Length of stay: 1 day
Visited: July 2023
Rochester is located in upstate New York near the southern shores of Lake Ontario. It’s known as both the Flour City (as it was once the largest flour-producing city in the United States) and Flower City (due to its abundance of nurseries and growing seed industry). It has an interesting history in manufacturing and photography and became the first boomtown in the United States when its population doubled in size in the 1830s.
While visiting Buffalo for a few days we decided to take a day-trip to Rochester since it’s reasonably nearby. We had actually booked our accommodations here since it was significantly less cheaper than in Buffalo (largely because we made our reservation a day before our trip). After spending the morning taking a tour through Frank Lloyd Wright’s Darwin D. Martin House in Buffalo, we returned to Rochester for the remainder of the afternoon. But it turns out that this afternoon coincided with Rochester’s Pride Parade, which made driving through the city quite painful.
Given all the traffic and road closures, we had to prioritize what we wanted to see and do. We started at the George Eastman Museum which contains a museum dedicated to the history of photography and a self-guided tour through the Colonial Revival mansion to learn more about George Eastman.
Our visit to the museum started in the section dedicated to photography and contains one of the oldest film archives in the world. The collection showcases how photography has evolved over time and includes an impressive display of antique photographs and cameras dating back to the 19th century.
We made our way over to the mansion, stopping to first check out the gardens. George Eastman was an American entrepreneur who is famous for founding the Eastman Kodak Company which helped make photography more accessible to the general public through the Kodak camera.
Eastman lived in Rochester for most of his life. He resided in the mansion from 1905 until his death in 1932. The estate was bequeathed to the University of Rochester to be used as the residence of the university president. It was later converted into a museum. The mansion and gardens were restored and the majority of Eastman’s original furnishings were returned.
While we had other attractions on our itinerary, we had to scrap a couple items given the traffic situation from the parade. We headed to High Falls Terrace Park which is reputed to provide the best view of the city. From the parking lot, there’s a viewing platform that provides an overlook of the waterfall with several skyscrapers in the background. There’s a paved path that follows the edge of the gorge to a bridge that leads to the other side of the river. But the bridge was closed for construction at the time of our visit.
Darker clouds were rolling in. We quickly made our way over to Maplewood Park for a view of the lower falls. There’s a few different trails here and we picked the one that follows the edge of the river. Much of the views were obstructed by all the greenery though. There might have been a better viewpoint further ahead, but it started to lightly rain, so we called it quits.
We drove back downtown and made one more stop to check out the Central Library of Rochester. The building is rather unique as there’s a spillway for diverted water following into the Genesee River. We didn’t linger long as it started to rain again.
We took the gloomy weather as a sign to return to our accommodations.
L
I would love to visit Rochester, New York. Do you think you might return and see the things you missed one day?
For sure. We’d love to explore more of upstate New York, especially around the Finger Lakes. So we might as well stop by Rochester again since it’ll be on the way!
I’ve never been to Rochester, but I’d love touring that mansion! That’s one of my favorite things to do haha
Same! The George Eastman museum and mansion was at the top of our list of things to do in Rochester. We made sure to prioritize it given all the traffic and road closures from the Pride Parade. I’m always intrigued to get a glimpse into what life was like for the wealthy back in the day and how they furnished their houses.
Rochester does look like a neat place to visit. Lots of moving water about (falls and rain). The mansion looks beautiful, although I am not sure what I think of the elephant head on the wall. Eastman had a great business going with Kodak, but forgot to progress as digital moved in. Thanks for sharing Linda. Allan
It’s neat how the falls are the focal point of the city and that many of the buildings have been built around the river. It’s too bad the weather wasn’t the greatest, otherwise we would have loved to explore more of the downtown on foot. I know what you mean about the George Eastman mansion, it’s a nice house, but the elephant trophy was a bit much. I used to use a Kodak camera and Kodak film rolls when I was younger. It’s too bad they didn’t innovate and instead got left behind. C’est la vie, you just have to keep moving forward. Thanks for reading. Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Linda
Another fantastic New York destination and post, Linda! I will be adding Rochester to my list, as we would love to visit the Eastman Museum, and see the other sights that the lovely city has to offer. By the looks of my list, we’re going to have to move to New York for a year to do it all!
Thanks for your kind words. I know what you mean about New York. We’re hoping to return at some point to explore the Finger Lakes and the Adirondacks. Hopefully we can visit sometime in the fall when the leaves are changing colour. I’m glad we managed to squeeze in a visit to Rochester while in Buffalo, even if our time was limited. It’s always fun to explore new places!
Wow, the museum/home is very beautiful! ❤️ I love the waterfalls too, thanks for sharing! 😊
It’s neat to see how the downtown has been built up in and around the falls. It’s very picturesque and a great way to combine city living with some nature. It was also fun to tour through George Eastman’s mansion and to learn more about the history of Kodak cameras and photography in general. It’s pretty amazing how cameras have come such a long way over the past century or so.
It’s very amazing! I’ve never used an actual film camera!
My first camera was actually from Kodak and I used to use the Kodak rolls of film. I remember having to go to the store to get my pictures developed, which was always exciting because then you finally got to see how they turned out. I must say, I’m so glad we don’t have to do that anymore!
Digital photography is good!
Agreed! It takes up less physical space too compared to photographs and albums. It’s so much more convenient.
What a grand house. And those cameras! Oh, I’d love to see those. 😁
It’s pretty amazing to see how much photography and cameras have evolved over the past century or so. I must say, it’s so nice not having to use film rolls and get them developed anymore!
I agree! And some of those first cameras were huge. 😁
Oh I know! The additional weight would really limit your options. It makes me appreciate how small and compact my camera is now (and that I don’t have to get my pictures developed)!
I have often thought that I would have given up photography a long time ago if I had to pay to develop all the awful photos I have taken. 😜
No kidding. I actually still have a disposable underwater camera from about a decade ago that I’ve been meaning to get developed. But given that I’ve had it for this long and it hasn’t happened yet, chances are I never will.
Disposable underwater camera? I didn’t realize there was such a camera. 😁
Granted this was well over a decade ago, but disposable underwater cameras were a thing. We bought one to take snorkelling. I now have an underwater digital camera that does the trick.
Even more fun! 😊
I have been to Rochester but have never really toured it. Looks like the museum was interesting. Kodak unfortunately didn’t keep up with the changes in technology and went bankrupt about 10 years ago. I think a UK company bought it. Great photos, Linda. Cheers.
Thanks! It was interesting to learn more about the history of photography and to see how much cameras have changed over time. I remember having a Kodak camera when I was younger and using Kodak film rolls. I’m so glad those days are in the past! It’s a great cautionary tale as to what happens when you don’t innovate and change with the times.
I was there for a conference a few years ago and really enjoyed it. Thanks for taking me back!
That’s one of the benefits about conferences, is being able to travel. Glad you got to see Rochester for yourself. There’s not a whole lot to do, but it’s still worth exploring. And the view of the waterfall within the city is lovely.
Gorgeous waterfalls, and interesting museum too! Very cool history too, I did not realize that they were such a big flour manufacturer.
I knew nothing about Rochester before visiting, expect that it it’s in New York and by Lake Ontario. There’s surprisingly quite a bit to see and do, but the best part is how the city has been built up around the river and features some beautiful views of the falls.
That’s a bummer about the weather, but Rochester looks like a lovely city! Pat and I have said before we need to do an upstate New York roadtrip so I’ll be sure to add Rochester to our itinerary!
The weather wasn’t even the worst of it. It turns out visiting Rochester during Pride Parade wasn’t a good call given all the road closures and traffic delays. But, we made do with the time that we had. We’d love to explore more of upstate New York too, especially around the Finger Lakes. And then there’s the Adirondacks. Now we just need more vacation days!
The Adirondacks are lovely, that’s one place I have made it to! Pat and I did a couple long weekend camping trips up to this area back when we lived on the east coast m
We’ve only ever been to the Adirondacks in the winter, but I’ve heard it’s even more beautiful in the fall when the leaves are changing colour. Glad you got to spend some time camping there
I can confirm that, we few over them last October and it was so colorful!
The fall is my favourite time of the year for hiking and travelling. It’s hard to fit it all in before the seasons change and the weather takes a turn. But someday we’ll make it to the Adirondacks for the fall colours!!
Another city I haven’t thought about visiting. It looks beautiful!
We didn’t know what to expect with Rochester. It’s a big city, but it’s not nearly as touristy as Buffalo or NYC. We actually wish we had a bit more time to explore the sights. But I have a feeling we’ll be back to explore more of upstate New York sometime.
I always look forward reading your travel chronicles and wow that photograph of waterfalls with the Rochester skyline is just stunning!
Thanks for your lovely comment. You are too kind. We typically like to spend our summers camping and exploring the trails. But it’s been nice to shake things up and visit some nearby cities that we’ve often overlooked. It turns out you can get the best of both worlds sometimes when nature has been incorporated in and around the city. And Rochester is one of those places.
👍🧡
Thanks for stopping by. Even though the weather wasn’t ideal, we still enjoyed wandering around Rochester.
I had no idea Rochester looked this interesting! I particularly love the spillway beneath the Central Library building, also the fact that there are waterfalls in the city! Urban dwellers usually have to go out of town to see such thing. But Rochesterians have them right in their front yard.
Oh I know, it’s amazing how Rochester was built up around the river and the falls have become a focal point. They’ve certainly found a nice balance between nature and city life. It’s too bad about the weather as we would have loved to explore more of the historic brick buildings downtown. I’m glad we managed to see the library though.
I love the look of the interior of Eastman’s house, it’s fascinating to see how people who can afford to buy anything they like choose to spend their money. A decent visit despite the weather and the traffic doing their best to spoil it.
We had limited time in Rochester, especially given all the road closures and traffic delays, but I’m glad we made it to the George Eastman mansion and museum. The house itself was beautiful, but there were some questionable decorative choices. Agreed, it’s interesting to see how people with wealth used to spend their money back in the day. To each their own.
This was a fun tour, Linda. Too bad about the traffic cutting out some of your plans.
When I was in my early 20s, I did several trips to NYC and to save money, I took the overnight Greyhound bus from downtown Toronto. Rochester was always just a stop on our route that I never thought much of.
It was interesting to learn about its historical significance for the evolution of photography and the Eastman mansion was nice. A different way of life that we only experience through museum tours! 😆
In retrospect we should have dedicated a full day in Rochester instead of half a day. And we probably should have looked up to see what events were happening! Despite the traffic, I’m glad we managed to see some of the city, including the George Eastman museum.
It’s funny to look back at how we used to travel when we were younger and had no money. The thought of taking an overnight Greyhound bus now does not seem appealing in any way!
Good to know about allocating a full day for Rochester for next time. And for sure, it’s nice to be able to travel with a bit more ease and comfort these days!
No kidding! I don’t think I could travel the same way as my 20-year-old-self. But, it makes me appreciate staying in a nicer place now and treating myself while on vacation!
Rochester looks like a great city to explore. The Eastman house is amazing, inside and out. Minus that huge elephant head above the door. Love the juxtaposition of the waterfall and the cityscape, that’s a rare sight.
I wish we had a bit more time to more fully explore Rochester. It seems like an interesting city with easy access to many green spaces and viewpoints of the falls. Agreed, the George Eastman mansion is beautiful, but the elephant trophy was a bit much.
I would have loved visiting George Eastman Museum. Or better, visit Rochester itself. It’s one city in NY that I haven’t visited.
Same. The only reason we visited was because we actually booked our accommodation in Rochester as it was so much cheaper than in Buffalo (we booked it the day before we were leaving). I’d say it worked out well as there’s surprisingly quite a bit to see and do in Rochester. I actually wish we dedicated a bit more time to check out the sights.
I had no idea that Rochester had so much to see and do. The photography museum looks very interesting. Great photo too!
Same! We only started looking into Rochester when we were booking our accommodations for Buffalo and decided to stay there instead. I wish we dedicated more time to more fully explore the city though, but we had a nice preview. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. Linda
That museum looks amazing, and the mansion as well. I also love the view from High Falls Terrace Park – beautiful! 🙂
We didn’t have much time in Rochester, but I’m glad we managed to hit up the highlights. It was interesting how the city was built around the river. If the weather wasn’t so gloomy we would have loved to explore more of the trails and viewpoints of the falls.
I’d love to explore the Eastman mansion and view all the historic Kodak photographic equipment. The library building is also impressive with the slip water pouring out of the base of the building. Yet another US city that I’d only heard of so I found the post very interesting Linda.
It’s pretty amazing how much photography and cameras have changed over the past century. I must say, I don’t miss the days of getting my rolls of film developed! The weather wasn’t the greatest for exploring the downtown, but I’m glad we managed to see the library before it started to downpour. It’s such an interesting building with the spillway underneath.
Looking at some of your pictures, cameras (and photography) have come a long way to where they are today! I have to say, I quite like George Eastman’s house (I mean mansion 😉) … and it seems to me he also liked books a lot! And despite the rain, you have quite a few beautiful views and photos to remember your afternoon in Rochester.
No kidding! I’m so glad cameras have gotten so much smaller and that it’s become much easier to view our pictures. I don’t miss the days of having to get rolls of film developed. I’m glad the rain held off long enough for us to enjoy the view of the falls.
The photography museum looks really interesting. Photography has sure come a long way. When you think just in our lifetime how far it has come from the disposable camera that you had to wind every time to our digital cameras in our phones it is pretty incredible. And the mansion with the giant elephant head over the door is impressive. I don’t like trophy hunting, but there’s no denying that the elephant makes a statement in the room.
Oh I know. I still remember the days of having to buy rolls of film and then taking them in to get developed. And then you’d need some sort of photo album to organize and display them. I’m so glad cameras have gotten more compact and convenient. While there’s something nice about having an actual photograph, it’s so much easier having everything electronically. We didn’t have much time in Rochester, but I’m glad we managed to see the George Eastman mansion. I’ve always enjoyed touring through historic houses like this one.
The photography exhibition sounds fascinating and the Eastman mansion looks an interesting place to visit. Although I’m not sure about the elephant head above the door – I hope it’s not real!
It was neat to see how much photography has changed since it was became more widely used in the 1880s. I must say, I’m glad cameras have become more compact these days and how we’ve moved towards digital photography.
The Eastman mansion is beautiful, but agreed, the elephant head seemed a bit much. Apparently he was an avid hunter and would go on regular safaris to Africa. There were a few taxidermied animals on display in some of the other rooms, but apparently the elephant head isn’t real and is based on a plaster cast of the original.
Such an amazing site you visited in Rochester. Those lakes are so wonderful. We really enjoyed our time there. Anita
We weren’t initially planning on visiting Rochester, but decided to give it a whirl since accommodations there were much cheaper than in Buffalo. It was neat to see how the city has been built up around the river and waterfalls.
Thanks
Kodak used to feed so many employees a semi could drive into their walk-in cooler and shut the door behind it.
I did a bit of reading about this and apparently Kodak / George Eastman treated his employees very well. It’s too bad we don’t see more of that these days!
amen
As a photographer, the Eastman house looks interesting, except for the elephant – I see you’ve had many comments about it already. Fortunately today it is more of a thing to photograph the wildlife. Perhaps Eastman would like that if he were still around. The waterfalls are so dramatic in that area.
I hear yah, the trophy head of the elephant wasn’t to my taste either. There were also a few other taxidermied animals on display in some of the other rooms too. But besides that, the house itself was lovely. It was also interesting to see how munch cameras and photography has changed over time.
Those are lovely waterfalls you saw🤩 unfortunately the rains interfered
Oh I know. It was neat to see how the city was built up around the river and waterfalls. It’s too bad that it started to rain, otherwise we would have loved to explore more of the downtown. Next time.