How Does Rochester, NY Celebrate the Holidays?
The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Rochester and Nearby at Christmas
Table of Contents
Holiday Activities in Rochester
Dickens Christmas in Skaneateles
Holidays at the Market
The Real Bedford Falls
Sweet Creations at the Eastman House
Annual Liberty Pole Lighting & Parade
Learn to Ice Skate
Visit Reindeer
The Nutcracker Ballet
My Friends’ Favorite Holiday Activities
Velvet
Michelle
My Favorite Free/Low-Cost Holiday Activity
My Home at the Holidays
About Rochester, NY
The Area
What’s Special About Rochester
Hidden Gems
Holiday Weather/Climate in Rochester
History of the Area
The First Settlers
Nicknames for Rochester, NY
Famous Rochesterians
Susan B. Anthony
Frederick Douglass
Others
Higher Education
Sports History
Parks
Rochester is Best Known For…
What is Rochester, NY like during the Holidays?
How would you like to take a horse-drawn carriage ride in the real Bedford Falls?
Or what about an overnight trip to see illuminated Niagara Falls with evening fireworks?
Being in Rochester, New York, is a magical time, I’ve grown to discover over the 20+ years I’ve lived here, being a Cleveland native myself.
Let me give you a tour around Rochester, NY, and show you what’s it’s like here during the holidays.
HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES IN & ABOUT ROCHESTER
Some of these activities you can still do in 2019, however, put the rest on your bucket list for 2020 and beyond!
Annual Roc Holiday Village; Events Up to January 3, 2019 Cost: Free to Enter, Check Individual Events & FAQ’s for Cost from Free and Up; Info
Holiday Laser Show at the Strasenburgh Planetarium: Info - 12 pm & 4:15 pm & 7 pm November 2019–January 2020: 50 minutes / For all ages
Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra Gala Holiday Pops with 200-member choir: Info December 22, 2019 2 pm
Classic Toys School Break at Strong Museum of Play, December 21, 2019: Info
Holidays at the Hungerford — Hungerford Artisans: Info December 21 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Yuletide Open House at Genesee Country Village & Museum, Info December 21 - 11 am - 3 pm
(Non-Holiday Fun) Tributes to REM by Dead Letter Office and Cure by Disintegration Info December 21, 2019 at 8:30 PM – 11:30 PM; Disclaimer: My husband is in the band Dead Letter Office.
Yuletide in the Country Tours at Genesee Country Village & Museum, Info Weekends Until December 21
Uncle Louie Variety Show Holiday Special, Info December 28, 2019 3 pm - 5:30 pm
Dickens Christmas in Skaneateles
Photo by Alaina Davis via
Dickens Christmas in Skaneateles
For a memorable road trip from Rochester, hop on down to Skaneateles for a Dickens Christmas, about a 1 hr 15 min drive.
This is totally on my bucket list of things to do!
Although they say it’s every Saturday and Sunday, November 30 thru December 22 plus the Friday after Thanksgiving Noon - 4pm and December 24 Noon 2:30pm, on occasion there is a weekday event, such as one on Christmas Eve. Just check the look under the official calendar for EVENTS to find out those special weekday events.
For instance, I believe the following is Sunday through Saturday, however, best to call to be sure:
Every Day of Dickens - Enjoy a fun Trunk Show at the Skaneateles Gazebo hosted by Washington Irving each day at 12:30 pm. Bad Weather Location will be the Hannum House.
Every Day of Dickens - Join the full cast of Dickens Christmas Characters at the Gazebo at Clift Park at 2pm each day for singing and fun. Bad Weather location is the Hannum House.
Festivities include horse-drawn carriage rides, revels live, carolers, interactive street theater, music, roasted chestnuts, visits with Scrooge and Father Christmas, and the best dining, shopping and lodging in Centeral New York.
Contact: 315-685-0552
Location: Downtown Skaneateles
More information and schedule of events
Dickens EVENTS for the rest of 2019
Wed Dec 18 – Come enjoy a nice night at The Krebs, 53 W. Genesee St. with the Dickens Characters Guest Bartending from 7-9 PM!
Genesee St.
Every Saturday during Dickens - Finishing School for Young Ladies Damce Lessons - Gentlemen Welcome, 2:30 pm at the Skaneateles Historical Society, 28 Hannum St. 315-685-1360
Every Saturday & Sunday during Dickens - Tastings of Figgy Pudding for a nominal donation to benefit the Ecumenical Food Pantry. Imagine, 38 E Genesee St. Pudding sold by the Art of Pudding 12 —3 pm.
Every Sunday during Dickens – Stop by White Birch Vineyard Tasting room for a complimentary tasting of Mulled Wine while supplies last, 18 West Genesee St. 315-685-9463
Every Saturday during Dickens—Moro’s Kitchen Skaneateles is offering a taste of heart-warming soup from 3-4 pm while quantities last. Complimentary of the chef! The soup will be served out the gelato/espresso room in the back of the building by the rear parking area Located, 28 Jordan Street.
Every Saturday during Dickens-Local Wine and Distillery tastings 1-4 pm. Village Bottle Shop, 18 W.
Sat Dec 21 -Breakfast with St Nick and Mrs. Claus, Rosamond Gifford Zoo, One Conservation Place, $15.95 members |$19.95 non-members, Children 2 and under free. Reservations required; register online at syracusezooevents.org or call (315) 435-8511 x8589. Ticket includes post-breakfast zoo admission. Zoo Website.
Sat Dec 21— A snowman-building contest in Clift Park (weather-permitting). Queen Victoria will judge the entries at 2:45 p.m., 1st prize $50.00 gift certificate from Sherwood Inn and 2nd prize Dickens Mug with Cocoa. Bring your own supplies! 315-685-0552.
Sat Dec 21 -Visit with Father Christmas, 12/21/2019 12:00 PM, Every Saturday and Sunday from November 30 - December 22, Noon - 2 pm and 3 - 4 pm Contact: 315-685-0552 Location: Masonic Temple Porch, 13 E. Genesee St. Click Here for more about Dickens in Skaneateles
Sat Dec 21 – Kailee Tucker will perform with her Ukulele at 1 pm in the Skaneateles Library (upstairs), 49 E. Genesee St. 315-685-0552
Sat Dec 21 - A Christmas Carol Trunk Show will be acted out with your help, 3 pm Skaneateles Library (upstairs), 49 E. Genesee St. Entertainment for the entire family. 315-685-0552
Sat Dec 21 -Scarlet Rat Entertainment and Auburn Public Theater (APT), 108 E. Genesee St. present, “It’s a Wonderful Life” – The Radio Play at 7 p.m. $10 General Admission. Tickets available by Clicking Here or at the Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce. 315-685-0552.
Sat Dec 21 - Baltimore Woods, 4007 Bishop Hill Rd., Marcellus. Winter Solstice Hike 7-8:30 pm. Join us for a tranquil, lantern-lit hike through the woods to observe the nature at night. Snowshoes will be provided. Dress warmly! This program is recommended for ages 8 and up. $6 members. $9 nonmembers. Pre-register online at www.baltimorewoods.org.
Sun Dec 22 - Performance by the Very Peculiar Prestidigitating Packwoods 1 pm, Skaneateles Library (upstairs), 49 E Genesee St. Entertainment for the entire family. Free, however donations appreciated. 315-685-0552.
Sun Dec 22 - A Christmas Carol Trunk Show will be acted out with your help, 3 pm Skaneateles Library (upstairs), 49 E. Genesee St. Entertainment for the entire family. 315-685-0552
Tues Dec 24 – Shortened version of Dickens Christmas in Skaneateles! Noon – 2:30.
Worlds Smallest Christmas Parade
Don't miss our annual "World's Smallest Christmas Parade" on opening day, Bright Friday, November 29, at noon. Watch for Charles Dickens and his entourage as they meander down Fennell Street, turn right onto Jordan Street, then right onto Genesee Street to their grand opening on the porch of the Hannum House next to the Sherwood Inn at 12:10 pm.
Christmas carol sing-along, The Mid-day Revels, at 2 p.m. at the Gazebo with the entire Dickens cast. (Bad weather place is the Hannum House of the Sherwood Inn.)
Free roasted chestnuts in front of Johnny Angels, donated by TOPS Market
Mother Goose reads holiday stories to the children at Loft 42 (42 E. Genesee St.) from 1:30 - 4
Father Christmas greets the children on the porch of the Masonic Temple (13 E. Genesee St.) each weekend day from 12:15 to 2 p.m., and 3 - 4 p.m. He will have special treats for especially good children.
Special shows at the Skaneateles Library at 1 and 3 pm. Special live entertainment each Saturday and Sunday at the Library. Events are free, however, donations are welcome.
The Dickens characters will be acting out scenes from "A Christmas Carol" at the Gazebo (bad weather back-up: Hannum House) at 12:30. These interactive trunk shows are sponsored by Skaneateles Suites and Boutique Hotel.
Horse-drawn wagon and carriage rides around the village, departing from the Sherwood Inn, provided by Rt. 80 Quarry Ridge Stables. Wagon rides are $3 donation; carriage rides are offered for a $20 donation. CASH ONLY.
Image via Rochester Public Market Facebook Page
Holidays at the Market
Cost: FREE
The Rochester Public Market presents 'Holidays at the Market' in its 25th season!
Dozens of vendors bringing you art, crafts, decorations, holiday food delicacies, gifts, stocking stuffers & much, much more.
Take advantage of a wide selection of holiday trees, wreaths, fresh garlands, and a plethora of other holiday goods and goodies.
NEW THIS YEAR: cooking demonstrations from holidays around the world along with specialty vendors featuring crafts & items from our newest Americans.
Dates: early to mid-December, visit Rochester Public Market on Facebook for more info
Bonus Date 2019: Thursday, December 19, 2019 at 5 PM – 9 PM
'Holidays at the Market' continues with a special evening market in collaboration with the Market District Business Association https://www.facebook.com/rochestermarketdistrict/ and Roc Holiday Village.
Specials at all Market District restaurants and shops, horse drawn wagon rides around the District, and more!! #thepublicmarket
FACT: the Rochester Public Market was voted America’s Favorite Public Market in 2010!
Photo by Henry Law via
The Real Bedford Falls
Cost: Free to walk around (I believe), Festival events range from FREE up to $20+
Everyone is a fan of “It’s a Wonderful Life” at Christmas.
Visit the real Bedford Falls by taking a day trip from Rochester, NY to Seneca Falls, NY. (approximately 50 minutes one-way)
Check out why Seneca Falls believes they are the real Bedford Falls, and you’ll be planning your 2020 trip now.
Sweet Creations at the Eastman House
COST: Free to members; included with museum admission.
If you’ve caught the bah humbug, then catching the annual Sweet Creations Gingerbread House exhibit at the Eastman House in Rochester will turn that frown upside down.
Click through the above graphic to jennaonajetplane.com’s blog to see some of the amazing photos that she took of the gingerbread houses.
It is for children of all ages, and the works of art are spectacular, plus you get a tour of the house as the creations are displayed throughout the historic rooms of the home George Eastman lived in.
Most of the houses are open for purchase through silent auction.
The display is open from early November through mid-December. Put on your list for 2020!
Spectacular Holiday LIghts Around Rochester | Day Trips Around Rochester 2
Annual Liberty Pole Lighting & Parade Info
Cost: Free
I believe this takes place the first Saturday of December in Downtown Rochester.
A schedule of events starts at 5 PM with the lighting of the tree with the Mayor at 5:30 PM.
Then parade down the street for for free ice skating, lighting of the Christmas Tree, visit with Santa, and the official kick-off of Roc Holiday Village.
Photo posted by @rocyourlocaladventure via 3
Learn to Ice Skate
Cost: FREE
Situated in the heart of downtown Rochester and just steps away from the Roc Holiday Village, everyone in the family will enjoy making magical memories with this winter tradition!
Skating, skate rentals and skate helpers are all FREE with gratitude to Wegmans!
*A limited number of skates are available. Participants are encouraged to bring their own skates.
Fridays 4 p.m. – 10 p.m.*
Saturdays 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sundays 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Thursday 12/19 4 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Tuesday 12/31 4 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
*City of Rochester opens the ice rink at noon; RHV free skating starts at 4 p.m.
Free ice skating and skate rentals will be available courtesy of Wegmans on the following days when RHV is not open:
Mon 12/23 noon – 8:50 p.m.
Tue 12/24 noon – 7 p.m.
Thu 12/26 noon – 9:30 p.m.
Mon 12/30 noon – 9:30 p.m.
Thu 1/2 noon – 8:50 p.m.
Fri 1/3 noon – 8:50 p.m.
Meet Reindeer
Sunday, December 22, 2019 Shortsville Reindeer Farm, 4285 Shortsville Rd, Shortsville, NY Noon - 4 PM
Cost: $5 Admission fee. Kids 5 and under free. Cash or check only. Make checks out to “Shortsville Reindeer Farm”
Pets Not Allowed
Two reindeer have been living at the reindeer farm since it started in 2017, Little Buddy and Moose.
Depending on the number of visitors, you may be able to get a photo taken with one of the reindeer. There will be red sleighs for pictures, however Santa is very busy checking his naughty and nice list, and won’t be able to make it.
Canandaigua Nutcracker - Photo Credit: @thomasrodriguez117
The Nutcracker Ballet
November: Info
When I was in high school, I was fortunate enough to dance in The Nutcracker Ballet with a local dance company near Detroit, Michigan.
It was a magical time.
I had first seen The Nutcracker when my mother took us to see it about two years earlier, and I never imagined I would be able to participate in such a production myself.
The Nutcracker must be seen in person, as it is not the same as watching on television or on the screen.
The Rochester City Ballet not only performs The Nutcracker with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra in November, it also performs in Canadaigua.
In researching this article, I was amazed to learn of all of the community outreach the ballet company does as well during The Nutcracker such as Cocoa with Clara, readings with performances at libraries, bookstores, and the Strong Museum of Play.
Follow their instagram to find out when these will take place in 2020 or inquire by calling.
Rochester Christmas Activity Favorites According to Friends
Velvet Spicer: Frozen Letchworth State Park’s Waterfalls and Frozen Niagara Falls
“There are so many things to do in Rochester at holiday time. From the Genesee Brewery keg tree to ROC Village, from all of the plays and Christmas musicals happening around town to the festive spirit at restaurants, bars and work get-togethers, there's something for everyone. But there's one thing a little out of the ordinary that I look forward to because I grew up doing it my Mom and Dad, and that's seeing the frozen waterfalls we have right in our backyards. Did you know that parts of Letchworth State Park's upper falls waterfall freezes during the winter? Perhaps harder to believe is that once in a while the American side of Niagara Falls freezes. There is nothing more beautiful than seeing the frozen sides of the gorges with the family. Niagara Falls is lit up at night for spectators, and if you time your visit to Letchworth carefully, you may have the view all to yourself. Dress warm!”
Also recommended:
Photo credit: Hema K via
Above: Frozen Niagara Falls
Above: Letchworth State Park: Upper Left-Middle Falls, Lower Left-Upper Falls, Right-Ice Volcano Image Source @JohnKuckoDigital
Michelle Rinella: Cut Your Own Tree At Wilbert’s
“Well for us coming from California (to Rochester) the best part is cutting down the Christmas tree. We enjoy the whole experience of hunting down the perfect tree for us, cutting it down in cold weather and taking the almost annual picture of the boys at the candy cane.”
Photo credit: Michelle Rinella
I have to agree with Michelle. I grew up with artificial trees as my mother and I have allergies. (I think we talked her into a real tree one year, and bought it from a Boy Scout lot, so I know I’m definitely allergic.) It wasn’t until I was living here in Rochester with a group of friends in one house I understood. We all went out early one evening and cut down a tree, then I finally understood the romance and magic of doing it yourself.
Recommended:
Image by Wokandapix from Pixabay
My Favorite Free Holiday Activities in Rochester, NY
Photo by David Shahin
Photo by David Shahin
Photo by David Shahin
Fav #1: Drive Thru Live Nativity
Mid-December, Cost: FREE
It’s one night only in mid-December, for only 2 to 3 hours, usually ending at 8 pm. Bucket list for December 2020!
We’ve been going to this Drive Thru Live Nativity every year since it started about 4 or 5 years ago. It’s a unique way to experience the story of Christmas with live actors and live animals. It takes about 15 minutes to go through it, and they usually give a small bag at the end with an ornament and a few candies.
All are welcome.
P.S. The above photos were lovingly taken by my husband about 4 years ago.
Fav #2: Holiday Lights on Endicar Drive
Thanksgiving to New Years Eve
Cost: FREE (minus the cost of gas and a thermos of hot cocoa!)
At the very least, if we don’t make it to the other neighborhoods, my husband and I always drive to see the lights on Endicar Drive in Irondequoit.
It is a small cul-de-sac off of Titus Avenue, and practically everyone on the street decorates the outside of their home.
You’ll find the the homes at the end of the cul-de-sac seem to have their own little lights battle going on, although a few of the other homes have caught up, and perhaps surpassed them.
Daytrippinroc.com posted 6 Spectacular Holiday Lights of their six favorite neighborhoods with maps to each individual location and also a driving tour of all of the neighborhoods on a google map.
My Home at the Holidays Over Recent Years:
2018
I can’t take total credit for this tree as was inspired by Pinterest! The letters are Heidi Swapp that I purchased at Michaels. I purchased the ribbon at craftoutlet.com, I believe offhand. (If you really need to know, watch the video below, and I say exactly where the ribbon is from.) Many of my ornaments are ceramic painted by my mother. Most of the snowflakes were crocheted by my grandmother.
Would you like to learn how to do simple, easy and beautiful DIY Christmas ribbon garland for your tree? Check out this video from my Facebook page!
2018
2018 Living Room Tree
2019
Living Room Tree 2019
No letters this year as I have done it for a few years now. I focused more on the ribbon. Doesn’t it look pretty? The ribbon looks much better than last year where I admit it looks sloppy.
Go here to get y0ur free Silhouette Cameo templates for this Christmas Advent Paper Houses by Delia Creates. I set them up on my dining room table over a lace runner that I purchased in Ireland. Then I put in the center a greenery branch. I place the houses on either side of the branch with battery-operated flameless tealight candles inside. Find them at Target. The tiny deer below was in a scrapbook kit.
2019 White Tree
My White Holiday Tree 2019 with Christopher Radko Ornaments | Julie Ann Rachelle Interior Design
This white tree is in our den. The above tree is for 2019 with ornaments from Christopher Radko. I also have handmade paper ornaments from a Brenda Walton collection I believe, that I made myself. If you look closely, you can see crocheted snowflakes that I made in 2018.
Below is our white tree from 2018.
2018
My White Holiday Tree in 2018 with Vintage Ornaments
Above and to the left is the same tree.
It is decorated with vintage ornaments.
Some are made by my grandmother.
I used beads as the garland.
The felt ones I made almost twenty years ago.
Each and every ornament has a special memory attached to it.
I think those are the best trees.
There is even an ornament that I believe I painted in kindergarten1
About Rochester, NY
The Area
If you look at the map to the right, you’ll see that the City of Rochester is highlighted in yellow.
I live in West Irondequoit, highlighted in purple.
When you get to know Rochester, you realize that “Rochester” is not just the downtown area, but that it encompasses a large portion of western New York.
According to Al Morenco on Quora, Rochester “lays claims to towns from Ithaca and Letchworth Park to Batavia, from Braddock’s Bay(migrating hawks) and Pultneyville(battle 1812 against Great Britain) to Sodus Bay.
High tech companies mingle with horse ranches, cornfields, and vineyards. 6”
He adds “(Rochester) is the center of a metropolitan area that includes Greece, Irondequoit, Perinton, Henrietta, and Brighton (the largest towns [townships]); these, together with Gates, Chili, Pittsford, Penfield, and Webster, are mainly residential, although some have industrial parks.6”
The Lake
“Lake Ontario is our northern border and is one of the few spots away from the oceans that you can enjoy a blue horizon of water to watch and wonder.7”
I myself have always been drawn to this shore. I am now lucky to live just about 100 yards or so from a sandy beach on Lake Ontario where the quality of life couldn’t be better.
My husband and I looked everywhere for a better neighborhood to move to, and decided to stay in the “Summerville/White City” part of West Irondequoit because no where else can you find neighbors mingling with each other outdoors April through September.
Vineyards
My family first moved to the Fairport area in 1989, an All American village on the Erie Canal.
My parents chose that area because we were used to living in the countryside, surrounded by cornfields in Ohio.
We had just spent the past four years in a concrete jungle suburb of Detroit, and they were happy to get back to what they knew, with a cow farm at the corner.
Yet, there is a “thriving vineyard and winery just down the road, Casa Larga, sitting on the city's outskirts, conducting tours and tastings.
In fact, Rochester may be known as the gateway to the hundreds of remarkable (and mostly small) wineries in the Finger Lakes to the south”.7
I recommend to wine-lovers that a trip to the Finger Lakes region is a must.
You won’t be disappointed as you hop from vineyard to vineyard with over 200 wineries to choose from.
The scenery of the Finger Lakes is breath-taking as well. I highly suggest taking the Historic Watkins Glen Grand Prix course, which is all public roads.
The Erie Canal
One of the most fascinating things about Rochester is the Erie Canal.
“The famous Erie canal used to run through the city (remnants of the locks and waterways are still visible); now it has been rerouted just south of the city with a wonderful hiking/biking canal path and parks at many of the working locks….” 7
When my family first moved to Rochester, I was fascinated by the drawbridges over the Erie Canal in villages such as Fairport and Spencerport.
I had never seen anything designed like it before.
Now my husband and I most enjoy the Canal by riding our bikes on the paved pathways, sometimes stopping for a treat in Fairport at the Ice Cream Factory.
Other times, we take our dog for a walk along the canal, starting in Perinton going toward Fairport. Our dog loves to chase the ducks!
Seabreeze
My first job in Rochester, before I went off to my freshman year of college, was a summer job at Seabreeze Amusement Park. According to Wikipedia, “historic amusement park in Irondequoit, a suburb of Rochester, New York. Seabreeze is one of only thirteen trolley parks still operating in the U.S.”
It is the twelfth-oldest operating amusement park in the world (fourth-oldest in the United States). Its most celebrated ride is the Jack Rabbit, an "out and back" roller coaster, and the fourth-oldest operating roller coaster in the world (opened 1920). It is owned and operated by the Norris family, many of whom have lived on the property for years.”
After work, I’d drive along Lakeshore Boulevard for a treat to take in the beautiful view, go over the Stutson Street Bridge to Charlotte Beach, and then back to go home. Just like PJ Ray on Quora, I often “still call the bridge over the Genesee River, the "Stutson." 9
What You’ll Find Special/Unusual About Rochester…
Rochester is very green. When people hear that I live in Rochester, NY, one of the things that they say if they have visited the area is that it is “very green” aka an abundance of trees. The only other place that I’ve been to that is more green is Oregon, and that state of Oregon struck me as a series of National Forests.
Perhaps Rochester is green because of our many parks. If you are lucky enough to be visiting at Christmas while we are having a light snowfall, you are in for a treat while driving around as there is nothing more beautiful.
Many gorgeous places to go for a drive just outside the city.
Festival Season! I counted over 20 festivals upcoming for 2020.
That breaks down to almost 2 per month, however festival season starts in May, but runs through December with Roc Holiday Village.
Most Rochesterians consider the beloved International Lilac Festival in May as the opener of festival season, however I see that Votercade in Seneca Falls marking the 200th birthday of Susan B. Anthony and the 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment begins February 20, 2020 and has an event each month through October 2020. Info
Rochester International Airport is easily accessible to/from the suburbs.
Mobility. Actually it is easy and fast to get anywhere in Rochester, it takes about 20 minutes to get anywhere in Rochester because of our circular highway system.48
No Panic over Snow. I never realized until Facebook that people actually panic over half a foot of snow. Or even two inches of snow.
Not in Rochester, NY. Kids still go to school unless it is below freezing.
Businesses are still open, again unless it goes below freezing. (Then the people up in Canada are laughing at us!)
No clearing out the grocery store for water and food. No, with a “blizzard", we still go about our day, even though we are warned to stay off the streets, that just means don’t go out for fun.
The Garbage Plate. Read: How the Garbage Plate Became a Western New York Icon -The Rochester dish is late-night drinking food at its finest
Grape Pie
Hidden Gems in Rochester, NY
High Falls Heritage Area and Brown's Race Historic District: See Walking Tour of High Falls Brown's-Race Historic District
“South Ave. between Gregory and Alexander is the heart of great food in the South Wedge neighborhood, but again, pretty well-known.” 33
“Artisan Works, Owl House, Ming's Noodles, Youngs Korean Restaurant, Johns Tex Mex, Natural Oasis (retail store & Ethopian restaurant), Sol Buritto, Archimage (alternative department store), Beale Street Cafe”51
House of Guitars: The Largest Guitar Store in the World (if you are here in the summer, check out their free live performances in their new outdoor stage by local bands)
Holiday Weather/Climate in Rochester, NY
I’m no stranger to cold weather.
Historically, there is a 57 percent chance of a white Christmas (an inch or more of snow on the ground) since snow depth records started in 1926. 10
The highest temperature recorded on Christmas is 66F degrees in 1982. The lowest the mercury has fallen to on Christmas is -12F in 1980. The high-temperature averages 34F degrees and the low 21F degrees on Christmas.
The most significant precipitation recorded on Christmas Day was 1.49 inches, which fell as a mixture of rain and snow in 1978. The 18.0 inches of snow measured in this Christmas storm of 1978 was also the greatest snow for Christmas Day. 11
January has the coldest nighttime temperatures for Rochester with an average of 17.3°. 12
History of Rochester, NY
The First Settlers
In the center of Rochester, you’ll find High Falls.
This is where Ebenezer Allan naturally saw fit to build a sawmill and gristmill to make use of the water’s power. Thus the first permanent white settlement began in 1789.
He sold the land to a group of people from Maryland, which included businessman Colonel Nathaniel Rochester in 1802.
Rochester started a settlement around 1812, and a village was named “Rochesterville” in 1817.
When the Erie Canal opened east to the Hudson River in 1825, the population exploded from 1,502 in 1820 to 12,252 in 1834. It was at this time the name changed to Rochester under a charter. 13, 14
Official Rochester Nicknames
While I’ve heard various deragotory nicknames for Rochester over the years, Rochester has quite a few affectionate nicknames as well. These include, according to RocWiki:
Image Center
Kodak City
The Lilac City
Rachacha
Roc City
Rock City
Soccer Town, USA
Rochiggity
Rockchester
“Today, Rochester is known as both “Flour City” and the “Flower City.” These nicknames arose in the early-to-mid 1800s when the town boasted both a thriving mill industry and profitable seed trade”. 15
“By 1830, the population reached 9,200, and the city became the original boomtown first known as "The Young Lion of the West." 16
Famous Rochesterians
Susan B. Anthony
Hundreds Flock to Susan B. Anthony’s Grave on Election Day
On the historic evening of November 8, 2016, I stood in line with hundreds of others for Susan B. Anthony’s grave, despite the rain.
On any list of famous Rochesterians, Susan B. Anthony deserves top billing. In 1872, local authorities arrested her for attempting to vote illegally. This prompted a trial in which she delivered what was perhaps the single most influential women’s suffrage speech of all time. Ultimately, the court slapped her with a $100 fine—which Anthony never paid. Her home of four decades on Madison Street is now a National Historic Landmark (which you can visit).17
Frederick Douglass
Frederick Douglass, an escaped slave from Maryland, became an “American social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer, and statesman” according to Wikipedia. The famous abolitionist moved to Flour City in 1872. He published his published his antislavery paper, North Star, in Rochester in 1874.
Rochester was also a terminus for the Underground Railroad (escape route for runaway slaves).8 Douglass remained in Rochester for 25 years. The abolitionist’s grave now overlooks Rochester’s skyline at Mt. Hope cemetery. 17
Additional Famous Rochesterians
Taye Diggs, actor
Kirk Douglas, actor
Garth Fagan, dancer, and choreographer
Lou Gramm, Musician
Philip Seymour Hoffman, actor
John Lithgow, Actor
Kristin Wiig, SNL cast member & actress
See more https://rocwiki.org/Famous_Residents
Higher Education
Just about anywhere you turn, you can find an institute of higher learning in Rochester. It’s quite impressive, and they are all held in high-esteem by the community.
“The city is the seat of the University of Rochester (founded in 1850, which includes the Eastman School of Music), the Rochester Institute of Technology (1829), and Roberts Wesleyan (1866), Nazareth (1924), and St. John Fisher (1948) colleges. The Monroe Community College of the State University of New York system was founded in 1961. The Colgate-Rochester Crozer Divinity School was founded in 1850 as the Rochester Theological Seminary. 18”
“Many of the professors who teach at the more prestigious and/or private schools (U of R, RIT) tend to teach courses at the local community colleges (MCC). Rochester is well known for its Photography, Engineering, Nursing, and Computer Science programs. 19
The University of Rochester is among the highest regarded in the medical field, and so is their laser and optics programs. 7”
Rochester Institute of Technology hosts the NTID (National Technical Institute for the Deaf) and the School for American Craftsmen. 20
FACT: Rochester has the second-largest Hearing impaired community, over 30,000 (7)
This Toyland event for deaf children was hosted by the Deaf Rochester Film Festival with deaf poets and storytellers with ornament painting, cookie decorations, holiday skits, signing stories, and films.
Sports History
Sports historians cite the Rochester Red Wings as minor league baseball’s oldest continually-operating franchise. Dating back to 1899. 17
Parks
Rochester has 23 parks, which were “designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the architect of New York City's Central Park. 13”
There are over 200 Rochester area parks (New York State Parks, Monroe County Parks, Town Parks, and City Parks) within a 2-hour drive. According to daytrippinroc.com.
Rochester is Best Known For…
Genesee Country Village and Museum (40 restored buildings (mostly from the 19th century) where costumed interpreters explain and demonstrate what life was like in those years..8)
Mormonism: The Mormon religion had its start in nearby Palymra. 7 The Annual Hill Cumorah Pageant in Palmyra has been announced to end in 2020.
“Artistic culture abounds, again with an unusually high concentration for the population. Partly due to the once enormous printing industry that grew up around here, partly due to Rochester Institute of Technology’s programs for graphic design, photography, the School for American Craftsman, and, more recently, computer science, film and animation. As a result, there are many renovated loft spaces converted from former office or manufacturing facilities, all filled with artists and craftspeople of every ilk. First Friday is a monthly open house of ALL galleries and studios in the area, something I’ve never heard of anywhere else. There is also a vast concentration of world-class artists, photographers, designers, and illustrators, many of whom are internationally recognized (and a few of whom I am fortunate to know personally)”. 21
Most Affordable Housing …..The city is easy to get around, and traffic commutes are minimal compared to other cities. 22
Xerox International Jazz Festival. 2020 will mark the 19th year of the festival which “literally takes over downtown Rochester for 10 nights.
It is attended by tens of thousands of people from all over the world. Also, the festival is represented by musicians from all over the world.
The festival has come to include many different genres besides jazz, although the main concentration is still (jazz). 21”
Wegmans - Prepare to be amazed when you step foot into this grocery store for the first time.
My family moved to Rochester before the arrival of Trader Joe’s, and Rochester doesn’t have a Whole Foods, so I never imagined such care and love could go into a modern day grocery store.
Visit the Super Wegmans in Pittsford Plaza for the luxury grocery shopping experience.
RocWiki states that the Pittsford location is the “showplace store for the chain, where new food merchandising concepts are tried for 6-12 months before potentially being rolled out to other store locations.
Because of this, it is not uncommon to see busloads of businesspersons or just plain tourists unloading out front.
Many Rochesterians will take visiting relatives to "tour" this store, almost like going to a food amusement park.”
This is so true.
Even my mother loves to visit Wegmans after living here for six years, then moving back to Cleveland.
She misses the luxury of a great grocery store.
Abbott's Frozen Custard — Ice cream stands in Rochester are not “ice cream” at all, but “frozen custard.”
It’s actually rare to find a store selling ice cream, you really have to search them out.
Custard is described as a type of "ice cream," but not, a bit "eggy," but in a good way. Basic chocolate or vanilla are effing fabulous, and they have other selections as well.20
Find out the difference between ice cream and frozen custard.
Don and Bob's "Hamburg joint" (now Don’s Original) serves ground round (real beef) and Zweigle's hots. They also have Don's special meat sauce (secret recipe).20
The Rochester Garbage Plate: (LOL! My husband loves these as a Rochester native. I, however, do not like my food to touch and have never been able to get on board with this Rochester favorite.) “Several variations exist, with the most popular consisting of hash browns, macaroni, hamburger patties (or, sometimes, sliced hot dogs), ground beef, melted cheese, Italian bread, and hot sauce all strewn together into a haphazard pile. 17”
Oh... my god. If you have never been to a Wegman's, then you have not lived (I’m so serious.) I never had a supermarket like this back in Boston (edit: they recently started to migrate. Yes!!!) where I’m originally from, but my mind and my mother’s mind was blown the first time we saw one. I recommend making the trip to Penfield or Fairport location. Either way, they have an incredible variety of fresh baked goods, meats, produce, etc. They have tea bars, restaurants, butchers, and fish filet geniuses. You can eat your way through the store. They also have the most enormous walk-in beer refrigerator you will ever see. Go. go now! 19
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