The Rochester center point is approximately the area of Blue Cross Arena and the area of Frontier Field.
Before you start planning your visit to Rochester, consider the time of year. The weather in Rochester can change from one minute to another, which makes any season of the year a little unpredictable. However, winters generally mean frigid temperatures and a fair amount of ice on the roads. Nearly 100 inches of snow fall in this city every year, so if you aren't used to driving in snowy conditions, consider visiting in the fall, spring, or summer.
Tourism travel peaks between May and August, bringing crowds and higher hotel rates. Fall brings beautiful autumn color to Rochester as well as a plethora of outdoor festivals and events. Although nights might get uncomfortably chilly during this time of year, you'll enjoy the crisp air and vibrant colors as long as you bring some layers to keep yourself warm.
During the spring, you might take advantage of the more than 60 golf courses or 12,000 acres of public green space in Rochester. When winter ends, locals and visitors alike spend more time outdoors, which means more opportunities to socialize and experience nature.
Whether you prefer luxury accommodations or budget motels, you can lower your hotel bill further with discounts. For instance, several hotels in Rochester offer lower rates for AAA, CAA, and AARP members. Rooms at the Days Inn Henrietta/Rochester Area start at about $50 per night, but you can get up to 15 percent off if you present your AAA card upon check-in.
Similarly, guests at the Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Henrietta/Rochester enjoy a 10 percent discount for AAA or AARP membership. This venue also offers special rates for senior citizens, military personnel, government workers on contract, and large groups.
Several Rochester hotels add extra value beyond group and membership discounts, but they still manage to keep their prices affordable. Consider, for instance, the Inn On Broadway. It's furnished with period antiques and bears a traditional style, but it also offers modern amenities like down bedding, cable television, Keurig coffee makers, and a continental breakfast. You'll also find an on-site restaurant, and each room has its own private bath.
Value seekers will also appreciate the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Rochester – Marketplace in Rochester. Rates start at around $88 per night, and amenities include an indoor pool, high-speed Wi-Fi, a business center, and DVD rentals. The rooms are small but well-furnished, with comfortable mattresses and flat-screen televisions inviting guests to relax. You'll also have your own mini refrigerator, microwave, and coffee maker for those days when you don't want to rush out of the hotel in the morning.
You'll find tremendous value in the Home2 Suites by Hilton Rochester Henrietta. Don't let the simple façade fool you; the interior of this hotel features upscale décor and furnishings as well as several amenities. You'll appreciate the outdoor patios with fire pits, the on-site 24-hour market, the fitness room, and the coin laundry machines. Plus, the rooms and suites feature high-end linens, flat-screen televisions, and views of the city.
Many adults visit Rochester for its museums and other cultural attractions, but this city doesn't leave youngsters out in the cold. If you're traveling with kids in tow, don't miss The National Museum of Play. It's an enormous facility devoted entirely to games, puzzles, toys and dolls, playground equipment, books, and more. Kids can move from exhibit to exhibit, some of which prove interactive, and ride the carousel and train.
You'll also want to plan a visit to the Seneca Park Zoo. Although this venue houses animals from all over the world, kids are often attracted to the African Safari section first. It's also an excellent organization to support, as the zoo raises funds for animal protection and environmental conservation.
If you visit in the spring or summer, consider spending an afternoon at the Seabreeze Amusement Park in Irondequoit, a Rochester suburb. Rides, arcades, and finger foods dominate the landscape here, and it's home to one of the oldest operational roller coasters in the country.
Rochester offers attractions for all ages as well as bountiful hotels. Whether you're visiting for the university, the lakes, or the downtown district, choose accommodations that fit your budget and your lifestyle.
For travelers and tourists who are budget minded, this is a city with hundreds of cheap hotels that are located at different spots in the city. It's a diverse center that attracts a lot of visitors for different reasons, and the demand for accommodation just gets bigger. But if you are looking for a cheap hotel, here are some of the best options.
Microtel Inn by Wyndham Henrietta offers the lowest prices compared to most Rochester hotels. You will get served free breakfast, including coffee. All 98 rooms are connected with cable TV and high speed internet services. For business travelers, there is a copy and fax machine in the lobby. The hotel is located within the city, offering easy access to most interesting locations in town. It's just a perfect stop for both families and business travelers.
Budget Inn Fairport and Budget Inn Farmington offer decent rooms with modern facilities; WI-FI, cable TV, fridge, coffee makers and microwaves and air conditioners. There is a smoking area, 24 hour front desk services, photocopying and faxing machines, vending machines where you can buy drinks, and the hotel policy allows pets.
Other low price Rochester hotels worth considering are Americas Best Value Inn, Motel 6 Rochester Airport, Royal Inn Victoria and Tawpath Motel.
There are about 10 luxury hotels in Rochester that offer reasonable prices. Woodcliff Hotel and Spa offers 234 well furnished rooms within its 6 floors. There is a gold club with indoor and outdoor seasonal pools, where you can unwind yourself and relax. Its Horizons restaurant offers seasonal imaginative cuisine and a business center within. Free parking and airport shuttle services are also available. The hotel is located in the Western New York Golf belt, very close to many important places in the city.
The Del Monte Lodge Renaissance Rochester Hotel and Spa serves 3 meals a day on its on-site restaurant. There is a fitness center, spa and beauty salon, and an indoor pool. With 97 smoking free rooms equipped with the latest facilities, this hotel guarantees you a stay you won't forget.
There are 12 small and privately owned hotels in Rochester. Beautiful Valley Guesthouse is located close to Finger Lakes Wine Country, a few miles drive to the famous Niagara Falls. Its rooms are beautifully furnished, with options for single and family rooms, making it a good choice for families.
Built in 1891, Rosewood Bed and Breakfast is an elegant Victorian home that offers beautifully furnished rooms with modern services that include WI-FI. It serves a full gourmet breakfast in the dining room. It's a perfect place to rest if you want to escape the rush and noise from the city.
You can also check out Big Tree Inn, 7 On Strath, Reen's Bed and Breakfast, Adams Basin Inn Bed & Breakfast and Edward Harris House B&B. Rochester is a lovely town that has a lot to offer for any traveler.
Below are reviews of the city of Rochester, NY from an actual visitor's perspective.
Polite people, will go back.
Went for haunted house which was great!
The Gateway to Niagara Falls. The town was pleasant!
While I was there I did enjoy the food. Long Horn steakhouse, the Firehouse, and BBQ wings were awesome.
Variety of restaurants.
Love it! I grew up there. Was there for High School reunion.
People were very kind and helpful.
People are very kind and helpful.
People very kind and helpful
People are very kind and helpful.
I liked it and I will like to go back!
I liked it and I would like to go back!
Parks and things to do.
BEAUTIFUL neighborhoods of old houses, roads are wide and easily navigable, old fashioned farmer's markets are well attended, emphasis on family, valuing education and many parks just add to the attractiveness of Rochester!
Good customer service!
Love going down by the lake and getting an Abbot's custard, or Don and Bob's for a burger. Loved Agatinas on Buffalo Road.
The people were friendly and the show we saw at Comedy @ the Carlson was awesome. Everything is close by and easy to get to.
The shopping!
It felt safe.
Dining in the city is very nice and Uber service is excellent
Parking is free and the breakfast is excellent!!!
Black & Blue Restautant and Pittsford Plaza. Streets are clean.
We ate lunch at a nice coffee shop and dinner at a nice restaurant which were nice. We liked how the hotel connected to the parking lot and Conference Center.
Many storefront businesses in the area of my Hampton Inn stay.
Hotel is right across from the hospital. Lots of restaurants to choose from.
Very historical.
Beautiful city!
The wedding venue, Winter Garden, was beautiful and a great experience!
Close proximity to Strong Hospital.
RIT
The shopping!
We toured University of Rochester where my daughter is considering applying to. We attended the McQuaid Invitational Cross Country Meet for the fifth time in the beautiful Genessee Valley Park.
Rochester is a clean city. No trash in the areas where we looked around.
The University of Rochester Medical Center is a first class hospital and research center. I was sent there by my GI doctor. My treatment was excellent!
Beautiful city with lots to do.
Fun little town with great minor league sports and fun places to walk along the river.
Rochester is a nice city. I come because my son goes to RIT.
It was very nice and clean looking all around. Very busy city!
Great student tour at RIT, enjoyed the Eastman Museum and had a fabulous dinner at Castaway.
Room was very clean and quiet.
Everything was close to hotel.
I have to go to Strong Memorial and they are great there.
I stayed in Greece and it is a peaceful suburb.
The room was clean and the bed was very comfortable. The staff was very friendly.
Our room was comfortable, clean and the staff was very professional, friendly
The bed was awesome!
The bed was awesome!
The available places to see and the impressive view of the lakes and canals. Also the great fishing 🎣
Starbucks was close! It was a safe area.
I liked the Geva Theater where my friend performed.
Breakfast in the morning and snacks at all times. Also the staff was very attentive and courteous.
Breakfast in the morning and snacks at all times!
PGA
I was pleasantly impressed with Rochester. It was our first time visiting and I did not expect it to be such a cool place. So many small restaurants and very hip and trendy boutiques and bars. We had an amazing weekend exploring.
Seems friendly. We were able to walk to a wedding venue 10 minutes away. There were lots of people walking on clean, safe streets.
Hospital visit.
Beautiful area!
The museum was great!
The hotel was near lots of food and shopping and everything we needed was very close by.
I enjoyed the staff. Very friendly and helpful to me!
Visited Eastman School of Music and Jines Restaurant.
The hotel was close to the venue that I attended.
The conference room was good and I loved spending time with my family.
Nice neighborhoods! Safe. I enjoyed my visit to the Roberts Wesleyan University with my son; a great school. That was the sole reason for my visit. So I'm left with fond memories of the school, city and hotel :)
I enjoyed the lacrosse game and the location was quite satisfactory.
Lots of good places to dine!
I've always loved Rochester. I visit my daughter there every year—except during Covid
Rochester has so many places to shop and eat and in close proximity to the hotel. There are also a lot of activities for the kids like escape rooms, Dave and Busters, bounce houses, go carts, and mini golf.
Lovely venue for the wedding by the lake. Good coffee shop near the hotel within a short walk.
The museum of science was amazing. We had a ball at the zoo.
The ease of finding a hotel near the airport and a place to eat.
ROC Airport is nice and convenient to Finger Lakes area.
Rochester is very small so it was convenient to get around. LOVED IT!!!
We ate at Five Guys across the street, enjoyed dinner at Raj Mahal, and visited the Science Museum. We will be back to see the Memorial Art Gallery
Rochester is a nice city with great shopping available!
The city of Rochester was a pleasant surprise. Looking forward to returning!
The restaurants!!
The Wintergarden was absolutely beautiful!
So many options for shopping and eating. Hoping next time we get to explore more of this city
Rochester is a beautiful city with so much to see and do!
Sticky lips bbq was amazing
I love the city of Rochester! Specifically in Greece, MacGregor's and Hooligan's are great bars to socialize and grab a drink or some food.
Like their was food place close by and shopped to
Proximity to Genesee Valley Club, attentiveness of hotel wedding block planners
Amenities close in proximity. Costco was a plus.
Nice facility and location. There were people I'm assuming living their on the first floor. Sitting on the floor in the hallway. Doesn't make for a good appearance.
I would highly recommend checking out different restaurants. There are so many options!
Enjoyed Seabreeze amusement park at night, visited a little Irish restaurant nearby, and enjoyed the beach at Charlotte.
We went to Knuckles Knockout Sports bar and the food was great and the service was perfect.
Cultural life, revitalized neighborhoods with lots of activity options, beautiful city street-scapes.
Not great weather. The campus at MCC including the ice arena is quite impressive.
The location puts you in the center of the best stores and restaurants