Page 36 - DreamScapes Magazine | Winter 2024/2025

HIDDEN WINTER GEMS
How Rochester has left its mark on history, inspiring
world-class museums and attractions
BY MICHELE SPONAGLE
Rochester, Western New York’s dynamic
A unique road trip this season is waiting in
arts and culture setting, located along
Lake Ontario’s southern shore. With its
mix of attractions, incredible scenery and rich
history, this rubber tire hub makes an ideal get-
away focused on learning and fun.
Here’s why.
Just for Fun
Adults enjoy themselves just as much as young-
sters at the Strong National Museum of Play,
devoted to learning, creativity and discovery.
Exhibits highlight superheroes, Sesame Street
and pinball machines, plus you can explore
interactive experiences like an old-fashioned
carousel and the Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden.
For knowledge seekers, the Rochester Museum
& Science Center is a must. It has over 1.2 million
objects, ranging from dinosaur bones to robots,
each with its own story. Meanwhile, stargazing is
out of this world at the Strasenburgh Planetarium.
A short 20-minute drive from Rochester, the
Genesee Country Village & Museum brings history
to life across 2.4 kilometres, featuring craftspeople
in action. See weavers, potters, blacksmiths and
farmers showcase 19th-century trades.
Shaping History
The establishment of the Eastman Kodak Company
in 1892, thanks to founder George Eastman,
revolutionized photography with the introduction
of film roll cameras. His legacy is preserved at the
George Eastman Museum, the oldest photography
museum in the world, and home to one of the
largest film collections in the world.
DID YOU KNOW?
Rochester has many
nicknames, notably
“Flour City” because of
the plethora of flour mills
along the Genesee River
Valley and also “Flower
City,” a nod to its vibrant
floriculture.
The city is also significant for its connection
to Susan B. Anthony, a key figure in advancing
women’s rights. Her arrest for voting in 1872
(when only men could vote) helped lead to a
major societal shift. Visit the Susan B. Anthony
Museum & House and gain insights into her fight
for social change including education reform and
abolition.
The Great Outdoors
Get your camera ready. Rochester is incredibly
photogenic, with three waterfalls within the city.
The High Falls is a favourite for selfies, taken from
the Pont de Rennes bridge over the Genesee River
(and conveniently located next to the Genesee
Brewery).
When the weather is chilly, head to Lamberton
Conservatory in Highland Park where it feels like a
tropical paradise year-round. Surrounded by exotic
plants, bask in the sun by koi ponds against the
background of trickling ponds. Explore Highland
Park for its array of trees and shrubs, especially
lilacs. It has the largest collection in the U.S. with
more than 500 varieties.
Just 40 minutes south of the city, Letchworth
State Park is simply breathtaking. Called the “Grand
Canyon of the East,” it features a dramatic gorge
carved over millennia by the Genesee River. It’s an
ideal spot for winter activities, like hiking,
snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
DS
TRAVEL PLANNER
For more information to plan your getaway to
Rochester, New York, see visitrochester.com/
bordering-on
36
DREAMSCAPES WINTER 2024/2025
PHOTOS: © JONATHAN SPURR | VISIT ROCHESTER