Rochester NY On A Budget: Free And Cheap Things To Do

Things to do in Rochester NY for free include hanging out at Cobbs Hill Park. It is situated in the southeast area of the city.

It features 109 acres of beauty, scenic trails, and many recreations. This place is fun, especially during the summer nights when people are outdoors and playing many games, such as softball. 

There is a beautiful collection of lilacs and many original tree plantings, making it a horticultural treasure. For the best views of the city, go to the park's highest point, which is also a walking trail.

Some of the best park amenities and attractions include:

• Playgrounds
• Sports fields for baseball, soccer, and softball
• Lake Riley
• The Cobb's Hill Reservoir
• Basketball and tennis courts

Address: 80 Culver Rd

Hours: Opens daily from 6 AM to 9 PM

Waterfalls in New York such as the High Falls are not only pretty, but they also have a great history. This urban waterfall is 96 feet and is located in the center of Downtown Rochester.

The area was a part of Rochester's early industrial development, as the industry was powered by falling water. The water here was used for many flour mills and industries. Today, it is used to produce hydroelectric power.

You can see the High Falls from the Pont De Rennes bridge, which is a pedestrian bridge. It spans the Genesee River a few hundred feet from the base of the falls.

Address: 4 Commercial St

Want to know more about science, history, nature, and space? RMSC Museum and Science Center located in Rochester is a three-floor learning center that has hands-on kids' exhibits.

It also has a planetarium that features films and star shows. Here you can follow your inquisitiveness from the deepness of the oceans to the edge of the universe. You can also push the limits of your imagination here to create new inventions.

Every time you visit this place, you will discover something new. It has more than 200 hands-on exhibits, authentic collections, spectacular live science shows, and programs for lifelong learners.

The vast assortment of experiences that focuses on culture, science, and the natural world allows you to learn something new even on the first visit.

Address: 657 East Ave

Nature things to do in NY include going to the Genesee Riverway Trail. This area is popular with rollerbladers, walkers, joggers, bicyclists, and more.

The 24-mile long, scenic, and multi-use trail stretches along the Genesee River and through Rochester. It is an off-road trail that extends from the Erie Canal and Lake Ontario.

This trail provides pedestrian access to the Genessee River, waterfalls, bridges, parks, scenic gorges, historic parks, and more. It links nine historic districts, the 1822 Lake Ontario Lighthouse, and the 1842 Erie Canal Aqueduct.

The GRT is marked with a system of wayfinding and interpretive signs in order to facilitate and guide public use. The trails here are paved and very very accessible.

Address: 2-52 Falls St

Museums in Rochester such as Memorial Art Gallery have a lot of history around it. Established in 1913, this gallery is a part of the University of Rochester.

This place is a focal point of fine arts activity in the area as it hosts the annual Clothesline Festival and the biennial Rochester-Finger Lakes Exhibition.

The permanent collection here comprises 12,000 objects. The contemporary masters in the collection are Albert Paley, Wendell Castle, and Helen Frankenthaler. Some other works include Matisse, Monet, Homer, and Cassatt.

This place is free for several people including SNAP Card Holders, MAG Members, University of Rochester Students, Faculty, staff, and people with guest passes and coupons. The half-priced admission is on Thursdays after 5 pm.

Address: 500 University Ave

Attractions in Rochester are incomplete without the George Eastman House. It is the estate of George Eastman, who was the pioneer of photography and motion picture film.

It was founded in 1947 and is the world's oldest photography museum and an independent nonprofit institution. This place is also one of the oldest film archives.

Well, the museum does hold unparalleled collections in the fields of cinema, photography, photographically illustrated books and photographic and cinematographic technology.

George Eastman House has been a longtime leader in film prevention and photographic conservation. You will definitely always find something new and different to engage, entertain, and educate yourself here.

Address: 900 East Ave

A public planetarium located in Rochester, Strasenburgh Planetarium, is one of the departments of the Rochester Museum and Science Center. It was dedicated on September 14, 1968.

This 65-foot diameter Star Theater actually originally seated 240 people. The original seats got replaced in 1985, and it is now configured as 225 seats.

It is free for toddlers under 3, and members here get a $4 discount on ticket prices. Members also get free admission for all Star Shows.

Address: 663 East Ave

A peaceful park, an outdoor museum, and a wildlife sanctuary, Mount Hope Cemetery is more than just a usual cemetery.

Visitors usually come here every year in order to visit and pay respect to the grave of notable people laid to rest here. You can attend several events, take photos, bird watching, and even just stroll through the natural landscape and relax.

You can also participate in guided tours that are conducted by the Friends of Mount Hope Cemetery.

As it is an active burial place and has been continuing to perform burials almost every single day, visitors do have to follow some guidelines.

It is a natural terrain, so the paths here might be unpaved.

Address: 1133 Mt Hope Ave

Erie Canalway Trail, located between Albany and Buffalo parallels both active and historic sections of the Erie Canal. It is 87 percent off road and is suitable for all ages and abilities.

Visitors are going to love the great cycling and the easy access to attractions, amenities, and communities through the Canalway Corridor here.

The east-west spine of the 750-mile Empire State Trail invites hikers and bicyclists to explore this area of New York. This trail is easy to follow and also connects off and on road segments.

The interactive map here is a powerful tool for tracking the progress, planning a trip, or even helping you navigate to trail destinations.

Clicking on the Map Display button helps launch a key that identifies the different map features such as:

• Attractions
• Trail surfaces
• Visitor information
• Connections to other trails and alternate routes
• Bike shops
• Parking
• Historic Canal Infrastructure
• Canal locks

Address: 2704 County Rd 100

Located partially in Rochester and partially in Irondequoit, Durand Eastman Park, is a 977 acre park.

It has municipal golf course, which has been redesigned an it now has 18 holes and a club house. Besides, there are several hiking trails here. This lakeside park also features an arboretum.

This park has variety of trees and wildflowers. It contains 395 varieties of native as well as foreign plants, trees, and shrubs. Some coomon animals here include deer, raccoon, eastern gray squirrels, chipmunks, turkey, and groundhogs.

Swimming was first permitted at the park's Lake Ontario beach in 2006 and later opened for the second season in 2007. The beach is now staffed by security personnel, groundspeople, and lifeguards.

Address: 1200 Kings Hwy N

Nature things to do in NY is visiting the Sunken Garden. Situated on the grounds right behind Warner Castle, this property was added to the grounds of Warner Castle in the 1930s.

This garden adds a beautiful value to the castle as it was originally made as a way to refurbish the grounds. It is peaceful and pretty, and what more could you ask for?

A tranquil place in the heart of Rochester; the best time to see this place is during the spring and the summer as the garden is in full bloom.

When the garden isn't in its full bloom and glory there are still plenty of things to see and do here. Make sure to not miss the stone steps and iron gates.

Some of the best parts of the place are:

• Lily Pool
• Site Topography
• Trellis Work
• Intricate Paving Desings
• Fountain Designs

Address: 5 Castle Park

A trip to Rochester without visiting the National Museum of Play at the Strong is quite incomplete. It is a perfect spot for families, children, students, collectors, scholars, and teachers.

This spot is a highly interactive and collections-based museum that is dedicated to the history and exploration of play. This is one of the largest history museums in the country.

It is home to the world's largest and most comprehensive collection of historical materials that are related to play.

The museum also houses the International Center for the History of Electronic Games, the Woodbury School, the World Video Game Hall of Fame, the National Toy Hall of Fame, the American Journal of Play, and the Brian Sutton-Smith Library and Archives of Play.

Although it isn't completely free, they have several different ticket options and discounts. If you buy the tickets online, you will save $2 and also skip the admission line.

Address: 1 Manhattan Square Dr