a cozy winter day in rochester, ny

 Rochester in the Winter

Every cozy winter day starts with coffee.  Rochester has a plethora of great coffee shops.  The week of our wedding, we spent every morning at Spot Coffee, talking to locals and all our friends & family that would congregate there before the festivities.  We also love Ugly Duck Coffee, Fifth Frame Brewing Co, and Java's.  But this winter day, we checked out another Rochester favorite, Café Sasso.  The rotating art and friendly staff made this coffee shop the perfect place to start a cozy winter day in Rochester. 

 

Fueled by caffeine and pastries, it's time for the star of a cozy day, the George Eastman Museum.  The magic happens even before you enter the museum.  The grounds are absolutely stunning (I may be biased, my cousin's husband is in charge of the design & upkeep).  George Eastman, the pioneer of photography and films, used the estate as an urban farm and the gardens are meticulously managed throughout the seasons.  Gardens include the Terrace Garden, Library Garden, Rock Garden, with the Grape Vine Arbor, and the beautiful West Garden.  Below photos were taken in early winter when some of the Autumn leaves were still vibrant.  

Once inside the museum, you will first visit the galleries dedicated to all things photography and motion picture.  As a photography enthusiast, I read every caption and name plate and loved to learn about the history of film.  Kodak was a huge part of my life growing up and it was lovely to finally spend the time to learn of its history. Thanks to my friend Courtney for inviting us along on her family's day at the museum.  

The museum often has events scheduled through out the year (one of its most famous is in the Spring when the entire museum is blanketed in tulips!).  When I visited, the museum hosted a gingerbread house competition.  Pictured below are two of my favorites but every single one was ridiculously impressive.  

Walking further into the museum, we found ourselves in George & Maria Eastman's private quarters.  The rooms have replicas of the furnishings that were in the home in the early 1900s.  Each are decorated in the grand décor of the time and absolutely stunning.  The first floor consists of the Dinning Room, Conservatory, Living Room, Billiard Room & Library.  

Up the grand staircase, there are beautiful views of the lofted Conservatory from the second story.  Also included in the tour of the second floor is Maria Eastman's bedroom and sitting room.  The camera obscura, also located on floor 2, was a treasure chest of cameras throughout the years. 

After the museum, it's time to visit another Rochester institution, High Falls and the Genesee Brewery.  The highest of the waterfalls along the Genesee River, High Falls is one of the most famous spots for photos in the city.  The best vantage points are along Pont de Rennes Pedestrian Bridge (where we took our wedding photos!), the overlook at High Falls Terrace Park, and from the Genesee Brew House.  

The Genesee Brew House is an old bottle factory for the brewery, turned into a pub style restaurant, tasting room and museum.  Around the holidays, they decorate a famous keg Christmas Tree.  Come for the comfort food, the Genny Cream Ale, and the views of the falls.  

In a city known for its connection to the arts and its vibrant food and drink scene, there are unlimited ways to spend a cozy winter day.  These are just a few of our favorites.  Until next time...

ps. Our favorite way to spend a May Saturday in Rochester includes lilacs!