Being from out of state, I had to live on campus my first two years of college. I loved living on campus, from my roommates to my community, to just being in the welcoming atmosphere all the time. If you get the chance to live on campus, do it, even if it’s for a year. As I have gotten older, I’ve come to realize that I wanted to live in the city, but before this year, I never really got to explore the city of Rochester and all its neighborhoods. I wanted to feel more like an adult too, which is why I decided to move off-campus for my junior year.
I officially moved to Rochester this June, and I’ve loved every minute of it! My house is right in the South Wedge, a 15-minute walk from downtown Rochester and it’s so convenient. I love that I’m able to walk to so many cool restaurants and parks from my house and really get to know the city I’ve come to love. Here’s a list of the top three places I’ve loved exploring as a new Rochestarian!
Dogtown
Rochester is known for the Garbage Plate. It’s an amazing but messy plate with cheeseburger patties or hot dogs, macaroni salad, and home fries. I’m a bit of a garbage plate connoisseur myself, so I’ve gotten around to trying as many plates as I can, and Dogtown’s plates are my favorite! What’s really cool about Dogtown is that they have vegan and vegetarian options, so everyone can still enjoy a plate, regardless of their diets. My recommendation? Add sweet potato fries to your plate!
Highland Park Diner
This diner, right in the heart of the South Wedge, is a classic. It’s a tiny diner that you have to squeeze into, but the food and atmosphere are one of a kind. It’s the perfect spot for Sunday brunch, the food isn’t too expensive, and the servings are so big you’ll definitely have leftovers. My favorite thing to order is the El Paso / Southwest Omelette!
The Beach
I was fortunate enough to be able to go to the beach almost every week this summer. My friends and I went to either Durand Eastman Beach or Charlotte Beach. Both are great options if you want to hang out by the water, go swimming, or tan a bit! We would bring food and have a picnic on the beach too. One of my favorite things about Rochester is that the beach is only a 20-minute drive away, but it feels like worlds away. I highly recommend buying a pool float from FiveBelow and bringing to the beach. The best way to relax is to float on the water and always bring a camera!
There are so many places in Rochester to explore. I haven’t even scraped the surface yet, but if you get the chance, even if you live on campus, check out the city. Rochester’s full of hidden gems and I’m excited to continue uncovering all of them!