Weather That Can Change in a Heartbeat
If you don't like Rochester's weather, wait 5 minutes. With four distinct seasons and its proximity to Lake Ontario, the weather is always changing. Spring and autumn temperatures tend to vary about 30 degrees, hovering between 40 and 70. Everyone heads outdoors in summer when the weather is humid and warm—the average high in July is 81. The city is prone to cool, rainy patches as well as scorching heat waves. You haven't known winter until you've experienced lake-effect snow, the kind of intense snowfall that blankets Rochester with an average of 100 inches a year. Winter is blustery and cold with average highs in the low 30s so prepare wisely by packing a few layers along with your camera so you can capture it all.
Rochester in a Snapshot
Families flock to Rochester for the Strong Museum of Play, housing exhibits related to the history of playtime and tons of hands-on activities for the little ones. The city is also home to the George Eastman House, a museum dedicated to photography and film, and the National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House. Rochester has its own minor league hockey and baseball teams. Visit Seabreeze Amusement Park, located about 10 miles north of the city, or stay in town to check out the Seneca Park Zoo. If you find yourself missing Broadway, you can find a similar scene in Rochester. The city has an artistic vibe too, with 25 theatrical companies and performance venues, including sweeping downtown Eastman Hall dating back to 1922.
A City of Industry
Rochester is the birthplace of Kodak, Xerox and Bausch & Lomb. These corporations still have operations in Rochester, but they're no longer the biggest employers in town. That title now belongs to the University of Rochester and its affiliated medical center, Strong Memorial Hospital. The second largest employer is Wegmans—the beloved grocery store chain is headquartered here, as is the payroll company Paychex.
Rochester Transportation
Flying into and out of the Greater Rochester International Airport feels like a cakewalk compared to navigating some other major airports. It's served by airlines including JetBlue, Delta, American and Southwest, but it's small, featuring only two terminals. It's quiet enough that you can get in and out quickly. If you're coming from the south, consider riding Amtrak. The rails travel from New York City to Rochester through the Hudson River Valley, and the trip provides beautiful views, especially in autumn. Greyhound also serves Rochester, and several other bus companies travel between Rochester and New York City.
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