy to navigate, although some parts of the trail, like the Stone Steps, can be steep. As you continue your journey, you will eventually reach the well-known Tunnel Falls and Postcard Falls along Allen Creek. Please note that wading in the creek is only allowed for trout fishing. If you prefer to start at the park’s south end, you can park along the designated shoulder on Glen Road. The trails here lead through marsh meadow, shrubland, and wetland. While walking through the park, you may notice that the paths seem to pass by people’s backyards, and they do! These homeowners are passionate about protecting the park and want to keep it healthy for everyone’s enjoyment.

Grimes Glen

Naples

After a short walk along the creekside trail, you must wade through the water for half a mile to reach the first 60-foot waterfall. Continuing through the creek for another half mile will bring you to the second waterfall, which is also 60 feet high and quite picturesque. To return to the parking lot, retrace your steps.

Watkins Glen

Seneca Lake

The village of Watkins Glen, about one and a half hours southeast of Rochester at the southern tip of Seneca Lake, is an ideal day-trip destination. Watkins Glen State Park‘s 1.5-mile-long gorge is at the heart of the village, a truly breathtaking and awe-inspiring showcase of nature’s beauty.

Little Rock City

Salamanca

Little Rock City in Salamanca’s Rock City State Forest is a free attraction that you can explore at your own pace. You can spend anywhere from 20 minutes to two hours wandering through the boulders, some of which are as large as houses. What I found most striking about Little Rock City is how peaceful it is to explore the narrow pathways. The moss helps to absorb sound, and the shadows make the trails cool.

Chimney Bluffs

Huron

Standing 175 feet above Lake Ontario, the bluffs are fragile drumlins, similar to the truncated drumlins along this section of shoreline. It’s a good idea to bring water shoes for standing in the lake and sneakers for walking along the rocky shoreline. There’s an admission fee, but you can park for free at the end of East Bay Road.

Eternal Flame

Orchard Park

Walk along the trail from the parking lot to the creek bed and follow the water upstream. Cross back and forth through the creek using stones and fallen logs to find an optimal walking path. Remember that most people end up walking in the water at some point. The natural gas flame, sheltered in a tiny cave under a 35-foot waterfall, isn’t eternal, as its name suggests, so be sure to bring a lighter in case the flame is extinguished. The way may be more difficult after heavy rain, but the waterfall will be more impressive. This unique geologic feature is a stunning reward for your effort. Once you’ve enjoyed the waterfall, retrace your steps back to the parking lot.

Sunken Garden

Rochester

In 1951, Monroe County Parks purchased the castle and grounds as an extension of Highland Park. The 1854 Gothic-style castle is now the headquarters for the Landmark Society of Western New York. In 1930, landscape architect Alling S. DeForest, who also designed the Eastman estate’s gardens, added the sunken garden to the property. Photographers often capture wedding and family photos in the garden, but it can be a peaceful retreat if you visit when it’s not crowded.

Akron Falls

Akron

Start your hike from the main parking lot near the dam for a leisurely walk beside Murder Creek through a dense forest ravine, leading straight to a magnificent 40-foot waterfall. Alternatively, you can park near the Rock Garden in the lot above the falls for a steeper approach. Halfway down the paved path, turn right to find a platform to observe the waterfall safely. If you turn left, you’ll continue into the ravine. At the bottom, you’ll see a clear path to the left, but if you turn right, the trail becomes filled with boulders. Adventurous hikers can continue to navigate around the rocks and make their way toward the waterfall’s base, but they’ll see a sign warning them not to go any further.

Havana Glen

Montour Falls

McClure Creek and Eagle Cliff Falls are part of a more extensive town park and campground. A 0.75-mile trail, using a set of stairs secured to the gorge’s shale wall, leads to the base of the falls. Crowded on hot days and weekends, consider visiting on a weekday or early morning for a more peaceful experience. The gorge trail is closed in winter.

Tinker Nature Park

Henrietta

The park comprises 68 acres along the Pittsford-Henrietta town border, with trails and boardwalks for all abilities. The one-mile perimeter trail is flat and ideal for jogging, biking, skiing, snowshoeing, and walking. Shorter trails branch off the perimeter path and take visitors through unique ecosystems such as woodland, wetland, and meadow. Be sure to visit the Hansen Nature Center and check out the Tinker Homestead and Farm Museum during an open house or by appointment.

ARTISANworks

Rochester

This unique and immersive experience challenges the senses and defies conventional boundaries. Discover a world of vibrant color and intricate design. From the original works of Picasso and Warhol to the artist studios that showcase the creative process in action, this is a space where art lives. Explore the 360-degree canvas and discover hidden gems that can surprise, inspire, and sometimes shock you. Whether you are a seasoned art enthusiast or simply looking for something new and exciting, ARTISANworks promises an unforgettable experience.

Strasenburgh Planetarium

Rochester Museum & Science Center

RMSC’s city campus features the three-story science museum and the Strasenburgh Planetarium. In the museum, don’t miss the two singing Tesla coils in the Electricity Theater, where audience members can volunteer to stand inside a Faraday cage while the coils sing a duet with lightning. The planetarium offers a state-of-the-art view of our solar system and the visible universe using near-real-time data. The lounge chairs in the planetarium are not fixed to the floor, making the space accessible for wheelchairs and strollers. On Saturday nights, when the summer sky over Rochester is clear, guests can climb the observation tower’s 60 steps to view planets, nebulae, and other celestial objects through telescopes. The entrance to the tower is outside the main planetarium building, near the back parking lot.

Robert H Treman

Ithaca

Explore the 2.5-mile gorge trail to discover 12 waterfalls, including 70-foot Enfield Falls and the stream-fed swimming pool near the lower parking lot. Visit the historic Enfield Falls Mill from the upper parking area before taking the moderately challenging gorge trail to find 115-foot Lucifer Falls. The gorge trail is closed in winter.

Panama Rocks

Panama

The caves, crevices, and passageways running through the rocks are likely the result of freezing and thawing. Rocks crack under pressure from the elements and their weight and are slowly and steadily pulled downhill by gravity in a process known as “creep.”

Stony Brook

Dansville

The 3/4 mile long walkway through Stony Brook State Park is a combination of shale, gravel, and stairs. Stony Brook has a similar feeling to the other Finger Lakes gorge parks while being a bit more manageable.

Transcending Time

These destinations transport you into the past to appreciate and learn about how we developed the culture, values, and amenities we have today. Stepping inside is like entering a time machine.

New York Routes 5 & 20

Route 5 and 20 is a beautiful 67-mile stretch of highway where NY-5 and US-20 meet. The route follows a foot trail used by New York’s first people, extending from the Hudson River to Lake Erie, between the Adirondacks and the Catskills, and across a rolling drumlin field.

Genesee Country Village & Museum

Mumford

GCV&M is a living history museum with 68 structures on 700 acres, making it the largest and most comprehensive museum of its kind in the state and the third largest in the country. The 19th-century village features a range of buildings that were moved to the museum’s grounds starting in 1966, such as frontier homesteads, Victorian mansions, churches, schools, shops, and taverns. Visitors can learn about the history of each building and take part in events such as Highland Days, Civil War Days, Novel Weekend, and Independence Day. The museum also hosts the Agricultural Fair and Spirits of the Past in October and Yuletide in the Country storytelling tours in December.

Old Country Stores

Walking into one of these old country stores, you feel as if you’re stepping back in time, with aisles filled with old-fashioned toys, knickknacks, and candies.

Evolve for the Home – The Christmas Store

Take a leisurely drive along the Erie Canal to visit this treasure in Lyons! The store boasts over 7,000 sq. ft. of Christmas-themed items and is located in three connected historic buildings in the Downtown Historic District—and expanding! It is similar to Vidler’s 5 & 10 in East Aurora, but it exclusively sells Christmas decor and gifts. If you have not visited this store yet, I highly recommend driving east along NY-31 to Lyons and checking it out. You’ll find it next to the Ohmann Theater, across from Dobbin’s Drugs.

Mount Hope Cemetery

Rochester

During a walking tour of Mount Hope Cemetery, you can learn a lot about the various residents, the trees, and the geology. The guides are very helpful in familiarizing you with the layout of the land and helping you navigate it on your own.

Penn Dixie Fossil Park & Nature Reserve

Blasdell

Find and collect 380-million-year-old animal and plant fossils that once flourished in an ancient tropical sea that covered Western New York at Penn Dixie Fossil Park & Nature Reserve. Managed by the Hamburg Natural History Society, take a guided tour to learn about the 54-acre quarry before searching for fossils to take home.

Museum of the Earth

Ithaca

The Journey Through Time exhibit focuses on significant events in Earth’s history and particularly emphasizes New York State’s geologic history. Interactive displays help visitors understand and relate to the information presented. Spend a few minutes examining the Rock of Ages Sands of Time tiles along the lower-level ramp, depicting one million years of fossils displayed at their point of existence along the timeline.

New York Museum of Transportation

Rush

Explore NYMT’s extensive collection of train and trolley cars, buses, signs, photos, model railroad displays, and two Midtown Plaza monorail cars. During special events, you can enjoy a scenic two-mile round-trip ride on a 90-year-old electric trolley car—the only trolley ride in New York State.

Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum

Rush

RGV volunteers are working to expand, restore, and preserve New York’s extensive collection of historic railway equipment. You can visit the restored 1930s Industry Depot to purchase a ticket and hop aboard a train departing every 30 minutes. You can sit back and relax or grab a spot at the back of the caboose for an open-air view. Enjoy a 1.5-mile round-trip ride to the restoration shop as often as you like.

Arcade & Attica Railroad

Arcade

The steam train excursion lasts two and a half hours, which includes a 45-minute ride to Curriers Station, a 30-minute break to explore the yard and have lunch, and a 45-minute return to the depot. You can enjoy the scenic countryside from your assigned seat or the open-air car. From June to December, the train offers themed events such as Murder Mystery, Great Train Robbery, Father’s Day, Civil War, World War II, Superhero, Haunted Halloween, and Santa’s Wonderland Express.

Sam Patch Packet Boat

Pittsford

Corn Hill Navigation’s 1800s packet boat replica, Sam Patch, offers leisurely 90-minute cruises along the canal through Lock E-32. Expert guides highlight interesting sights and share stories about the canal’s commercial history, engineering innovations, and impact on current recreational use.

Erie Canal Towns & Villages

To explore the canal, visit villages like Brockport or Fairport and spend a few hours dining and shopping in these historic canal towns. Greece Canal Park and Meridian Centre offer opportunities to walk or bike the Erie Canalway Trail. You can also get on the water in a kayak or take a tour by boat. Or pack a picnic and visit one of the massive canal locks to watch the boats pass through. The lock and lift bridge operators are knowledgeable and can share stories and provide helpful information. If you catch them while not operating the locks, they may even offer you a tour or show you places you can explore freely.

Transcending State of Mind

These locations allow you to fully immerse yourself in the environment. You can shut out the outside world as you wander, experiencing calm, tranquility, and a connection with the natural world.

Rochester’s Hidden Sidewalk

Charlotte

To access the secret half-mile-long sidewalk, start at Ontario Beach Park in Charlotte and walk west along Beach Avenue. You will find the main entrances across from Clematis and Cloverdale Streets, with smaller entrances between roughly every fourth house. Note that the lawns, gardens, and docks along the sidewalk are privately owned and not open to the public. Only the sidewalk itself is available for public use.

Turning Point Park

Rochester

The park’s most striking feature is a 3,572-foot-long bridge over the Genesee River Turning Basin. The boardwalk takes visitors onto the river, close to blue herons, swans, turtles, deer, and other wildlife. Consider starting your walk from the north at Petten Street by the marina and O’Rorke Bridge for minimal elevation change. This section shows the abandoned 150-foot Spirit of Rochester, which offered lake cruises from 1985 to 2004. To begin at the south end, park in the Boxart Street lot. Most people walk north and down the steep, paved road toward the river, but you can also take the train-grade path by heading south for a half-mile from the parking lot and turning left at the Genesee Riverway Trail’s split near Brewster Harding Park. This route through Bullock’s Woods follows a seasonal creek with a small waterfall.

Highland Park

Rochester

Host to Rochester’s celebrated Lilac Festival in May, Highland boasts the most extensive collection of lilacs in the country, with over 500 varieties across 1,200 shrubs. You’ll also find a vast Japanese maple collection, 35 types of magnolias, 700 rhododendron specimens, and 300 conifer varieties in the pinetum. Many of the trees are the tallest of their species in the state, though few are native. Highland has even been described as a museum or zoo of exotic plants and trees. Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University sent the original specimens to Rochester for simultaneous scientific study. Meander along paved and mown-grass pathways to Lamberton Conservatory, Poet’s Garden, Highland Bowl, and Warner Castle’s Sunken Garden.

Lamberton Conservatory

Rochester

Take a break and unwind in the Lord and Burnham–designed glasshouse filled with exotic, desert, and economic plants, including banana trees. Find turtles lounging by indoor ponds, with tiny button quail and tortoises wandering around. The theme of the Seasonal Display Room changes five times throughout the year, with the beloved Holiday Show in December. The conservatory is open on Friday and Sunday evenings to fully appreciate the beautiful festive lights.

Letchworth

Castile

Award-winning Letchworth State Park, a little over one hour south of Rochester, covers over 14,000 acres along the Genesee River in Livingston and Wyoming Counties. Rochester author Arch Merrill captures my feelings about Letchworth so beautifully in his 1943 book entitled A River Ramble: Saga of the Genesee Valley, that through Letchworth, “nature touches the river with a magic wand and like Cinderella, it throws off its drab, workaday garb and dons robes of splendor. The commonplace stream becomes spectacular, magnificent.”

Sonnenberg Gardens

Canandaigua

Explore a magnificent late 19th-century Victorian estate, complete with a Queen Anne–style mansion and nine formal gardens in this 50-acre New York State Historic Park. Marvel at the Lord and Burnham–designed glasshouse conservatory.

Public Gardens

Historically, Gardens are places of rest and reflection, focus and attention to detail. Botanist Luther Burbank said, “Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food, and medicine for the soul.” Enjoy a peaceful afternoon at one of these arboretums, labyrinths, or botanical gardens, all within a 2-hour drive of Rochester.

The Jump-Off Trail

Naples

Spectacular any time of year. My favorite time to visit is in the Autumn during the peak leaf-changing season. You’ll overlook CR-33/West Hollow Road and the backside of Bristol Mountain. This section below (CR-33-34-64-12-21) is my favorite scenic loop in the fall.

Harriet Hollister

Springwater

Harriet Hollister Spencer State Recreation Area is a New York State Park located in the hills six miles south of Honeoye Lake and affords one of the most beautiful scenic views in the Finger Lakes region.

Lily Dale Assembly

Lily Dale

Lily Dale Assembly is a spiritualist community in Lily Dale, New York, approximately two hours from Rochester and one hour south of Buffalo. Established in the late 19th century, it is renowned as one of the oldest and most prominent centers for spiritualism in the United States.

Lily Dale is a quaint lakeside village featuring Victorian-style homes and a serene ambiance. The district covers a small area near Cassadaga Lake and has become a destination for those interested in spiritualism, mediumship, and metaphysical practices.

Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls State Park, America’s first state park, was established in 1886 and designed by Frederick Law Olmsted two years before creating Rochester’s Highland Park. Visitors travel far and wide to see Niagara Falls, and we are fortunate to drive there in 90 minutes. The falls are majestic year-round, and I highly recommend going at different times throughout the year to witness the uniqueness of each season.

Taughannock Falls

Ulysses

At 215 feet tall, Taughannock Falls is the tallest single-drop waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains. The 0.75-mile hard-packed gravel gorge trail leads to the base of the falls and is open year-round. The overlook viewpoint is a short walk from the parking lot. Visitors can enjoy the stunning view of Taughannock Falls from a scenic stone balcony.

Channing H. Philbrick

Penfield

Irondequoit Creek drops 90 feet over one mile through this town park, creating the cascades that make it unique. While the Irondequoit Creek Trail spans the park’s length and beyond, the most exciting section lies east of Linear Park Drive. Near the kiosk next to the upper parking lot, find the easy-to-walk dirt path that follows the creek toward an unusual series of wooden footbridges. Or, walk across the pedestrian bridge that connects Linear Park Drive with North Washington Street to find the Mills Trail—a quick path that leads to the cascades along the creek’s south bank. Follow the Fishing Trail downstream to see the sandy cliff resembling Chimney Bluffs, complete with bank swallow nests.

Visitors can easily see and hear the rapids along Irondequoit Creek from the parking lot next to the pedestrian bridge. You can also enjoy a great view from the fishing platform, which has a ramp for accessibility.

Where are your favorite transcending places around Rochester?

Your insights and experiences are valuable. Please share them in the comments.