Maybe you never thought of Rochester as a weekend getaway? Well you're missing out and its time to rethink! Rich history, abundant natural beauty and world-class attractions wrapped in a walkable, friendly city of casual sophistication make Rochester, N.Y., one of the northeast's hidden vacation gems! Between the Strong Museum, The Jazz Festival and tons of delectable restaurants, Rochester is quickly becoming all the buzz!

Visitors will enjoy the meandering beauty of the historic Erie Canal, the power of the nation's highest urban waterfall, and an array of cultural offerings ranging from one of the nation's most prestigious schools of music to America's second-largest children's museum. New arrivals will also be surprised to discover Rochester's history as America's first "boomtown" and its designation as the birthplace of the Kodak camera and modern photography.

The nation's 79th-largest city traces its roots to 1803 and the purchase of 100 acres by Colonel Nathaniel Rochester and two partners. The city blossomed after the 1825 opening of the Erie Canal, and by 1840 was the country's 19th-largest city, with 20,000 residents and a designation as "America's first boomtown."

Rochester's modern history, however, began in 1884, when high school dropout George Eastman ushered in the era of modern photography by introducing the first rollable camera film—and four years later, the first personal Kodak camera, thus launching the brand known worldwide as Eastman Kodak.

Today, Rochester houses George Eastman's fascinating 50-room estate and the International Museum of Photography and Film, which houses more than 400,000 photos by 14,000 photographers. Eastman's generosity also helped endow Rochester with its rich cultural community, highlights of which we describe below.

The Rochester region's natural beauty is also enjoyed by visitors who kayak the canal's waters, bike its trails, and shop for antiques in canalside villages, as well as by those who fish and sail the open waters of nearby Lake Ontario.

THINGS TO DO To understand the history of Rochester and modern photography, an enjoyable first stop is the George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film (left). The museum opened to the public in 1949 and is the world's oldest photography museum. The museum includes Eastman's 35,000-square-foot Colonial Revival mansion and formal gardens as well as one of the world's most extensive collections of photography and film paraphernalia. The museum houses more than 16,000 pieces of camera equipment, 50,000 books, 26,000 movie titles (including the original negatives of Gone With The Wind and The Wizard of Oz) and the personal film collections of Spike Lee and Martin Scorsese. (While just a portion of the museum's collection is on view, any part of the collection is viewable upon request, and guided mansion tours are also available.) The estate displays Eastman's suicide note and the estate has been rumored to have some ghostly happenings! Forget DisneyWorld, forget Universal Studios! Rochester has somehting better EVEN better for kids!! For a whimsical but educational afternoon, don't miss the world-renowned Strong - National Museum of Play (below left). The museum houses the world's largest collection of toys and dolls, as well as the National Toy Hall of Fame, featuring classics such as Tonka Trucks, Lincoln Logs and the Frisbee! Much more than a passive museum, it is a wonderland of interactive activities, including a children's radio station, a theatrical stage with sound and lighting, and a replica of the famous Sesame Street set. Sit on a bench by the basketball court and play chess just like Gordon and Maria would! The museum just went through an extensive expansion which nearly doubled its size, making it both the largest year-round family attraction in western New York and the second largest children's museum in the nation! If you're in the mood for something really scenic, check out Rochester's High Falls, East End, and Park Avenue districts! The High Falls district is nearly in the heart of downtown Rochester and features the county's highest urban waterfall—the Genesee River's 96-foot High Falls. The falls are best seen from the nearby and equally high, 858-foot-long Pont de Rennes pedestrian bridge, which spans the Genesee River Gorge. Within walking distance of the falls is also a group of restaurants and shops, including the elegant Triphammer Restaurant, with its riverside balcony, and the laid-back Jimmy Mac's Bar and Grill. High Falls also includes Tiki Bob's Cantina nightclub and summer evening laser light shows projected against the river gorge walls. You may also want to check out the Saddle Ridge Entertainment complex, which is made up of five entertainment areas including King Pinz (a retro, 15-lane bowling alley), the Palm Bar (an "ultra lounge," similar to those found in bigger cities like Miami and New York), a rock-n-country saloon, and Coco Loco's Mexican Cantina. Located in the city's East Side, the Park Avenue district is a leafy, quaint and thriving area filled with restaurants, art galleries, and shopping, all within a few walkable blocks. In Park Avenue you can wake up to what the New York Times calls the "best omelets and pancakes" in the area at Charlie's Frog Pond, sample the sushi at Kobay Japanese Restaurant, or cool down a hot summer evening at Abbott's Frozen Custard. You'll also find handmade European jewelry at Park Avenue's Jembetat Gallery and contemporary paintings and sculptures at the Oxford Gallery. The Parkleigh, a former pharmacy, is now a shop filled with fine gifts, candies, coffees, and more. Finally, you can top off all your walking with a pedicure at the Maxim Spa. The East End district is located along and between East Avenue and Main Street and offers an experience similar to Park Avenue, but with more of a downtown/urban feel. You'll find lively bars and elegant restaurants as well as jewelry, antique, and book stores. While in Rochester, you'll also want to check out the city's outstanding cultural attractions. First on the bill may be a performance by the students at the Eastman School of Music, considered among the finest music colleges in the country (five Eastman-trained composers and three faculty members have been awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Music). Rochester also offers the Geva Theatre, billed as the "most-visited regional theatre in New York State," the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, and art works by the masters at the University of Rochester's Memorial Art Gallery. And to truly know the history of northern New York State, visitors will want to stop by the Genesee Country Village and Museum (left). Located approximately 20 miles outside Rochester, this more than 1,000-acre recreation of a country village circa 1800 offers one of the largest collections of 19th-century historic buildings in the country and more than 15,000 era artifacts. The museum is also home to a 175-acre nature center with five miles of trails and the John L. Wehle Gallery's collection of hunting and outdoor paintings and sculptures. From May through October the museum is alive with actors and volunteers dressed in period clothing going about the daily business of early American settlers. And whether it's the villages along the Erie Canal or charter boat fishing on Lake Ontario, the Rochester area offers plenty of natural beauty. If you're in downtown Rochester, the Mary Jemison, a river boat, conducts cruises up the Genesee River, past the University of Rochester to the junction of the river and the Erie Canal at Genesee Valley Park (one of the three Frederick Law Olmsted-designed parks in the Rochester area!). One of the best places to start your tour of the canal is Pittsford, a lovely, tree-filled community located directly on the canal, and boasting numerous small shops and restaurants. You can rent bicycles at Towpath Bikes to ride alongside the canal, or rent kayaks to paddle its calm waters. Wine, gift, and crafts shops also line the water in Pittsford. You can eat canal-side at Aladdin's Natural Eatery, pick up natural foods at the laid-back Organic Alley, or stop in at the all-American Village Coal Tower diner. Pittsford also offers a quaint two-block main street filled with small restaurants and shops such as Canaltown Coffee Roasters and the elegant but casual Hicks & McCarthy Cafe. And if you'd like to be pampered after a day of paddling or biking, then check yourself into Pittsford's Del Monte Lodge and Spa at the Del Monte. The lodge sits beside the canal, just a few blocks from Pittsford's main street; the Spa at the Del Monte offers a delectable buffet of pampering options, from the "Caviar Facial" to the "Turkish Body Scrub with Eucalyptus." About seven miles from Pittsford as the canal flows is the more developed community of Fairport, where canal-going boats stop to refuel and which was named one of the "top 100 places to live in" by Money magazine in 2005. Be sure to stop in at the canal-side Fairport Village Coffee, which offers great coffee as well as salads, paninis, and comfy chairs in which to enjoy them. You'll also find an Abbott's Frozen Custard and plenty of shopping within walking distance of the canal. Those of you who would rather explore the canal from the water will want to try Colonial Belle's Erie Canal Cruises, which depart from Fairport aboard a large, 246-passenger ship complete with wraparound windows, an upstairs deck, a dining room and full-service bar. From Pittsford, you can enjoy a ride on the 49-passenger Sam Patch, named for the unfortunate daredevil who jumped from Rochester's High Falls in the 1820s. It's a replica of an early packet boat, just like the ones that first plied the canal. The more adventurous can also charter their own boats for a self-guided, week-long canal exploration from Mid-Lakes Navigation in Skaneateles, NY. If you prefer the open water to the canal, head ten miles north of Rochester to Lake Ontario and Ontario Beach Park (left), where you'll find yourself strolling a long, sandy beach surrounded by the sounds of seagulls. In addition to the beach and lake, Ontario Beach Park offers a long fishing pier and numerous rentable shelters with grills and picnic tables. Half- and full-day fishing chart boat trips into Lake Ontario's salmon-, bass-, and trout-filled waters are also available from groups such as Hooked-Up Charters, Fish-On Charters and Big Hit Charters. Across the street from the park you'll find an Abbott's Frozen Custard and the fun-loving Leadbelly Landing Bar & Restaurant. You'll also want to stop by the LDR Char Pit. This 45-year-old diner has become a lakeside institution where everyone is treated like family and B & W photos of the lake's olden days line the walls. Rochester is also home to festivals and events year-round, such as the renowned May Lilac Festival, the Rochester International Jazz Festival, in June, and the High Falls Film Festival in November. And for attractions further out, try Letchworth State Park and the Finger Lakes region. The "Grand Canyon of the east," Letchworth State Park is located 35 miles south of Rochester. A little further south, the Finger Lakes region is home to stunning lake views and many of New York State's best wineries. See more info on activities and businesses

LODGING Centrally located downtown, The Inn on Broadway (left) offers luxurious accomodations, a friendly staff and a wonderful ambienc!. Between its highly lauded steakhouse and its gorgeous meeting space for small to medium events, the Inn is a perfect choice for your stay. Our room overlooked a beautiful gothic style church and some of Rochester's skyline. Rates range from $185 to $285. For a quiet, intimate setting, try the bed and breakfast at the Edward Harris House Inn, in the East End. A basket of chocolates welcomes each guest to individually-designed and -decorated rooms which offer down comforters and pillows, wireless internet access, and modern tiled bathrooms. The Inn is located within walking distance of restaurants, shops, and art galleries. Rates range from $129 to $169. For a more corporate experience, try the Hyatt Regency Rochester Hotel. This hotel offers views of downtown, includes the contemporary Palladio Italian restaurant, an indoor pool, fitness room, and high-speed Internet access. Rates begin at $199 per night. Or if you need to mix a little business with your pleasure, try the riverside Crowne Plaza Rochester (left), also downtown. The hotel offers stunning views of the Genesee River, an outdoor seasonal pool and two restaurants, as well as in-room WiFi internet access and a free business center with computers, high-speed internet access, a printer and fax. Rates range from $129.95 to $149.95, not including group and association discounts. And just a short walk from the Erie Canal in Pittsford, you'll find the 99-room Del Monte Lodge and Spa at the Del Monte. This Marriott hotel was originally constructed in the 1800s and served as a freight station and railroad depot before being converted to its current use. In addition to the spa, the hotel offers an indoor pool, whirlpool, and fitness center. Rates start at $179 Friday and Saturday and $209 during the week. Other recommended lodging options in the area include The Lodge at Woodcliff in Fairport, and Pittsford's Brookwood Inn. See more info on lodging

DINING Winner of a 2004 award for "best fine dining in Rochester" is the French bistro 2 Vine. Housed in an old ambulance garage that has been elegantly converted to a glass- and light-filled eatery, 2 Vine offers a seasonally changing menu showcasing locally produced ingredients and fish delivered daily. EntrÈe prices range from $8 for the Two Vine Burger on ciabatta to $26 for the veal chop with tomato risotto and garlic confit. 2 Vine also offers an award-winning wine list. In the Park Avenue district, Jine's Restaurant (above left) is a neighborhood favorite; the Park Avenue Pub specializes in fine dining. Another great option is Eros Restaurant (left) located conveniently downtown. Relax at the bar with a glass of wine and enjoy a delectable cheese plate. Menu options include Mediterranean, American and Greek specialities. We highly recommend the Portobello Ravioli!! If you prefer a rack of ribs, a cold beer, and some good blues music, head over to Dinosaurs Bar-B-Q. Live music pours out of the place seven nights a week as bar regulars, families and tourists sample the 24 draft beers, 47 bottled beers, and large racks of ribs marinated for 24 hours, slow-cooked and slathered with Dinosaurs' own special sauce. Ribs range from $7.95 to $20.50, while steak, shrimp, and chicken dishes go from $9.50 to $27.50. In Fairport, you'll want to try Joey B's Restaurant. This casual, upscale eatery offers canal views from its large, windowed dining room with entrees such beef filet with peppercorn and jumbo shrimp sautÈed with fresh spinach, crumbled bacon and feta cheese. Entrees range from $15 to $23. And Hicks and McCarthy Cafe, on Pittsford's main street, will surprise diners with unique menu items such as the Wild Mushroom Strudel, a mixture of Portobello and shitake mushrooms with herbs wrapped in phyllo dough and topped with a rosemary demi-glacÈ. Entrees run up to $22.95. Other dining treats in the Rochester area include Pittsford's Simply Crepes, as well as Rochester's Tastings Restaurant and Charlie's Frog Pond. Of course a trip to Wegman's is an experience in itself as is its Market Street Cafe. See more info on dining

NIGHTLIFE When it comes to weekend entertainment in Rochester, the city's East End, Park Avenue and High Falls districts are the places to be. Warm nights will find hundreds of locals and visitors strolling between the districts' many restaurants, lounges, and bars. In the East End, style and sophistication can be found at Max of Eastman Place (left), a high-end lounge offering live jazz on Saturdays, leather seating, and a granite-topped bar. You can also nibble on much of the same food that has made the Max of Eastman Place restaurant a popular fine dining establishment. For cold pints, a game of pool, and a laid-back crowd, head to the East End's Salinger's Bar. This friendly young professionals' pub is located in the heart of the East End and offers 24 draft beers, a pool table, darts and daily drink specials. In the upscale Park Avenue District, the Martini Grill is a fun place to stop in for lunch, dinner, or happy hour to sample the approximately 40 martinis and scrumptious desserts. Looking for something a little younger and a lot rowdier? Head to Prepps, home to $2 beer specials and young people ready to drink them. Prepps also has televisions to catch seasonal sports action and WiFi Internet access for checking your e-mail. And over in the High Falls district you'll find the huge Tiki Bob's Cantina nightclub. This multi-level nightclub offers live music on its huge riverside deck as well as dance beats on the inside dance floor. Frozen drinks specials and summer contests make Tiki Bob's a unique Rochester experience. Within walking distance of Tiki Bob's you'll find the laid-back Jimmy Mac's Bar & Grill, which offers its own riverside deck and one pound "Keg Burger." And for a little live piano music, head over to McFadden's Irish Restaurant and Saloon. See more info on nightlife

TRANSPORTATION AIR: The Rochester International Airport is a 10- to 15-minute drive from downtown Rochester with non-stop flights to most major eastern and midwestern cities. Non-stop flights from New York take approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. From Chicago, direct flights are approximately 1-1/2 to 2 hours. This airport is easy to navigate and the car rentals companies are quick and efficient. CAR: The drive time from New York City to Rochester is approximately 7 hours, with Pittsburgh, PA, taking 5-1/2 hours, Albany 4 hours, and Niagara Falls 1-1/2 hours. CAR RENTAL: Car rentals are available from Avis, Budget, Enterprise and Hertz at the Rochester International Airport's baggage claim area. TRAIN: Amtrak offers a 6-hour-and-50-minute train from New York's Penn Station to Rochester and an 11-1/2 hour train from Chicago. Each train makes numerous stops along the way. Check with Amtrak or your local train service for more information. BUS: The Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA) provides bus service in and around Rochester. Adirondack Trailways offers 10 departures from Port Authority Bus Terminal in NYC to Rochester. Travel time is approximately 6-7 hours. TAXI: Rochester is home to more than two dozen taxicab companies. Consult local listings for taxi companies and phone numbers. See more info on transportation

TRAVEL TIP If you leave without taking the kids to the Strong Museum - go back!

LINKS www.visitrochester.com - Greater Rochester Visitors Association www.canals.state.ny.us - New York State Canal System

MAP For a detailed map of Rochester, click here

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