Things To Do in Rochester, New York 2024

Recent advice...Jane on Stockport, United Kingdom: xThe old parts of town – the underbank and marketplace are much improved. Heaton moor is an excellent place to live. Read more ›

Recent advice...Esther on Sokoto, Nigeria: xThe state is peaceful; low crime rate, affordable accommodations, low transportation prices, good schools and affordable food with an adequate healthcare system. Read more ›

Recent advice...Refilwe on Bethlehem, South Africa: xBethlehem is a small yet vibrant town with all age groups of people and mixed population when it comes to race. The cost of living is fair. I would highly… Read more ›

Recent advice...lucy on Stockholm, Sweden: xStockholm has amazing water views. The Art scene is fab. The food is amazing. Read more ›

Recent advice...MCHARO on Mombasa, Kenya: xIf you are coming to Mombasa you need to visit the pirates beach, Fort Jesus, which is a historical site and the nature trail which is a natural park. Read more ›

Recent advice...Evy on Brussels, Belgium: xIf moving to Brussels, it’s best to avoid the south of Brussels (Schaarbeek, Etterbeek…) The housing is cheaper but much more dangerous. Belgium is a small country but has very… Read more ›

Recent advice...Agbor on Essen, Germany: xEssen is located in the Northwest Region of Germany. It is an average city with lots of foreigners. It has a very good transport system with many African shops. Read more ›

Recent advice...Cassidy on Bogor, Indonesia: xBe prepared to familiarize yourself with public transport because there are a lot of places that have similar destinations but have different routes. The best way to commute within the… Read more ›

Recent advice...Emmanuel on Nairobi, Kenya: xPlanning to move to Nairobi? Get ready for an exciting mix of city living and thrilling adventures! Experience the lively markets, indulge in mouthwatering street food, and have the awe-inspiring… Read more ›

Recent advice...Pierre on Gaborone, Botswana: xWe live on a homestead, about 12 min drive outside the CBD. The blessing of not having traffic, the vibe of city and nature combined is to die for. Read more ›

Recent advice...Xolani on Johannesburg, South Africa: xJohannesburg residents have a 6th sense about people from here and who understand the unspoken rules of the concrete jungle. Plan your routes, always walk like you know where you… Read more ›

Recent advice...James on Nuremberg, Germany: xSpeaking German would be helpful but not necessary. Cold winters, warm summers, nice people. Finding affordable nice accommodation may be difficult. Read more ›

Recent advice...Evans on Los Angeles, United States: xLos Angeles, often abbreviated as L.A., is the largest city in California and the second-largest in the United States, following New York City. Known for its Mediterranean climate, diverse population,… Read more ›

Recent advice...Neha on Faridabad, India: xWell, I’ve stayed in Faridabad for 9 years. The city has come up and developed quiet a lot since then. There are some good malls and big brands to shop… Read more ›

Recent advice...Frenzer on Nairobi, Kenya: xIf you are moving to Nairobi City, everyone is welcoming and cheerful but if you seem to be a newbie the people will take advantage of it. For example, paying… Read more ›

Recent advice...CamCamBlue on Ann Arbor, United States: xIt’s the most expensive city in Michigan, and fast growing. We have a lovely park system and nice small, surrounding towns. Read more ›

Recent advice...Anne on North Adelaide, Australia: xBest kept secret – clean, friendly, beautiful hills and beaches. Read more ›

Recent advice...Dipti on Vadodara, India: xPeaceful place to stay and roam. Very safe. Read more ›

Recent advice...Shannah on Thibodaux, United States: xThibodaux is a quaint town with affordable homes. It’s a great area to raise children! Read more ›

Recent advice...Kaspars on Chiang Mai, Thailand: xAbsolutely stunning city in the northern part of Thailand. I would say spiritual and food capital of Thailand. There are more than 300 temples scattered around the city. If you… Read more ›

Recent advice...Corne on Bloemfontein, South Africa: xBloemfontein is a very close knit community with friendly people. The town isn’t really clean and well maintained. It has really brilliant schools that are affordable. Read more ›

Recent advice...Felix on Johannesburg, South Africa: xJohannesburg, often referred to as Jo’burg or Jozi, is the largest city in South Africa and the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in the country. Here are some… Read more ›

Recent advice...Noemie on Albuquerque, United States: xFor the US the cost of living is low. There is an abundance of things to do in nature & the pace of life is slower than other US cities.… Read more ›

Recent advice...Simona on Bitola, North Macedonia: xIf someone is moving to Bitola they should be at ease in not spending much money on security CCTV for securing their property, grandmas are out on their balconies/windows 24/7… Read more ›

Recent advice...Ahmed on Samanoud, Egypt: xWelcome to Samanoud, a historic gem in Egypt’s Gharbia Governorate! Once known as Sebennytos, this city features remnants of a temple dedicated to the god Anhur and his lioness goddess… Read more ›

Recent advice...Grace on Kadoma, Zimbabwe: xIf you’re moving to Kadoma you’ll need to be prepared for the heat and the dust. The roads are dusty and bad but the biggest plus is that its rich… Read more ›

Recent advice...Jeff on Minneapolis, United States: x4 wondrous seasons and thriving activities in each. Great park system thriving downtown and the Mississippi River are all here. Welcoming people convey the famous ‘Minnesota Nice’. Several world class… Read more ›

Recent advice...Esther on Lagos, Nigeria: xLagos, Nigeria is a vibrant, rapidly growing hub that’s always buzzing with energy. Known for its beautiful beaches and historic sites, it is a must-visit for anyone with an adventurous… Read more ›

Recent advice...Erick on Singapore: xIt’s the best place for working due to safety, high salary, and great transportation. Singapore is a city that is suitable for any lifestyle whether you live a frugal living… Read more ›

Recent advice...Jamie on Highlands Ranch, United States: xA really lovely suburb of Denver. Incredibly clean, well planned community. Low crime rate. Very walkable. Lots of conveniences nearby. Tons of parks for the kids. Only downside is that… Read more ›

Random City

Featured real estate agent: NORCHAR Real Estate
Featured hotel: We don't have one. Suggest one.
Featured immigration attorney: Gerald Cipolla
Featured tour guide: We don't have one. Suggest one.

Is Rochester boring? Is it fun? How do people relax in their free time? From playing and watching live sports to listening to live music to volunteering, here's what six local experts had to say about things to do in Rochester, New York.

Rochester is a city with beautiful parks. These parks are usually close to the Genesee River, which flows through the area. Additionally, the Erie Canal also flows through the area and both waterways provide ample opportunity for recreation and relaxation.

HELPFUL REPORT

Life in the city of Rochester is rich with culture, art, and history. The people are diverse, and the food is incredible. Rochester’s signature takeout dish, the garbage plate, tastes better than it sounds (and looks). Between the many museums, parks, and festivals, there is always something to do. Plus, with a comparatively low cost of living, a focus on education, and a strong sense of community, the Rochester area is an excellent place to raise a family. That is, if you can handle the snow.

Rochester is home to Wegmans, a top-ranked grocery store in the U.S. by Food & Wine magazine. It’s still owned by the Wegman family who support the local farmers, community, schools, and economy. A lot of people that are born in Rochester never actually leave, and they never really experience life outside of Rochester. Although that may seem strange to some, it does make for a tighter community. Rochester is home to the Garth Fagan Dance, one of the original Fringe Festivals, and Geva Theater.

Rochester, NY is home to Xerox, Eastman Kodak, Bausch & Lomb, and the grocery store, Wegmans. Rochester is not a very big city, and pretty much everyone knows everyone. The city is home to one of the greatest jazz festivals in the country people and performers come from all over the world (it is also home to the Eastman School of Music) and its arts scene is second to none.

The city is an hour from the Finger Lakes region, which is world-renowned for its wines. No conversation about Rochester is complete without the famous Garbage Plate from Nick Tahou’s, Zweigle’s white hots, and The Strong National Museum of Play. Rochester is full of cultural and musical events, great places to eat and shop, and a place to make lifelong friendships a great place to come home to.

Rochester is a very cheap city; many things are affordable here. Rochester is also very cold, so be prepared for long winters. Specific parts of town can be quite dangerous, but overall the city is pretty safe. There are plenty of unique, local restaurants and bars, despite being a smaller city.

Music Weather Parks More...

Art Education Cost of Living Shopping Diversity Housing Museums Restaurants Sanitation Quality of Life Downtown Politics Religion Banking History Nightlife Safety and Crime

Things To Do in Rochester, New York

Sign up for the Crowdsourced Explorer newsletter

Possibly win $100 by telling us about your city:

Tell us about your city in 60 seconds:

Participate in the CE community:

Help other people by sharing tips about your city:

Help others learn about the world:

Leave a comment

Thank you!