In a class by themselves and at the top of everyone’s list of places to explore in Rochester are the High Falls of the Genesee River, which drove the first mills of industry here.  This spectacular 96-foot waterfall is best seen from the Brown’s Race National Historic District, which is a destination in itself. Map

Don’t overlook the Middle Falls (25 feet high) and Lower Falls (85 feet high) a bit farther down the Genesee.  They’re more isolated, but they have their own rewards.  To see them, park your car at the Maplewood Rose Garden. Map  If roses are in bloom, take time to stop and smell the 300 varieties of roses on display.  To hike to the Middle and Lower Falls, walk from the Rose Garden toward the gorge until you see a trail going upriver under Driving Park Bridge.  This half-mile trail provides several great views of both waterfalls.

Charlotte (Map), on Lake Ontario, has several interesting places to explore:

• The Port of Rochester, including the terminal for the fast ferry between Toronto and Rochester.
• Ontario Beach Park.  If you have ever wanted to take a long walk on a long pier, here is your chance. Map
• Genesee Lighthouse at Charlotte.  Built in 1822, it is barely as tall as the trees around it, but it served its purpose well and is fun to visit.  Map
• Charlotte’s “hidden” sidewalk on the lakefront.  This is so cool.  A few blocks west of the beach, on a strip of land that was formerly a tram line, is a three-block long public sidewalk right on the edge of the lake amid gorgeous lawns and gardens.  The public is invited, but you would never guess it was there just by driving by.  Drive west from Ontario Park on Beach Ave, park on Clio or Clematis St, cross over to the side of Beach Ave closest to the lake, walk to your left for a block or so, and look for one of several sidewalks that go between the houses to the lake shore.  One of the entrances is very near the intersection Clematis St. and Beach Ave.  Map

Corn Hill was a neighborhood of lawyers and doctors who walked to their downtown offices during Rochester’s early years.  For a map of the neighborhood, try this one from the annual Corn Hill arts festival.  The most interesting area is around South Washington and Greenwood Streets, with well-maintained older houses, often with gardens. Map

A leisurely drive down East Avenue (Route 96) from downtown to the Erie Canal at Pittsford is a great way to introduce visitors to Rochester.  Map

• The first mile or so takes you pass a series of beautiful old mansions, especially the George Eastman House (see below). 
• A couple of blocks past Culver Road, temporarily turn right on East Blvd to check out Boynton House at 16 East Blvd, which was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Map
• Continuing down East Ave, and about halfway to Pittsford, take a detour into the Ambassador Drive neighborhood to see some grand homes built with understated elegance. Map
• The old canal town of Pittsford, the terminus for this drive, is interesting in itself.  Map
• While in Pittsford, be sure to check out Schoen Place, a shopping area on the north bank of the Erie Canal, including several shops tucked away behind Abbott’s ice cream shop.  Map

The Erie Canal is a worthy destination for any visitor to Rochester.  Several places mentioned in these web pages are on the Erie Canal, but a trip to one of the canal locks is a special treat, particularly during boating season, when you can see boats actually being lifted up and down.  The locks at Clover Road are probably the most interesting. Map

If you liked Pittsford, you’ll also like Fairport, another old canal town just a few miles away. (Map)  The neighborhood near the Erie Canal is interesting, especially the old lift bridge.  Map   When a boat passes, car traffic stops while the bridge is lifted straight up in a single piece.  Pedestrians can climb metal staircases on either sides of the canal and walk across the bridge even when it is in the lift position.   Don't overlook the ice cream shop on the canal near the lift bridge.  While you are in the area, take a boardwalk tour of the Thomas Creek wetlands at the end of Liftbridge Lane, within walking distance of the lift bridge itself.  Map

The George Eastman House, the mansion built by the founder of Kodak, contains the Museum of Photography, one of the best in the world.  It also sponsors a superb film program, featuring selections from its own massive archives.  It is located at 900 East Ave, just east of downtown. Map

Grove Place, downtown near the Eastman School of Music.  If you are nearby anyway, take a few minutes to walk around this tiny, artsy neighborhood with enough spunk to sponsor its own high-quality web site.  You will find it in the shadows of the Eastman School high-rise dormitory. Map

Highland Park is one of several Rochester parks created by Frederick Law Olmsted, who also designed Central Park in Manhattan and the U. S. Capital Grounds in Washington.  The hillside on the south side of the park is covered with lilacs, which make it the perfect home of the annual Lilac Festival.  Map   The Lamberton Conservatory at 180 Reservoir Drive near South Avenue is fun to visit, especially on a dreary day. Map  The nearby Warner Castle at 5 Castle Park is also interesting.  Map  

Mount Hope Cemetery, 1133 Mt Hope Ave, is a beautiful Victorian cemetery with the graves of Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglas as well as 14 miles of trails.  Map

The Rochester Museum and Science Center is a great rainy day resource, although it certainly is worth a visit in any weather.  Don't overlook the gift shop and the gardens out back. Map

Strong Museum, one of the country's largest children's museums, is a great place for younger visitors. Map

The Susan B. Anthony House, at 17 Madison St, was the home of the woman who devoted her entire adult life to leading the struggle for women's right to vote.  She didn't live long enough to vote legally, although she did cast her vote once anyway and was arrested for it.  While in the neighborhood, visit the little park just north of the Anthony House to see the sculpture of Ms. Anthony and her good friend Frederick Douglas, escaped slave and abolitionist, sitting down for tea.  A museum honoring Douglas is planned for the same neighborhood.  Map

The Stone-Tolan House, originally a pioneer house and tavern on the main dirt road leading to the young village of Rochester, is now a museum located at 2370 East Ave. Map

Unusual Neighborhoods and Houses:

• Concrest in East Rochester is a community of 100 poured concrete homes that were built in 1916 by Kate Gleason, the first female national bank president in the U. S.  The community was designed to resemble a southern French village, with tiny lots and narrow, winding streets. Map 

• The only remaining mud house in New York state is located on Whalen Road in Penfield a couple of houses east of Holleybrook Drive.  It was built in 1835 with 18-inch thick walls of dried mud.  After a hard rain, the owner inspects the walls and slaps on some more mud wherever the rain washed it off.  The owner says she loves the house although the windows are always dirty and she has to be very careful with the hose when watering her plants.  Map

• The spectacular sunken gardens of the mansion at the intersection of St Paul and Winona Boulevards in Irondequoit are visible from the sidewalk.  The mansion was built in 1917, but both it and its gardens went through a long period of neglect, with the gardens gradually disappearing beneath layers of soil.  Both the house and the gardens were restored in the 1990s.  Map

• The Mushroom House is a landmark because of its breathtaking design.  Each room is a pod on top of "stalk", so the whole structure looks like a group of mushrooms with interconnecting walkways.  You can see it from Park Road near the entrance to Powdermill Park when the leaves are down. Map

• The most elaborate tree house in town is visible from the street near the intersection of Casa Drive and Hollybrook Road in Henrietta.   It spans three maples, five pines, and two locust trees, and it seems to grow a bit every year.  Map