Rochester, NY is a town in Upstate New York, close to the border of Canada. While it often gets overlooked for its more popular neighbor of Buffalo, Rochester is quite the contrast and is well worth exploring if visiting Upstate New York. Here are 10 reasons to add Rochester to your must-visit destinations.
10 The History
Rochester first began to flourish into a full-blown city in the late 18th century, mostly thanks to the nearby Erie Canal. During the Underground Railroad era, abolitionism was widely supported in Rochester, as it was home to several civil rights leaders.
The women's suffrage movement also has a notable history in Rochester, NY. For photography fanatics, George Eastman originates from here, and the popular photography company, Eastman Kodak, better known as Kodak, originated in Rochester.
To this day, The George Eastman museum remains a popular place to visit for those who want to learn more about Kodak's history.
9 The Famous People Who Originated Here
As mentioned above, Rochester has a rich history, and a lot of its past credit is directly linked to the people who called the city home. Susan B. Anthony is one of the most notable icons from Rochester.
Though she was technically born in Massachusetts, she grew up and resided in Rochester throughout the majority of her life. As one of the most profound leaders in the women's suffrage movement, her impact and legacy live on in a museum located in Rochester dedicated solely to her.
Frederick Douglass, an abolitionist most notable for escaping slavery, though also not originally from Rochester, resided in the city for the majority of his life. There's a monument and memorial plaza dedicated to his legacy.
8 The Food
Rochester has a booming food scene, from street eats to fine dining establishments. One of the best spots is Good Luck Restaurant, where, despite being a sit-down eatery with a rotating-seasonal menu, diners would be remiss if they didn't order the burger.
Rochester also ranks as the ninth largest Italian-American population in the USA, so it's safe to say there are a lot of great Italian dining options.
For those who need help in their choosing, Ristorante Lucano is a great find for a fine-dining meal, and Rocky's is a classic old-school joint.
7 Garbage Plates
Rochester food cannot be discussed without giving its most famous dish, Garbage Plates, a worthy mention. Created at a restaurant that's still running to this day called Nick Tahou Hots, rumor has it that a hungover college kid came in, sat down, and asked for "all of their garbage on a plate," and thus the garbage plate was born.
Though there are variations, a traditional plate includes a bed of crispy potatoes, a cheeseburger or hamburger (sometimes with the addition of Italian sausages, steak, and/or chicken), white or red hots (hotdogs), with macaroni salad, baked beans, and topped with hot sauce, mustard, ketchup, and raw onions.
Hot sauce in Rochester sometimes translates to a spicy meat sauce.
6 The Breweries
Yet another consumable treat Rochester prides itself on is the local beer from one of its many breweries. For beer fanatics, a visit to Rochester must be on their New York state bucket list.
Though it's difficult to go wrong when choosing, some top breweries in the area are K2 Brothers Brewing, Swiftwater Brewing Company, and Three Heads Brewing.
5 The Parks
Rochester might be a city, but there's no shortage of greenery when visiting this Upstate New York haven. Highland Park is a great spot to take in nature, which is given away in its other name Highland Botanical Park.
Cobb's Hill Park is great for scenic hiking, and there's even a dog park and a playground for the kids, making it a family-friendly activity.
4 The Festivals
Rochester holds several festivals each year, some which attract visitors from all over the globe. One of the more popular festivals annually held in Rochester is the Rochester Lilac Festival, held in Highland Park each May, featuring live music, art displays, and over 1800 varietals of lilacs.
Another popular festival is the Rochester International Jazz Festival, held in June of each year, featuring musicians from all over the globe. Other notable festivals are the Rochester Fringe Festival and ROC Holiday Village.
3 Mount Hope Cemetery
Visiting a cemetery might not seem like the most appealing reason to go to a place, but Rochester's Mount Hope Cemetery is the exception. Many of the famous residents from Rochester, including aforementioned Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass, are buried here.
During election time, Susan B. Anthony's grave is often covered with "I Voted" stickers and flowers from women voters who possibly wouldn't have had that right without her.
Other notable people buried at Mount Hope Cemetery are Lewis Henry Morgan (founder of Anthropology), Dr. Sarah Dolley (the third woman to graduate from medical school), and Hiram Sibley (founder of Western Union).
Ghostly it may be, but a visit to Mount Hope Cemetary is a must.
2 The Proximity To The Finger Lakes
Only a short 30-minute ride from Rochester is Canandaigua Lake, one of the four Finger Lakes of Upstate New York. The Finger Lakes is a region best known for its wine, and it's also where a lot of folks flee to during the summer months to rent/reside in a cottage by the lake.
Canandaigua's best wineries can be found along the Canandaigua Lake Wine Trail, with stops at Arbor Hill Winery, Red Cat Wine Cellar, Song Hill Winery, and more.
1 The People
Above all else, nowhere is worth visiting if visitors don't feel welcome. In Rochester, that will seldom be an issue, if at all. The people are generally happy, friendly, and warm. So much so, that Rochester was recently voted the most neighborly city in the USA.
"Neighborly" weighs factors such as generosity, lending hands to neighbors, nonprofits, parks, and the happiness and well-being of residents, to name a few.
Considering how many cities there are in the USA, the fact that Rochester was ranked number one should be telling that everyone is welcome here.