20 Places to Visit in Rochester on a Student Budget

When I was new to Rochester, N.Y., I remember googling, "Things to do in ROC," every Friday and only seeing a few museums in the search. It worked for the first few weekends and since then, it took a few conversations with locals in Rochester and spending some time on Visit Rochester to find new places to visit. 

If you are new to Rochester or have been here for a while but cannot find things to do when the weekend comes, here is a list of 20 things you can do on a student budget. Save the places on your map app and plan some weekends with your friends.

Museum Getaways:

1. George Eastman Museum: If you are a photography enthusiast, you need to make a trip to the George Eastman Museum. Get yourself a coffee from the cafe there, and walk through the photo gallery displays and exhibitions by upcoming and renowned artists. The attraction other than the gallery is George Eastman’s historic mansion and gardens which is like taking a time machine to the 20th century. 
2. Memorial Art Gallery (MAG): If you are an art major or any major who likes to look at art, you will appreciate walking through the galleries showcasing contemporary and modern art. Get yourself breakfast at the Magnolia Cafe on Park Avenue and then spend the day at MAG with your art enthusiast friends. 
3. Rochester Museum and Science Center (RSMC): Like science, space and/or nature, visit RMSC for the whole package where you can interact with science exhibits and catch a show at the planetarium. 

Get Close to Nature:

1. High Falls: If you think you have to take a detour and drive away from the city to get in touch with nature, you will be surprised to find yourself driving to the heart of the city to enjoy the view of a waterfall. High Falls is the tallest waterfall of the Genesee River and follows in the center of downtown Rochester. 
2. Maplewood Park Rose Garden: Near Park Avenue is Maplewood Park where you can go on the Genesee River trail and if the trail is not your thing, sit and walk around the Maplewood Rose Garden. The best time to visit is from July to near Thanksgiving when you can smell the roses far away from the garden and vibrant colors when you walk in. 
3. Erie Canal: The Erie Canal is one of the best trails around Rochester, get an ice cream and walk, jog around, or cycle. The Erie Canal also goes through Fairport which is a beautiful village for some good food or coffee. 
4. Powder Mills Park: Near Pittsford is a Powder Mills Park where you can go for a picnic or the best part is to feed the fish at the hatchery. In the winter, it is a great spot for skiing or snowshoeing. 
5. Lamberton Conservatory: When you visit Highland Park, a must-see is the Lamberton Conservatory where you can see flora from the seasonal flowers, and tropical plants to desert plants. The admission fee is around $2-3 and it is an indoor and courtyard walk. Pick a sunny day, walk around appreciating the leaves and flowers, and learn as you go.
6. Sonnenberg Gardens: On a preserved country estate is a Victorian garden where you can admire the relaxing nature and beauty of the garden. Since it is in the Finger Lakes region, you can plan some trips to wineries! 
7. Sunken Garden at Warner Castle: If you are near Lamberton Conservatory, you should visit the Sunken Garden which is near a Gothic-style castle. It is a garden as the name suggests sunken, that is, below ground level. 

Play Around:

1. The Strong National Museum of Play: If you are feeling stressed out in the semester or just want a nostalgic trip to when you were a kid, visit the Museum of Play with your friends. You can visit interactive exhibits from nostalgic video games, toy games, and butterfly gardens. The best part is the carousel which is just $1 for a ride. 
2. Seabreeze: A summertime favorite in ROC is Seabreeze to splash and cool down. The waterpark has some fun rides and slides. You can drive down there and make it a day trip with your friends.
3. Bristol Mountain Ski Resort: Rochester winters can be a lot but fun when you know how to enjoy it. Near Canandaigua, Bristol Ski Mountain is one of the most famous spots for skiing. Come Springfest in February, the College Activities Board (CAB) at RIT also hosts trips to the Bristol Mountain for RIT students so be on the lookout. 
4. Clubhouse Fun Center: Do you love go-karting or minigolf or both? Find your way to the Clubhouse Fun Center where you can spend your entire day with your friends at the arcade, do some go-karting laps or play a game of mini-golf. 
5. Playhouse/Swillburger: A place where burgers and vintage arcade games come together and you can spend a Friday evening with a group of friends. It is a historic building restored as a bar, arcade, and eatery.
6. RecReo: If you are at the Playhouse on Friday, you can spend your Saturday evening at RecReo, another venue for some good food and games. Play some arcade games or join the Skeeball League and find yourself fellow game enthusiasts.

Visit Farms:

1. Wickham Farms: Since Fall is here, the place to be is Wickham Farms! You can pick pumpkins or go in the haystack maze on a nice sunny day. I highly recommend cider and donuts. The warm and soft donuts and the hot cider will keep you cozy if you choose to go on a cold day.  
2. Lollypop Farm: If you love animals, Lollypop Farm has farm animals you can visit and you can feed some of them. If you are looking to get a pet, you can adopt a dog, cat or even a bunny! You can also volunteer here too. 
3. Long Acre Farms: If you had a fun time at Wickham Farm, you would enjoy your time at Long Acre Farms. You can challenge yourself and your friends through their Moonlight Maze.
4. Pittsford Farms Dairy: A locally loved farm for its ice cream and dairy products is Pittsford Dairy. It is a must-visit place in the evening: get a cone of ice cream, take a 15 minute walk to the Erie canal, and sit to watch the sunset.

This looks like a long list but it is a small part of the many things to do in Rochester. As you go out exploring places and talking to people, you will find so many more events and places to go to. 

Pro-Tip: As a graduate student, I understand the need for a fun weekend that is easy on the pockets, so make sure you ask for a student discount for any place with an admission ticket. 

Grab your friends, check off the places on the list, and have fun (but also study when you need to)!