Things to do in Rochester

75 activities, venues and outings in Rochester, from theatres and live music to parks and tours.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first. Showing the top 40 of 75.

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Auditorium Theatre
Rochester Broadway Theatre League
Housed in an historic Masonic temple building, the Auditorium Theatre is Rochester's Broadway roadhouse; the Rochester Broadway Theatre League brings to town several touring productions each year. The theater is aging and acoustically imperfect, but it's due for extensive renovations soon (now that RBTL owns the whole building), and it's the only area theater with the space to put on the big shows. Other concerts and performances dot the schedule throughout the year; see the web site for upcoming events.
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Blackfriars Theatre
Blackfriars Theatre is a mid-sized professional theatre that has entertained audiences since the 1950s, providing a local showcase for actors and actresses, theater artists and technicians who have chosen to make Rochester their home. They're performance space on East Main is near the Auditorium Center.
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Buffalo Bills Training Camp
football
The closest the Rochester area gets to major-league team sports is the Bills' annual summer training camp, held since 2000 in northern Pittsford. There's lots to do besides just watch practices, too; you can participate in interactive games, peruse the merchandise, or try to get some autographs. You can get a lot closer to the players here than at the stadium in Orchard Park!
Late Jul - late AugFree (parking shuttle $1)
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Clubhouse Fun Center - Greece
The Greece location has three scenic courses. There's also a batting cage outside.
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Clubhouse Fun Center - Henrietta
Henrietta's location has two courses and a go-kart track outside.
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Dice Versa
There are some other bars and restaurants around that have a handful of board games for patrons to borrow, but it's safe to say no place has as huge a collection as Dice Versa, with over 300 games stacked on their shelves. True, you have to pay a cover charge to play games, but (during the week) you can game all day if you want (Friday and Saturday there's a 3-hour limit). The food (sliders, mac and cheese, flatbreads, and apps) is tasty and it's easy to eat way too much of it during a long gaming session. Their drink menu is also inventive and fun; try the Potion Shop, which lets you roll a 20-sided die to have fate choose the contents of your shot glass.
Tue-Thu 4PM-11PM, Fri 4PM-1AM, Sat noon-1AM, Sun noon-8PM$8/person for board gaming (12 and under free)
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Downstairs Cabaret Theatre
A tiny theatre with seating just a few feet from the stage; great for a small group outing or a date. It's best to call beforehand to buy tickets and get directions, as some productions are housed in one of their three other locations. Their newest space is a relatively enormous 250-seat venue in Brighton (3450 Winton Pl).
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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
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Durand-Eastman Park
George Eastman and Dr. Henry Durand donated their summer-cottage lakefront properties to the city in 1909, and the park is now a popular summer getaway for everyone. Its beach is open for swimming during the summer, and it's less often closed due to water conditions than Ontario Beach. Also has a golf course and other standard park amenities.
Apr-Oct: 7AM-11PM; Nov-Mar: Mon-Thu 7AM-4PM, Fri-Sun 7AM-11PM
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Eastman Theatre
The Eastman Theatre dates back to George Eastman's time and contains three halls within its space.
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Flower City Union
soccer
Also in the local semi-pro soccer scene Flower City Union won the 2023 NISL championship before deciding to move to the NPSL, which plays a more regionalized schedule with less travel. They play at the Rhinos' old digs, the massive soccer-specific stadium on Broad Street northwest of Innovative Field.
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Garth Fagan Dance
The Tony-award winning choreographer Garth Fagan has his own dance troupe in Rochester, his adopted hometown. When they're not touring the country, they put on a variety of performances both around the city and at their studio space. Truly world-class dancers provide a show you can't match in any other city this size.
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Genesee Brew House
While one of the largest breweries in the country, Genesee had no visitor's facility until September 2012. Now it's up and running and a major landmark on the east side of the river. The Genesee Brew House is a visitor's center, brew pub, and gift shop rolled into one. Genesee beers are on tap, of course, but there's also a pilot brewery for small batches of experimental brews; you can try a flight of four beers for $10, a portion of which goes to charity. Schedule a tour of the pilot brewery, or check out the visitor's center to explore the long history of beer in Rochester.
Sun-Thu 11AM-10PM, Fri Sat 11AM-11PM,
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Geva Theatre Center
Geva, the city's premiere professional theater company, hosts a variety of productions on its two stages, housed in a converted armory! The yearly production of A Christmas Carol is a popular family tradition. Cafe on site. Discounts are available for students and seniors.
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Great Lakes Gaming
GLG
GLG has twelve high-end gaming PCs and three console couches in their gaming lounge, not to mention some great views of the city from high atop the former Xerox Tower.
Sun Wed Thu 5PM-10PM, Sat 5PM-midnight$10/hr or $25/day
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Harbor Town Belle
This paddlewheeler recalls the heyday of the Mississippi riverboats. It docks at the Port of Rochester and cruises both up the river and out onto the lake. Lunch and dinner cruises available, including specialty packages. Fall foliage cruise in October.
daily noon, 3PM, 6PMAdults $12, under 10 $6
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Hochstein Performance Hall
Hochstein Performance Hall is part of Hochstein School of Music & Dance, which has served as a community center for Greater Rochester since 1920. Located in the heart of the city, the elegant 857-seat Performance Hall offers free recitals and performances regularly, including the long-running "Live from Hochstein" Broadcast and Concert Series.
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Kodak Center
Theatre on the Ridge
Part of the sprawling industrial complex once known as Kodak Park, Kodak Center is a live performing arts, event, and conference center featuring a 1,978-seat main theater with the biggest stage in Rochester, 180-seat Studio Theater, 48-seat Club Theater, conference rooms, a gymnasium, and many other spaces. Numerous musical, stand-up comedy, and dramatic acts are featured throughout the year. The center also hosts the Kodak Visitor Center where visitors can learn about the history of Kodak. There is a 1,000+ spot parking lot located across the street for patrons and a 30 minute visitor lot directly next to the theater.
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Montage Music Hall
A longstanding music club, it's an intimate venue but some great bands come through. The drinks aren't anything to write home about, but folks don't come here for the drinks.
Mon-Fri 10:30AM-5:30PM, Sat Sun 7PM-1AM
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MuCCC
Multi-use Community Cultural Center
The MuCCC is a non-profit 80-seat theater housed in a converted church. Its purpose is to host theater groups without permanent spaces of their own, such as the Rochester Community Players and several Black theater companies.
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Nerdvana
If Dice Versa is a gaming lounge with food, Nerdvana is a restaurant and bar with games. When you check in for a meal, you'll be asked "Nintendo, Xbox, or PlayStation?" and be seated at a table with your chosen video game console attached to a built-in screen and loaded with a variety of games. Play all you want while you wait for your food (or while you eat, they don't judge). They also have a big selection of board games (only somewhat smaller than Dice Versa's library) if that's more your speed. And don't worry—you can also play at the bar. The food menu is varied and includes some nice twists, and the cocktail menu is equally good.
Sun-Thu noon-10PM, Fri Sat noon-11PM
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Ontario Beach Park
Located at the northernmost reaches of the city, Ontario Beach is the most popular beach area in Rochester. Algae problems of prior years have largely been alleviated, but occasionally the beach may still need to be closed. When conditions allow, swimming is open 11AM-7PM daily during the summer. If you can't go in the water, though, there are other things to do; in particular, the 1905 Dentzel carousel should not be missed. There's also pickleball, ice skating on a synthetic ice rink, a playground, and five picnic shelters. No pets.
7AM-10PMCarouselː $1/ride, All day $5
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Parkside Whispering Pines
This historic course (listed on the National Register of Historic Places) dates all the way back to 1930, making it one of the oldest (if not the oldest) surviving miniature golf courses in the United States. 18 old-style holes, including a windmill (of course) and one hole where you have to pitch the ball instead of putting it. Adjacent to the Parkside Diner if you want to grab a bite to eat before or after putting.
Hours vary; closed in winter$9
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RIT Tigers
hockey
Who needs football? Rochester Institute of Technology has hockey! Rochester's only Division I college teams play a hard-hitting and very successful brand of hockey, and they've already made waves in just a short time at the top level, including a Frozen Four appearance for the men in 2010. The Gene Polisseni Center on campus combines the old-school atmosphere of the Tigers' previous barn with plenty of modern amenities. The legendary Corner Crew cheering section harasses opposing goalies all night, every night. This classic college hockey atmosphere is worth experiencing.
Oct-MarWomen: Adults $5, under 13 $3; Men: Adults $12-15, under 13 $6-8
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ROC Cinema
Rochester's oldest neighborhood movie theater. It's just a single screen, but you can order food and drink to be delivered to your seat. Shows a select first-run film each week; free showings of older favorites on Mondays.
$10-12
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ROC City Skatepark
Nestled inside a cloverleaf onramp, in the shadow of the Frederick Douglass – Susan B. Anthony Bridge, the ROC City Skatepark finally opened in 2020 after more than 20 years of dreaming and over 12 years of actual planning and construction. The half-acre (2,000 sq m) park is designed for all types of wheeled sports from BMX to skateboarding to scooters, and the city hopes it serves as a big tourism draw for enthusiasts.
Daily 8AM-9PMFree
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Radio Social
Bowling used to be big in Rochester; all the local manufacturers had after-work bowling leagues back in the 70s and 80s. There are still alleys around but many of the big ones have closed. Radio Social, though, combines 34 bowling lanes with all sorts of other indoor and outdoor games like giant Jenga, shuffleboard, and cornhole. It's not just gaming, though; this place has an executive chef! The kitchen does serve up pizza and burgers, but it specializes in inventive Middle Eastern fare. The bar has the expected beers on tap, but also unique craft cocktails and a nice selection of wine. 21+ after 9PM.
Wed Thu 4:30PM-10PM, Fri 4:30PM-midnight, Sat 3PM-midnight, Sun 11AM-2PM
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Riverie
Riverie is a 35-passenger cruise boat that offers river cruises throughout the summer (and sometimes late spring and early fall). Cruises include guide narration focusing on the history and importance of the river and the Erie Canal. Some cruises include music and/or a boxed lunch; alcohol, soft drinks, and snacks can be purchased on board. Also check out Rochester By Water's other vessel: the Sam Patch packet boat, which offers canal cruises out of Pittsford.
$25-50
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RocVentures Climbing Gym
One of the first and largest indoor rock-climbing gyms in the country, RocVentures remains a local institution. Some apparatus only requires brief training, so even beginners can give it a try, but there are also courses and training equipment for experts to improve their skills. Great exercise and fun, too.
Mon-Fri Noon-10PM, Sat-Sun 10AM-7PMDay passes $18 (discounts available) plus $8 for shoe and harness rental
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Rochester Americans
hockey
Known fondly as the "Amerks", Rochester's storied hockey team is the AHL affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres. The Blue Cross Arena at the Rochester War Memorial is an old building, but it was renovated in the 1990s and is now a fine downtown hockey arena. One of the oldest and most successful teams in the league: hockey night in Rochester is still a fun time, especially in the playoffs.
Oct-Apr$10-42
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Rochester Knighthawks
lacrosse
The K-Hawks are a top-tier indoor lacrosse team, featuring some of the best talent in the world. If you've never seen an indoor lacrosse match, a National Lacrosse League game is a great introduction. The original Knighthawks won back-to-back-to-back NLL championships (2012–14) and had several future Hall-of-Famers on the roster, but all that left town for Halifax in 2019. The new team, which was created as an expansion team in 2019, is now owned (as of 2025) by the Seneca Nation of Indians. It's struggled to reach the same heights as the old team, but the fan base is returning and the results are improving.
Dec-Apr$17-30
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Rochester Lancers
soccer
The state of American professional soccer below MLS is constantly in flux, and so it goes in Rochester as various teams try to recapture the magic of the Rhinos. The Lancers, named after the city's very successful 1970s team, play in the UPSL, a massive multi-level semi-pro league with hundreds of teams throughout the country.
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Rochester Movies 10
Formerly a second-run discount theater, Movies 10 now shows first-run films. Still cheaper than a multiplex, though!
$5-10
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Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra
One of George Eastman's greatest legacies, the Rochester Philharmonic is an outstanding orchestra, especially for a city the size of Rochester. The RPO's main performance space is the Eastman Theatre (see above), but they get around town to other venues, especially in the summer. Pops conductor Jeff Tyzik, once Doc Severinsen's arranger for the Tonight Show Band, has taught the RPO to swing like few other professional orchestras can, but their classical chops are equally noteworthy.
Box office: Mon-Fri 10AM-5PM$20-75 for most formal concerts, less (or even free) for casual concerts
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Rochester Red Wings
baseball
A Rochester tradition since 1899, the Red Wings are the AAA affiliate of the Washington Nationals. ESL Ballpark is a beautiful 90s ballpark situated downtown with convenient $6 parking. The general manager and his team can't control the product on the field, but they hit it out of the park when it comes to promotions and the gameday environment. Free fireworks shows set to music are just one of the possibilities to accompany a game. Food options at the park are a bit better than the average, too—there's the usual hot dogs and beer (white hots and Genny, since this is Rochester, after all), but maybe you'd like to try the beef on weck, rice bowls, mac and cheese, or the "Home Plate" (the stadium's take on the Garbage Plate).
Apr-Sep$15–28
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Rochester Riverside Convention Center
Rochester's convention center is centrally located and, true to its name, right on the river. It's connected via Skyway to the South Avenue Garage (and thus to the Hyatt Regency Hotel). It also connects via Skyway to the former Rochester Riverside Hotel, which will, with luck, reopen someday.
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Seabreeze Amusement Park
At the junction of Irondequoit Bay and Lake Ontario, Seabreeze combines the features of an old-fashioned amusement park with the technology and thrills of a modern water park. The fourth-oldest amusement park in America. The carousel is from 1996 but features hand-carved horses and was built in the old style. Don't miss the historic Jack Rabbit roller coaster, the fourth-oldest operating coaster in the world.
Late May - mid-Sep; hours vary$43 (under 48" or age 60+ $29, under age 2 free); free parking
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The Little Theatre
Run by local public broadcaster WXXI, the historic Little shows a wide variety of foreign, independent and classic films in five theatres. There is also a cafe bakery (serves a full dinner menu along with wine and beer), sometimes with live music.
Evenings $11, matinees $9, seniors/students/military $7, Monday screenings $8
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The Playhouse // Swillburger
Equal parts burger joint, casual bar, and retro arcade, The Playhouse // Swillburger offers a little something for everyone. The food is counter-service, but everything on the menu (burgers, fries/tots, and shakes) is highly regarded. Arcade machines ($0.50–$1 each) are vintage and thus prone to breaking down, but they do their best to keep them in repair. 21+ after 10PM.
S Mon Wed Thu 11:30AM-midnight, Fri Sat 11:30AM-1AM; kitchen closes 2 hrs before closing
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The Warrior Factory
If you've ever seen any of the Ninja Warrior competition programs on TV, you've seen the sorts of activities that go on at The Warrior Factory. The owners have set up a gym that can be used both by serious "ninja" competitors and by casual weekend warriors. They even have kid-sized obstacles for youngsters just starting out. The obstacles, many of which replicate ones you've seen on TV, are a fun way to test your strength and improve your athleticism. This is the original location; the company has expanded to Syracuse, Buffalo, and Hamilton.
Mon-Fri 8AM-10PM, Sat 9AM-10PM, Sun 10AM-10PM1 hr open gym time $20; birthday packages and classes available

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