Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Rochester, more than just birds and I don't mean Garbage Plates and House of Guitars

Bridge to Somewhere - www.visitrochester.com
Thanks to Bridget Watts, Braddock Bay Hawkwatch regular, for the following top tips on places to visit in and around Rochester.

The National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House
Anthony's home in Rochester, now a museum and national historic landmark, was home to the legendary 
American civil rights leader during the 40 most politically active years of her life, and the site of her 
famous arrest for voting in 1872. This home was the headquarters of the National American Woman Suffrage Association when she was its president (website here).

Women's Rights National Historical Park in Seneca Falls
Visitor center and sites important to the abolition and suffrage movements, in a charming small town that locals consider to be the model for the town in "It's a Wonderful Life." (Check web site for hours of operation). To get there from the Visitor's Center at Montezuma National Wildlife Center, turn right on routes 20/5 and go SW for 5.3 miles.

Ganondagan State Historic Site
Just southeast of Rochester, New York, in the town of Victor, lies Ganondagan (ga·NON·da·gan), the site of a Native American community that was a flourishing, vibrant center for the Seneca people. Visit this site where thousands of Seneca lived 300 years ago. Includes visitor center, a full-size replica of a 17th-century Seneca Bark Longhouse, and self-guided trails. (Website).

International Museum of Photography and Film and the George Eastman House
In George Eastman's restored mansion in Rochester, a world-class museum of photography. Currrent exhibits include Another America: A Testimonial to the Amish by Robert Weingarten, A World Apart: Photographs of Hasidic Communities in Israel by Pavel Wolberg, XL Portfolio: A Benefit Portfolio Celebrating Large-Format Photography, Of Time and Buildings, presenting the work of several artists who explore the relationship between photographic images of the built environment and our experience of place. (Visit the website here). 

Other things to do when it's dark or raining:
See a movie.  In addition to the usual suburban multi-plexes, Rocheser boasts several venues where you can see mainstream, independent and foreign, and archival films:

The Little Theatre
Rochester's premier "art house" movie theater. Four screens in downtown Rochester, and a cafe, with live music on some evenings. 240 East Ave #100, Rochester, NY 14604 (585) 258-0400 (Website here).

The Cinema Theater
Just south of downtown. An old restored neighborhood theater, comfortable and friendly. Second run movies. Double features for $5.00! ($3.00 for seniors.) Great popcorn. 957 South Clinton Avenue Rochester New York 14620 585 271-1785 (Website here).

The Dryden Theater
At George Eastman House near downtown Rochester. The Dryden Theatre is the Museum’s sole exhibition space for showcasing its unparalleled collection of motion pictures, as well as selections from the world’s other great archives, and premieres of new foreign and independent cinema. 585.271.3361 900 East Avenue Rochester NY, 14607 (Website). 

Listen to live music. 
Besides women's history, photography, film, (and birding!) Rochester is known for being a great place to hear music. For current listings of music, theater, and other events in Rochester, check out City Newspaper's website (here). For concerts at the Eastman School of Music: visit there website (here).

For more things to do in Rochester, link to visitors guide on official Rochester tourism site (website here).