Question 1

What is there to do in Rochester NY?

Accepted Answer

Visit the George Eastman Museum — the world's oldest photography museum, in the Kodak founder's mansion — play through the Strong National Museum of Play (home of the National Toy Hall of Fame), see 96-foot High Falls from the Pont de Rennes bridge, and walk the Susan B. Anthony house where she was arrested for voting in 1872. May brings the huge Lilac Festival.

Question 2

What is a garbage plate?

Accepted Answer

Rochester's beloved gut-bomb: cheeseburgers or red/white hots layered over home fries and macaroni salad, smothered in spicy meat hot sauce, onions and mustard — invented at Nick Tahou Hots and imitated citywide ("trash plates," "sloppy plates"). Eat one after 11pm like a local, or at lunch like a coward. No judgment either way.

Question 3

Is the Strong Museum of Play worth it?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely — it's one of the best family museums in America: the National Toy Hall of Fame, the World Video Game Hall of Fame, a working 1918 carousel, butterfly garden and whole indoor streetscapes of play. Adults without kids unironically love the video-game history wing. Budget at least half a day.

Question 4

Is Rochester safe?

Accepted Answer

The areas visitors use — Park Avenue, the East End, the museum district, High Falls and the suburbs — are comfortable with ordinary awareness; some city neighborhoods carry higher crime and aren't on visitor paths. Winter driving in lake-effect snow is the practical caution. Emergency number: 911.

Question 5

Do I need a car in Rochester?

Accepted Answer

Yes — attractions are scattered, transit is thin, and the best side trips (Letchworth State Park's "Grand Canyon of the East," 60 minutes south, and Finger Lakes wineries, 45 minutes) require driving. The airport (ROC) sits just 4 miles from downtown — a 10-minute rideshare.

Question 6

When is the best time to visit Rochester?

Accepted Answer

May, for the Lilac Festival — 1,200 lilac bushes perfuming Highland Park in the nation's largest free lilac celebration — or September–October for foliage and Finger Lakes harvest trips. Summer brings the Rochester International Jazz Festival in June. Winters are gray and snowy; the museums carry them.

Question 7

What is Rochester's connection to Kodak?

Accepted Answer

George Eastman founded Eastman Kodak here and made Rochester the world's photography capital for a century. His Colonial Revival mansion is now the George Eastman Museum — the oldest photography museum on Earth, with a superb film archive and the preserved house itself. Eastman's philanthropy still shapes the city, from the Eastman School of Music on down.

Question 8

When was Rochester established?

Accepted Answer

Rochester was founded around 1834.

Question 9

What languages do people speak here?

Accepted Answer

English; Spanish is spoken by 40+ million people — dominant in parts of Miami, LA, Texas and the Southwest.

Question 10

What is Rochester known for?

Accepted Answer

Rochester is known as: The Flower City — home of Kodak and the George Eastman Museum, the Strong National Museum of Play, High Falls downtown, the Lilac Festival and the infamous garbage plate.

Question 11

What is the nearest major airport?

Accepted Answer

Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC) — about 7 km away.

Question 12

What timezone is it in?

Accepted Answer

Rochester is in the UTC-5 to UTC-10 timezone.

Rochester

Airports near Rochester

Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport

Buffalo Niagara International Airport

Rochester at a Glance

Nearby places to explore

Famous Places Near Rochester

Info about Rochester