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So my partner and I will be visiting Rochester from Pittsburgh on Columbus Day Weekend in October 2019. I've always been curious about Rochester since I love visiting Buffalo. My partner's brother lives in Watertown. His girlfriend lives in Rochester. Since the three of them will all be off work (and since I'm taking Columbus Day off) we decided it would be nice to all meet in Rochester for a visit.
I'm guessing some of you have been to Pittsburgh before, correct? What would be the best way to travel? Google Maps wants me to take I-79 North to Erie and then I-90 East to the Rochester area. I understand that there's tolls, but the tolls seem cheap (~$5 each way).
There's also some more rugged/mountainous (scenic?) drives---one of which has me taking I-86 East from Erie and then heading north from there. Others take me through rural Northern PA. Should we stick to the I-79/I-90 route? Are the other routes worth taking an extra hour or so to see anything interesting? I see we could be passing Letchworth State Park, but I don't think we'd have time to spend a few hours hiking on the way up.
In addition, what are some "must-see" places in Rochester? I haven't yet decided if we're going to book a hotel or an AirBNB, but I'm under the impression that the best places to stay are Downtown or immediately east of Downtown for about a mile or so, is that correct?
Is the Strong Museum just for kids? Any good coffee shops (my partner loves caffeine!) Restaurants? I'm just touching base now as a preliminary measure but will be back soon I'm sure with concrete questions about specific businesses. Thanks!
Just for starters as you'll probably be downtown anyway is to visit the Genesee Brewhouse or High Falls, or both. They're connected by a pedestrian park/bridge. There is a 99' waterfall right in the middle of downtown. I recommend the Brewhouse/ museum/ restaurant for beer from one of America's oldest breweries, also brewing cutting edge pilot batches . And for the view.
The Strong Museum of Play is for Everyone. Also included is the Video Game Hall of Fame.
So my partner and I will be visiting Rochester from Pittsburgh on Columbus Day Weekend in October 2019. I've always been curious about Rochester since I love visiting Buffalo. My partner's brother lives in Watertown. His girlfriend lives in Rochester. Since the three of them will all be off work (and since I'm taking Columbus Day off) we decided it would be nice to all meet in Rochester for a visit.
I'm guessing some of you have been to Pittsburgh before, correct? What would be the best way to travel? Google Maps wants me to take I-79 North to Erie and then I-90 East to the Rochester area. I understand that there's tolls, but the tolls seem cheap (~$5 each way).
There's also some more rugged/mountainous (scenic?) drives---one of which has me taking I-86 East from Erie and then heading north from there. Others take me through rural Northern PA. Should we stick to the I-79/I-90 route? Are the other routes worth taking an extra hour or so to see anything interesting? I see we could be passing Letchworth State Park, but I don't think we'd have time to spend a few hours hiking on the way up.
In addition, what are some "must-see" places in Rochester? I haven't yet decided if we're going to book a hotel or an AirBNB, but I'm under the impression that the best places to stay are Downtown or immediately east of Downtown for about a mile or so, is that correct?
Is the Strong Museum just for kids? Any good coffee shops (my partner loves caffeine!) Restaurants? I'm just touching base now as a preliminary measure but will be back soon I'm sure with concrete questions about specific businesses. Thanks!
If not on the way to Rochester, it may be a place to go to on the way back home. you can take 378 to Route 22 east and catch I-99 in Altoona to Route north to Corning. Then take I-390 to Rochester or reverse course, if you want to take this back home instead.
The Corning Museum of Glass is pretty nice and there's also the Rockwell Museum off of Market Street.
Alright...As for Rochester, this neighborhood comes to mind as an area to check out: https://park-avenue.org/
As for restaurants there are a lot of good places just east of downtown in the East Ave, Park Ave, Alexander St areas. The Genesee Brewhouse near High Falls is one of my favorite spots to eat/drink and has a great view of the falls. The Strong Museum is great for kids but as an adult I really enjoy it, absolutely worth a visit.
If I were driving from Pittsburgh I would take I-86 East from Erie and then north to Rochester. Such a beautiful drive especially through the Letchworth area. You may not have time but I would ***HIGHLY*** recommend making some time to stop at Letchworth. Its only $10 to get in and you can drive from lookout to lookout so theirs not a lot of wanted time hiking around. Plus you can enter through the southern entrance and exit out of the north towards Rochester.
If not on the way to Rochester, it may be a place to go to on the way back home. you can take 378 to Route 22 east and catch I-99 in Altoona to Route north to Corning. Then take I-390 to Rochester or reverse course, if you want to take this back home instead.
The Corning Museum of Glass is pretty nice and there's also the Rockwell Museum off of Market Street.
Alright...As for Rochester, this neighborhood comes to mind as an area to check out: https://park-avenue.org/
Now, I'll honestly let others offer suggestions...
The OP clearly said they were meeting in ROCHESTER, and didn't have time to stop at Lechworth, so I'm sure they don't have time for Corning. Corning might be a good day trip another time.
The OP clearly said they were meeting in ROCHESTER, and didn't have time to stop at Lechworth, so I'm sure they don't have time for Corning. Corning might be a good day trip another time.
I’m not implying to stay long and did mention that it could be a place to go on the way back home.
Pittsburg has Primanti's, Rochester has Nick Tahou's. Stop and have a "Garbage Plate". You can get one with Rochester's Zweigles white hotdogs. I'm told Wegmans is a tourist destination, and there isn't one in Pittsburg, so stop at the PittsFORD Wegmans
The George Eastman house is certainly a "must-see!" Definitely time your visit so you can take the free tour that is included with your admission! Website is eastman.org & tour hours are there as well! Address is 900 East Ave.
As for restaurants there are a lot of good places just east of downtown in the East Ave, Park Ave, Alexander St areas. The Genesee Brewhouse near High Falls is one of my favorite spots to eat/drink and has a great view of the falls. The Strong Museum is great for kids but as an adult I really enjoy it, absolutely worth a visit.
If I were driving from Pittsburgh I would take I-86 East from Erie and then north to Rochester. Such a beautiful drive especially through the Letchworth area. You may not have time but I would ***HIGHLY*** recommend making some time to stop at Letchworth. Its only $10 to get in and you can drive from lookout to lookout so theirs not a lot of wanted time hiking around. Plus you can enter through the southern entrance and exit out of the north towards Rochester.
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