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| Two students walk from building 7 as another snow storm brews on February 20. |
| Steve Pfost |
Cost scale — 0 = free, 1 = $1-$5, 2 = $6-$10, 3 = $11-$15, 4 = $16-$20, 5 = over $20.
Jay’s Diner - 2
This 1950s style diner is open 24 hours a day and has a variety of food choices ranging from breakfast (served all day and night) to dinner. Each booth has a coin-operated jukebox with an array of music. Try their French toast. It’s amazing.
Movies 10 - 1
Across from Jay’s Diner on West Henrietta Road, this ten-screen cinema shows movies after their initial run in the main theaters. Matinees and evenings (aside from Friday and Saturday nights) are $2. The seats are pretty worn, which makes them way more comfortable than those ‘perfect posture’ seats at Cinema 18.
Explore the
Abandoned Subway - 0
Exploring the subway is a lot of fun, but can be dangerous. Bring a flashlight and wear sturdy shoes.
Public Market - 0
A 100-year tradition, the Public Market offers a variety of fresh produce and flowers, local foods such as maple syrup, honey, granola, and candles, and small shops during the warmer weather. The Empanadas Shop and the Cheese Shop (which houses a variety of imported cheeses open for sampling) are two stops in particular worth checking out. For more, read Frances Cabrera's review.
Downtown Java’s - 1
If you’ve been to Java Wally’s in the library, you can get a feel for the Java’s atmosphere. The Java’s in the city is located next to the Eastman School of Music and is at least twice the size of Java Wally’s. Downstairs there are two billiard tables and on the main floor there is an impressive wall of bulk coffee and tea in drawers.
High Falls - 0
Not many cities can say they have waterfalls crashing through their center. High Falls is one of the observation points of these falls. There are many trails that follow the falls down to its full extent, and the Pont De Rennes is a highly recommended spot.
Graffiti-atize - 0
The two most popular locations for legal graffiti are the graffiti walls located behind Village Gate near the train tracks and in the Broad Street Bridge. Even if you don’t make graffiti art, going to check out the complexity and talent of some artists‘ work is worthwhile.
Phillips European Restaurant - 2
Phillips has the best desserts in the area, hands down. They have a variety of tortes (a light-textured mix of cake and cream), cheesecakes, and cookies. They also have amazing chocolate strawberries and their own fresh-pressed flavored coffee. They are located near Monroe Community College.
Support the Rochester
Rhinos or Amerks - 3
The Rhinos (USL Division One Soccer) season goes until the end of September and the Amerks (AHL Hockey) season starts mid-October at the Blue Cross Arena.
Tilt - 2
One of Rochester’s nightclubs, Tilt is gay-friendly with drag shows every Thursday and the “Big Gay Disco” every Saturday night. Thursday night is the most popular night for a lot of RIT students to go, so check it out!
Strong Museum
of Play - 3
The Museum of Play is a place where you can run around like a little kid again. You can walk around on Sesame Street, check out the butterfly garden, and look at the fish in the aquarium. If you don’t feel like spending the money to feel like a kid, the playground located outside of the museum is a lot of fun, as well as free.
Mt. Hope Cemetery - 0
Located on Route 15, closer to the city, this cemetery has a lot of beautiful tombs and gravestones. It offers a scenic walk around with a purpose: Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglas are buried there so you can make a day of trying to hunt their burial grounds down.
Boulder Coffee - 2
Located in South Wedge, Boulder Coffee has a variety of coffee and espresso drinks. They have a really tasty Irish coffee and make a variety of sandwiches and pastries every day. If you go there in the evening, there is usually some form of live music to listen to as well.
Boating on the
Erie Canal - 5
Some shops located on the Canal in Pittsford and Fairport offer kayaks, pedal boats, and canoes as rentals.
Dinosaur Barbecue - 3
Originally founded in Syracuse, this barbecue restaurant requires you to eat there at least once while in Rochester. Their sauce is very unique, unlike any other barbecue you’ve tasted. For more, read Casey Dehlinger's review.
Snowboarding
at Bristol - 4
Snowboarding is a very popular thing to do in the cold months. Bristol offers Wegmans-sponsored group days on Saturday: 4 to 10 p.m. is $20 per person as long as you have four people in your group. The more people you bring for your group, the cheaper the tickets.
Experience
a Garbage Plate - 2
A traditional garbage plate consists of macaroni salad, home fries, two cheeseburger patties (or your choice of meat), mustard, onions, and meat sauce all thrown together. Sounds like it shouldn’t mix, right? Surprisingly, it tastes good all together. Try one at Henrietta Hots, Nick Tahou’s, Mr. Shoe’s, Steve T’s, or Jay’s Diner. To decide which, read Reporter's Battle of the Plates.
Minigolf - 2
There are a bunch of random locations around Rochester that offer minigolf. One of the cheaper and closer locations, Funhouse, is an arcade/minigolf destination. The course is nice and inside offers a wide assortment of games, like Dance Dance Revolution and air hockey.
Letchworth
State Park - 0
Letchworth is about an hour’s drive south from campus and has a bunch of trails to hike. There is a bridge that goes over one of the falls and gives a great view of the park. Sometimes when you go, there is a vehicle fee to get in, but other times it’s free.
Millennium Games
and Hobbies - 0
Every night, Millennium offers tables for people to come in and play card games such as Magic: The Gathering and Yu-Gi-Oh!. Even strategy games like Warhammer and pen and paper role-playing games like Dungeons and Dragons are played. Check out http://millenniumgames.com for schedules.
Bug Jar - 2
The Bug Jar is located in the middle of the city on the corner of Monroe and Union Street. If you’re into the indie scene and like live music, this is the place to go. They have had such artists as Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, The Fiery Furnaces, and Modest Mouse play there in the past.
Ontario Beach Park - 0
Just north of the center of the city is this fun park, carousel included. There are a couple of routes to walk around, one of which takes you to the light house, along the sand, or to the sandy volleyball area. If you’re hungry, there’s Cheeburger Cheeburger, California Rollin’, and Abbott’s in a big building along the shore.
Cinema Theater - 1
Cinema Theater is located off of South Clinton and Goodman and offers only a few movies a week for a cheap price. The only downside is it’s cash only.
Ice Cream at Cornhill Creamery - 1
Located along the Genesee River, they offer a vast array of ice cream flavors, but are well known for their cake batter and tiramisu flavors. Might be closed indefinitely.
Bowling - 1
Getting tired of Wii Bowling? Try getting your real life skills on for a change! Clover Lanes is nice but kind of pricey, whereas Bowl-A-Roll isn’t expensive—college nights (Sunday and Monday) cost only $1 a game (plus $1 shoe rentals).
Bubble Tea - 1
K.C. Tea & Noodles is an Asian noodle place that has two locations, one on Park Ave and the other on Goodman. Bubble tea is basically an ice tea (or juice) and green tea blend with pearl-sized tapioca bubbles. You can also ask for a bubble tea smoothie or milk shake.
Look Ah Hookah - 2.5
Hookah has become an increasingly popular hobby. Look Ah Hookah opened on West Henrietta Road last year, offering a variety of flavors of tobacco in a comfortable environment.
Equal Grounds - 1
Equal Grounds is a diversity café located in the South Wedge that does a lot of open mic nights.
Water Street
Music Hall - 4.5
Check out one of the main venues in Rochester for popular bands. Bands such as Disturbed, Taking Back Sunday, Anberlin, and Hatebreed have performed here.
Little Theater - 2
This independent theatre
offers a variety of movies you can’t usually see at the multiplex. Sundance Film Festival winners, foreign films, and other independent films can be
found here.
TriBeCa - 2
A classy nightclub that has a vast dance floor and offers an 18 and up night on Thursdays.
Spot Coffee - 1
A brightly lit cafe on the same street as the Little Theater (East Ave). It is usually busy at all hours and has a bunch of comfy couches and seats for chilling out.
John’s Tex Mex - 1.5
A tasty Mexican place that was opened by an RIT graduate. Located in South Wedge, it offers good food at cheap prices and a comfortable atmosphere.
Vertex - 2
The goth club of Rochester, they have a projector and a couple of TVs that usually play random horror movies. Only open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
Festivals - 1
Rochester is known for offering a variety of festivals year-round. The most popular and well known festival is the Lilac Festival, but that isn’t until late spring. In the middle of September, there will be the Clothesline Festival, one of the best art festivals in Rochester. Keep your eyes open for Oktoberfest, coming soon as well.
Biking on the Genesee River Trail - 0
The Genesee River Trail starts close to campus and winds around the University of Rochester, passes by the abandoned subway and Dinosaur BBQ, and goes all the way up to Lake Ontario. It’s very scenic and makes for a good day-long adventure.
Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) - 2
PAETEC offers some concerts at discounts to try and encourage and support students interested in the fine arts. In October, RPO will be presenting Beethoven’s 9th. Tickets are $9 and well worth it.
Mykonos - 3
Mykonos has a diner-like atmosphere with traditional Greek cuisine. Their baklava is pretty good, as is their Spanakopita.
Ghost Hunting for
the Lady in White - 0
The White Lady was said to have lost her daughter. After she resolved her daughter must have been raped and murdered, the grief overtook her and she threw herself off a cliff into Lake Ontario. Following her death, the mother’s spirit returned to continue the search for her child. People say that on foggy nights, the White Lady rises from the small Durand Lake that faces Lake Ontario. Her dogs are said to accompany her. Together, they roam through the Durand Eastman Park, still searching.
Run around
the Maize Maze - 1
The Maize Maze is a huge and complex cornfield maze that opens on September 18 until Halloween. If you don’t bring a flashlight, you might get dirty and it’s a little scary too.
Meet an Alpaca at Lazy
Acre Alpacas - 0
Alpacas are fuzzy llama-related animals. There is a big farm out in Bloomfield and if you call ahead you can get a tour or just check online to see when their fall open house is.
Shop at the mall - 2
Rochester has three malls around the city. Eastview in Victor is really nice, but Marketplace is reachable by bus from RIT, and Greece Ridge... Well, I don’t suggest going there unless you feel like maybe being shanked (or at least feel like you may be).
Lux - 3
Lux is a one-of-a-kind alternative bar located in South Wedge with a lot of eccentric people, a nice atmosphere, and themed nights. In the back there are picnic tables and even a hammock to kick back in. The only not so rad thing
is—as a bar—you have to
be 21 to get in.
Arena 51 - 2
Arena 51 is located off of Jefferson and has a slough of Alienware computers and gaming systems. You have to pay per hour, but they offer cheap tournaments on the weekends for games such as Super Smash Bros.
Enjoy Highland Park and the Lamberton Conservatory - 1
Highland Park has a lot of wildlife and flowers and is located just south of South Wedge. There is even a nice amphitheater that has live music on occasion.
Check out Wegmanopolis - 0
Wegmanopolis is a name that could only describe the original Wegmans in Pittsford. As someone on rocwiki.org claims, “The Pittsford Wegmans is like the Disneyland of grocery stores!” Sure, it may just be a grocery store, but it has such variety and interesting foods, so it’s definitely worth visiting.
Rochester Parkour - 0
Give parkour and freerunning a try. It’s kind of like obstacle coursing and it gives you a chance to run, jump, and climb around on stuff like you did when you were a kid. With training sessions on Saturdays, anyone of any experience level is welcome to attend and sure to have fun. For more information, check out http://rochesterparkour.com.
Seneca Park Zoo - 2
The zoo is located on Saint Paul Street and has a variety of mammals, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and fish. A few times a year they do an event called ZooBrew, which is an event with live music, beer, and barbecue. This fall, ZooBrew will take place on September 11. Check it out!
The Old Toad - 3
The Old Toad is an authentic English Pub. Most of the waitstaff are English and there is a variety of good food, plus an amazing selection of over 100 beers to choose from.
Vintage Drive-In - 2
On the weekends, the Vintage Drive-In offers a double feature starting when it gets dark outside. Usually the double feature consists of one newly released movie and one released a couple of months ago.
