All about ROCHESTER
Nicknamed the Flour City, Rochester’s population of nearly 220,000 ranks the city third in size among all cities and towns in New York. Rochester is located east of Buffalo and west of Syracuse in a region that shows the long lasting effects of the Ice Age.
The gently rolling hills and valleys reflect the pressure and grinding that the glaciers brought to bear to sculpt the land that now houses the citizens of Rochester. The biggest feature created by the Ice Age in the Rochester area, is Lake Ontario. One of the five Great Lakes, it fresh waters make up the western boundaries of the Rochester area. Other interesting geological features in the region include the Genesee River with its numerous waterfalls and gorges. The famous Finger Lakes are also located near-by to the region. Visit this area to explore the wineries and lake views that abound.
By virtue of its location near the Great Lakes, Rochester sees its share of snow. Nearly 95 inches of snow will fall on Rochester in an average winter season. However, the Great Lakes also help Rochester to have wonderfully cool summers. The mean July temperature is a delightful 71 degrees.
Rochester is the world capital of imaging companies. Eastman Kodak, Bauch & Lomb and Xerox all have headquarters or principal offices in the city of Rochester. It should come as no surprise that the universities in the area also are world renown for their imaging science departments. Student who enroll into the University of Rochester or the Rochester Institute of Technology imaging science departments are destined to be exposed to some of the best experts in the field.
Wegmans Grocery chain, which is spreading out to locations throughout the North East and was recently rated as the best company to work for in the United Stated by Forbes magazine, is the most popular food chain in the Rochester region. Shopping at a Wegmans is a culinary delight. Be prepared to spend a great deal of time exploring the aisles in these super stores. Their fresh baked goods and on site delis are not to be missed.
The University of Rochester is home to the Eastman School of Music, which, according to U.S. News and World Report, is ranked the number one music school in America. In addition, the George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film and the Eastman Theatre carry on the name of one of Rochester’s best known citizens. George Eastman was the inventor of the modern roll film that brought photography to the average family. He founded the Eastman Kodak Company in 1888, going on to amass a fortune that he eventually used to endow diverse institutes of higher learning such as the University of Rochester, MIT, Rochester Institute of Technology, Hampton Institute and Tuskegee Institute. Mr. Eastman ended his own life in 1932 due to depression over extreme and lingering back pain.
Aside from George Eastman, Rochester has been home to a number of interesting and famous people. Susan B Anthony, a leader in woman’s rights in the U. S., called Rochester her home from 1845 to her death in 1905. John Jacob Bausch and Henry Lomb founders of Bausch & Lomb moved here from Germany in the 1850s and began their business in 1855.
Having a good time in Rochester is easy to do no matter what your tastes in recreation and entertainment might be. The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, the Rochester Museum of Arts and Sciences and the Strasenburg Planetarium appeal to the higher cultural attractions. The multitude of parks, bike paths and hiking trails in Rochester call to the outdoorsman in us who want to enjoy the scenic beauty if the region. For the sports minded, there are professional teams in baseball, hockey, basketball, soccer and lacrosse. While not at the major league level in any of these sports the city enjoys supporting the competitive games teams that represent their city. Last but not least are the year round schedule of festivals and celebrations. The Rochester International Jazz Festival has been attracting a growing following since it inception in 2000. The Clothesline Art Festival, the Lilac Festival and the Cold Rush Winter Festival highlight an impressive list of events that can be enjoyed during a visit to the area.
Getting to and around Rochester is easy since the city boasts all of the modern means of transportation and travel. The Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC) is located 3 miles southwest of the city in Monroe County. The airport is served by a wide variety of carriers. Amtrak and freight lines provide rail services to the city while Greyhound and Trailways provide intercity bus lines. I-90, the New York State Thruway, has three exits to serve Rochester. There are a number of branches to I-90 that serve to move traffic around the city. Rochester invites you to visit for business or pleasure. Come and enjoy the sights, places and tastes of one of New York’s great cities.