goddesstogo

We're thinking of doing a baseball weekend in Rochester in August (Friday to Sunday). I really know nothing at all about that city but I hear good things about it. I don't quite know where to start planning, though, so here are my few start-off questions:

What's a good area of the city to stay in? We're happy to take cabs or public transportation if necessary but for the most part we like to walk.

Any recs for hotels? I've looked at the Radisson Riverfront and the price there is good but is that a good area for touristing? I've also looked at the Hyatt but it gets mediocre reviews. Any suggestions?

Restaurants? We don't need anything fancy but my SO can't do Indian or Chinese food. At least one decent place near the ballpark would be great.

The ballpark -- if we stay in the centre of the city, is it within walking distance?

Any other suggestions of things to do while we're there would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much
gtg

tomfuller

For staying in the city try the Plaza. http://www.rochesterplaza.com/roches...tractions.aspx
Ask the concierge about the local restaurants.
The National Museum of Play is nice and you may want to see the George Eastman House.

bankbabe

gtg - I lived there a hundred years ago from 2nd through 6th grade. Just make sure you go in the summer, which it sounds like you are doing. I remember going to Red Wing games, but can't tell you the current location of the stadium. Winters are brutal and the reason why I made the decision way back when to live in the South when I grew up.

Good luck on your research and have fun. You will meet lots of nice people!

goddesstogo

Thanks to both of you. Yes, definitely going in the summer!

I'll take a look at the Plaza but tom, what's your opinion of the location of the Radisson Riverfront?

And also, is there an area of the city that's historic and/or charming for walking around?

tomfuller

I remember a good paved trail along the riverfront (Gennesee River) with a view of the waterfall from a bridge.
The old Erie Canal runs through town.
The Eastman House and several other old mansions are along East Avenue.
I never stayed in the city since I have a cousin that lives near Macedon.
I did wait around in the city while waiting for the westbound Lake Shore Limited (about 10PM).
If you want to see a winery head to Canandaigua.
Naples is famous for grape pies.

r0xyyyy

If you want a great historic location and charming neighborhood to walk, take a look at East and Park Avenues. Gorgeous old Victorian homes. The George Eastman house is right there on 900 East Avenue... The world's oldest museum dedicated to photography. It's pretty neat!

I second the Rochester Plaza suggestion, as that would be walking distance to Frontier Field where the Redwings play (assuming that you're going to see a Redwings game) and is a nice place. I'd also like to suggest the Strathallan Hotel on East Avenue which will put you right in the charming neighborhood I mentioned before, with a ton of cute shops and restaurants.

As for restaurant suggestions, without going too over-the-top price-wise, my top suggestions would be The Owl House which is top rated but reasonably priced, Lento Restaurant for great seafood (chef and owner Art Rogers was just a semifinalist for a James Beard award) and Jines for great greek. If you want to get REAL Western New York... Grab yourself a garbage plate somewhere, either at Nick Tahou's or one of the other many locations that make them. Be sure to try a Zweigles white hot dog while you're there - another Rochester staple!

Hope this helps!

sylvia3

The Third Ward (off downtown)has spectacular historic properties (love the Greek Revival) and mansions that have been restored. (Now it's Corn Hill district)

To enjoy the Erie Canal: http://www.eriecanalway.org/document...e_2012_web.pdf

The Genesee River (waterfalls, trail, etc.)goes through downtown: http://www.cityofrochester.gov/grt/

The downtown area has some very old churches (like St. Luke's), and other buildings that are architecturally wonderful.


I've heard that the "new" baseball park is a terrific venue.

sylvia3

p.s. I think it's "Rochesterian" (say Roch-es-TEAR-ian, and make it a bit nasal), or at least it was 40 years ago

goddesstogo

Oh this is exactly the kind of info I was looking for -- thank you all so much!

I'll take a look at both hotels and I'm sure I'll end up at one or the other. Yes, it's a Redwings game we're going to.

Any time I need travel info (or how to unclog a drain even), my philosophy is "go to the Fodorites"!

KathyK

Have you considered Buffalo for a baseball trip? If you've never been there or haven't been there in the past 3-4 years you will find lots of old and new things happening and a good choice of downtown hotels.

Gardyloo

If time allows, consider popping down the road to LeRoy NY, home of the Museum of Jell-O. Seriously.

Danielle811

A few things that come to mind:

Mt Hope Cemetery- Sounds strange, but one of my favorite spots in Rochester. You could spend hours exploring. Susan B Anthony and Frederick Douglass are buried here.

Rochester Public Market-Saturday morning. Go for breakfast/brunch and people watching. It was voted best farmers market in the nation a few years ago.

Wegmans-Yes, a grocery store. We Rochesterians are awfully proud of being the hometown of Wegmans, and a visit to the Pittsford mothership is worth a trip.

Erie Canal-If you're in Pittsford for Wegmans, you can drive into the village for a walk along the Erie Canal. Walk east towards Fairport. Along the canal in Pittsford are several businesses and restaurants. Label 7 (Napa) and Aladdin's (Greek) are both good.

Sea Breeze-An old amusement park overlooking Lake Ontario.

Strong National Museum of Play-My kids absolutely LOVE this place, so if you are bringing little ones (or if you're a kid at heart), this is a must. Unfortunately, the Toy Hall of Fame is under construction until September or so, but there is a Boardwalk Arcade exhibit with old arcade games set up for the summer.

Hope this helps!

goddesstogo

Thanks -- that's all a great help. We're big fans of markets so that's probably a fer-shur.

KathyK, we do Buffalo for baseball every summer and have been doing it for years! We always have dinner before the game at the Pearl Street Grill and buy peanuts from the peanut guy at the stadium. We often stay over at the Hyatt and last year we went down to a craft fair at the canal. I spent my summers in Crystal Beach so I'm a big Buffalo fan and happy to see it coming back to life.

KathyK

goddess I spent my summers right down the road in Thunder Bay! When you come back to Buffalo you will notice even more changes including a new Hilton and Marriott downtown as well as the addition of 716 Sports Bar and Restaurant across from the First Niagara Center. It seems every few weeks a new restaurant is opening. Have fun in Rochester.

goddesstogo

Thunder Bay? Surely you don't mean Thunder Bay, Ontario. That's WAY up north!

KathyK

No not that Thunder Bay. There is a small beach community about a mile and a half from Crystal Beach called Thunder Bay. It's closer to the Peace Bridge between Crystal Beach and Crescent Beach.

goddesstogo

Geez, I've never even heard of it!

I've been thinking about going back to Crystal Beach to take a look around but I know it's all different now. Still I'd love to see that beautiful beach again.

KathyK

Back then Thunder Bay was a community of summer homes with a public beach, community center with baseball diamonds and a hot dog stand at the corner of Thunder Bay Road and the Dominion. There was nothing else there. You do know the amusement park is no longer in Crystal Beach?

goddesstogo

Oh, I know. I hear it's all condos now. My sister and I and our cousins used to go during the week when it wasn't busy and beg rides from the operators. Those were wonderful summer days for me -- no school and those were the times when your parents just let you go out in the morning and assumed you'd come home for meals. None of this dreadful parental supervision or play dates for us!

sylvia3

Something wonderful

http://rocwiki.org/Dentzel_Carousel