Sitting on the southern shore of Lake Ontario, Rochester offers an impressive blend of affordability, history and nostalgia. Rochester is known as the "Photonics Capital of the World" - it's the birthplace of Kodak, as well as Bausch & Lomb and Xerox. The city has been lauded by both Forbes and Kiplinger as one of the nation's best places to raise a family.
With more than 20 institutions of higher learning located in the Rochester area, including the University of Rochester and the Rochester Institute of Technology, the city exudes a vibrant intellectual buzz. With a strong mix of professionals and academics, the city's biggest employers are Eastman Kodak, Xerox, Genesee Brewing, Carestream Health, and North American Breweries. Rochester is a leader in imaging research and development and boasts a population of about 210,000.
Rochester includes a diverse mix of suburbia and city life, including the shore of Lake Ontario and Charlotte Beach, where many Rochesterians spend their summer days. A vibrant neighborhood known as South Wedge sits just below downtown and caters to a young hip crowd with coffee shops and eclectic stores. Corn Hill, a classic Victorian style neighborhood, sits along the Genesee River and is host to an annual summer arts festival that attracts hundreds of artists, musicians and beer & wine enthusiasts. The East End of the city boasts a rich nightlife with the Eastman Theatre and an array of bars, nightclubs and high-end restaurants.
With the Genesee River and Erie Canal winding through the city, there is no shortage of breathtaking waterfront views. Walk amongst Highland Park's 155 acres and attend its annual Lilac Festival when more than 500,000 visitors pour into town to view the 1,200-plus lilac bushes in full bloom. The Rochester International Film Festival highlights short films and ranks as the world's oldest continuously held short film festival. Families should visit the Strong Museum of National Play, one of the country's largest children's museums and home of the National Toy Hall of Fame.