We’re excited and grateful to have you as a member of our community. Explore the activities and events available to you on campus and in the greater Rochester area.
University activities
There are so many ways to get involved! The University’s Campus Life website and Events Calendar along with the ISO Events page are great starting points to getting involved. Admission to many events and activities is free with a University ID. Review a snapshot of some more specific opportunities below.
Housing communities
If you are living in University housing, you’ll likely build connections with many of your neighbors in that area. Each community has representatives who work to create a supportive environment and coordinate activities, many of which include children.
For graduate students, there are established communities at:
- Whipple Park
- Goler House
- University Park
Clubs and organizations
Many University departments and student groups also plan organized events. Ask around, and visit the Student Groups page or theCampus Community Connection website.
Religious groups
The University’sInterfaith Chapel, located on the River Campus, offers various religious services and welcomes individuals of different faiths.
Arts and culture
- Memorial Art Gallery: Owned by the University, students get free entry to this renowned art museum. Located at 500 University Avenue, Rochester NY 14607.
- Hartnett Gallery: Free and diverse community art exhibition gallery. Located on River Campus at Wilson Commons, 2nd Floor.
- Eastman School of Music: There are frequent performances that are open to the public, or available for students to attend. Located at 26 Gibbs Street, Rochester NY 14604.
- International Theatre Program: Enjoy a play or stage performance! Located on River Campus at Todd Union.
- University Libraries: There’s tons of lectures, readings, and community activities overseen by our libraries.
Greater Rochester community and activities
The Visit Rochester website is a helpful resource for events, restaurants, cultural activities and entertainment in the greater Rochester area. Your University ID may allow for discounted entry to many of these opportunities—and you can consider paying a membership fee at your favorite places to get more discounts or access to special activities. Explore more specific activities and opportunities in the dropdowns below.
Parks and recreation
- Monroe County Parks: Various locations throughout Rochester and surrounding areas
includingHighland Park,Genesee Valley Park,Ontario Beach, andEllison Park. - New York State Parks: Public parks in New York, with rental facilities available. One popular park is Letchworth State Park, the “Grand Canyon of the East”, located in Castille NY, 14427.
- Brighton Town Parks: Community parks within the Brighton neighborhood
- YMCA of Greater Rochester: Programs for fitness, family, & more at various centers
- Finger Lakes Region: Popular tourist destination within an hour drive
- Seneca Park Zoo: 2222 St. Paul Street, Rochester NY 14621
- Hansen Nature Center and Tinker Park: 1525 Calkins Road, Henrietta NY 14467
- Cumming Nature Center: 6472 Gulick Road, Naples NY 14512
- Seabreeze Amusem*nt Park: 4600 Culver Road, Rochester NY 14622
- Darien Lake Theme Park Resort: 9993 Allegheny Road, Darien Center NY 14040
- Roseland Water Park: 250 Eastern Boulevard, Canandaigua NY 14424
- Genesee Valley Park Sports Complex: 131 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester NY 14611
- Bristol Mountain Ski Resort: 5662State Route 64, CanandaiguaNY 14424
- Swain Ski & Snowboard Center: 2275 County Road 24, Swain NY 14884
- Festivals: There are festivals and special events practically every week in the summer months, celebrating local neighborhoods, ethnic diversity, and good food.
Theater, music and live performance
- Geva Theatre: 75 Woodbury Boulevard, Rochester NY 14607
- Downstairs Cabaret Theatre: 20 Windsor Street, Rochester NY 14605
- Rochester Broadway Theatre League: 885 E. Main Street, Rochester NY 14605
- Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra: 108 East Avenue, Rochester NY 14604
- Rochester City Ballet: 1326 University Avenue, Rochester NY 14607
- Theatre Young Kids Enjoy (TYKEs): 1200 Edgewood Avenue, Rochester NY 14618
Films and cinema
- Little Theatre: 240 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14604
- ROC Cinema: 957 S. Clinton Avenue, Rochester NY 14620
- Dryden Theatre: 900 East Avenue, Rochester NY 14607 (George Eastman House)
- Movies 10: 2609 W. Henrietta Road, Rochester NY 14623
- Cinemark Tinseltown & IMAX: 2291 Buffalo Road, Rochester NY 14624
Museums and historical sites
- Artisan Works: 565 Blossom Road, Suite L, Rochester NY 14610
- The Jembetat Gallery: 645 Park Avenue, Rochester NY 14607
- Rochester Museum and Science Center: 657 East Avenue, Rochester NY 14607
- Strong National Museum of Play: 1 Manhattan Square Drive, Rochester NY 14607
- Susan B. Anthony House: 17 Madison Street, Rochester NY 14608
- George Eastman House: 900 East Avenue, Rochester NY 14607
- Baobab Cultural Center: 728 University Avenue, Rochester NY 14607
- Mount Hope Cemetery: 1133 Mount Hope Avenue, Rochester NY 14620
- High Falls Visitor’s Center: 60 Browns Race Blvd, Rochester NY 14614
- Genesee Country Village & Museum: 1410 Flint Hill Road, Mumford NY 14511
- New York Museum of Transportation: 6393 E. River Road, Rush NY 14586
- Granger Homestead & Carriage Museum: 295 N. Main St., Canandaigua NY 14424
- Ontario County Historical Society & Museum: 55 N. Main St., Canandaigua NY
- Corning Museum of Glass: 1 Museum Way, Corning NY 14830
- Rockwell Museum of Western Art: 111 Cedar Street, Corning NY 14830
- National Women’s Hall Of Fame:76 Fall Street, Seneca Falls NY 13148
Professional sports teams
- Rochester Red Wings: Minor league baseball at Frontier Field, Rochester NY
- Rochester Amerks: AHL ice hockey at Blue Cross Arena, Rochester NY
- Rochester Knighthawks: NLL lacrosse at Blue Cross Arena, Rochester NY
- Buffalo Bills: NFL football at Ralph Wilson Stadium, Buffalo NY
- Buffalo Sabres: NHL ice hockey at HSBC Arena, Buffalo NY
Libraries and literature
- Monroe Country Public Libraries: (various locations; free with member card)
- Writers & Books: 740 University Avenue, Rochester NY 14607
Volunteering
Connect withRochester Global Connections (RGC), a community-based volunteer organization that offers services to and programs for international visitors in the Rochester area.
Nearby cities and countries
We’re just a short drive from a variety of amazing locations in Western NY—Buffalo, Syracuse, Ithaca, the Finger Lakes. Not to mention, Canada is our next-door neighbor!
