The Perfect Weekend in Rochester, New York

If you are looking for a getaway a little less traveled yet filled with enough fun and interesting sites to keep everyone in your group entertained, we recommend Rochester, New York.  While not exactly a hidden gem, it isn’t being touted by every influencer either.  A weekend in Rochester, New York has something for everyone, plus a little more, whatever the season.  In fact, we think 3 days in Rochester might leave you contemplating your next trip.  

Located along the Genesee River and the Erie Canal, on the southern shore of Lake Ontario, with the Finger Lakes and the foothills of the Alleghenies a short drive away, a weekend in Rochester can enjoy a wealth of natural beauty and numerous opportunities for outdoor adventures.  Those preferring more cultural pursuits will find arts, architecture, theater, music, and museums that encompass science, technology and even play.  Food and drink lovers will discover a well-established craft beverages arena, with breweries, wineries, distilleries and cider houses, as well as a surprisingly diverse restaurant scene.

Rochester has made its mark on history, and US society.  A century ago it was a thriving metropolis, one of the country’s 25 largest cities; a hub of activism and civil rights, a home of Frederick Douglas and Susan B. Anthony; an industrial hub, the birthplace of corporations that have become household names, such as Kodak, Xerox, and Western Union; and a center of higher learning, with no less than 14 colleges and prestigious universities.  

Although westward expansion and deindustrialization have left the city much smaller than it once was, the legacy of its former grandeur remains.  Rochester is filled with attractions and amenities far beyond what is expected from a city of less than a quarter-million people, similar to other former Rust Belt hot spots, such as St. Louis, Cleveland, and Cincinnati. You’ll be wishing you had more than a weekend in Rochester, New York.

What’s more, the city is an unlikely urban base from outdoor scenery and adventures from skiing, mountain biking and rock climbing, to white water, kayaking and deep sea fishing, and everything in between. Some of the country’s most stunning state parks are within two hours drive, including Lechtworth, Watkins Glen, Stoneybrook, and Treman, and there is more waterfall chasing that there is time, starting with the three falls right in Rochester, and Niagara Falls 90 minutes away.

My visit to Rochester was filled with surprises. I was thrilled with the diverse museums, wineries, dining, and even the trip on the Erie Canal. Here’s my suggested itinerary to spend a fun-filled 3 days in Rochester, New York.

How to Spend a Weekend in Rochester, New York

Getting to Rochester, NY

Reaching Rochester is easy, whether you’re coming by plane, train, or car. The Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC) services several major airlines, offering convenient direct flights from cities like New York, Chicago, and Atlanta. 

If you prefer rail travel, Amtrak connects Rochester with major hubs along the Empire Corridor, including New York City, Buffalo, and Toronto. For road trippers, Rochester is easily accessible via Interstates 90 and 390, making for a scenic drive through upstate New York. No matter your mode of transport, once you arrive, the city’s walkable districts and public transit options make getting around a breeze.

Where to Stay in Rochester

Woodcliff Hotel and Spa 

We recommend the Woodcliff Hotel and Spa in Fairport, one of the suburbs, for your weekend in Rochester. The Woodcliff has enough art in its lobby, halls and rooms to qualify as an art museum. You can enjoy the spa, fitness center indoor/seasonal outdoor pool with a heated whirlpool, a nine-hole golf course, and beautiful scenery without the traffic you would have in a downtown hotel. 

The art ranges from modernistic, prints of dogs in the lobby and black and white of birds in my room, to renaissance, oriental, and other styles. I particularly liked a statue of an almost life-size white horse in the hall. There were oils of a Revolutionary War soldier, and a painting of Mary showing baby Jesus to another woman and her toddler. The fountain in front with its four lions reminded me of the Bridge of Lions in St. Augustine. I found out the owner had it shipped from somewhere in Florida, so I was close.

3 Days in Rochester – Day 1

Find Breakfast at Rochester Public Market 

If you arrive in Rochester too early to check-in at your hotel, visit the Rochester Public Market. It’s been offering fresh produce and many other unique items to visitors and locals alike since 1905. I saw lots of brick and mortar independent local businesses on Market grounds and in the surrounding Market District. The market is open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, year-round (except major holidays). It’s a must visit at least once during your 3 days in Rochester, NY, so might as well start there.

There’s a lot of breakfast choices: Flour City Bread (located in a stretch of buildings that run alongside Union Street inside the market), Juan & Maria’s Empanadas, Cherry’s European, MRKT Squeeze Fresh Pressed Juice (located inside Shed B) and Railroad Street Grill where I had biscuits and pork sausage gravy and a steaming cup of hot chocolate. The biscuits were wholesome and hearty, and the well-seasoned gravy had lots of pork sausage. They offered lots of other choices.

As I roamed the huge market, I saw stalls filled with luscious vegetables. There were tomatoes so red and juicy looking, eggplants so black and shiny they looked as if they just came out of the garden, and oh, the watermelons. There was every kind of honey imaginable from Lake Bluff Honey Bee Farm in neighboring Wayne County. I wanted to take so many of these delicious varieties home, but I was going to be on the road almost two weeks more. Fortunately, I did find some non-perishables I couldn’t resist. 

Contemplate Memorial Art Gallery and Sculpture Park.

After browsing the market, soak in a little culture with a visit to Memorial Art Gallery and Sculpture Park. The Centennial Sculpture Park is filled with public art and is always open and free. The most commanding work in the park is a sculpture by Tom Otterness called Creation Myth. It’s gigantic modernistic showing a female bronze sculpture carving a man in stone that’s made to be touched, climbed upon, and used as a selfie background. Past the two completed figures, there are many parts, like arms and heads that the artist didn’t use.

African American artist Rashid Johnson created the Community Pavilion, measuring 10 feet tall at its highest point by about 40 feet in diameter. It is meant to invite all to enjoy art. The day I visited there were several booths set up for Clothesline Art Day. The museum frequently hosts festivals related to community art.  

Inside the Memorial Art Gallery, the art ranges from antiquity to the present day with lots of special exhibitions. Under the Overpass, by American/Austrian Realist painter Henry Koerner made a big impression. It depicts two women with their babies in carriages and small children and dogs under an overpass with trolly passing overhead. One woman is crying and the other comforting her. It has such a feeling of realism that this is something you could understand. Why is the one woman so sad? It could be something any of us have experienced or just that she is overwhelmed by life, which could be interpreted as the trolley passing over them with shadowy uncaring figures inside. 

There are several paintings by my all-time favorite, Clementine Hunter. Although her paintings lack the subtlety and shading of professionally trained artists, her works have soul. They portray the world of the African Americans performing menial tasks and living everyday life. Hunter worked at Melrose Plantation and learned her art with discarded paints and canvas left behind by a professional artist visiting the owners of the plantation.

There are all varieties of art here, from sculptures to glass to pottery. One stained glass piece reminds me of my hometown of New Orleans. The detailed and colorful glass work by Judith Schaechter is called Battle of Carnival and Lent. 

Grab Lunch at Wegmans, then Check into the Hotel

You could spend hours exploring the museum, but at some point, you’ll get hungry. A quick stop for lunch, snacks and supplies is Wegmans. The chain has acquired institution status in upstate New York, so you have to visit at least one during your weekend in Rochester, NY. The one I stopped at located at 3195 Monroe Ave, is known as the Wegmans “Super Store.”

Along with a huge amount of grocery and other items, there is a prepared food section where you can get anything from sandwiches to hot deli foods and then take them to a nearby checkout and bring them upstairs to a mezzanine dining area where you can enjoy a tasty lunch. I picked Buffalo wings and sweet potato fries, then checked in to the hotel and explored some of the ammenities.

Explore the Erie Canal 

When you can tear yourself away from the activities at the hotel, visit The Box Factory Building located on the Erie Canal in the village of Fairport, The Box Factory parking lot is on the Erie Canal next to the Fairport Erie Canal Liftbridge, and the Fairport Landing canal docks. The Box Factory in 1885 and was a real box factor owned by Doctor Cassius H. Greene. Today it is home to offices, restaurants, and an ice cream shop.

Kennelley Park next to the Box Factory has benches and a gazebo that abuts the Riverwalk and is named for former Mayor Kennelley who died while in office on February 6, 1989. This is a great place to watch the lift bridge raise and lower. There’s a paved river walk where boats dock and you can walk along to enjoy the canal views. Information about the Erie Canal is embedded into the walkway telling milestones in the canal history including “1822 Erie Canal reaches Fairport, connecting it to the Atlantic Ocean.”

You may not think watching a bridge rise is a big deal, but this bridge is unique because it’s one of only sixteen vertical lift bridges located along the western portion of the Erie Canal. It is built so no two angles are the same throughout, there are no square corners on the bridge floor, plus it raises straight up on four corner posts where it crosses the canal at a 32-degree angle.  It is unusual enough that it has been featured in Ripley’s Believe It or Not, and historic enough that it is on the National Register of Historic Places.

If you’re visiting the first weekend in June, there is a Canal Days Festival annually.

Sample at Casa Larga Vineyards 

If the outdoor air has made you thirsty, head for a wine tasting at Casa Larga Vineyards. It’s a family-owned winery located in Fairport that’s celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024. I met with Andrea Colaruotolo, the second generation of the winemaking family. She told how her father, Andrew Colaruotolo, came to open the winery. He came to the United States from his hometown, Gaeta, Italy, shortly after WWII when he was 17 years old. His grandfather had grown grapes and made wine there before the war. After the war, Italy was ravished and there were no jobs, so he, his sister, and brother came to Rochester where they had cousins. 

She said, “He became a mason, and from there he learned how to build homes and decided that he wanted to still have some things he grew up with in Italy, like growing grapes and making wine. So this property was supposed to be for more homes, so if you could see back there, the roofs, he built all those houses back there.” She pointed into the distance where some homes were. “He was supposed to build here. But when he told my mom that he wanted to go somewhere and start growing grapes, she told him he was nuts and wouldn’t go with him because there were three kids in the house at the time and she’s like, ‘Where are you going to find the time? Just go up there. You have all that extra land.’ So that’s how we ended up here.”

They are doing a great job of following in her father’s footsteps. Casa Largo produces a variety of wines, including award-winning ice wines, Rieslings, and other traditional varietals.

They have multiple festivals throughout the year, so check when you visit if one is happening. One of the most popular ones is the Purple Foot Festival. It’s one of the largest grape stomping in festival celebrations on the east coast, drawing as many as 800 people depending on the weather. There’s music, and food, and vendors.

Relish Dinner at Horizons Modern Kitchen + Wine Bar

Back to the hotel for dinner. Their Horizons Modern Kitchen + Wine Bar was so relaxing after a busy day. Not only for the fantastic food, but for the scenery. The hotel is situated on the highest hills in the Finger Lakes area and looking out the restaurant’s floor to ceiling windows, there is a beautiful gazebo in the foreground and rolling green landscape, with downtown Rochester in the background. 

My friends and I shared a Mushroom Toast; crispy sourdough toast, drowned with sauce, pickled shallots, and mushrooms. For my entrée, I loved the Maine lobster tail that tasted so fresh. I bet it was swimming in the ocean just a day ago. The side of sharp cheddar mac & cheese was so creamy.

For dessert, the Chocolate Pistachio Torte with flourless chocolate cake, dark chocolate mousse, and pistachio crumbles, was melt-in-the-mouth delicious. I washed it all down with a Honey Fire Heat made with mezcal, blanco tequila, jalapeno, honey, pineapple. The mix of spicy and sweet was perfect.

3 Days in Rochester – Day 2

Enjoy Breakfast at the Hotel

Horizons Modern Kitchen + Wine Bar at the Woodcliff Hotel and Spa is an excellent spot to start your morning. The menu features a variety of delicious breakfast options, including Apple Cinnamon French Toast with apple slices, brioche, maple syrup, meringue, and granola. 

If you prefer a savory meal, the eggs benedict with smoked ham and hollandaise sauce is a favorite. On weekends, the breakfast buffet offers an extensive selection, from made-to-order omelets to fresh fruit and pastries, ensuring there’s something for everyone.

Learn the History of Your Selfies at the George Eastman Museum

George Eastman Museum, founded in 1947, is the world’s oldest photography museum, housed in George Eastman’s 1905 Colonial Revival mansion. The complex is huge, comprised of the museum area, his home, a theater showing clips from old videos, a gift shop, and a small restaurant, the Open Face Café. Visiting is a must during any weekend in Rochester.

If the name doesn’t ring a bell, Eastman was the founder of the Eastman Kodak Company, responsible for putting the ability to take photographs into the hands of everyone. The phrase “Kodak moment” is sometimes still used for a picture perfect situation.

I was amazed by his story. While many other millionaires in the early 20th century were building mansions on East Avenue in Rochester, Eastman outdid them by building not only a mansion, but far more. He became almost self-sufficient by adding an eight-and-a-half-acre farm, complete with a barn, orchard, stables, chicken coop, and three gardens to grow flowers, vegetables, and herbs. You can visit the gardens. Several are free, others only with museum admission. 

I stopped in front to admire one of Eastman’s early advertising campaigns. It was a giant movie-like scene called Colorama that was a series of giant technicolor images 18 feet tall 60 feet wide. The scene displayed when I visited showed a herd of llamas standing on a plateau overlooking Machu Picchu in Peru. The scene, which changed about every four weeks, was shown in Grand Central station and was the most successful advertising and longest running campaign in the 20th century.

Inside, our docent, Maureen O’Connor, led us into the museum galleries. We saw exhibits of old cameras. There was an early Brownie and lots of Kodaks. The exhibit chronicled George Eastman’s inventions that made photography usable for an amateur hobbyist instead of just professionals when he moved beyond his original patents for the dry plate negatives to a flexible type of film. His early Kodaks were designed so a user could take 100 shots, then mail the camera and $10 to his company, Eastman Kodak. The company developed the film, made prints, refilled the camera, and send them all back to the photographer. His slogan was, “You press the button, we do the rest.”

Other exhibits of old movie cameras and an uncountable number of dye bottles used in creating technicolor films showcase what he did to revolutionize the movie industry. 

Next, Maureen led us to the residence part. She pointed out the Library Garden just outside the glass wall and told us, it was an adaptation of Eastman’s original cut-flower garden and located on top of an underground, two-story vault that stores the museum’s photography, technology, and motion picture archives. It is beautiful but only has about two feet of soil. Later we could visit this and the other three gardens and greenhouse. 

The home section tells a lot about Eastman’s personal life. We entered the dining room that showcases his wealth with an embossed ceiling, paneled walls, marble fireplace, and large table set for six with white and gold China and surrounded by blue upholstered mahogany chairs.

The next room, the Conservatory, is the center of the mansion. The room is brilliantly lit by sunshine coming through the wall with three sets of windows and a glass door showing off the garden and a huge skylight overhead. It’s two stories high, with four windows on the upper level. Mounted over the door is a replica of the head of an elephant he killed. You may wonder why there is a single tusk in front of the door. The elephant he killed had only one tusk. 

Eastman was a philanthropist second only to Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie, but he proudly displayed the head of an elephant he killed in 1926 on a safari to Africa. For me, hard to reconcile, but as Maureen pointed out, in his time, trophy hunting was an accepted part of American culture, especially masculine culture.

This rectangular room has a square skylight throwing its symmetry off. The reason for that tells us a lot about his brilliance and his stubbornness.  

Eastman normally dined here when he wasn’t entertaining. He loved music and had an Opus 947 organ installed when he built the mansion, with a hired an organist in to play it. He wasn’t happy with the sound so he decided to put an Opus 1416  in the room above the dining room. Still unsatisfied with the accoustics. He then decided to have the house cut in half, and extended to enable the oblong conservatory, to enhance the resonance. His architects told him it was not practical, but he was determined, and did it anyway. It cost twice as much as the original building. 

The billiard room, library, great hall, and living room are downstairs. There’s a grand staircase leading to the second floor, where Eastman’s mother, Maria Kilbourn Eastman’s bedroom is. He was very close to his mother and provided her with the best. She died just two years after they moved here. 

Upstairs there are lots of photographs and paintings of Eastman, his mother, father, and his niece Ellen Dryden with whom he was very close. He never married and had no children, so she was his closest relative after his mother died. When he was suffering from an incurable disease, He left a note saying, “To my friends, my work is done—Why wait?” His death certificate is there and because his niece wished him to be buried in his church cemetery, she had the doctor add to suicide as cause of death the words “While temporarily insane.”

The third floor is closed to the public. There is a gift shop in the house section and some exhibits. One is a room designed as a giant camera. Inside, you look outside through a hole where light enters and reflects on the wall as if you are standing in a giant Brownie Box Camera.

Be sure to tour the gardens and walk around to the front to see the mansion’s entrance.

Take in Lunch at Open Face Cafe 

A stop at Open Face for lunch is a must when spending a weekend in Rochester. This charming eatery is known for its artisanal open-faced sandwiches, fresh ingredients, and inventive flavor combinations.  The warm, inviting atmosphere makes it an ideal place to take a break and savor a thoughtfully crafted meal. The café is located with a glass wall next to the garden, so you feel like it’s outdoors.

Whether you opt for a classic smoked salmon toast or a creative vegetarian option loaded with seasonal produce, each dish is prepared with care. Pair your sandwich with a house-made soup or a locally sourced salad for a balanced and delicious mid-day meal.  I enjoyed their Chicken Salad Sandwich, a cup of Chicken Corn Chowder, and a side of pickled beets. 

The friendly staff and cozy setting ensure that every visit to Open Face is a highlight of a 3-day Rochester itinerary.

Feel the Breeze on a Genesee River Cruise

After lunch head for the Corn Hill District, one of the many sections of the city. The name Corn Hill has two possible origins. It may refer to the native Americans and the early settlers who grew corn since this area next to the Genesee River is high land. Another story is that it is named for the fashionable Cornhill neighborhood in London, England. 

From Corn Hill, take a cruise on Genesee River Cruise on the Riverie. It’s a fascinating 90 minute cruise that shows off Rochester from a different angle. The Riverie is the newest tour boat in the area, launched June 2023. It leaves from the Genesee River and takes you into the Erie Canal. As you sail out from the dock, you have a good view of the Frederick Douglass / Susan B. Anthony bridge that locals call the “Freddy Sue Bridge.” As Captain Steve glided down the river, Jess, the ship’s narrator, told us a bit about the buildings and wildlife we saw along the river. 

One building that stood out was Times Square Building, with a winged statue on the top called the Rings of Progress. A statue of Mercury, the messenger god, sits on top of the Aqueduct Building. He once topped the Kimball Tobacco Factory, which was demolished to make room for the Blue Cross Arena. Another interesting building was the Rush Rhees Library on the University of Rochester River Campus, first opened in 1930. It’s nineteen stories, 186 feet high with the upper portion encircled by two graduated tiers of stone pillars. The tower is illuminated by almost 200 floodlights at night.

We saw a lot of herons, egrets, ducks, and a few ospreys as we sailed along the river. Jess pointed out Genesee Valley Park with hiking trails, biking paths, playground areas, cross-country ski trails, picnic shelters, and two 18-hole golf courses with a clubhouse, pro shop, and food concession. The popular park was designed by famed landscape architect Frederic Law Olmsted. Nearby, the Genesee Waterways Center is the place to rent kayaks, canoes, and other watercraft.

When we turned into the Erie Canal, we saw small bridges, some unused for decades and locks, to change the water levels. It is a great way to see the city from a different perspective and a surprising nature experience during your weekend in Rochester.

The Corn Hill Navigation Waterfront Center where you board and disembark is walking distance from Downtown Rochester, also known as Center City, where you find many restaurants, shops and historic buildings.

Refresh at Red, White & Brew 

Wander the Historic District

The historic district is filled with architectural masterpieces from the late 1800s and early 1900s. The tiny glimpse from the boat cruse whetted my appetite. I only saw a fraction, but there is so much more. Murals and public art are scattered all over Rochester. 

Times Square Building is a Rochester landmark. Ironically, the cornerstone of this building was laid on October 29, 1929, which is Black Tuesday, the day the stock market crash ushered in the Great Depression. The mural at Times Square Building Stories of Strength, by artist Sarah C. Rutherford, is six stories tall and inspired by the stories of domestic violence survivors.

I Am Speaking, a 3,000-square-foot mural of the late civil rights icon and congressman, John Lewis, shows Lewis when he demanded to be heard in Mississippi in 1963. The mural is painted by Ephraim Gebre and Jared Diaz on State Street on a building that was once a part of the underground railroad. It’s across the street from where Corinthian Hall once stood, which was where Frederick Douglass gave his famous speech “What to a Slave is the Fourth of July?”  

You can’t miss the KODAK Building. The 19-story tower was Rochester’s tallest building for over 50 years from its completion in 1914 until the Xerox Square Tower overshadowed it in the late 1960s. To be sure everyone knew what it was, Eastman had the word Kodak in large block letters at the roofline just below the tower.

Relax at Flight Wine Bar

When you’re tired of roaming the downtown district, it’s time for Happy Hour at Flight Wine Bar. My friends and I had a charcuterie board with so many delicious treats and sampled a flight of wine.  It’s choose your own charcuterie, so you can stick with your favorites or try something new.

Sue Reuter, who bought the business less than two years ago, told us all the new things she introduced. She added live jazz every Friday and Saturday; She has some events that are unusual for a winery; bonsai tree classes, calligraphy classes and a knitting club that comes in two or three Wednesdays a month and she features local artists once a month.

Savor Dinner at The Cub Room 

The Cub Room is the perfect place to close out your day. It’s the brainchild of Greg Johnson and his wife, Jodi. Greg is the chef, and Jodi decorated the restaurant. It has the look of a speakeasy during prohibition. Jodi modeled the look on the Cub Room of the famous Stork club in New York City, owned by Sherman Billingsley, an ex- bootlegger from Oklahoma. Until its closure in 1965, it was frequented by movie stars, politicians, and gangsters, including the Kennedys, Marilyn Monroe, Grace Kelly and Prince Ranier, and Ernest Hemingway. The Cub Room was its special room, where only a privileged few were admitted.

Rochester’s Cub Room has the same low-lighted feeling. Black and white photos of celebrities grace the walls. The food lives up to the highest standards. First thing I saw on the menu was one of my all-time favorite appetizers, Devils on Horseback, dates stuffed with blue cheese and an almond, and wrapped in bacon. I had an Amish Chicken with baby carrots, cipollini onion, confit potato, cream sherry for my entrée and skipped a side to save room for their Crème brûlée for dessert.

My cocktail was Pop Shove It, a combination of tequila, pineapple habanero, demerara, cinnamon sugar with a salted rim. It was a just right combination of sweet and spicy. To top our meal off, Chef Johnson stopped by to see if we enjoyed his creations. Of course we had.

3 Days in Rochester – Day 3

One More Breakfast at the Hotel

Since it was a weekend, I sampled the buffet at Horizons Modern Kitchen + Wine Bar. Horizon’s is good enough to have breakfast there twice during a weekend in Rochester, NY.

I can never resist biscuits and sausage gravy, and I added a little scrambled egg. The spread included everything from freshly baked pastries to hearty options like breakfast burritos and omelets. Their locally roasted coffee was the perfect start to my morning, making my final day of exploring even more enjoyable.

Delve into Women’s History at the National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House 

The Susan B. Anthony Museum is situated in the residence where its namesake resided from her twenties, initially with her family and subsequently with her sister, Mary. Ms. Anthony was one of the founders of the Woman Suffrage Association, at the forefront of the fight for women’s rights in the 19th century, and a leading influence in the passing of the 19th ammendment which granted women the right to vote.

Our guide, Allison, led us through the home and presented us with historical photographs depicting the home as it once was, alongside the current museum’s layout. The meticulous restoration and authentic furnishings create an immersive experience, making one feel as though they are visiting Anthony herself.

When she began teaching at the age of 15, she experienced inequality again. She was earning approximately $2 per week, while male teachers received between $10 and $15. This encouraged her to participate in Educational Society meetings, where she advocated for equal pay. When her family relocated to New York, her father, a Quaker, hosted abolitionist society meetings, where she met prominent figures such as Frederick Douglass and his wife, Anna Marie. Witnessing the injustices of slavery firsthand, she joined the American Anti-Slavery Society and began traveling to speak out against the institution. 

The parlor of the museum offers glimpses into Anthony’s character, with an upright piano reflecting her musical inclinations, books scattered across a mahogany table indicating her love for reading, and artwork adorning the walls that showcases her artistic appreciation.

The parlor was where she was arrested after registering and voting. She turned that into great publicity for the women’s rights movement. The small bedrooms she and her sister had showed how most of the home was used to fight for equality. The attic was converted into an office when the movement became too big for her alone and she had to hire secretaries to help.

The house is a must see for anyone who believes all people should be treated fairly.

Stop by the Let’s Have Tea Sculpture 

After viewing the house, drive a short distance to Susan B. Anthony Square and admire the Let’s Have Tea Sculpture showing Frederick Douglass alongside his friend and fellow civil rights champion Susan B. Anthony. (I told you there is public art all over Rochester.) 

The bronze sculpture depicting the two sitting around a table having tea and probably discussing how to right some wrong.  The bronze sculpture was created by local artist Pepsy Kettavong.

Pay Tribute at Mount Hope Cemetery

Both Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass are buried in Mount Hope Cemetery. It’s America’s first municipally owned Victorian cemetery.

Susan B. Anthony and her sister Mary’s graves are at the front of the family plot. They are roped off with a little chain hung between two short posts. It’s so fitting that many visitors had pasted their “I voted” stickers on these posts. The modest white stones are engraved with just birth and death dates. 

At another part of the cemetery, the Douglass family plot is more elaborate. Frederick Douglass’s grave is raised and has his birth and death date. His first wife, Anna Murry Douglass, and his second wife, Helen Pitts Douglass, and one of his daughters, Annie, are next to his grave. There is a gray granite marker at the head of the plot with two large flower urns beside it. 

Learn Black History at the Frederick Douglass Memorial 

The Frederick Douglass Memorial is a powerful tribute to one of the most influential abolitionists and civil rights leaders in American history. Located in Highland Park, this impressive monument was the first statue in the United States dedicated to an African American man. Commissioned by activist John W. Thompson and sculpted by Sidney W. Edwards, the eight-foot bronze statue was originally unveiled in 1899.

More than just a statue, this memorial stands as a testament to Douglass’s legacy and his relentless fight for justice and equality. Engraved on the monument’s base are some of his most powerful words, reminding visitors of his unwavering commitment to freedom and progress. His wisdom still rings true today.

Rochester was not just where Douglass lived—it was where he launched The North Star, his influential abolitionist newspaper, and where he gave some of his most important speeches, including his famed What to the Slave is the Fourth of July? Address. His presence shaped the city’s legacy as a center for social justice.

For those tracing the story of civil rights in America, a visit to the Frederick Douglass Memorial is essential. The site is a moving reminder of how one man’s vision helped to change the course of history. The surrounding park and amphitheater provide a peaceful place to reflect on his legacy, making this a must-visit site during your 3 days in Rochester.

You can learn about some of the other important Civil Rights sites we have visited are found at nearby Niagara Falls, Memphis, and Little Rock.

Dig into Lunch at Genesee Brew House 

The Genesee Brew House first opened in 1819 as The Aqueduct Spring Brewery, Rochester’s first brewery and the oldest continually operating breweries in the United States, except for the few years of prohibition. Today they have transformed the 9,200 square-foot space into a brewery, dining destination, and a mini museum featuring interactive and multimedia exhibits.

For appetizers, we shared some Bavarian Pretzels with beer cheese dip and beer mustard dip; one of my all-time favorites, and Buffalo Chicken Pierogies. For my entrée, I shared a Dog Plate, two hot dogs, one white and one red, topped with Brew House meat sauce and chopped onions over mac salad and French fries. I think it’s their take on a Rochester specialty called a Garbage Plate. Definitely something different.

No need to be so adventurous if you don’t wish. The menu includes several salads, flat bread sandwiches, burgers and sandwiches. They also feature a handful of German dinner choices including schnitzel and spaetzel.

The gift shop museum had some interesting exhibits, including a diorama of the area as it was many years ago, and artifact and photos from the old brewery.

Genesee Brew House is located by High Falls Terrace Park overlooking High Falls. We went upstairs to the rooftop, considered one of the best places to view the 96-foot waterfall in the middle of downtown Rochester. You must make a stop here at least once during your weekend in Rochester, NY just for the scenery.

Have Fun at The Strong National Museum of Play 

When you plan your 3 days in Rochester, NY, you may overlook the Strong Museum of Play, dismissing it as a children’s destination. And, while it is that, it is so much more! It’s definitely a museum for all ages telling the history of toys for generations. I saw many toys I played with as a child, antique dolls, the original monopoly game, and it was quite a nostalgic experience.

They have the world’s largest collection of toys, dolls, and games, plus they are home to the National Toy Hall of Fame and the World Video Game Hall of Fame. It’s said to be the only museum in the world dedicated to the history of play, and it encompasses play in every form, from dress-up and make believe, to today’s video games, and everything in between.

Shane Rhinewald, director of communication, led us upstairs, where I discovered a treasure trove of historic toys and lots of information about them. From early simple toys like checkers to pinball games and video games, the museum embraces the history of play. While children will immerse themselves in the now, bigger kids of all ages will find themselves on memory lane, whether that is a walk on Sesame Street,  stepping into their favorite story book, driving off in an arcade style car race, or flying off with their favorite super heroes.

The downstairs area is more geared to interactive activities for the youngsters, whether that is hugging a teddy bear, dressing a Barbie, or building with giant blocks. There’s even a model Wegmans where kids can play at being customer, or cashiers. 

Outside there is a beautiful butterfly garden and a play area complete with a giant monopoly game, Dungeons and Dragons stature, and a few more surprises. 

Wind Down at Living Roots Wine & Co.

After playing all afternoon, you’ll appreciate a glass of wine at the first urban winery in the Finger Lakes. Sebastian and Colleen Hardy, the husband-wife team that own Living Roots have roots both in Rochester and Australia. Sebastian grew up working family winery in Australia while Coleen grew up in Rochester and got a degree in Marketing. She began working with wine and met Sebastian. It was a perfect match. They won the 2023 Best New Winery award.

In Rochester they focus on white wine, so I had to try their Finger Lakes Session Gold I. Its smooth taste fit my mood and its beautiful gold color made for a great picture, and it was perfect for winding down my weekend in Rochester, NY.

Dinner at Next Door by Wegmans 

Next Door by Wegmans is a modern Japanese and Asian Fusion restaurant, featuring hand rolled sushi. I loved the atmosphere, very peaceful and softly lighted by chandeliers shaped like multipointed stars. I’m not big on fish and when I do choose it, it needs to be cooked. The sushi fans in our group said their rolls were fantastic. They have a selection of other foods, including several beef steaks and some chicken.  Those who want a taste of everything will be excited by the 5 course tasting menu.

I ordered the roasted lobster with garlic-shiso butter and found it delicious. For an appetizer, edamame with yuzu sea salt was my favorite. They also offer a selection of specialty craft cocktails spanning a various of flavors, liqueurs, and textures, as well as a vareity of sake options, perfect to toast farewell to your weekend in Rochester. I loved my Hojicha Daiquirí, made with Blackwell Rum, Hojicha tea, coconut milk, lime juice, orgeat, topped with cardamom.

Plan Your Weekend in Rochester Now!

A weekend in Rochester, NY offers the perfect blend of history, culture, and culinary delights. Whether you’re exploring the renowned museums, indulging in local cuisine, or discovering the natural beauty of the region, Rochester provides an unforgettable getaway. The city’s accessibility, diverse attractions, and welcoming atmosphere make it an excellent choice for a short yet fulfilling trip.

Over the course of 3 days in Rochester, NY visitors can immerse themselves in unique experiences that highlight the city’s charm and vibrant spirit. From historical landmarks to innovative dining, Rochester is a destination that surprises and delights at every turn. No matter your travel style, this city offers a mix of relaxation and adventure, ensuring that your visit is both enriching and enjoyable. With so much to see and do, you may find yourself planning a return visit before your weekend even ends!

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