Skip to Main Content

Considered the Cultural Capital of Upstate New York, Rochester is a city bustling with cultural abundance; from public art on city streets to music, dance, and theatre. Discover the origins of modern-day photography or venture through 5,000 years of art, while exploring the third-largest metropolitan in New York State. 

Points of Interest

George Eastman made photography available to the masses and was a pioneer of modern-day motion picture film and today his national historic landmark mansion and gardens are home to the George Eastman Museum, the world's oldest photography museums and one of the oldest film archives. Explore the various galleries and exhibitions that change approximately every four months or take part in a docent-led tour to learn about the fascinating life of George Eastman and his impact on Rochester and modern-day life.

The Memorial Art Gallery, founded in 1913, features more than 12,000 works of art spanning 5,000 years. The renowned permanent collection is known for its depth and breadth and is considered one of the greatest collections in the United States outside of New York City. Monet, Rembrandt, and O'Keefe await, as well as work by contemporaries such as Kehinde Wiley and Mickalene Thomas.

What better way to immerse yourself in a community than through exploring various forms of street art. You'll find stunning large-scale murals commemorating hometown heroes such as famed Abolitionist Frederick Douglass and Suffragist Susan B. Anthony, or a celebration of Civil Rights Icon John Lewis. At the same time, you'll find yourself ready for many Instagram-ready photo ops.