Rochester New York Offers Plenty to Do On A Limited Budget

A highly respected theater community, philharmonic orchestra, museum of photography and film, and home to several professional sports teams and institutions of higher learning. Could we be talking about New York, Boston, or Chicago. Not at all.If you have never heard of or visited Rochester, you are in for a surprise.

Located on the south shore of Lake Ontario at the mouth of the Genesee River, Rochester, New York is home to approximately 200,000 people within its city limits. The entire metropolitan area has a population of around 1,000,000 people. Officially established as a city in 1834 and the seat of Monroe County, New York, Rochester is home to world class companies Eastman Kodak Company, Constellation Brands, and Paychex. Aptly nicknamed The Worlds Image Centre, Rochester is also home to optical and imaging research centers at the University of Rochester and the Rochester Institute of Technology. The Wegmans Food Markets chain also had its start in Rochester, from its humble beginnings as a small neighborhood grocery store to its current status as a renowned food market chain that extends from the northeastern United States to northern Virginia.

But Rochester, New York is not all about business. During the spring and summer months, residents and visitors can choose from any number of festivals such as the Lilac Festival, the Rochester International Jazz Festival, the East End Festival, the Corn Hill Festival, the Park Avenue Festival, the Clothesline Arts Show, and the Rochester High Falls International Film Festival. The annual Cold Rush Winter Celebration highlights winter sports. Rochester nightspots can be found in the East End District, the Monroe Avenue and Park Avenue districts, Upper Monroe Avenue, and the St. Paul Quarter.

Rochester is blessed with a wealth of cultural institutions. If cultural pursuits are more your style, there are the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and the Geva Theatre Center, the Rochester Museum and Science Center, the Memorial Art Gallery, and the Strong National Museum of Play.

There is a lot to choose from if your interests run more towards sports. You can choose from the Rochester Red Wings baseball team, the Rochester Americans ice hockey team, Rochester Rhinos soccer team, Rochester Knighthawks indoor lacrosse team, the Rochester Razorsharks basketball team, and the Rochester Raiders indoor football team. The Wegmans LPGA Tournament, PGA Championship, US Open, and the Ryder Cup have also been major draws for local golf enthusiasts. Numerous parks and public greenways also provide plenty of opportunities to hike and bike or photograph the abundant wildlife of the area.

Rochester, New York truly has something for everyone.