Find Car Rentals in Rochester
What are the top attractions in Rochester?
Must-see places, ranked by popularity
Quick answer 16 top-rated attractions in Rochester, ranked by traveler popularity. Tickets & tours bookable via Viator with free cancellation on most experiences.
Book Rochester Attractions & Tours on Viator300,000+ experiences worldwide • Free cancellation on most bookings • Instant confirmation
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★ 4.8
The Strong National Museum of Play
1 Manhattan Square Dr, Rochester, NY 14607, USA
Explore →10,784 reviews
★ 4.8
Highland Park
180 Reservoir Ave, Rochester, NY 14620, USA
Explore →4,453 reviews
★ 4.5
Ontario Beach Park
50 Beach Ave, Rochester, NY 14612, USA
Explore →6,618 reviews
★ 4.5
Seneca Park Zoo
2222 St Paul St, Rochester, NY 14621, USA
Explore →6,412 reviews
★ 4.6
Seabreeze Amusement Park
4600 Culver Rd, Rochester, NY 14622, USA
Explore →5,189 reviews
★ 4.7
Cobbs Hill Park
80 Culver Rd, Rochester, NY 14610, USA
Explore →2,679 reviews
★ 4.7
George Eastman Museum
900 East Ave, Rochester, NY 14607, USA
Explore →2,638 reviews
★ 4.5
Genesee Valley Park
1000 E River Rd, Rochester, NY 14623, USA
Explore →2,723 reviews
★ 4.8
Memorial Art Gallery
500 University Ave, Rochester, NY 14607, USA
Explore →1,554 reviews
★ 4.8
Lamberton Conservatory
180 Reservoir Ave, Rochester, NY 14620, USA
Explore →1,551 reviews
★ 4.7
Ellison Park
395 Richs Dugway Rd, Rochester, NY 14625, USA
Explore →1,537 reviews
★ 4.7
Turning Point Park
260 Boxart St, Rochester, NY 14612, USA
Explore →1,449 reviews
★ 4.7
Corbett's Glen Nature Park
415 Penfield Rd, Rochester, NY 14625, USA
Explore →1,219 reviews
★ 4.7
Tinker Nature Park / Hansen Nature Center
1525 Calkins Rd, Pittsford, NY 14534, USA
Explore →983 reviews
★ 4.5
High Falls
4 Commercial St, Rochester, NY 14614, USA
Explore →1,308 reviews
★ 4.6
RMSC (Rochester Museum & Science Center)
657 East Ave, Rochester, NY 14607, USA
Explore →725 reviews
What are the best tours and experiences in Rochester?
Hop-on-hop-off, food tours, day trips, skip-the-line tickets
Quick answer Top tour formats in Rochester include hop-on-hop-off bus loops, food and walking tours, day trips, and skip-the-line attraction tickets. All bookable through Viator or GetYourGuide with free cancellation on most options.
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Book →Hop-On Hop-OffWalking ToursFood ToursDay TripsBoat CruisesSkip-the-LinePrivate ToursAdventure ToursPhotography ToursNight Tours
Hop-On Hop-Off BusHop-On Hop-Off Bus in Rochester
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Food and Wine ToursFood and Wine Tours in Rochester
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City Walking ToursCity Walking Tours in Rochester
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Day TripsDay Trips in Rochester
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Boat and CruisesBoat and Cruises in Rochester
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Skip-the-LineSkip-the-Line in Rochester
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Private ToursPrivate Tours in Rochester
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Nightlife ToursNightlife Tours in Rochester
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Photography ToursPhotography Tours in Rochester
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Helicopter ToursHelicopter Tours in Rochester
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Where to eat and go out in Rochester?
Restaurants, bars, and entertainment
Quick answer Browse top-rated restaurants, nightlife venues, and live shows happening now in Rochester. Listings ranked by traveler ratings; tickets and tables bookable directly through partner sites.
Where to Eat
Dinosaur Bar-B-Que$$
★ 4.6
Cinemark Tinseltown Rochester and IMAXRestaurant
★ 4.6
Genesee Brew House$$
★ 4.6
Texas Roadhouse$$
★ 4.4
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store$$
★ 4.2
Tully’s Good Times Rochester$$
★ 4.4
Leo's Bakery and Deli$$
★ 4.5
The Gate House$$
★ 4.5
Nightlife
Record ArchiveBar / Club
★ 4.8
Olive Garden Italian Restaurant$$
★ 4.3
The Playhouse // Swillburger$$
★ 4.5
Olive Garden Italian Restaurant$$
★ 4.2
Good Luck$$$
★ 4.6
Nosh$$$
★ 4.5
Rohrbach Brewing Co. Buffalo Road Brewpub$$
★ 4.5
Boulder Coffee Co Cafe and Lounge$
★ 4.5
Shows & Events
Rochester Red Wings vs. Lehigh Valley Iron PigsMay 12
Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass & Other DelightsMay 12
Rochester Red Wings vs. Lehigh Valley Iron PigsMay 13
Rochester Red Wings vs. Lehigh Valley Iron PigsMay 14
Minibeast at Bug JarMay 14
USD 12-14
Rochester Red Wings vs. Lehigh Valley Iron PigsMay 15
Rochester Red Wings vs. Lehigh Valley Iron PigsMay 16
156/SilenceMay 16
USD 28
Where can I shop in Rochester?
Malls, markets, and retail districts
Quick answer Top shopping destinations in Rochester from major malls to local markets. Browse the rail below for hours, locations, and ratings.
★ 4.5
Costco Wholesale
$$
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★ 4.7
Trader Joe's
$$
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★ 4.9
Schutt's Apple Mill
1063 Plank Rd, Webster, NY 14580, USA
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★ 4.2
The Mall at Greece Ridge Center
271 Greece Ridge Center Dr, Rochester, NY 14626...
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★ 4.7
City of Rochester Public Market
280 Union St N, Rochester, NY 14609, USA
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★ 3.8
Walmart Supercenter
$
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★ 4.5
Wickham Farms
1315 Sweets Corners Rd, Penfield, NY 14526, USA
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★ 4.0
Walmart Supercenter
$
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★ 3.9
The Marketplace Mall
1 Miracle Mile Dr, Rochester, NY 14623, USA
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★ 3.7
Walmart Supercenter
$
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★ 3.8
Walmart Supercenter
$
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★ 3.8
Walmart Supercenter
$
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★ 4.2
Kohl's
$
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★ 3.9
Walmart
$
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★ 4.1
Target
$$
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★ 4.1
Target
$$
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What events are happening in Rochester?
Concerts, sports & shows in the next 90 days
Quick answer 46 upcoming events in Rochester across the next 90 days, including concerts, sports, and live shows. Tickets via Ticketmaster.
SportsRochester Red Wings vs. Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs
May 12, 2026
Get Tickets →
Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass & Other Delights
May 12, 2026
Get Tickets →
SportsRochester Red Wings vs. Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs
May 13, 2026
Get Tickets →
SportsRochester Red Wings vs. Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs
May 14, 2026
Get Tickets →
ConcertMinibeast at Bug Jar
May 14, 2026
Get Tickets →
SportsRochester Red Wings vs. Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs
May 15, 2026
Get Tickets →
SportsRochester Red Wings vs. Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs
May 16, 2026
Get Tickets →
Concert156/Silence
May 16, 2026
Get Tickets →
Jerry Seinfeld
May 16, 2026
Get Tickets →
Joe Jackson + Band: Hope and Fury Tour
May 16, 2026
Get Tickets →
Fai Laci, The Thriffs
May 16, 2026
Get Tickets →
SportsRochester Red Wings vs. Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs
May 17, 2026
Get Tickets →
ConcertThe Levin Brothers: presented by Bop Shop Records
May 17, 2026
Get Tickets →
WBEE's Guitars & Stars
May 20, 2026
Get Tickets →
ConcertRochester Philharmonic Orchestra
May 22, 2026
Get Tickets →
ConcertBack to the Garden: A Live Tribute to the Voices of the 1970's
May 22, 2026
Get Tickets →
ConcertGringos Podridos, Prophets & Thieves, The Rhino Chasers
May 23, 2026
Get Tickets →
ConcertRochester Philharmonic Orchestra
May 23, 2026
Get Tickets →
ConcertEileen Ivers & the Brigideens
May 23, 2026
Get Tickets →
SportsRochester Red Wings vs. Syracuse Mets
May 25, 2026
Get Tickets →
SportsRochester Red Wings vs. Syracuse Mets
May 27, 2026
Get Tickets →
The Unlikely Candidates
May 27, 2026
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SportsRochester Red Wings vs. Syracuse Mets
May 28, 2026
Get Tickets →
ConcertSarah De Vallière & the Rhythmwell w/s/g Katie Haverly
May 29, 2026
Get Tickets →
Sports
MAY
12
Rochester Red Wings vs. Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs
One Morrie Silver Way, Rochester, NY
Concert
MAY
12
Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass & Other Delights
200 West Ridge Rd., Rochester, NY
Sports
MAY
13
Rochester Red Wings vs. Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs
One Morrie Silver Way, Rochester, NY
Sports
MAY
14
Rochester Red Wings vs. Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs
One Morrie Silver Way, Rochester, NY
Concert
MAY
14
Minibeast at Bug Jar
219 Monroe Ave, Rochester, NY
Get TicketsUSD 12-14
Sports
MAY
15
Rochester Red Wings vs. Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs
One Morrie Silver Way, Rochester, NY
Sports
MAY
16
Rochester Red Wings vs. Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs
One Morrie Silver Way, Rochester, NY
Concert
MAY
16
156/Silence
50 Chestnut Street, Rochester, NY
Get TicketsUSD 28
Arts & Theatre
MAY
16
Jerry Seinfeld
885 East Main Street, Rochester, NY
Frequently asked questions about Rochester
Common traveler questions answered
What are the top things to do in Rochester?
Rochester offers world-class attractions, guided tours, restaurants, nightlife, shopping districts and live events. Explore the rails above for ranked attractions, food & drink picks, shows and experiences happening in the next 90 days.
How many days do I need in Rochester?
Most travelers find 3-5 days is enough to see the main attractions in Rochester, with extra time for day trips or beach time. Long weekends (3 days) work for highlight tours; a full week lets you slow down and explore neighborhoods, cuisine and nearby destinations.
What's the best way to get around Rochester?
Public transport, walking, taxis and rideshares cover most central areas. Renting a car gives you the most flexibility for day trips, beaches, and destinations outside the city center, with all major suppliers available at Fulton County Airport (RCR).
When is the best time to visit Rochester?
Shoulder seasons (spring and autumn) typically offer the best balance of weather, crowds, and prices. Summer brings peak attractions and events but also the highest hotel rates and longest queues. Check current event listings above to align your visit with festivals or shows that interest you.
Where is the best area to stay in Rochester?
Central neighborhoods near top attractions are convenient for first-time visitors. Compare hotel rates from hundreds of sites using the KAYAK link in the sidebar to find the right balance of price, location, and amenities for your trip.
Do I need a car in Rochester?
It depends on your itinerary. For city-focused trips with central hotels, public transport and rideshares often work fine. If you plan beach days, day trips, or visits to suburbs and surrounding areas, a rental car is usually faster and cheaper than booking individual transfers.