Downtown Educates

The Rochester area is well known for higher education. Many renowned schools including the Rochester Institute of Technology, SUNY Brockport, St. John Fisher College, and Nazareth College are all in the area, but outside of the city. However, Rochester also offers world-class higher education located conveniently downtown. One of the top medical schools and one of the top music schools in the country exist in downtown Rochester with the University of Rochester and the Eastman School of Music. Monroe Community College and SUNY Brockport also have downtown campuses to serve the city population.

Downtown Competes

Rochester, NY is the minor league sports capital of the country. Did you know you can watch eight different professional sports teams all within the city? Every one of these teams play home games at either Frontier Field, Sahlen Stadium, or BlueCross Arena, all located downtown. Here's the scoop:

• Baseball - Rochester Red Wings - IL (Minnesota Twins, MLB Affiliate)
• Ice Hockey - Rochester Amerks - AHL (Buffalo Sabres, NHL Affiliate)
• Men's Outdoor Soccer - Rochester Rhinos - USL Pro
• Women's Outdoor Soccer - Western New York Flash - NWSL
• Men's Indoor Soccer - Rochester Lancers - MISL
• Basketball - Rochester Razorsharks - PBL
• Indoor Lacrosse - Rochester Knighthawks - NLL
• Outdoor Lacrosse - Rochester Rattlers - MLL

Downtown Feeds

The Rochester Public Market is one of the largest year round farmer's markets in the country. For decades this has been the place to visit on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays for fresh food, delicious breakfast, free music, and more. If you've never been, head down to the market neighborhood on a Saturday and enjoy. You'll love the atmosphere, and the prices!

Downtown Eats

Rochester is home to the garbage plate. What is a garbage plate? Comprised of two hot dogs, hamburgers, or cheeseburgers over portions of macaroni salad and home fries, then covered in mustard, raw onion, and the locally famous meat hot sauce, the garbage plate is to be experienced to be believed. You can get one at most restaurants in the city.

White hot dogs. What are they, and why are they white? Well, they're pretty much the same as normal hotdogs, except they aren't cured or smoked, so they never turn that red color you imagine when you think of a hotdog. Originally, they used to be made from less-than-desirable parts of the pig and cow, today, they're actually made from better meat and are more expensive than red hots. If you've never had one, pick up a pack of Zweigle's today.

Downtown Celebrates

Who doesn't love a festival? No one in Rochester would ever raise their hand. We love festivals, especially during the summer. Here are just some of the festivals held in the city every year:

• Lilac Festival - Held in Highland Park every May, the Lilac Festival has been hosted annually in Rochester since 1908. Nowadays, over 500,000 come and attend the 10-day event every year to enjoy the food, music, crafts, and of course, the lilacs.
• Park Ave Summer Art Festival - Simply known as "Park Ave Fest", this is one of the oldest festivals in Rochester. Held in the Park Avenue neighborhood, the Park Ave Summer Art Festival hosts arts and crafts from local vendors, as well as state and nationwide craftspeople.
• Big Rib & BBQ Blues Festival - One of Rochester's newest festivals, the Big Rib & BBQ Blues Festival is also held in Highland Park, the same site as the Lilac Festival. There's one big difference: substitute flowers for meat, and the scent of the flowers for the scent of BBQ sauce. A big crowd favorite.
• Corn Hill Arts Festival - In the historic Corn Hill neighborhood of Rochester, the Corn Hill Arts Festival is held every summer. Another opportunity for artists and craftspeople to showcase their wares. Visitors find amazing work to add to their home, and wonderful people to share the experience with.
• Rochester International Jazz Festival - The jazz fest is anticipated for 355 days of the year. Some world-famous artists who have performed include: James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Dave Brubeck, Tony Bennett, George Benson, Chick Corea, Sonny Rollins, Wynton Marsalis, Al Green, Smokey Robinson, Taj Mahal, and Herbie Hancock, just to name a few. The festival is held in locations all over the city.

Downtown Cultures

Arts and culture is abundant in Rochester!

• The Auditorium Theatre, home to the Rochester Broadway Theatre League, brings in several touring musicals and plays every year.
• Geva Theatre and the Blackfriars' Theatre feature local and touring casts in more intimate settings.
• The Eastman Theatre is home to The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as many touring classical musicians throughout the year.
• The Rochester Museum and Science Center, Strong National Museum of Play, Memorial Art Gallery, and George Eastman International Museum of Photography and Film offer different ways to explore our region's history through a lens, microscope, or paintbrush.

Downtown Heals

Rochester is home to some of the top cancer research and heart health hospitals in the nation. Patients are given the very best care at Strong Memorial Hospital, Highland Hospital, and Rochester General Hospital.