Skip to content
Evening

Golden Hour at the Lighthouse

Climb the historic Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse as the sun dips below Lake Ontario, then head to a nearby spot for dinner.

Best time: 15 JulAbout 120 min

Timeline

  1. 18:48

    Whiskey River Pub and Grill

    Pick up a drink or snack at Whiskey River Pub and Grill. It is just a short walk from the lighthouse and open until late on weekends, so you can grab a drink early and wait for the light to fade.

  2. 19:48

    Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse

    Walk to the Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse. Climb to the top to see the lens and the view. By now, the golden light is starting to hit the harbor and the lake, creating a warm glow before the sun actually sets.

  3. 20:48

    Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse

    Stay at the lighthouse for the sunset. The sun sets toward the WNW, offering a clear view across the water as the sky changes color.

  4. 21:18

    Whiskey River Pub and Grill

    Head back to Whiskey River Pub and Grill for dinner. The historic building is close by, and the atmosphere is perfect for winding down after the evening view.

Local tip

The lighthouse is only open Fri-Sun 1-5PM from May to October. If you are visiting on a weekday or outside these months, you must book an appointment. Check the route to the lighthouse from your starting point in advance.

Check before you go

  • Lighthouse hours: May-Oct, Fri-Sun 1-5PM. Other times by appointment only.
  • Whiskey River Pub and Grill hours: Mon-Thu 4PM-close, Fri-Sun noon-close.

Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Rochester (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

Back to Rochester