The Atlas Obscura Guide To Rochester

25 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Rochester, New York

Updated May 5, 2023

Unusual Attractions in Rochester

Rochester, New York

International Center for the History of Electronic Games

Comprehensive gaming collection of over 30,000 electronic games and consoles.

Rochester, New York

The White Lady's Castle

An old dining hall now serves up ghost stories for lusty locals.

Rochester, New York

The National Toy Hall of Fame

A collection of the best toys ever made, The National Toy Hall of Fame is filled with kids, fun, and for some reason, a bird preserve.

"I voted today" stickers pay tribute to Susan B. Anthony

Rochester, New York

Susan B. Anthony's Grave

The gravestone of the suffragist leader attracted extra visitors during the 2016 election.

The taxidermed elephant head that's on display in the main room.

Rochester, New York

The George Eastman Museum

The home, museum, and death site of Kodak's influential founder.

Rochester, New York

ARTISANworks

The floor-to-ceiling collection in an old factory is a unique alternative to stuffy galleries.

The table on display at the Rochester Historical Society

Rochester, New York

The Table That Could Talk To The Dead

The Fox Sisters, America's leading mediums in the mid-19th century, possessed a table they claimed helped them "communicate" with the dead.

Rochester, New York

Central Library's Secret Room

A room hidden behind a swinging shelf in the children's section.

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Cool Places to Eat & Drink in Rochester

Rochester, New York

Garbage Plates at Nick Tahou Hots

Rochester's signature culinary delicacy.

Rochester, New York

The Playhouse Swillburger

A bar, burger joint, and arcade housed in a late 19th-century church building.

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Atlas Obscura Itineraries

The Resilience of New York in 10 Remarkable Sites

New York has been described as a playground for the rich and powerful, but the state's history is full of ordinary people who have overcome extraordinary struggles. What if Seneca Falls, the village that launched the fight for women's suffrage, were as famous as Niagara Falls? What if Weeksville, the historic free Black community in Brooklyn, were as well-known as Williamsburg? From immigrant sanctuaries to the Survivor Tree, here are sites where New York has shown its resilience. As the pandemic continues, we hope this virtual trip helps you explore America’s wonders. If you do choose to venture out, please follow all guidelines, maintain social distance, and wear a mask.

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