Top 10 Romantic Things To Do In Rochester, New York

romantic things to do in rochester ny
Alyssandra Raiza
Alyssandra Raiza 
Updated
| 5 min read

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

Rochester - Geva Theatre - Rear Angle
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user LtPowers used under CC BY-SA 3.0

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

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2. Take a romantic stroll along Durand Eastman Park

AppleTreeInBloomDurandEastmanPark
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user DanielPenfield used under CC BY-SA 4.0

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)

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3. Appreciate art at Memorial Art Gallery

Memorial Art Gallery main entrance
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user DanielPenfield used under CC BY-SA 3.0

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)

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5. Look at the stars at Strasenburgh Planetarium

StrasenburghPlanetariumStarProjector
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user DanielPenfield used under CC BY-SA 4.0

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

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6. Learn fascinating facts at Rochester Museum & Science Center

RMSC
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user RMSC rochester used under CC BY-SA 4.0

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

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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

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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)

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9. Explore Highland Park

HighlandParkTrees
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Ryan Hyde used under CC BY-SA 2.0

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)

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10. See the beautiful blooms at Maplewood Rose Garden

Maplewood Rose Garden - Rochester, New York
Source: Photo by user Doug Kerr used under CC BY-SA 2.0

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)

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Fall in love at Rochester

Highfallsrochester
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Evilarry used under CC BY-SA 3.0

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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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Aly is an ever-curious wanderer who enjoys constantly learning and exploring the world. With more than five years of experience as a travel writer based in Manila, she enjoys writing about her...Read more

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