So, you just arrived in Rochester, NY. Flowers are blooming, Kolsches are flying off the shelves, the Red Wings season is officially underway, and you are wondering where to start. With so much springtime goodness to experience in Rochester, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed by choice, but we’ve got your back! Here is your official guide to the perfect spring day in the Flower City.

 

The most important meal of the day

First thing’s first: breakfast (or more importantly: coffee). Rochester has no shortage of awesome spots for you to stop and grab a delicious breakfast sandwich and a latte to put some pep in your step for the rest of the day.

If you’re exploring downtown, you can’t go wrong with Locals Only. From classics like French toast and egg sandwiches, to crowd pleasers like pretzel and tater tot flights (highly recommend), Locals Only doesn’t play when it comes to breakfast. Or coffee for that matter. Be sure to try their honey lavender latte, or if you’re feeling something a bit stronger, you can’t go wrong with the espresso martini.

Jine’s Restaurant is another amazing breakfast spot in downtown ROC. With a classic diner feel, Jine’s makes you feel at home the second you walk in the door. With a massive breakfast menu, this spot is a local fav for a reason. Some of our other favorite local diners include Mel's, Highland Park Diner and Original Steve's Diner, which is known for its larger than life "Love Cakes." 

Looking for more options? If you're an art lover, check out Brown Hound Downtown nestled right in the Memorial Art Gallery in Rochester’s Neighborhood of the Arts. Want a sweet option? Simply Crepes in Pittsford has what you need.

And that’s still not all. Find even more Rochester Breakfast spots here.

 

Stop and smell the lilacs

They don’t call Rochester, NY the Flower City for nothing. If you find yourself visiting between May 9 and May 18, your next stop of the day should absolutely be Highland Park to check out the beautiful blooms at the Rochester Lilac Festival! This 10-day long event has everything you could want in one festival. With food trucks, live music, guided walking tours, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic bars, and SO much more, there’s a reason the Lilac Festival has been a Rochester favorite for 127 years! Did you know: The Rochester Lilac Festival showcases the largest collection of lilacs in North America in Rochester's Highland Park. 

If your trip doesn’t line up with the festival, don’t worry. You still have plenty of opportunities to see some beautiful flowers while you’re here. Stop by any Monroe County Park or one of Rochester’s lovely gardens at the George Eastman Museum, the Rochester Museum and Science Center, the Webster Arboretum, the Ellwanger Garden, the Oxford Street Mall on Park Ave, and many more.  

Looking for a non-flower focused outdoor activity? Swing by Innovative Field and catch a Rochester Red Wings baseball game!

 

Get cultured

Rochester is known for our museums, and you cannot visit us without checking out at least one of them. If you’re heading to ROC with little ones, The Strong National Museum of Play is the perfect place to spend an afternoon (though fair warning - The Strong Museum is tons of fun for all ages). From the Hasbro Game Park to the Butterfly Garden to the National Toy Hall of Fame, The Strong has an exhibit for everyone!

The Rochester Museum and Science Center is another incredible museum right on East Avenue in downtown Rochester. Take some time to explore their newest permanent exhibition “Hodinöšyö:nih Continuity | Innovation | Resilience” and learn all about this native Rochester community and their traditions. Don’t leave without stopping by the Strasenburgh Planetarium to star gaze or catch a laser show!

Just a short stroll down the street from RMSC, and you’ll find yourself at another iconic museum, The George Eastman Museum. Located on the estate of George Eastman himself, this is the oldest photography museum and one of the oldest film archives in the world. With historic gardens to stroll through, a rich history of film and photography to experience, and an on-site theatre to enjoy, this spot is a can’t miss for a spring day in Rochester.

The last downtown museum you’ll want to visit is the Memorial Art Gallery. (Hint: If you were at Brown Hound for breaky this morning, you’ll already know about this one!) The MAG has been an amazing aspect of Rochester’s landscape since 1913 and is a part of the University of Rochester. Whether you come for the outdoor Sculpture Garden or the indoor exhibits, you won’t regret it. While you’re there, don’t miss their newest temporary exhibit “Composing Color: Paintings by Alma Thomas” on display through May 25!

Mother's Day marks the start of the spring and summer season at Genesee Country Village & Museum, the largest living history museum in New York State. Bring your mom to the museum -- she will enjoy free admission on Mother's Day! In addition to Mother's Day, GCV&M offers diverse history-focused programming and special events all year round. 

Train afficionados have multiple choices in the Rochester area. Check out one of the special themed rides or events at the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum, including special events in April and May (including Rails & Ales!). The NY Museum of Transportation, and its signature trolly rides, reopens for the season mid-May. 

 

Time for some libations!

Now it’s time for dinner…and maybe a drink or two. Lucky for you, Rochester is a must-visit city for foodies. Check out some of our local favorite spots for dining here. 

For a stellar (and Rochester authentic) outdoor dining experience,  check out the Genesee Brew House. Grab one of their burgers along with a brewed-in-house craft beer and sit out on the patio overlooking High Falls, Rochester's downtown waterfall!

If beer isn’t really your thing, no worries! You can grab some great wine and small bites from Rochester area wineries including Living Roots Wine & Co., Casa Larga and 20 Deep. Check out a local wine bar, many of which offer live music and other special events, including Flight Wine Bar, Unwine’d, Legacy Wine Bar, Red, White & Brew or Vine & Tap. If you’re more in the mood for a cocktail, head over to Fairport and visit Iron Smoke Distilling for great whiskey and live music or Tin Cup Social for some amazing mixed drinks. Cocktail fans will want to mark your calendar for Rochester Cocktail Revival, the largest craft cocktail festival in New York State, June 2-8. 

Make a plan to visit Black Button Distilling, the first small batch distillery to open in Rochester since the end of prohibition. Order a Bourbon Cream and thank us later. 

 

Top it off on the canal

Congratulations, you’ve almost wrapped up your perfect spring day in Rochester! Having fun so far? We knew you would!

To end your day, head to one of the Rochester area canal towns and take a sunset walk along the Erie Canal to celebrate its bicentennial anniversary! Treat yourself at one of the many amazing shops right along the canal, like Cleo + Kin, Notion and The Boutique Curated by UB in Pittsford or Mescolata and The Main Street Mercantile in Fairport.

And with that, your perfect spring day in Rochester, NY has come to a close. We hope you enjoyed it and that you come back and #VisitROC again soon!