Things To Do
George Eastman Museum
For those who like history and want a glimpse into the man who arguably made Rochester the city it is, a trip to the George Eastman museum is a must! Not only can you learn about George Eastman, his work with developing cameras and his company Kodak, but you can also explore his wonderful East Avenue mansion and the surrounding gardens. The mansion is located on East Avenue in the city. This street is one of the most historic streets in Rochester with just some wonderful estates dating back to the early 1800's. If you are interested in architecture or pretty houses, the Bride and Groom highly recommend the "East Ave" part of town. Drive up and down some of the side streets to see some hidden gems!
Lake Ontario
If you have never seen one of the Great Lakes, you have to stop at Lake Ontario to take in the vastness of the lake. Standing on the edge of the water, you feel as though you are looking out at the ocean! There isn't a whole lot to do at the lake, unless you are brave enough to jump in, but it is worth a moment to soak in its beauty. Webster Park is a great spot to go (address above) where they have a pier you can walk out onto as well as a nice park to walk or for little ones to play. In the winter, the pier freezes over, solid ice, due to the intensity of the lake! Only 15 minutes from Downtown Rochester, Webster is a great area to visit! There are also a lot of very large and expensive properties along Lake Road if you wanted to take the scenic route.
Canandaigua Lake
Canandaigua Lake is one of the Finger Lakes and known for its incredible beauty. Rated one of the most expensive lakes in the US, it is surrounded by millions of dollars worth of gorgeous homes, some owned by celebrities. Here you can spend the day walking trails, renting kayaks or paddle boards, swimming at Kershaw Park, or enjoy a drink at one of the many waterfront bars/restaurants. The Bride and Groom enjoy driving through the lakefront neighborhoods and admiring the incredible properties (follow West Lake Rd along the West side of the lake)! Roughly 30 minutes from downtown Rochester, Canandaigua Lake is a must see for visitors, especially during the Spring and Summer when everything is in bloom!
Wegmans
A grocery store? Yup, a grocery store! It may seem silly but you just have to visit Wegmans when you are in town. Founded in 1916 right here in Rochester, Wegmans is ranked among the top grocery stores in the world as well as the top #5 employers to work for. In 2023, Allyson started a job as a Designer for Wegmans helping remodel current stores. That isn't why the Bride and Groom recommend you visit. Wegmans takes grocery store to a whole new level. Each location has its own "prepared foods" section where you can grab lunch or dinner and sit down in the cafe to eat or take it home to enjoy. This is a great place to stop for lunch one day - they have great subs as well as a top-rated sushi department! There are many locations throughout Rochester, including two in Webster where the wedding is being held, and any location is great to visit! The address above is to the Pittsford location which is arguably the nicest suburb of Rochester and where Mr. Wegman himself likes to frequent.
The Strong National Museum of Play
For those guests who have little ones, this is a great way to spend the day! There are activities for all ages and a butterfly garden with hundreds of live butterflies. Kids can burn off energy, learn science and history and role play in many exhibits including the mini Wegmans grocery store!
Nick Tahou Hots
Easily the most iconic thing to come from Rochester - the Garbage Plate. Don't let the name deter you; if you want to truly experience Rochester culture, you need to try a Garbage Plate. Nick Tahou's is the true home of the Garbage Plate visited by many celebrities and showcased on multiple food shows. You can also get "knock-off" plates at many local places - Bill Gray's has a good selection of plates. It entails a lot of food, and it does look like garbage, but it sure is yummy!
Joey's Pasta House
Easily the #1 restaurant for the Bride and Groom - and within walking distance from their home! Rochester has a large population of Italians and Joey's Pasta House has been the go-to place for Allyson and Dusty. They have a wonderful food and drink menu and great service. Each meal includes bread and a soup or salad which is always a plus!
The Silver Iguana
For those of you who like tacos, this is the place to go! The Silver Iguana has unique tacos that are ordered individually so you can try as many kinds as you would like. They change their menu seasonally to incorporate veggies and flavors that go with the season. They offer the traditional chips and salsa or queso - and no Mexican place would be complete without a Margarita!
Bill Gray's
Bill Gray's is known for great cheeseburgers and a great place for some easy "comfort" food. They are a Rochester staple and have many locations all throughout the city. They also offer Abbott's frozen custard which is another "must try" Rochester staple. Their creamy custard does not compare to traditional ice cream. Get dinner, drinks and dessert all in one place!
Genesee Brew House
Another icon of Rochester, the Genesee Brew House is a great choice for food and beer. They are located right on the Genesee River in downtown Rochester. They have been providing Genessee Beer (Genny) since 1878! Now they make multiple different drinks, some seasonal. In the winter, they light up a Christmas tree made solely out of kegs. They are definitely worth a visit for food and some Rochester history.
Dinosaur Bar-B-Que
A lot of guests consider themselves barbeque "coniseurs" so the Bride & Groom highly recommend trying Dinosaur BBQ. Easily the best place in Rochester for barbeque and somewhere the Bride & Groom visit frequently. They are also located in a newly renovated part of the city on the Genesee River, so it makes for a enjoyable place to visit.