Weekends in Rochester, NY

You absolutely must check out the lilac bushes if you are in town in May/June. Another stop would have to be the George Eastman house and the Memorial Art Gallery. The Rochester Museum and Science Center has many good changing exhibits. Have a white-hot or a garbage plate and check out some shops on Park Ave. Hike around Ellison or Mendon Ponds Parks.

Quick Tips:

Check out www.visitrochester.com for more details about current promotions, places to stay, and up-and-coming events.

Best Way To Get Around:

You have to drive around Rochester, but the roads are well marked (don't worry, they have cleared up that whole "390" problem!). Anyone can get around town without a problem.

Cerame's is located in a busy plaza on Winton Road in Henrietta, not far from Marketplace mall. The plaza includes at least four other restaurants, but Cerame's is the one to choose for something original and enjoyable. You can tell that it is family run and loved, unlike the chain restaurants nearby. Cername's doesn't go overboard in the decor department, but what it lacks in appearance it makes up for in food quality.
The fresh, warm bread is superb. The eggplant parmesian came in a generous sized serving and was melt-in-your-mouth delicious. The fisherman's platter may seem overpriced, but remember that this is not a town near an ocean, so finding good seafood here is worth paying a little more for. The sun-dried tomato pesto sauce on the ravioli was a little salty for my taste, but I would definitely go back to try something else on the menu given the chance.
The restaurant also features take-out subs for lunch, which is a convenient feature for all those working in the nearby office buildings.

Olive's is a small, charming Greek restaurant near the Erie Canal in Fairport, NY. The food is always delicious. This family-owned business clearly strives for quality in all its dishes. The restaurant may be small, but this just adds to its character. They also do takeout, which is great for a summer day along the canal. The restaurant is located within walking distance of many cute shops for great after-dinner strolling and shopping.

The Clothesline is a great opportunity to take in some great local craftspeople. There is always an abundance of excellent photography and jewelry, not to mention woodcraft and paper goods. The food is not overpriced for this type of event. The kettle corn was to die for! The festival does charge admission, but the money benefits the gallery, so the $6 is worth it. It usually takes place the first weekend in September. Wear comfortable shoes because you'll be doing a lot of walking. There are rows after rows of vendor's booths. The scope of what is available here is always impressive. You can go home with a pair of small, beautifully crafted silver earrings, or a large iron lawn sculpture, or everything in between! Kids will have fun here, but you will need to keep a close eye on them around the delicate glass exhibits. One good place to stop with kids is "The Toycrafter" who makes wooden puzzles, games, and tops. There are so many vendors selling prints and paintings that it makes me wish I had a new house to decorate!

The Lilac Festival is the highlight of the (short) summer season in Rochester. The bushes that line the park are absolutely stunning! There are also plenty of other beautiful plants, including magnolia trees, azaleas, hyacinths, and more! It is fun to go during the official festival week, with its vendors, big crowds, and musical performances, but I'm never disappointed when the bushes aren't at peak bloom during the festival. We can just go during the week when they are in bloom and enjoy the plants in quiet. Either way is great, because it is hard to take away from those awesome bushes! It is free to get in, which makes it ideal for anyone on a budget. One tip if you are going with a group of friends: car pool, because parking is limited. I would also try to avoid the weekends if possible.

Mendon Ponds Park is only a few minutes from Rochester, NY. It has many entrances, but my favorite is the third one from the city. This is where the police horses are kept. The park has many well-maintained paths for enjoyable walks, but my favorite thing to do is feed the birds. The chickadees love sunflowers seeds and will eat right out of your hand if you hold it out for a few minutes. Last time, I was there in the fall, and it was absolutely beautiful! There is more even more to this park to explore, and I'm looking forward to it!