Rochester This Week – 1/27/26
For enjoying what’s here and daydreaming about what’s next—plan this year's day trips around Rochester.
Trending This Week
Dine Somewhere With a Story
Step back to a time when Rochester was a frontier town reached by train, boat, or stagecoach. These historic inns and hotels offer character, stories, and a cozy base for winter exploring.
Find historic places to dine →
Try Something New This Winter
Looking for a reason to embrace the snow? Snowshoeing is beginner-friendly, surprisingly peaceful, and a great way to explore local parks and trails. These rental spots make it easy to try—no gear or experience required.
Free Things to Do Around Rochester
This roundup features 12 day-trip ideas that unlock more than 500 real, free destinations—ideal for spontaneous exploring all year long.
Planning Your Next Rochester Day Trip
Not sure where to go next? Filter day trips by drive-time, direction, or season and discover something new—whether you’ve got an hour or a full day to explore.
A Sensory Tour of Rochester Through Six Memorable Scents
Trace Rochester’s seasons through scent, from early blooms and maple sugar to summer treats and fall forests.
Did You Know Rochester Was Home to World-Changing Inventions?
From cameras that transformed photography to foods and everyday objects still part of daily life, Rochester has quietly shaped how the world sees, eats, and lives. This guide highlights local inventions, firsts, and innovations—from iconic brands to unexpected breakthroughs—that began here and traveled far beyond the city.
Bausch + Lomb Optical Glass – A Rochester startup that produced the first American-made optical glass and later developed lenses used to photograph the moon.
The Kodak Camera – George Eastman’s roll film put photography into everyday hands and changed how the world documented itself.
The Garbage Plate™ – What began as a one-plate working-class meal became one of Rochester’s most iconic culinary inventions.
Marshmallows (as we know them) – A Rochester-developed machine made mass-produced marshmallows possible, reshaping a classic American treat.
French’s Mustard – A familiar pantry staple with deep Rochester roots—and a recipe that’s barely changed in more than a century.
Explore Rochester’s inventions and fun facts →
Upcoming Events
Featured Event
Lakeside Winter Celebration & Polar Plunge
Jan 31–Feb 1
The Rochester Polar Plunge on Sunday, February 1, is thrilling to witness if you’re not participating. The party-like atmosphere is a great way to shake off winter’s blues. What’s the reason for freezin’? Funds raised from the plunge support the Special Olympics New York’s programs and services.
The Polar Plunge is one of several events during the weekend-long Lakeside Winter Celebration at Ontario Beach Park.
Multi-Day Events
The Grown-Ups, Blackfriars Theatre
Jan 29–Feb 8
The Sound of Music, Greece Athena Performing Arts Center
Jan 30, Feb 1, Feb 6–8
Dance Festival: Jean-Yves Thibaudet and Rochester City Ballet, RPO
Jan 31, Feb 1
Saturday, Jan 31
Edgerton Model Railroad Room Open House (free)