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Rochester, NY looks forward to hosting
Phi Chi Theta
August 2012
Who Knew?!" exclaimed a USA Today article on Rochester that went on to call us a "serendipitous and
surprising getaway". We think once you VisitRochester, you'll be delighted at your discoveries as well. Its
people and places live up to our top rankings for friendliness, family fun and memorable getaways. Famous
sites blend with charming neighborhoods and historic canal towns to create a mosaic of attractions to visit.
You'll soon discover why we think Rochester is made for Living...for a weekend or a lifetime.
The Greater Rochester Area has a lot to offer: spellbinding historic sites,
captivating, hands-on museums for children and families; fascinating
attractions; and rollicking entertainment nearly every night of the year.
Located on Lake Ontario’s southern shore between Buffalo and Syracuse,
and just across from Toronto, Rochester became America’s first boomtown
in the mid-1800s with the building of the Erie Canal. Today, tour boats and
historic sites still tell the story of “Clinton’s ditch” and Rochester-area canal towns celebrate the waterway’s
history with summer festivals. Susan B. Anthony, Frederick Douglass and George Eastman all called
Rochester home. The National Historic Landmark homes of Susan B. Anthony and George Eastman are open
to visitors. Be sure to make time for tours while you are here.
Strong-National Museum of Play
Strong is the only museum in the world devoted to PLAY! You’ll find an exciting,
hands-on, welcoming place to play, learn and dream; a place to pretend, wonder
and explore; a place to discover the past and imagine the future; and a place to
rekindle memories and make new ones. Some people call it a children’s’
museum; others call it a history museum – we like to call it both! Be sure to check
out the Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden and the National Toy Hall of Fame
exhibit! This is great for kids of ALL ages!
Rochester Museum and Science Center
Flex your engineering skills and creative muscle, examining the science
behind everyday devices - make a cloud, build trucks, dive to the floor of
Lake Ontario, explore dramatic stories of the Underground Railroad and
the Seneca Nation of Indians, and celebrate Rochester’s history all in one
place! Check out rmsc.org for up to date special events and ticket information, and
show information at the Strasenburgh Planetarium.
Seneca Park Zoo
The delightful Seneca Park Zoo, open year-round, is home to the only African
elephants and Bornean orangutans in New York State. The zoo sits along the
Genesee River in a Frederick Law Olsted-designed park. Also popular is the
Rocky Coasts exhibit featuring a polar bear, penguins, and sea lions along with
indoor underwater viewing tanks.
Memorial Art Gallery
Explore 5,000 years of world art, learn about current and upcoming lectures, events and
temporary exhibitions, and experience “Seeing America,” a look into the MAG’s
collection. Take in an exhibit on a Sunday, and experience a concert on the Baroque
Organ at 1pm and 3pm. Artwork courtesy of mag.rochester.edu: Martin Johnson
Heade: Newbury Hayfield at Sunset, 1862
George Eastman House – International Museum of Photography & Film
It is a place of memories as the exhibit “Machines of Memory” takes a spot at the
Museum, featuring a variety of photographic highlights and the revolution of
photography. Or visit the House itself, a grand mansion and exquisite gardens have
been restored to Mr. Eastman’s grandeur. Take in a movie at the historic Dryden
Theatre – be sure to check geh.org for up-to-the-minute details on all the goings-on
at one of Rochester’s premier attractions!
ARTISANworks
A massive warehouse building sprawling nearly one city block,
ARTISANworks was once an artillery factory. Now, it is a dreamland of art
and imagery where guests can wander at their leisure through a maze of
tribute rooms and galleries. The Collection at ARTISANworks is vast and
versatile. With over 60,000 square feet of space, every nook and cranny is
teeming with color and shape. A projected 80% of the collection is comprised
of local art, and almost all of the collection is available for purchase, and proceeds are pivotal to the funding of
the Outreach and Stipends programs.
Other places to visit while here……
Take a relaxing scenic cruise on the historic Erie Canal or spend the day at Lake Ontario’s Charlotte Beach or
Seabreeze Amusement Park. Take in the majestic sight of Niagara Falls, ride the Maid of the Mist, gamble at a
casino and have dinner at a restaurant where you can see the falls in colorful lights at night – great for a day
trip before or after the conference.
You can step back in history at the Genesee Country Village and Museum and the Ganondaga State Historical
site. The Corning Museum of Glass is only a couple of hours away from Rochester too.
We have great night time activities too! Here are a few venues you might want to
book tickets for… Geva Theater, www.gevatheatre.org, Rochester Broadway Theatre
League,www.BTL.org and The Little Theater - Our very own 5 screen Independent Art Film
House, www.TheLittle.org
Other Reasons to VisitRochester AGAIN…and AGAIN….
The June’s Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival presented by M&T Bank was
founded in 2002 and the 2010 Festival drew more than 150,000 music lovers to hear some of the finest artists
in the world perform. Rochester is booming with more than 600 musicians gathering to perform at great
venues across the city, in more than 200 performances! ImagineRIT Innovation and Creativity Festival –
Showcasing a fusion of art and technology, plus family fun! 360/365 Film Festival – Interactively engaging
filmmakers and audiences in a program of the best in independent film making. So after the conference, make
plans to come back to Rochester!
For direct links for daily updates of events that will be happening during this summer go to
www.VisitRochester.com/events
There will be so much to do you may want to come early or stay late and turn this into a great vacation.
To plan where you might like to grab a bite to eat during your free time check out the “Let’s Eat!, Ungrr Your
Hunger” Guide at www.visitrochester.com/restaurants - there is sure to be several eateries that will tantalize your
taste buds!