Walk through HERstory and see how Susan B. Anthony lived during her fight for women's right to vote!
Open Tuesdays through Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm, and closed major holidays.
Admission:
$15.00 per adult
$10.00 per senior citizen, 62 & over, & active military
$5.00 per student
Want a drink AND a good view? Check out the High Falls from the rooftop or balcony viewpoints of the Genesee Brew House.
The Genesee Brewery is one of the largest and oldest continually operating breweries in America and the Brew House preserves its history with "interactive exhibits, multimedia content, a gift shop, pilot brewery and pub-style restaurant." While established in 2012, "The Brew House and the building itself was in fact part of the original Genesee Brewery campus more than 100 years ago."
Grab a drink and a spare in this warehouse turned bowling alley. They boast an award winning Middle Eastern menu, craft cocktail and whiskey bars, lounge areas, 34 bowling lanes, and a variety of indoor and outdoor games on the back lawn. Check their website for dining and bowling hours before you go. They even have a tab to help "plan your visit."
Creator of Kodak, George Eastman was a prominent figure is photography and film and his historic estate now serves as a museum for the art form. "Founded in 1947 as an independent nonprofit institution, it is the world’s oldest photography museum and one of the oldest film archives," according to their website.
As a museum, it will require paid admission.
Hike, bike, or stroll through fall foliage. Check out some Japanese maples and enjoy a reservoir, sprawling nature, and vibrant neighborhood all in one place.
Come for the various flavors of craft beer, stay for the impeccable food and the chance to maybe play a round of Wii bowling! If you stopped by the George Eastman Museum, this is the logical next place for good vibes and refueling before the next adventure.
Year-round hours:
6am - 1pm Tuesdays
6am - 3pm Saturdays
Shop local for fresh produce, specialty items, general merchandise and more at this historic marketplace. It hosts events as well, so check out their website or Instagram to see if there'll be something extra special to witness on wedding day weekend.
Warm up to the start of a new day or gulp down a midday pick-me-up at this LGBTQ+ owned and operated coffee shop. Located in the South Wedge neighborhood, there's no shortage of vibrance both inside and outside the building. Enjoy a cup or two inside with a group and get competitive with their selection of boardgames or take a drink for the road and head over to Mt. Hope Cemetery for a crisp autumn stroll, hot cup in hand to keep you cozy. If you'd rather stick to the city blocks, however, you'll find murals on almost every corner in this stretch of Rochester and plenty of other local businesses to explore.
Another South Wedge favorite, this chocolate shop makes melt in your mouth goodness with a variety of flavor combinations. They even make drinking chocolate, otherwise known as French hot chocolate. For those that like to collect coffee mugs or any type of souvenir, make sure to purchase one of their mugs while you're here. That way, you'll always know where to go when you have that need for some of the best chocolate you've ever tasted, but will also have one of the comfiest and widest, but not comically so, cups to enjoy your morning brew.
Check out this cool record store and scour the shelves for a vinyl or two to take home. Better yet, shop for unique gifts & toys, vintage clothing & furniture, t-shirts, souvenirs, movies, and audio equipment while you're at it. "But there's so much to browse. I'll be there all day!" you say? Take a seat and rest your feet in the Backroom Lounge with a drink or two. You may even get lucky and be there to see a live musical performance.
Fun fact: Record Archive has served Rochester since 1975 and is the first record store in the North East to have a full time beer and wine license.
A winery with brewery vibes. It's a sentiment 20 Deep holds dear and true with their enjoyable outdoor space reminiscent of a brewery yard and all the scenery typically associated with any winery. Enjoy a tasting or a single glass and pair it with one of their grazing boards for the full experience. You don't need a reservation as they're welcoming of walk-ins, but you can always book a table online ahead of time.
They have the added perk of residing in Honeyoye Falls, which has two waterfalls independent of the ones within Rochester and Mendon Ponds Park: another picturesque spot to bask in more Fall foliage. They're also home to Harry Allen Park, which has a cute gazebo and is also where you'll find their Lower Falls.
Gaze upon Lake Ontario, one of the Great Lakes, at this clean and scenic sand beach. Enjoy the pier, a picnic on the beach or under one of the picnic shelters, 6 sand volleyball courts, basketball courts, first-come first-served softball fields, the 1905 Dentzel Menagerie Carousel, swimming, boating, and fishing.
It may seem morbid to walk among final resting places, but you can pay respects to at least two well-known figures in history (Frederick Douglas and Susan B. Anthony) whose remains reside here while strolling through winding roads that carve their way through more idyllic fall foliage.
Self-described "Mom and Pop Hippie Shop." Browse eclectic home decor, apparel, crystals, and gifts in this rad space.
Get your craft beers, and made-from-scratch foods, here! They're also award-winning, so enjoy the tastes of champions while you're here. It's even conveniently located near a lot of Rochester's most popular spots, like The Strong Museum of Play and The Neighborhood of Play.
Fun for all ages! Visit the museum and surrounding area, appropriately named the Neighborhood of Play, to immerse yourself in the history of games, toys, and even video games. With events, experiences, and short-term and permanent exhibits, there's plenty to keep you occupied. As they say on their website, "your childhood is closer than you think."
Check out the States-side of the Falls in the fall for a wondrous look at nature in action. While the Canadian side of the Falls has great views, the surrounding area is centered more on tourist attractions. The New York side of the Falls, however, focuses more on the land itself. Check out Niagara Falls State Park and "ride the Niagara Scenic Trolley for a historical overview of this Frederick Law Olmsted-designed park, or explore its scenic terrain and stunning views by foot. All trails are flat and accessible for beginners, with self-guided tours and professionally led outings offering many choices. A helicopter ride provides an incredible aerial view of the Falls and the park’s foliage." (source: https://www.niagarafallsusa.com/niagara-falls-state-park/)
Eat at the birthplace of Buffalo chicken wings! While they have multiple locations throughout the city (and the States, including 3 Texas locations), this is where the wings actually originated. It even says so all across their building, so there should be no confusion. If you're looking for more than just wings, however, they also offer burgers, pizza, draft beers, sandwiches and more. As a sports bar, you'll also be in good luck and company for a game. Just remember you're in Bills country.
Bike, kayak, shop, dine, skate at their seasonal roller rink, have a cold one at their food and beer garden, or get on a paddleboat. With so many things to do, including a visit to the Outer Harbor, the options are endless along the Erie Canal. Check out their website to find out if there are any events happening on wedding day weekend.
Considered the "Grand Canyon of the East," this New York State Park holds a lot of grand scenery not limited to their iconic bridge and multiple waterfalls. As a State Park, there is a fee, but we think this gem is worth it if you're already making the trip.
In the town of Geneva, NY, you'll find the Finger Lakes Welcome Center full of information on the area and a vast list of things to do. Right on the northern tip of Seneca Lake, the longest and deepest of the 11 Finger Lakes, you'll also have a picture perfect opportunity to pose in front of the "I <3 NY" sign. New York is so much more than the 5 Burroughs, and this is as good a place as any to find that out for yourself.