About Rochester
Rochester is a city in and the county seat of Monroe County, New York, United States. It is the fourth-most populous city in New York, with a population of 206,108 as of the 2025 Census estimate. The Rochester metropolitan area in Western New York has an estimated 1.05 million residents and is the 54th-largest metropolitan area in the U.S. Throughout its history, Rochester has acquired several nicknames based on local industries; it has been known as "the Flour City" and "the Flower City" for its dual role in flour production and floriculture, and as the "World's Image Center" for its association with film, optics, and photography.
Places to visit in Rochester
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George Eastman Museum
Museum · 2 mi from centreKodak founder George Eastman's mansion and gardens, joined to a major museum of photography and film with historic cameras and rotating exhibitions. The formal gardens are lovely in summer.
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The Strong National Museum of Play
MuseumA large interactive museum devoted to play, home to the National Toy Hall of Fame, a video game collection and a butterfly garden; excellent for families.
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Highland Park
Park · 2 mi from centreA park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, famed for its large lilac collection and the spring Lilac Festival, with a conservatory and rolling paths. It is free and open year-round.
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High Falls
NatureA waterfall on the Genesee River right in the city, best seen from the Pont de Rennes pedestrian bridge, within a historic district of old mill buildings.
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Memorial Art Gallery
MuseumThe University of Rochester's art museum, with a wide-ranging collection and an Italian Baroque organ, set beside a sculpture park. Its collection spans thousands of years and many cultures, making it a well-rounded visit for art lovers.
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Susan B. Anthony House
HistoricThe home of the suffragist leader where she was arrested for voting, preserved as a museum about her life and the women's rights movement. Tours are guided.
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Ontario Beach Park
BeachA sandy beach on Lake Ontario in the Charlotte neighborhood with a historic carousel, a long pier and nearby lighthouse, popular on summer evenings. Sunsets here are excellent.
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Seabreeze Amusement Park
Entertainment · 6 mi from centreA classic lakeside amusement park with a historic wooden roller coaster, a vintage carousel and a water park section. It is a nostalgic summer outing for families, open seasonally with a relaxed, old-fashioned feel.
Where to stay in Rochester
Popular hotels in Rochester, out of 82 properties you can book.
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Rochester
From $227 per night
Hampton Inn & Suites Rochester/Victor
From $110 per night
Hyatt Regency Rochester
From $152 per night
Homewood Suites by Hilton Rochester - Victor
From $123 per night
Hilton Garden Inn Rochester/Pittsford
From $130 per night
Hampton Inn Rochester-Greece
From $131 per night
Homewood Suites By Hilton Rochester/Greece
From $287 per night
Home2 Suites By Hilton Rochester Greece
From $133 per night
Home2 Suites Rochester Henrietta
From $267 per night
Best Western Brockport Inn & Suites
From $100 per night
Hilton Garden Inn Rochester/University & Medical
From $229 per night
Hampton Inn Brockport
From $131 per night
Best time to visit Rochester
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Rochester is September, when average daytime highs are around 74°F and rain falls on about 8 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Rochester weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 57° 34° 0%
- Thu 22 Oct 59° 41° 6%
- Fri 23 Oct 54° 42° 0%
- Sat 24 Oct 62° 39° 0%
- Sun 25 Oct 70° 43° 1%
- Mon 26 Oct 70° 52° 7%
Know before you go
- Currency
- United States dollar (USD)
- Language
- English
- Calling code
- +1
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- America/New_YorkUTC−4
- Capital
- Washington, D.C.
Upcoming public holidays in United States
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
- New Year's Day
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Presidents DayWashington's Birthday
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Rochester
These are the airports closest to central Rochester. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- ROC Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport4 mi (7 km) from the city centre
Getting around Rochester
Most people will tell you that a car is a virtual necessity for getting around Rochester. Although largely true, especially taking into account the suburbs, the adventurous can manage to see a lot of attractions on foot or bicycle, and the patient can take advantage of the municipal bus system to traverse the entire county.
By car
Six major rental agencies have desks at the Greater Rochester International Airport: Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, and National. Most also have locations scattered throughout the city and surrounding towns, and they will usually come pick you up if you're coming in from, say, the Amtrak station. Contact your preferred agency for details and locations.
Expressways
The highway system is designed as two loops, the unofficial "Outer Loop" and the official "Inner Loop", with feeders coming in from the west, east, and south. (North is Lake Ontario—no highways there!) As of November 2014, the Inner Loop is no longer continuous; this urban expressway used to circumscribe the nominal downtown area, although some "downtown" attractions—Frontier Field, High Falls, and most of the museums, for example—lie outside the Inner Loop.
Surface roads
The expressways will get you close to your destination, but navigating the surface streets is necessary as well. Rochester's early founding as a milling village means that its major avenues were laid out to facilitate traffic to outlying and neighboring settlements—namely, in a radiating pattern. In general, "avenues" radiate outward from downtown and "streets" connect the avenues, but this is not set in stone and there are almost as many exceptions as there are examples.
Rochester travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Rochester?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Rochester is September, when average daytime highs are around 74°F and rain falls on about 8 days a month.
What is the weather like in Rochester?
July is usually the warmest month in Rochester, with average highs of 83°F (28°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 22°F (-6°C). The wettest month is typically August, with about 121 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Rochester?
Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC) is the closest airport, about 4 miles (7 km) from the centre of Rochester.
What time zone is Rochester in?
Rochester uses the America/New_York time zone (currently UTC−4). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Rochester?
Most people will tell you that a car is a virtual necessity for getting around Rochester.
What are the best places to visit in Rochester?
Top sights in Rochester include George Eastman Museum, The Strong National Museum of Play, Highland Park and High Falls. Kodak founder George Eastman's mansion and gardens, joined to a major museum of photography and film with historic cameras and rotating exhibitions. The formal gardens are lovely in summer.
Where should I stay in Rochester?
Popular areas for hotels in Rochester include Rochester. Well-reviewed options include DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Rochester and Hampton Inn & Suites Rochester/Victor.
How many hotels can I book in Rochester?
Destina Holidays currently lists 82 properties in and around Rochester, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
