Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Rochester, New York

Last Updated on January 11, 2023 by Nikki Jain

Rochester might not grab as much attention as the state capital, but it can still make a lot of noise. From having the best universities in the country, being the home of some of the greatest revolutionary icons in American history, and representing a great diversity, there’s plenty of reasons to visit Rochester. Take a look at some of these major tourist attractions and don’t forget to grab yourself a “white hot” while you’re out on the town.

Things To Do in Rochester

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1: The Strong National Museum of Play

The Strong National Museum of Play
Flickr/Sean Liu

By far, the number one tourist attraction in Rochester, this museum does not disappoint. It’s all in the name: the ‘Museum of Play’ is all about playtime for the kid in everyone. Toys, games, and numerous entertainment pieces that span the history of play items for kids. Parents bring their children from all over the globe to come see how kids played over the years, as well as to see their favorite playtime characters, like Big Bird and the gang from Sesame Street. A must-see museum!

Address: 1 Manhattan Square Dr, Rochester, NY 14607

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2: George Eastman Museum

George Eastman Museum
Flickr/Ryan Hyde

If you’re looking for something a bit more Eastern United States-historic, take a trip to the George Eastman mansion. Eastman was an engineer and lover of photography, and so his mansion now stands as a museum of modern photography, the oldest of its kind. It houses countless photographs, antiques, and one-of-a-kind film.

Address: 900 East Ave, Rochester, NY 14607

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3: Seabreeze Amusement Park

Seabreeze Amusement Park
Flickr/Martin Lewison

This is your daddy’s amusement park, it’s actually one of the oldest ones in New York. There’s plenty of fun to be had at this fully-functional interactive museum, though. Bring the kids and show them how roller-coasters and amusement park rides used to be when their parents were kids. The rides here are simple, but deceptively thrilling, even if they don’t boast top speeds of 60 mph like the ones made nowadays. They even have some great water rides, and nobody gets tired of splashing each other in the face, no matter how old they are.

Address: 4600 Culver Rd, Rochester, NY 14622

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Also Read: 25 Best Amusement Parks in the US

4: Seneca Park Zoo

Seneca Park Zoo
Flickr/Thomas Belknap

Most people rank this zoo second only to the Brooklyn Zoo in New York. It has a great variety of apes, elephants, rhinos, and birds. There are even polar bears and penguins to get frosty with at Seneca. The layout of the zoo is easy to navigate and filled with plenty of accessible ramps, benches, and friendly staff to make the trip enjoyable for everyone.

Address: 2222 St. Paul Street, Rochester, NY 14621

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5: Rochester Museum & Science Center

Rochester Museum & Science Center
Flickr/Anthony Sokolik

This museum is more than just science descriptions and stationary exhibits. At Rochester’s Museum and Science Center you get to play with science. You can shoot laser beams, take a trip into outer space, make your own robot, and dig up science like an archaeologist. There’s so much to do here that you might have to take two trips to see and do everything.

Address: 657 East Ave, Rochester, NY 14607

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6: Mount Hope Cemetery

Mount Hope Cemetery
Flickr/Richard Fisher

This is a historic cemetery that is home to many great people, from famous abolitionists, artists, and American pioneers. You can take private tours of the graves and learn more about the history of Rochester, or you can walk through anytime you wish as it is always open to the public.

Address: 1133 Mt Hope Ave, Rochester, NY 14620

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7: Highland Park

Highland Park
Flickr/Tobin

This is a special type of park that was created to better appreciate the natural landscapes created by Fredrick Law Olmsted. There’s over 150 acres to explore, with every one of them filled with lush vegetation and flowers, including lilacs, magnolias, azaleas, Japanese Maple trees, evergreens, mountain laurels, and numerous wildflowers that would make any horticulture enthusiast feel at home. This is a refreshing detour from your average botanical gardens visit.

Address: 180 Reservoir Ave, Rochester, NY 14620

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8: Frontier Field

Frontier Field
Flickr/Ryan Hyde

What was once old is new again, at Frontier Field, this stadium carries on the legacy of baseball, replacing one of the oldest baseball stadiums, the Silver Stadium. Frontier Field actually hosts a variety of different sports, including soccer and lacrosse. Come by during the summer and grab yourself Rochester’s famous "white rod" hotdogs, as well as some peanuts and crackerjacks, while you’re at it.

Address: 333 Plymouth Ave N, Rochester, NY 14608

9: National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House

National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House
www.rochester.edu

Home to one of the most famous American civil rights figures in our country’s history. Susan B. Anthony was known for her strength, tenacity, and moral integrity. She let the charge to grant women the right to vote. Her house is filled with all the tools and materials that she used to plot her activism and arm herself with the power of information and strategic planning to stay one step ahead of the State.

Address: 17 Madison St, Rochester, NY 14608

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10: Memorial Art Gallery

Memorial Art Gallery
Wikimedia/DanielPenfield

This historical art center was established in 1913 and has a gathering of more than 12,000 distinct pieces in plain view, from contemporary developments, up to twenty-first century work of art from all over the world. The Memorial Art Gallery hosts brief shows, public addresses, and even shows for the local residents. It is both a tourist attraction and a community hub for people to come and learn about art, share ideas, and pass down knowledge to future generations.

Address: 500 University Ave, Rochester, NY 14607

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