Glacially shaped landscapes, the Lake Ontario shoreline and places with a distinctive history give Monroe County its varied character. In its parks, ponds, wetlands and wooded areas sit alongside trails and historic sites; museums and garden art offer other highlights. Choose what to explore based on landscape, cultural history or recreational activities.
Landscapes and Trails
Mendon Ponds Park covers 2,500 acres of wooded areas, ponds, wetlands and glacial landforms. Its geological history and significant kames, eskers and kettles led to its inclusion in the National Registry of Natural Landmarks in 1969. The park also has 30 miles of self-guided trails in a setting rich in wildlife.
At Ellison Park, natural woodlands and steep slopes meet the flat floodplain of Irondequoit Creek; the park covers 447 acres. The Coyote Den Trail is 1.1 miles long and runs in one direction. It passes several ponds where hikers can observe many birds and other wildlife. The park is also home to Fort Schuyler, a replica of the original fort.
The Wetland Trail in Black Creek Park is also a one-way trail, at 2.1 miles long. Wildflowers along the trail attract butterflies, and the plant life changes with the seasons. At 2.1 miles, the Wetland Trail is longer than the 1.1-mile Coyote Den Trail. The two trails offer a practical point of reference if you want to factor trail length into your choice.
Powder Mills Park features another distinctive landscape: its 380 acres include steep slopes, meadows along streams and wetlands. In addition to these natural areas, the park offers downhill skiing, subject to winter conditions.
Shoreline and Garden Art
Ontario Beach Park sits on the shore of Lake Ontario. It is home to the historic 1905 Dentzel carousel. There is also a synthetic ice rink, generally available seasonally from early November to mid-March.
Highland Park showcases a different kind of designed landscape. Frederick Law Olmsted planned and planted the arboretum, which is home to more than 1,200 lilac bushes.
Historic and Cultural Sites
Genesee Country Village & Museum is located in Mumford, New York, in Monroe County. It is considered the largest and most comprehensive living history museum in New York State. The Historic Village comprises 68 buildings.
In Rochester, the National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House includes Susan B. Anthony’s home, designated a National Historic Landmark. The house is also associated with a specific event: Susan B. Anthony was arrested there in 1872 for casting her vote. The museum offers house tours six days a week. Since tour availability may change, it is a good idea to check the current schedule before your visit.
The Strong Museum has more than 150,000 square feet of dynamic, interactive exhibition space. Seabreeze Amusement Park offers a different range of attractions for adults and children, including four roller coasters, high-thrill rides, live shows and a water park. Seneca Park Zoo, meanwhile, offers local conservation programs, including cleanup events and professional development programs.
Discover more destinations: Rochester, Webster, Fairport, West Henrietta, Pittsford, Brockport, Brighton, Penfield
For the main travel overview: New York.
