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Rochester

Big-city culture and small-city charm combine in Rochester, a mid-sized city on the shore of Lake Ontario. The birthplace of amateur photography, Rochester was synonymous with Eastman Kodak for much of the 20th century, but the city's fame was established well before George Eastman came on the scene. Today, its historical treasures complement modern family-friendly attractions that rival those found in much larger communities. In Rochester, you can find the only museum in the world dedicated to play; award-winning music, dance, and acting ensembles; a dense festival calendar covering nearly every weekend of the year; minor-league sports of the highest caliber; and a trio of majestic waterfal

See
31
Do
75
Eat
69
Drink
20
Buy
23

10 places match

  1. Drink

    Boulder Coffee Company

    An independently owned coffee shop with regular live music. Their web page lists upcoming acts. Drinks and snacks are typical coffee shop prices. Free WiFi on the premises.

    Mon-Thu 7AM-11PM, Fri 7AM-midnight, Sat 8AM-midnight, Sun 8AM-11PM

  2. Drink

    Equal=Grounds

    A coffee shop with a great open-minded atmosphere and an LGBTQ+ gift shop. The coffee, smoothies, and pastries are temptations. Grab a board game and enjoy.

  3. Do

    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.

  4. Drink

    Java's Cafe

    Another downtown coffee shop, more popular with the art house crowd, as well as those headed to (or from) the Eastman Theater. They also sell a variety of large homemade cookies in a variety of styles. At lunch time, an adjacent cafe-style restaurant serves for soup and sandwiches. Local art adorns the walls and local bands of questionable quality occasionally perform. Other locations at RIT and the Public Market as well as the YMCA in Pittsford.

    Daily 7AM-midnight

  5. Drink

    Joe Bean Coffee Roasters

    A coffee roaster and full service coffee and espresso bar. Joe Bean has been mentioned among the best coffee shops in the country. They serve some food as well, but the real attraction is the java, which is fair trade and eco-friendly, and roasted right in-house. The focus at Joe Bean is on coffee education; they believe that good coffee can be savored and analyzed like good wine, and they even offer classes on how to make your own.

  6. Eat

    Lovin' Cup

    This is a hip little cafe with lively staff; an inventive menu of salads, bowls, burgers, and sandwiches; an extensive bar menu; and regular live music events, including weekly open mics. Some evening concerts may have a cover charge or even require advance tickets, so check the schedule before you decide to roll in at 7 or 8 for dinner.

    Mon-Thu 11AM-10PM, Fri 11AM-11PM, Sat noon-11PM$18-25

  7. Buy

    Parkleigh

    Epitomizing the Park Avenue vibe, Parkleigh is a gift shop par excellence and a local institution. One of the oldest retailers of MacKenzie-Childs ceramics, they also specialize in gourmet coffee and tea. You'll also find toys, games, books, jewelry, apparel, stationery, and all kinds of sweets and treats. (Note: the MacKenzie-Childs store is across Goodman Street at 235 Park Ave; its hours are the same except it's closed on Sundays.)

    Tue-Sat 10AM-5:30PM, Sun 11AM-3PM

  8. Eat

    Phillips European

    The food is only ok, heavy, traditional European—good for a business lunch or unadventurous out of town guests—but the desserts are spectacular, with emphasis on pies, tortes, tarts, cakes and specialty cheesecakes. Examples include their Baileys and Creme Torte and Caramel Pecan Cheesecake. The mere mention of a trip here for coffee and dessert will get Rochesterians salivating. A full dessert menu is available in the restaurant, but the cakes can also be ordered whole and picked up.

    Tue-Sat 11AM-10PMLunch $15-20, dinner $25-35. Desserts $6-9 or $66 for whole cakes

  9. Eat

    ROAM Cafe

    A casual and cozy spot on Park Avenue for intimate Italian-American dinners.

    Mon-Sat 11:30AM-11PM, Sun 10:30AM-10PM$25-35

  10. Do

    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