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The conservatory holds a number of more exotic plants that wouldn't survive outside in Rochester, including desert and tropical species. Open year-round and a wonderful refuge from the stark winter landscapes.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Most famous for its hundreds of lilacs, Highland Park is the site of the annual Lilac Festival. Even when the lilacs aren't blooming, though, there are countless other examples of Rochester's horticultural tradition. There is a Sunken Garden behind the Warner Castle, and the Highland Park Bowl, a natural amphitheater, hosts concerts and films during the summer. Adjacent Beikirch Park hosts the county's Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the AIDS Remembrance Garden.
Frederick Douglass, Susan B. Anthony and other historic figures are buried in this beautiful Victorian cemetery. Also a great place for running or walking. Guided tours are available periodically throughout the year; the Halloween tour is particularly popular.
Rochester's oldest neighborhood movie theater. It's just a single screen, but you can order food and drink to be delivered to your seat. Shows a select first-run film each week; free showings of older favorites on Mondays.
Equal parts burger joint, casual bar, and retro arcade, The Playhouse // Swillburger offers a little something for everyone. The food is counter-service, but everything on the menu (burgers, fries/tots, and shakes) is highly regarded. Arcade machines ($0.50–$1 each) are vintage and thus prone to breaking down, but they do their best to keep them in repair. 21+ after 10PM.
The University of Rochester's own student-run movie group. Movies are shown on Fridays and Saturdays, as well as most Thursdays while Fall and Spring semesters are in session. Movies of every conceivable genre are shown throughout the year, including pornography.
Riverie is a 35-passenger cruise boat that offers river cruises throughout the summer (and sometimes late spring and early fall). Cruises include guide narration focusing on the history and importance of the river and the Erie Canal. Some cruises include music and/or a boxed lunch; alcohol, soft drinks, and snacks can be purchased on board. Also check out Rochester By Water's other vessel: the Sam Patch packet boat, which offers canal cruises out of Pittsford.