MetaChat - Whaddya know about Rochester, NY?

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20 February 2008

Whaddya know about Rochester, NY? →[More:]There's an annual conference I attend every September and this year it's in Rochester. Normally I use this as an exuse to have my job pay for a flight and hotel and stay a couple extra days in the city where it's happening. In the past it's been cities that I knew were 'worth it,' like Chicago and Atlanta and Pittsburgh. But I don't know too much about Rochester and environs. If I had 2 unprogrammed days there, what kind of stuff might there be to do? I could rent a car to get out a bit further from the city.

post by: Miko at: 13:09 | 26 comments

I don't know anything about Rochester, but I liked Toronto when I used to visit there regularly. Opposite shore of the lake, and you can see all the Niagra stuff on the way.

posted by eekacat 20 February | 13:26

I was under the impression that Eideteker lives near there, or did recently. Email him?

Also, Frank Lloyd Wright did a hell of a lof of work in NY state, so it's worth googling to see if he has any buildings that are open for tour near Rochester.

posted by pieisexactlythree 20 February | 13:26

It has a very large and vibrant deaf community, which is pretty cool.

posted by jrossi4r 20 February | 13:33

I have a friend who moved there, and he loves it (other than the cold -- he's from the Ozarks). It's supposedly got a pretty cool arts scene, pretty open-minded sort of town. I'm actually finally going to go visit when he gets married in July. Shame we'll be there two months apart, or I'd buy you a beer. :)

If you're interested, Miko, I can contact him and forward on what he has to say.

posted by middleclasstool 20 February | 13:35

There are toney parts, villiage greens, sidewalks and shops. There are collegey parts. They brew Genesee Cream Ale there and might still do tours. Maybe some foliage viewing in the fall. There is a waterfall near the center of the city.

posted by rainbaby 20 February | 13:44

Are the Finger Lakes drive-able from there? Aren't they out that way?

posted by occhiblu 20 February | 13:48

Lots o' Colleges. Also Eastman Kodak HQ and the Eastman House. There's the The Arts & Cultural Council, with a callender of events. Enjoy!

posted by MonkeyButter 20 February | 14:00

Haven't been yet, but the Eastman House museum of photography is there. There's supposably a waterfall in town on the Genesee. It looks to be about an hour to Seneca Lake which would take you south to Watkins Glen. It looks to be about 45 minutes to Letchworth State Park, which I *also* haven't been to yet but is supposedly a spectacular mini-canyon.

posted by ROU Xenophobe 20 February | 14:00

not worth it! I lived there for six years, what arts and culture there is (except for the eastman house, worth a few hours) is pretty much sporadic and/or not findable by non-locals.

Ithaca, however - two hours from Roch - is so totally worth it. Gorgeous little town, beautiful surrounding woods and countryside, and the Moosewood Cafe.

posted by By the Grace of God 20 February | 14:18

Rochester is the next city over from me in Buffalo.
We make fun of them a lot. They're the "eh" city. The bad neighborhoods aren't as bad as here. The good ones aren't as good. The nightlife isn't bad, but it's not awesome. Just... eh.

(oh, and their goths can't dance, either.)

posted by kellydamnit 20 February | 14:31

Home of the Genessee River and Genessee Beer!

(Questionable exclamation mark.)

posted by shane 20 February | 14:58

Rah-Cha-Cha! The Garbage Plate!

posted by Divine_Wino 20 February | 15:13

also: If I still lived in Rochester I'd be telling you to come by and bribing you with tasty cooking and beer offers, so we could have a meetup!

posted by By the Grace of God 20 February | 15:28

Finger Lakes Winery Tour! (of course, I have no idea if the wines are good...)
Ithaca: Gorges, Cornell, Sapsucker Woods!
Corning Museum of Glass! (another hour south of Ithaca, not sure if you'd want to drive that far)

posted by DarkForest 20 February | 17:07

Do people really call it "Roch"? It sounds too much like crotch.

posted by pieisexactlythree 20 February | 17:19

Pi... when I was in college we called it "crotchfester."
No kidding.
We were a classy bunch of kids, let me tell you.

posted by kellydamnit 20 February | 17:23

I grew up watching these commercials for Genesee Beer (youtube link). I was always so taken with the fresh pure images of the Hemlock Lake water, the hops and the barley. When I got older, I heard that it wasn't a very good beer, and I don't think I ever drank one.

posted by DarkForest 20 February | 17:31

They've got a pretty nice Greyhound station, all things considered.

posted by box 20 February | 18:58

Stay in Batavia and drive into Buffalo for your bonus days and have a good meetup with kellydammit, et al.

posted by Doohickie 20 February | 20:41

No dancing goths? Then fuck that wedding.

posted by middleclasstool 20 February | 22:59

Well, they try to dance. Bless their hearts. It's just the saddest thing you've ever seen. It's like they're all dancing to a requium mass played by a bunch of monkeys on PCP while mired in knee-deep pudding, even though the DJ is playing The Sisters of Mercy and there is, in fact, no pudding to be seen.

posted by kellydamnit 20 February | 23:37

Kelly, we call Clackamas Town Center mall "crack in your ass clown center"

posted by pieisexactlythree 20 February | 23:39

If I were a Bill-and-Marty-style local FM DJ, I'd be sure to say 'Rock-chester' a lot.

posted by box 20 February | 23:43

kellydamnit, I have no idea what any of that meant, but it made me laugh very hard.

posted by occhiblu 21 February | 01:14

Aren't its city limits shaped more or less like the USA?

posted by brujita 21 February | 01:35

Rochester resident for 30+ years here, but... I have to agree with those who say that there isn't much. George Eastman house, sure. You could probably catch a Red Wings game. Park Ave has some neato shops.

Oh, Wegmans. Definitely go to Wegmans. The one next to Pittsford Plaza is best for pure mind-blowingness.

posted by Lucinda 21 February | 11:42

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