Visit Rochester.
When you deplane at Greater Rochester International Airport, you’re already within city limits—you can get your Flour City adventure started immediately. Once the largest flour producer in the country, and then the home of optics icons, modern Rochester continues to thrive as a culturally vibrant city with an eclectic culinary scene, several festivals and public celebrations throughout the year, and more for visitors to explore.
The legacy of one of Rochester’s most influential residents is easy to see throughout the city. Fans of Rochester’s iconic photography pioneer should visit the George Eastman Museum, the oldest museum in the world dedicated to the art and science of photography and one of the world’s oldest film archives. His former mansion is now the home of the museum that bears his name, which has expanded rapidly since it was chartered in 1947. If you’re not a photography or film history wonk, there’s plenty else to do in Rochester, though you’ll still see this name appended to several places, including Eastman Business Park.
Depending on the timing of your visit, you may have the chance to enjoy one of the city’s many annual festivals. The Rochester Lilac Festival at Highland Park is the city’s oldest and most popular festival and the largest lilac festival in the country. Highland Park is home to over 1,800 lilac bushes spanning over 500 varieties, making this festival a can’t miss for lovers of this beloved flora. Prefer music to botanicals? Rochester also hosts the annual Rochester International Jazz Festival in late June. Like the Lilac Festival, the Jazz Festival is one of the largest of its kind. Several free performances are held on outdoor stages throughout the downtown area, making it a perfect accompaniment to a day of exploring.
Get ready to see everything the World’s Image Center has to offer—book a flight to Greater Rochester International Airport with Southwest®. Southwest Airlines flies to Rochester often, which makes it easy to plan your next visit. Of course, having a memorable trip to the Flour City is about more than finding a cheap flight with us. Learn about the Southwest® Experience and book your upcoming flight to Greater Rochester International Airport.
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Find flightsThings to do in Rochester.
- Cobb’s Hill Park
- Durand Eastman Park
- Turning Point Park
- First Unitarian Church of Rochester
- Geva Theatre Center
- Strasenburgh Planetarium
- George Eastman Museum
- National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House
- Strong National Museum of Play