12 essential experiences for Rochester students before turning the tassel
Sofia Tokar
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Director of Content From signature campus events to late-night chow, discover the must-do Rochester activities that you’ll be reminiscing about for years to come.
Area attractions. Regional dishes. Street festivals. Game nights. Campus traditions. Whether you’re a traditional student, transfer student, graduate student, or exchange student, the University of Rochester offers much to experience during your time on campus and in the Greater Rochester region.
In addition to rounding up the classic must-do activities, we consulted current students and alumni to compile these selections of what every Rochester student needs to do before graduating.
Missed one or more of these experiences? Fear not: Members of the Rochester family are always welcome back to the place they once called home for a second chance at checking off these bucket-list items.
Rochester’s Mini Met
Check out the Memorial Art Gallery—inside and out
A short shuttle ride from the River Campus or an easy stroll from the downtown Eastman Campus is the University’s Memorial Art Gallery, affectionately referred to as “MAG.”
Nestled in the city’s trendy Neighborhood of the Arts, MAG’s permanent collection houses more than 13,000 objects spanning 5,000 years of world history. The extent and balance of the collection—which ranges from an Egyptian sarcophagus to a Monet, among other highlights—has led some to dub it our area’s very own “Mini Met.” Earlier this year, USA Today named it the ninth-best art museum in the country.
Even before entering the museum itself, you’ll encounter Instagram-worthy spots across the grounds. During the day, whimsical sculptures and other public art, including a giant rainbow arc of painted steel rebar created by the artist Rashid Johnson, are open to the public. At night, you can bask in Argentum: Double Positive, by conceptual artist Jim Sandborn, which uses light to turn MAG’s 1913 building façade into a celebration of Rochester history.
And the best part? MAG admission is free for current students with your University ID.
Regional delicacy
Feast on a “plate”—a local favorite
A Rochester-style “plate”—most famously, the Garbage Plate—is arguably the area’s signature dish. Take two cheeseburgers or hot dogs, add home fries, macaroni salad, some baked beans, and a chili-like meat sauce, and serve with white bread. No late night on the town is complete without one.
The original Garbage Plate was created at Nick Tahou Hots downtown. Through the years, competitors have put their own spins and nicknames on the classic dish: trash plate, rubbish plate, junkyard plate, Rochester plate, and more.
In 2020, comedian Jim Gaffigan tried the famous Garbage Plate and discussed the experience a week later on a late-night TV appearance with Conan O’Brien. “There’s obviously no health department in Rochester,” he joked, “but it was delicious.”
Vegetarians needn’t miss out on this uniquely Rochester dish. The Red Fern, a vegan and gluten-free eatery in the trendy Park Avenue neighborhood (on the University shuttle system’s route), offers its own version dubbed “the Compost Plate.”
Ever better on deck
Take me out to a Red Wings ball game
The Triple-A baseball team, just one step below the major leagues, has been around since 1877. Famous Red Wings alumni include Hall of Famers Cal Ripken Jr., Bob Gibson, and Stan Musial.
But you don’t have to be a sports fan to enjoy a game at downtown’s Innovative Field—a mere three miles from the River Campus. The reasonably priced tickets get you access to on-field promotions, entry for theme nights and giveaways, and the option of indulging in a variety of local flavors, including macaroni and cheese topped with BBQ, beef on weck sandwiches (another Western New York classic), and Buffalo wing chicken steak. And yes, there’s even a Red Wings version of the Garbage Plate (see above) named “the Home Plate.”
Who knows, you might even catch a foul ball.
Beside the Genesee, literally
Experience the Genesee River Trail
The University’s River Campus is named for the Genesee River that runs alongside it. Parallel to the waterway is the Genesee River Train, a 24-mile stretch that extends from the Erie Canal to Lake Ontario, through Rochester’s historic and cultural areas, and offers access to stunning waterfalls, parks, and landmarks.
The trail offers a scenic escape, whether you’re a walker, runner, cyclist, or nature enthusiast. It’s your path to fresh air, exercise, sightseeing, and the chance to decompress from your daily routine.
P.S. During very early mornings in the fall, you can often spot the Rochester Yellowjacket men’s crew and women’s rowing teams practicing.
Take a bough
Enjoy a midday nap in a hammock on the quad
It’s not always sunny in Rochester, but when it is, students flock to the Eastman Quadrangle to suntan, listen to music, or play frisbee and spikeball.
Find a beautiful oak tree (our campus is an accredited arboretum recognized by Tree Campus USA), tie a hammock to a sturdy limb, and take a siesta between classes. It’s an ideal place to people-watch, make new friends, or convene your crew. Hammocks offer a break from dorm life and the chance to recharge physically and mentally.
Top spot
Tour the tower of iconic Rush Rhees Library
If you really want to see Rochester—the campus and the city—head to the top of Rush Rhees Library. At 178 feet, it’s the tallest building on the River Campus and can sometimes be spotted from the window seats of planes taking off and landing at the nearby airport.
Twice a year, during the annual Scare Fair around Halloween in the fall and in the days leading up to Commencement in the spring, Rochester students can ascend the library’s iconic tower. There, you’ll get a spectacular 360-degree views of our signature skyline.
You’ll want to snap and share a selfie, so don’t forget your phone.
Fun and games
Treat your inner child at the Strong National Museum of Play
Who wouldn’t want to visit the place where Mr. Potato Head, the Cabbage Patch Kids, and Care Bears reside?
Located in downtown Rochester, the Strong Museum is the only collections-based museum in the world devoted solely to the study and celebration of play. It houses more than half a million items—dolls, board games, toys, video games, and more—and is the home to the National Toy Hall of Fame, whose inductees include Barbie, Hot Wheels, Crayola Crayons, and the Hula Hoop.
Bonus: Earlier this year, the Strong Museum helped debut a new version of the classic board game Monopoly—one that gives you the chance to land your token on the University of Rochester, Medical Center, Eastman School of Music, and Memorial Art Gallery. (Don’t tell your opponents, but you might also draw a Community Chest card with a nod to the Laboratory for Laser Energetics.). A partnership between the City of Rochester and Monopoly, this special edition features plenty of local pride and hey-I’ve-been-there landmarks.
Dinner and a show
Get medieval at the Boar’s Head Dinner
The hottest ticket in town during one of the coldest months on campus is for the annual Boar’s Head Dinner. A tradition for more than 90 years, the December gala is open to all University students. The event transforms a River Campus space—mostly recently the Feldman Ballroom in Douglass Commons—into a 16th-century English court.
There’s feasting, singing, juggling, and other merriments, all welcome diversions at the end of the fall semester. And yes, there’s even a boar’s head on display.
The medieval-themed menu traditionally consists of a five-course meal served family style, with guests seated at long tables. Many of Rochester’s premier performance and a cappella groups put on a show for the crowd throughout the evening and sing “Figgy Pudding” as the desserts are wheeled out.
Spring fling
Ride the Ferris wheel during Dandelion Day
Dandelions—the official flower of the University—start blooming in early spring. That’s about the time when Rochester students wrap up the semester, finish class projects, and take their finals. To mark the occasion, the University hosts the aptly named Dandelion Day, a Rochester springtime tradition that dates to 1951.
Each April, Wilson Quad transforms into an entertainment wonderland, complete with food trucks, Ferris wheels, carnival games, concerts, and more. Rain or shine, this signature event is a welcome diversion before everyone buckles down for exams.
Stock up
Discover the area grocery store with a devoted fanbase
It’s not often a grocery store inspires a cult-like following, but that’s just what Wegmans Food Markets has achieved. Annually ranked among the nation’s best companies and employers by outlets such as Fortune and Forbes, the franchise is known for its bevy of prepared foods, fresh ingredients, meals to go, and friendly staff.
Although there are more than 100 Wegmans stores in eight states, the headquarters is still located here in Rochester, New York. Not surprisingly, the hometown pride for the brand remains strong.
And did you know that we have a Wegmans on campus? Technically it’s Wegmans Hall, one of the newer academic buildings anchoring the Hajim Engineering Quad, but still!
Go, Jackets!
Cheer on your Yellowjackets
With 23 varsity teams, from swimming to squash, the University offers athletics events for every season.
One of the main sports venues on campus is the outdoor, 5,000-seat Fauver Stadium. That’s where current New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll ’97 honed his football skills. The other venue is the indoor Palestra, where the 1989–90 NCAA Division III men’s basketball champion Yellowjackets played.
Music lovers will appreciate that the Palestra has, over the decades, also hosted an array of artists, including Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Ray Charles, the Grateful Dead, the (Buffalo-based) Goo Goo Dolls, and Janelle Monáe.
Swing time
Experience a modern-day Jazz Age
In town over the summer? Save the date for the annual Rochester International Jazz Festival.
For nine days each June, Gibbs Street in downtown Rochester—where you’ll also find the University’s world-renowned Eastman School of Music—channels the blues sounds and jazz stylings of Bourbon Street. The University provides partnership-level support to the festival, one of the city’s and region’s most anticipated cultural events.
Hundreds of shows, an array of venues, and 200,000-plus attendees. Cue jazz hands!
Communications specialist Jim Mandelaro contributed reporting to this story.
