Located just south of Lake Ontario is Rochester, the third largest city in New York! Though not quite as big as New York City or Buffalo, Rochester boasts plenty of character. As the hometown of numerous innovators - including George Eastman of Kodak - Rochester is rich in both culture and history. Rochester has also been recognized as one of the most livable cities in the United States, as it also boasts plenty of green spaces and family-friendly facilities. Are you and your partner planning to visit Rochester soon? Discover this fascinating city together by checking out our picks for the best romantic things to do in Rochester, New York.
1. Catch a play at Geva Theatre Center
As one of the leading theaters in the United States, Geva Theatre Center is home to some of the country’s most talented actors, writers, and directors. You can wow your partner on your next trip to Rochester by taking them to catch the latest show here. If you’re lucky, you may even be able to catch the theater’s yearly production of the classic, A Christmas Carol. But no matter what time of the year you visit, the enthralling, world-class performances featured at the theater are sure to be an unforgettable experience for you and your loved one!
Geva Theatre Center
Address: 75 Woodbury Boulevard, Rochester, New York 14607
Website: Geva Theatre Center
Opening hours: Box office hours vary
2. Take a romantic stroll along Durand Eastman Park
Nestled along the edge of Lake Ontario, Durand Eastman Park is a sprawling forest park, rich in flora and fauna. There are a lot of outdoor activities that you and your love can enjoy at the park! For some quiet time together, you can take a lovely stroll by the sandy shores of the lake or enjoy a nice picnic at the park’s numerous picnic areas. If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, you can discover all the breathtaking views along the park’s hiking trails or try your hand at skiing!
Durand Eastman Park
Address: 1200 Kings Hwy N, Rochester, NY 14617, United States
Website: Durand Eastman Park
Opening hours: 7am - 11pm (daily)
3. Appreciate art at Memorial Art Gallery
Memorial Art Gallery houses over 12,000 works by artists like Cézanne, Monet, and Matisse, as well as over 500 different historical artifacts from cultures found all across the globe! Memorial Art Gallery is a great place to spend a quiet morning or afternoon with your partner. You can browse their permanent collections together or choose to go on a guided tour for a more enlightening experience. If you visit on a weekend, you can even enjoy a delicious brunch together at The Brown Hound’s Bistro, the museum’s in-house restaurant!
Memorial Art Gallery
Address: Memorial Art Gallery of the University of Rochester, 500 University Ave., Rochester NY 14607
Website: Memorial Art Gallery
Opening hours: Wed, Fri - Sun: 11am - 5pm; Thu: 11am - 9pm (closed on Mon & Tue)
Price: 20 USD
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4. Share some laughs by seeing Comedy @ The Carlson
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
There’s nothing quite like sharing some hearty belly laughs with your partner! On your next visit to Rochester, you and your partner can have a great time seeing Comedy @ The Carlson. Comedy @ The Carlson features the funniest acts in New York, with A-list comedians like Jimmie Walker, Trevor Wallace, and Tammy Pescatelli holding shows regularly here. While enjoying the show, you can also indulge in a generous helping of their delicious nacho platter and pair this with their cocktails or some beer. You and your partner are sure to have a blast, enjoying the great food and great laughs!
Comedy @ The Carlson
Address: 50 Carlson Rd, Rochester, NY 14610, United States
Website: Comedy @ The Carlson
Opening hours: Wed - Sat: 5pm - 2am (closed from Sun - Tue)
5. Look at the stars at Strasenburgh Planetarium
You and your partner can enjoy some clean fun and child-like wonder at Strasenburgh Planetarium! Strasenburgh Planetarium is a department of Rochester Museum and Science Center that is dedicated to heavenly bodies. You and your partner can catch the planetarium’s Star Shows, which are short, yet incredibly interesting presentations on the planets and constellations. If you and your partner are rock fans, you should also catch their laser shows, which are set to music by bands like The Beatles, Pink Floyd, and Led Zeppelin!
Strasenburgh Planetarium
Address: 663 East Avenue (at the corner of Goodman Street), Rochester, NY 14607
Website: Strasenburgh Planetarium
Opening hours: Show schedules may vary
Price: 24 USD
6. Learn fascinating facts at Rochester Museum & Science Center
A great follow-up to Strasenburgh Planetarium would be to see Rochester Museum & Science Center! Much like the planetarium, the Rochester Museum & Science Center features plenty of immersive displays focused on the sciences, technology, as well as American history. You and your partner can explore the Ice Age in Expedition Earth, try your hand at making power and energy at the Inventor Center, or learn more about the culture of indigenous Americans at the Native Peoples of the Americas display!
Rochester Museum & Science Center
Address: 657 East Ave, Rochester, NY 14607-2101
Website: Rochester Museum & Science Center
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 9am - 5pm; Sun: 11am - 5pm
Price: 18 USD
7. Enjoy a romantic dinner at Roux
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Roux is one of Rochester’s most popular restaurants, serving home-style French cuisine. With their tasteful decor and excellent service, Roux maintains an intimate, welcoming vibe - making it the ideal choice for a special dinner date. You and your partner are sure to fall in love with their mouthwatering meals! Their must-tries include the duck confit and their mussels. You should also try their signature cocktails which are not only presented beautifully but are incredibly delicious as well.
Roux
Address: 688 Park Avenue, Rochester, New York
Website: Roux
Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 11:30am - 11pm; Fri - Sat: 11:30am - 12am
8. Go for a quiet walk along Turning Point Park
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Sometimes, all you need is the pleasure of each other’s company and a great place to go on a quiet walk together. Fortunately, Turning Point Park is a wonderful green space in the middle of the city where you and your partner can do just that! Turning Point Park is home to lush forests and features various hiking and biking trails. Nestled right along the Genessee River, you and your partner can also go down the beautiful boardwalk that cuts right through the river. Enjoy the breathtaking views of the forests and the swans swimming by, or even try your hand at fishing and kayaking!
Turning Point Park
Address: 260 Boxart St, Rochester, NY 14612, United States
Website: Turning Point Park
Opening hours: 9am - 9pm (daily)
9. Explore Highland Park
Also called Highland Botanical Park, Highland Park is a thriving arboretum that is home to 1,200 lilac shrubs, 700 varieties of rhododendron, and - among many other plants and flowers! The park is well-maintained and boasts beautiful landscapes and themed gardens, which you and your partner can explore together. You can take a stroll along the park’s hiking paths, set up a nice picnic, or even enjoy one of the park’s summertime concerts and outdoor movie screenings.
Highland Park
Address: 180 Reservoir Ave, Rochester, NY 14620, United States
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
10. See the beautiful blooms at Maplewood Rose Garden
Why settle for a bouquet of roses, when you can take your love to a rose garden straight out of a fairytale? Set right along the Genesee River, Maplewood Rose Garden in Rochester boasts dream-like landscapes filled with the most beautiful roses! The garden is one of the most popular spots in the city for garden weddings and wedding photographs. Take a romantic walk along Genesee Riverway Trail, which cuts right through the park, and check out the breathtaking views of the two waterfalls by the gorge.
Maplewood Rose Garden
Address: 250 Maplewood Ave, Rochester, NY 14613, United States
Website: Maplewood Rose Garden
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Fall in love at Rochester
With so much charm and fun to offer, you and your partner are sure to be just as enamored by this fantastic city as you are with each other! Enjoy these excellent activities with your partner on your next romantic vacation to Rochester and you’re sure to leave with unforgettable memories and a lasting love for the city.
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