In case you’re from out of town and see that Rochester NY is trending because we have a terrible mayor, it’s true. She’s the worst. But to set the record straight, there’s a LOT of cool about the city, too. Here’s a few facts:
Rochester is one of just four cities in the country that can claim a park system designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. He designed Highland Park, Genesee Valley Park and Seneca Park.
First founded in 1827, we have one of the oldest Public Markets in the U.S., that fully supports food stamps. And by the way, the U.S. food stamp program was first released here in Rochester on May 16, 1939.
People are so proud of living here, you can’t swing a cat without hitting someone who has the city logo as a tattoo.
Susan B. Anthony wasn’t born here, but she called this home for much of her life. Anthony and her family and friends helped pioneer the Women’s Rights movement and played a pivotal role in changing laws that finally got women the right to vote in the U.S.
Our food scene is outrageous: We have almost 20 coffee roasters, one of which regularly wins awards. We have a chef whose restaurant in CA earned a Michelin Star. And, yeah, we have the Garbage Plate.
We’re also the “gateway” to the Finger Lakes which is the second best known wine producing region in the country.
Speaking of food, our food scene is so vibrant, there nearly 150 Instagram accounts dedicated to celebrating local food.
We have all four seasons. Admittedly, one of them lasts like 10 months, but we definitely enjoy all four.
Frederick Douglass also wasn’t born here, but also lived much of his life here. After fighting for his own freedom from slavery in the south, he spent the rest of his life fighting for others.
For a few years now, we have one of the best real estate markets in the country to buy a house. Sure, taxes are higher than other states, but where else you gonna get all that for $150k??
When there isn’t a global pandemic, we are kind of known as a “Festival City”. In the warmer months, you’ll basically have to choose which festival to attend because there are like 5 every weekend. In the cooler months, there’s still a ton of festivals.
Admittedly, our city schools are embarrassing, but our higher education is boast-worthy. We have nineteen (count ‘em!) colleges!
Speaking of colleges, we have the first and largest school of technology for the deaf and hard of hearing. Also, the only organization that provides training to braille transcribers and teachers of the visually impaired on a national level.
We have three waterfalls in our city limits, on a north-flowing river.
There’s more, but you get the picture. We have some terrible stuff going on right now because we have some bad apples that somehow got to be in charge for a bit. We're working on getting them out of the way so we can get back on track to growing in the right direction. 🤘
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