Unique Feature: Garden
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Audubon Community Nature Center – Nature Center
Location: Jamestown, NY This nature center is located 2.5 hours southwest of Rochester, NY and 1.5 hours south of Buffalo, NY. The large interpretive nature center building has three floors with a huge variety of learning opportunity and hands-on exhibits for children. There are informational signs, interactive displays, live animals to view, and the third… Read more
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Audubon Community Nature Center – Outdoor Areas
Location: Jamestown, NY This nature center is located 2.5 hours southwest of Rochester, NY and 1.5 hours south of Buffalo, NY. There are several hiking trails as well as hands-on activities inside of the nature center. There are also some beautiful spots to visit just outside of the nature center building, including a birds of… Read more
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Brighton Memorial Library – Children’s Literary Garden
Location: Brighton, NY This super short paved garden trail is located just next to the Brighton Memorial Library. The path starts out with several wooden archways and is lined with literary quotes related to gardens and wonder. There is a bench, a small fairy garden, and a memorial. Around the other side of the library… Read more
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Browncroft Rose Garden Park
Location: Rochester, NY This small corner park is located at the intersection of Merchants Road and Browncroft Blvd in the city of Rochester. While there are no paths in the park, there is a grassy area to walk around or sit on a bench and enjoy the varieties of roses and other plants. There are… Read more
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Buckland Park Outer Loop
Location: Brighton, NY This beautiful, grassy, flat path loops around a large field of goldenrod and other wild flowers. It branches off of the Buckland Park Loop near the Veterans Memorial, Historic Buckland House, and Community Garden. I did the smaller loop (about 1 mile) but there was a second loop as well that appears… Read more
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Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens
Location: Buffalo, NY These beautiful indoor botanical gardens are located 1 hour 15 minutes west of Rochester, NY near Buffalo. There are multiple different rooms for different types of plants. The gardens are accessible and stroller friendly. There is a koi pond, a kids play area, an art gallery, restrooms, and a gift shop. There… Read more
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Butterfly Nature Trail at Macedon Canal Park
Location: Macedon, NY This unique trail located 25 minutes southeast of Rochester is considered a “Forever Wild for Everyone Trail”. Along this accessible, stone dust trail there are numerous things to look at including informational signs about birds and butterflies, gardens, fairy houses, benches, painted rocks, and some old relics and info about the history… Read more
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Ganondagan – Earth is Our Mother Trail
Location: Victor, NY Note: There is hunting allowed at Ganondagan. Do your research before visiting these hiking trails and take safety precautions. Ganondagan, located 25 minutes south of Rochester, is the original site of a 17th century Seneca town. Today, it is home to the Ganondagan State Historic Site and miles of beautiful trails. The… Read more
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Genesee Country Village & Museum – Historic Village
Location: Mumford, NY GCV&M is located 30 minutes west of Rochester, NY. It is the largest living history museum in New York State spanning 600 acres. The village and museum offer an immersive experience of 19th-century American life. It features 68 relocated and restored buildings from the Genesee Valley region, representing three time periods: Pioneer… Read more
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Genesee Country Village & Museum – Nature Center
Location: Mumford, NY GCV&M is located 30 minutes west of Rochester, NY. Next to the historic village is a nature center and trail system. The nature center has a peaceful pond out front with benches, a bridge, flowers, a picnic pavilion, and a little free library. Inside the nature center are some live turtles and… Read more
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Genesee County Park & Forest – ACORNS Outdoor Learning Center
Location: East Bethany, NY This outdoor learning center is located 45 minutes west of Rochester, NY. The ACORNS Outdoor Learning Center is located right next to the Interpretive Center. There is a wildlife observation deck, gazebo, benches, large field, sensory garden, “messy materials” area, “discovery trail”, and more! I can’t wait to check this out… Read more
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Highland Park – Poets Garden
Location: Rochester, NY This 275-foot long pathway is a peaceful spot in Highland Park located across from the Lamberton Conservatory. There are stone benches with Shakespeare’s quotes, a sundial, bird bath, and a variety of plants and trees. Just next to this path is the paved walking path, a hollowed out tree, and a traditional… Read more
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Highland Park – Sunken Garden at Warner Castle
Location: Rochester, NY This beautiful garden is a peaceful place to walk around at Highland Park. The Warner Castle is home to the Landmark Society offices, but the garden in the back is open to the public. There is parking in front or it can be reached by walking from the other parts of the… Read more
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Highland Park – Walking Path
Location: Rochester, NY Highland Park is one of my favorite parks in the Rochester area. There is so much to see in any season. I spend a lot of my visits walking along the paved walking path. While there are some stairs, they can be avoided! There are some hills, many benches, a reservoir, and… Read more
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Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge – Visitor Center
cation: Basom, NY This beautiful hiking area is located 1 hour west of Rochester, NY. The visitor center has a sculpture garden and a small picnic area outside and interactive exhibits, a gift shop, live fish, and restrooms inside. Trail Map: Park Map; Interactive Trail Map Official Website: Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge Other Websites: Day Trips Around Rochester NY Read more
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Ithaca Children’s Garden
Location: Ithaca, NY This is a magical and wonderful place to walk around in Ithaca, located 1.5 hours southeast of Rochester. There is so much to do! There is a giant turtle you can walk on, multiple gardens, a play area, story walk, music garden, troll house, playground, and so much more! Important Info from… Read more
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Kent Park – Webster Arboretum
Location: Webster, NY This park and arboretum is located 20 minutes east of Rochester, NY. There are gazebos, multiple benches, a pond with a fountain, a playground, and a narrow stone dust path. There are a large variety of trees and plants planted around the arboretum. This is a great park to visit in the… Read more
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Lehigh Valley Trail North Branch – Rush Trailhead
Location: Rush, NY The Lehigh Valley Trail is a 15 mile converted rail-trail that once served as the Lehigh Valley Railroad. The North Branch of the Lehigh Valley Trail runs from the main trail northward. I parked in the parking lot on East Henrietta Rd (15A) just south of Ward Hill Road. There was an… Read more
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Leolyn Woods and Fairy Trail at Lily Dale
Location: Lily Dale, NY This trail is located in Chautauqua County – 2.5 hours southwest of Rochester, NY and 1.5 hours south of Buffalo. Leolyn Woods is a peaceful old-growth forest with towering trees that are hundreds of years old. The Fairy Trail is a beautiful trail through the woods with many fairies, fairy houses, gnome… Read more
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Linear Garden
Location: Rochester, NY This lovely pocket park is located in the North Winton Village neighborhood of the City of Rochester. There is a short and narrow stone dust path, about 500 feet long, that is stroller friendly. There are some benches, beautiful flowers, and garden beds. There is a small wooden structure with chairs underneath… Read more
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Maplewood Rose Garden
Location: Rochester, NY The Maplewood Rose Garden is located in the City of Rochester. This park has grassy paths through many varieties of roses. There are a couple of gazebos, benches under the shade of trees, and a fountain. There is access to the Genesee Riverway Trail and Lower Falls Park (there are stairs down… Read more
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MaryFrances Bluebird Haven
Location: Victor, NY We visited this beautiful nature area on an October morning. This park is supposed to be great for birdwatching, particularly bluebirds so I look forward to returning in the spring/summer! There is a 1-mile trail around the perimeter of the park that is through low trees and then a forest area. It… Read more
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Mead Square Park – Holiday Lights
Location: Victor, NY This small park is located right on Main Street in Victor. The brick path is only 200 feet long. There are several benches along the path. The holiday lights make this a nice spot to visit in December! Trail Map: Park Map Official Website: Town of Victor Read more
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Mendon Ponds Park – Birdsong Fairy Trail
Location: Mendon/Pittsford, NY This super fun trail located 20 minutes south of Rochester, NY is lined with fairy doors and fairy houses that are painted on and built into the trees. There are other whimsical treasures and informative displays to be found along the path. This trail is stroller friendly with a durable stroller, with… Read more
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Mendon Ponds Park – Sharon’s Sensory Garden
Location: Mendon/Pittsford, NY This beautiful garden is located in Mendon Ponds Park, 20 minutes south of Rochester, NY. I obviously did not visit at the right time – this garden would be much better in spring or summer when things are in bloom and not covered in snow! This sensory garden is located right next to… Read more
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Meridian Centre Park
Location: Brighton, NY This lovely park is tucked behind some office buildings 12 minutes south of Rochester, NY. This park contains meadows, wetlands, and forest areas. There is a nice playground near the parking area with a few paths to take. The paved paths around the park are stroller friendly and accessible. When the trail… Read more
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Onondaga Lake Park – Butterfly Garden of Hope
Location: Liverpool, NY This park is located just over an hour east of Rochester, NY on the shore of Onondaga Lake near Syracuse. The Onondaga Lake Park – Butterfly Garden of Hope is located on the northeast shore of the lake. According to the official website, “The Butterfly Garden of HOPE is a memorial to… Read more
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Ontario Beach Park
Location: Rochester, NY This large and stroller-friendly park is located in the City of Rochester, NY along the shore of Lake Ontario. There is a network of paved paths through the grassy park area that lead to a boardwalk along the beach with a gazebo. There is also a pier with a lighthouse that you… Read more
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Stewart Park
Location: Ithaca, NY This park is located in Ithaca along the shore of Cayuga Lake, 1 hour 45 minutes southeast of Rochester, NY. This beautiful park has so much to offer. This park includes a section of the paved Cayuga Waterfront Trail with beautiful views of the lake and many benches. This path connects to… Read more
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Taughannock Falls State Park – Falls Overlook
Location: Trumansburg, NY NOTE: Deer hunting (bow only) is permitted in season. Take precautions. This beautiful state park in the Finger Lakes is located 1.5 hour southeast of Rochester, NY along Cayuga Lake near Ithaca. The Falls Overlook is a beautiful viewpoint overlooking the amazing waterfall below. There is a paved path to the top… Read more
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Thomas Creek Wetland Walk
Location: Fairport, NY This is a really lovely wetland walk located in the village of Fairport located 20 minutes east of Rochester. We parked in the small gravel lot at the end of Liftbridge Lane. First we visited the interactive sundial, where you stand on a brick with the current month, put your arms above… Read more
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Tinker Nature Park – Demonstration Gardens
Location: Henrietta, NY This cute little garden is right near the main parking lot at Tinker Nature Park. According to the sign the garden has an alphabet garden, native perennial garden, vegetable garden, mini garden, hummingbird garden, flowering shrub garden, butterfly garden, and herb garden. Be sure to stay on the grass path and not… Read more
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Tinker Nature Park – Woodland Trail
Location: Pittsford, NY This is a beautiful park located 15 minutes south of Rochester, NY. The woodland trail is the outer loop, shown in the map below. The loop is 1.2 miles via the exercise path or 0.78 miles long if you take the cut through path along the boardwalk next to the pond. The… Read more
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Trail of Hope
Location: Lyons, NY This short, flat trail (about 0.5-0.75 miles) is located near the Lyons Community Center. The trail contains a LOT of wooden signs, art, and gardens. There’s a covered bridge, a yellow brick road, benches, artwork, picnic tables, a wooden ship, a butterfly garden, a deck overlooking the creek, and more! Official Facebook… Read more
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Vitale Park
Location: Lakeville, NY This is a lovely lakeside park located 30 minutes south of Rochester. There are two parking lots: a gravel lot on the west side of the park and a larger paved lot near the playground on the east side. Vitale park has two paved loops that connect by the “Freedom Bridge”. My… Read more