Timeline
15:30
Get to Heyer-Bayer Memorial Park before the light hits. It sits NNE of the anchor, giving you a clear view of the horizon toward the WSW where the sun will rise and the golden light will begin.
16:15
Watch the sky change. At 16:15 local time on 15 January, the golden light starts bathing the area in warm tones as the sun sets toward the WSW. This is the peak moment for the view.
16:45
Head to Polska Chata for a late breakfast or coffee. It is a 10-minute walk from the park area. Check that you arrive between 11:00 and 16:00 on Tuesday through Thursday, or by 20:00 on Friday, as these are the only times it is open in the early afternoon window relative to the golden light event.
Local tip
The anchor is a cinema, so traffic may be heavy nearby. Use Heyer-Bayer Memorial Park for a quieter spot to watch the light. Polska Chata has limited hours, so confirm the day of the week before you go.
Check before you go
- Polska Chata is only open Tu-Th 11:00-16:00, Fr 11:00-20:00, and Sa 11:00-15:00.
Worth knowing
- Polska Chata is open at 16:45 only on Fr
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Rochester (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).