Museums and galleries in Rochester

Museums and galleries in Rochester

1. See

   Artisan Works

   A non-profit organization housed in a huge warehouse, Artisan Works comprises a labyrinth of hallways and levels where every square inch is covered with art in all media (but mostly painting and sculpture). Everything is for sale. The gallery provides studio space to dozens of artists, some of whom may be working when you visit, and all of whom are happy to chat about what they're making. Also within is the Triangle Theater, a 30-seat movie theater which features films by student and local filmmakers.

   Fri-Sun noon-5PM·Adults $15, students/seniors $10, under 5 free

2. Eat

   Bill Gray's at the Skyliner Diner

   This location is housed in the tiny 1950s-type Skyliner Diner, long and narrow like a train car. The diner is in turn located inside the Strong National Museum of Play. Museum admission is now required to get to the restaurant, which sits near the carousel in what was once the entrance lobby.

   Sat-Thu 11AM-4:30PM, Fri 11AM-7:30PM

3. See

   Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse

   The oldest remaining lighthouse on Lake Ontario sits high above the Rochester harbor, and visitors can climb to the top of it to see the light, the lens – and the view. Now if, when you get to the lighthouse, you wonder where the shore is, it's half a mile (almost a kilometer) northeast. That's how much land has been added to the northern shore of New York since the lighthouse was built in 1822. The museum inside the keeper's house has a lot of displays on Rochester's harbor history.

   May-Oct: Fri-Sun 1-5PM; other times by appointment·Adults $5; ages 5-17 $2; under 5 free

4. See

   Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park

   Manhattan Square

   This urban park near the Strong Museum features a unique concrete amphitheater with a distinctive metal superstructural sculpture, some play equipment, and a public outdoor skating rink that (in warmer months) converts to a reflecting pool with fountains. It's a major gathering space for Rochesterians and hosts the ROC Holiday Village every December.

5. Do

   Dryden Theatre

   The George Eastman Museum knows that part of preserving the history of film is showing films to audiences. That's the role of the Museum's Dryden Theatre. The Dryden shows a wide variety of Hollywood classics, international and independent films—literally something different every night of the week. The programming is thoughtful and cutting-edge, with frequent visits by directors and actors. Nearly all films begin at 7:30PM and are preceded by a brief film talk.

   Tickets $5-12, except during special events such as visiting filmmakers

6. See

   George Eastman Museum

   The world's oldest photography museum, the George Eastman Museum could really be considered three museums in one. First, and most visible, is the George Eastman House, the mansion built by the founder of Eastman Kodak, restored to appear much as it did when he was alive, illustrating the life of Rochester's elite in the early 20th century. Second, the museum hosts regular rotating exhibits highlighting the history of photography and film. Third, and perhaps most importantly, the museum houses an enormous archive of photographs, film, and related technology, among the largest in the world. Other institutions regularly send film here for conservation. Guided tours of the house are available, and the exhibits can be toured at your own pace, but access to the archives is restricted to serious researchers only. Films are presented regularly in the museum's Dryden Theatre (see below).

   Tue-Sat 10AM-5PM, Sun 11AM-5PM·Adults $22, seniors $20, students $9, under 5 and active military free

7. See

   Image City Photography Gallery

   A gallery devoted to photography with a new show every four weeks. If a work strikes your fancy, feel free to purchase it!

   Tue-Sat noon-6PM; Sun noon-4PM·Free

8. See

   Memorial Art Gallery

   The premier art museum in the area, with over 12,000 items, from artists both obscure and renowned. A real Baroque Italian organ resides inside. The Centennial Sculpture Park on the grounds is open 24/7.

   Wed-Sun 11AM-5PM; Thu 11AM-9PM; closed major holidays·Adults $20, seniors $18, students $9, under 6 free; $2 less online; half price Th after 5PM; free for active military

9. See

   RIT City Art Space

   A small-ish art gallery operated by RIT, featuring the work of fine arts students, faculty, alumni, and other artists of note.

   Sun Thu 1PM-5PM, Fri Sat 1PM-8PM (closed during university breaks)·Free

10. See

    Rochester Contemporary Art Center

    RoCo

    This non-profit arts center supports local artists, in part by exhibiting their work to the public. But it's not just local artists you'll find in the gallery; they regularly host works from around the world. It's also a gathering place for the local arts community, so dropping by isn't just about viewing the art; it's also about connecting with the artists.

    Wed-Sun noon-5PM (9PM on Fri)·$2 ($5 for 6x6 exhibition)

11. See

    Rochester Medical Museum and Archives

    Several different collections, for both exhibition and research, are combined here to document the public health of Rochester and Monroe County.

    Mon-Fri 10AM-4PM

12. See

    Rochester Museum and Science Center

    A science museum filled with hands-on exhibits and activities. Fantastic for kids, but a lot of it is fun for parents, too. Major hands-on exhibits include Wonders of Water, How Things Work, and Illumination: The World of Light and Optics. Don't miss the enormous mastodon skeleton in Expedition Earth, or the musical Tesla coils in the Electricity Theater. Other permanent exhibits focus on the people of the Haudenosaunee, 19th-century Rochester, and the Underground Railroad. The Strasenburgh Planetarium is next door; get a $4 discount on combined admission when you purchase in person.

    Tue-Sat 9AM-5PM (+Mon during school breaks), Sun 11AM-5PM·Adults $19, military/veteran $16, seniors/students $18, ages 3-18 $17, under 3 free

13. See

    Stone-Tolan House Museum

    The oldest remaining building in Monroe County, parts of which were built as early as 1792. The house later served as a tavern for travelers along East Avenue; it's been restored and serves as an excellent example of the era.

    Apr-Dec: Sun Tue (except holidays) - tours @ noon, 1PM, 2PM; closed Jan-Mar·Adults $5, under 18 $1

14. See

    Susan B. Anthony Museum & House

    This is the house where the women's rights activist lived for many years, and where she was arrested after voting illegally in 1872. The museum highlights Anthony's influences, the many reforms she worked for (suffrage, abolition, temperance, education, and a purse of her own among them), her friendship with Frederick Douglass, and her trial for voting. Tours last up to an hour. Don't forget to check the gift shop!.

    Tue-Sun 11AM-5PM, except major holidays·Adults $20, seniors $15, students $8, under 5 free

15. See

    The Strong National Museum of Play

    This downtown children's museum, the only one in the world with a specific focus on play, is the place to visit if you have kids from 1-12. You can easily spend a whole day here, or visit a couple of times to enjoy everything. This museum focuses on learning through play and features tons of interactive exhibits, including some focused on well-known themes like Sesame Street. The kid-sized Wegmans supermarket is always a must-do. One nice feature is that most exhibits have information for adults to read (such as on how fairy tales have changed with the times) while the kids do things like climb on a pirate ship. Older visitors (those who can remember the 1980s) may also enjoy the classic arcade cabinets in the eGameRevolution exhibit. The Strong is also home to the National Toy Hall of Fame and the World Video Game Hall of Fame. The museum's Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden costs $6 extra and has a limited number of timed tickets available each day.

    Sun-Thu 10AM-5PM, Fri Sat 10AM-8PM·$25; under 2 free. Butterfly Garden $6 extra; Skyline Climb $8 extra. Discounts for students, veterans, military, SNAP recipients, and members of other museums in the Association of Children's Museums

16. Do Not mapped

    Clothesline Art Festival

    This is the most "artsy" of the summer festivals, focused on paintings and other artwork more so than the crafts of other festivals. You can also take this opportunity to browse the gallery itself.

    early Sep: Sat 10AM-6PM, Sun 10AM-5PM·$5; under 11 free; includes gallery admission

17. See Not mapped

    Grove Place

    Small residential neighborhood in downtown Rochester. Full of beautiful 19th-century townhouses. Several good restaurants are in the neighborhood and it is in easy walking distance to Eastman Theater and the Eastman School of Music as well as the Memorial Art Gallery.

18. See Not mapped

    High Falls

    The majestic High Falls of the Genesee are what attracted settlers to the area in the first place. A 96-foot (29 m) waterfall in the center of downtown is certainly a unique sight; viewing is best from the Pont de Rennes pedestrian bridge. But also take a walk around the old warehouses on the west bank between the bridge and the falls; this is the area known as "High Falls" and home to a very nice museum/visitor's center and some very old milling equipment.

19. See Not mapped

    Neighborhood of the Arts

    An eclectic neighborhood along University Avenue, near the Village Gate and the Rochester Museum and Science Center. Lots of public artwork (thanks to ArtWalk), some small shops and eateries, and beautiful Victorian homes. Very walkable.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Rochester (CC BY-SA 4.0).