Downtown Rochester

Rochester

Genesee River\'s High Falls showing street scenes and a city as well as a couple
Memorial Art Gallery showing interior views, heritage elements and art
Downtown Rochester
Downtown Rochester featuring a fountain
Memorial Art Gallery featuring signage and wildflowers

This lively downtown is full of opportunities for recreation and relaxation and is the best place to connect with the unique history of the city.

Downtown Rochester, cut through by the Genesee River, is the heart of this upstate New York city. Filled with museums, parks and historic sites, it’s the perfect place to understand this fascinating region. Walk through exhibits, splash in park fountains or sit on a rooftop and watch the Genesee River’s High Falls crash into the river below.

Follow the Heritage Trail, a 1.25-mile (2-kilometer) path, marked with granite or blue paint and winding through the city’s downtown. It stops at a number of historically significant spots from Rochester’s industrial past as well as sites commemorating the activism of local heroes Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony.

Cross the Pont de Rennes Bridge. This pedestrian suspension bridge traverses the cliffs over which the waterfall splashes, bathing everything in a cool mist, the perfect refresher on a hot summer day.

Wander through old industrial neighborhoods on the way to Susan B. Anthony House, once the famous suffragette’s home and the place from which she launched her first attempt to vote.

Go back over the bridge and visit The Strong National Museum of Play, an enormous multi-level museum and amusement park featuring a miniature Wegmans supermarket, pinball arcade and immense toy collections.

Emerge into nearby Manhattan Square Park and Ice Rink. Glide across the ice or relax in the shady garden in summer.

Play with fossils or watch a star show at nearby Rochester Museum and Science Center, learning all about the Great Lakes region.

Downtown Rochester straddles the banks of the Genesee River, upstream from Lake Ontario. Drive here in 90 minutes from Niagara Falls or 3.5 hours from Albany, New York. Train service is available to New York City and other regional destinations including Canada. Downtown Rochester has an extensive bus service and is quite walkable.

There’s no better way to spend your last night in Downtown Rochester than at a free or close-to-free concert at Eastman School of Music, one of the country’s top music schools.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Downtown Rochester

Hyatt Regency Rochester

Hyatt Regency Rochester

3.5 out of 5
125 East Main Street, Rochester, NY
The price is P6,922 per night from Aug 24 to Aug 25
P6,922
P8,094 total
Aug 24 - Aug 25
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Rochester. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,004 reviews)
Nice hotel
"Everything and everyone was wonderful."

Reviewed on Aug 1, 2025

Hyatt Regency Rochester
The Strathallan Rochester Hotel & Spa - DoubleTree by Hilton

The Strathallan Rochester Hotel & Spa - DoubleTree by Hilton

4 out of 5
550 East Ave, Rochester, NY
The price is P8,850 per night from Aug 10 to Aug 11
P8,850
P10,089 total
Aug 10 - Aug 11
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in Rochester. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (841 reviews)
"Convenient location. Rooms were clean. Housekeeping staff were friendly and willing to provide services (additional towels) when requested. Restaurant was very good. All staff members were friendly and helpful!"

Reviewed on Aug 1, 2025

The Strathallan Rochester Hotel & Spa - DoubleTree by Hilton
Wyndham Rochester Downtown

Wyndham Rochester Downtown

3 out of 5
70 State St, Rochester, NY
The price is P5,706 per night from Aug 24 to Aug 25
P5,706
P6,505 total
Aug 24 - Aug 25
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Rochester. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
6.2/10 (1,002 reviews)
"Thank you"

Reviewed on Jul 29, 2025

Wyndham Rochester Downtown
Hampton Inn & Suites Rochester Downtown

Hampton Inn & Suites Rochester Downtown

2.5 out of 5
101 South Union Street, Rochester, NY
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P9,578 per night from Aug 31 to Sep 1
P9,578
P10,919 total
Aug 31 - Sep 1
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Rochester. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (445 reviews)
"Very clean and comfortable beds!"

Reviewed on Jul 30, 2025

Hampton Inn & Suites Rochester Downtown
Inn on Broadway

Inn on Broadway

3.5 out of 5
26 Broadway, Rochester, NY
The price is P8,437 per night from Sep 2 to Sep 3
P8,437
P9,618 total
Sep 2 - Sep 3
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in Rochester. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (708 reviews)
"O"

Reviewed on Aug 3, 2025

Inn on Broadway
Hilton Garden Inn Rochester Downtown, NY

Hilton Garden Inn Rochester Downtown, NY

3 out of 5
155 E Main St, Rochester, NY
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P8,331 per night from Aug 31 to Sep 1
P8,331
P9,701 total
Aug 31 - Sep 1
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Rochester. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (806 reviews)
"The pool was down for maintenance and there was no cook for the in-house restaurant, which were two of the main reasons I picked this hotel for my stay. But parking was super convenient and the staff was very helpful in finding another restaurant."

Reviewed on Aug 1, 2025

Hilton Garden Inn Rochester Downtown, NY
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Downtown Rochester

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Rochester Central Business District

If you're spending some time in Rochester Central Business District, Genesee River and Blue Cross Arena are top sights worth seeing.

Rochester Central Business District
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Corn Hill

Though Corn Hill might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Blue Cross Arena and Genesee River.

Corn Hill
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South Wedge

South Wedge might not have many top sights, but Strong and Blue Cross Arena are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

South Wedge
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Monroe Village

Monroe Village might not have many top sights, but Strong and Rochester Museum and Science Center are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Monroe Village
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Park Avenue Historic District

While there might not be top attractions in Park Avenue Historic District, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Park Avenue and George Eastman Museum.

Park Avenue Historic District
Mount Hope Cemetery showing hiking or walking and a cemetery as well as a couple

Highland Park

While visiting Highland Park, you might make a stop by sights like Highland Park and Frederick Douglass Statue.

Highland Park

Downtown Rochester