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Looking for excitment in Rochester, NY

My fiancee just came home and informed me he is going on a business trip to Rochester, NY and was nice enough to ask me to come along with him. Huge question - where does a 27 year old go in Rochester. Are there any hot night spots, good resturants (company picks this up), shopping. We will be staying at the Hyatt on Main St. How is the shopping there? Should we rent a car? Thank you in advance.

Megan, there's not a lot to do, but one place I'd recommend eating is Dinosaur's. This is a very basic, casual restaurant, but the food is worth the trip. I've only been to the one in Syracuse, but I've been told the Rochester location is just as good. The Syracuse one had a 45 min. wait when we got there for lunch at noon on a sat.! There is a beautiful state park, Letchworth Park, with impressive views and several waterfalls that is worth driving through. There are some great spots to explore if you enjoy the outdoors.

Check out shopping along Monroe and Park Avenue districts. Maybe you are not the museum type, but the George Eaastman House and Associated INternatinal Museum of Photography is world-class. There also is a funky planetarium in Rochester that produces very entertaining shows. City has a revolving restaurant along the Genesee River. Have never eaten there but the setting must be spectacular.

Dinosaur is a good place for ribs. If you're looking for something with more of a city feel, try Sienna or 2 Vine. Both have very good food and atmosphere. Karma is a pretty cool place for an after dinner drink or two. The East Ave. area is the current hot spot and you'll find several restaurants and bars in the area. You'll probably want to drive but it is less than a mile from where you're staying. Unfortunately, there isn't much happening downtown in terms of shopping (or anything else). Like many smaller cities, most of the shopping has moved to the surburan malls.

Im going back a few years here... For interesting late night atmosphere in Rochester, Nick Tahoe's was the place to go. Sure, the downtown location had its share of murders, but their "garbage plates" were known far and wide as great greasy food for a good price. And its quite a place to people watch... In all seriousness, its tough to actually recommend this place to anybody, but if I meet someone from Rochester this place inevitably will come up. If you want to get in touch with the fabric of the culture of Rochester, then maybe you should stop by on a Friday at 1:30 AM...or maybe you shouldnt...

THIS ONE IS FOR CAROL---WHERE ARE YOU?

You will Aside from industry, the major resource in Rochester is the University and sometimes they book really interesting stuff. So does--believe it or not -- the Nazareth College Arts Center (http://www.naz.edu/dept/artscenter/) which books the most interesting visiting artists of the calibre of Alvin Ailey, Capital Steps, etc. Worth checking it out for the time you are there. I absolutely love visiting the George Eastman House whenever I'm there. They have some photographs from before the dinousaurs (!) that will amaze you, and the house itself is a wonder. In some ways the best "shopping" in the area (there is always the usual array of malls ring the city) is for antiques -- a gold mine for that, since the area got wealthy at the end of the 19th and early 20th century. Towns outside of the area (Victor, etc.) have a reputation among antiquers. Re:more conventional interests, there are some fine ethnic restaurants (the best Indian restaurant I've ever been to, but sorry, can't remember name or street).

Most of my favorite Rochester activities have already been mentioned (Eastman House and Letchworth at top of list). There is an area on Monroe Ave., if I recall correctly, that has a number of smaller cafes and some ethinc restaurants in addition to some interesting/funky shops. I've had Vietnamese there and am sure they have Thai and Indian as well. I would definitely rent a car - getting top areas like Monroe Ave and Letchworth will require it and if you're looking for fine dining there's probably more to choose from in the suburbs than in downtown. Can't recommend nightspots as that's not my thing but if you go to the Dinosaur (which I do recommend), ask to have the ribs cut into individual pieces and thrown back on the grill for a few minutes before serving. They may grumble - it won't hurt to give the server a dollar or two for the cooks to do this. I find theire ribs to be a bit on the fatty side when served by the slab but they are good and the sauce is phenomenal (as are the side dishes). There's also a restaurant I like just our of downtown near "the Loop" - on or just off Main Street. It's called Mama-San's and has a mix of Thai/Vietnamese/Indonesian type food. They have a Sweet & Hot vegetable saute that is incredible.

Hi I'm here-no need to yell - Ha Ha - I have lived here in Rochester for many years, my whole life (won;t tell how many). All of the above places are great. The Strasenburgh Planetarium is another must see. If you are staying at the Hyatt thann you are a stone throw to the High Falls Area. The city is working very hard to make this area the prime place to be. An old button factory directly across the street from Kodak Office was bought by some business men and was converted into a great office building with a good restaurant called Empire Brewery and an awesome coffee shop called Zodiac. There is also a night club called Krome. Across the street is a dance club called the Centers and a restaurant call Triphammers. My favorite resturants are Upscale- Ariea's 2Vine - the best Edwards Rio Bomba Max's-right across the stree from the Eastman Theater - Beautiful setting Water Street Grill Italian- Pero's in East Rochester Mr. Dominic - Lake Front Middle Eastern - Monroe Ave area Alladans Indian - Raj Mahal Park Avenue Area is a must see to. Great for people watching There is a huge renovation project going on near Lake Ontario. The city and county have bought two boats that will bring you to Toranto and Back. This Fast Ferry project should be completed early next year (won't help you now) By the way Nick Tahoe's is no longer there, it was closed down for the reason the poster mentioned. There is one in the suburbs, but I wouldn't make the trip for a garbage plate (not the same). For shopping Eastview Mall is probably the best place to shop as far as malls go. Just take route 490 east to the Busnell Basin exit and follow the signs. If you want some real nice upscale shopping than the Monroe Ave area is your best bet. Beautiufl boutiques-you must go away from the city into a burb called Brighton. You do need a car. You will find that your visit to Rochester can be a pleasent one. Contrary to reports about it being boring, I find that there is always something to do and see. Oh, don't forget to visit Casa Larga Winery on the way to Eastview Mall. The have wine tasting tours all year long with award winning wines. Have fun and give us a report when you get back.

Megan, one more thing I just remembered, while in the High Falls area you must see the Lazer Light Show. They have them every hour 7 days a weeks. It is beautiful. By the way today it hit 70 degrees.

Thank you everyone for helping me out. I was always under the impression that Rochester was a blue collar town. Sounds like it has plenty of culture and cool places to go. Carol --- You must love your city, your report was awesome. Thanks I will give a report when I get back. Hope it stays warm.

Weather update - yesterday 75degrees and sunny, today 20 with 60 mile an hour winds. Bring warm clothes.