It’s a problem we all face – you have family coming in to visit for a weekend, friends stopping by from out of town, a date with a new romantic prospect, or just a get-together with your roommates. Someone asks, “So, what are we planning to do?” You freeze. You, in fact, have no plan. Fear not, my friends. I was once like you as well. But after five years of living in Rochester, I think I’ve begun to get a slightly better handle on some of the best places to go. I am attempting to make this list a little different than some of the other lists you might see when googling “interesting places to visit in Rochester.” For one thing, there are no restaurants on this list. There are plenty of great cafes, brunch spots, diners, to-go noodle bars, and sit down eateries in Rochester, but this list is about events, not about food. Secondly, I left out all of the “typical” things you will find on your average things-to-do-in-Rochester websites. I’ve written about them before, I’ve gone, the Strong Museum and the MAG are great, but what if you want something new, and more importantly, less educational?
Lasertron: 1175 Marketplace Dr, Rochester, NY 14623
This might be one of my favorite spots to go to in all of Rochester. I went with a friend to get my mind off a breakup during my junior year, and I never stopped going back. Now you might be asking, “I thought laser tag is for little kids?” Incorrect! They have adult leagues, and games for people of all ages (just so long as you don’t have any heart problems or other potentially dangerous medical conditions). They have several different types of gameplay, so you can play with or against friends, replicate the zombie apocalypse, or defend your base capture-the-flag style. Cost is $25 for two games to be used within a 30 day period, but you can only use one per day, so schedule wisely.
The Warrior Factory: 3150 West Henrietta Rd Suite 4, Rochester, NY 14623
Anyone out there a fan of American Ninja Warrior? Or the old TV show Wipeout, which is probably more realistic to how most of us will look trying out the equipment there. The Warrior Factory is like the coolest gym on the planet – a kind that makes you forget you’re even getting exercise. The first thing you’re greeted with when you walk in is two warped walls (I’ve tried and failed on the larger one many times), but they also have rock walls, a trampoline, seesaws, and other obstacles I can’t even name. They have hour and multi-hour reservations, or you can sign up for group classes, or even hold birthdays there! Cost is $15 for an hour
Ritual Clay Company Candle Bar: 60 Browns Race #1, Rochester, NY 14614
I stumbled upon Ritual Clay while visiting a juice bar in the Neighborhood of the Arts (NOTA) area of Rochester, and if that isn’t the bougiest sentence I’ve ever written, then I don’t know what is. However, before you write me off, let me reiterate – candle. bar. A place where you get to make your own candle, personalize its scent to your own specifications, and walk down the street for a nice juice after?? Alright, alright, I promise I’ll stop being all hipstery now. Cost is $40 for an hour if this is your first time making a candle, or $30 if you are getting a refill. Ritual Clay Co. also offers pottery classes – making your own mugs, platters, etc. Or you can just shop their collection of stationery, pottery, textiles, spa items, and more (I write this as the holiday season is coming up – shop local)!
Axes and Ales: 349 East Avenue, Rochester NY, 14604
I love ax throwing. I think it surpasses escape rooms as the most exciting and fun team-building activity to emerge in the past decade. It’s fun, it’s competitive, it gets out any anger you might have over midterms or finals or whatever drama is stressing you out. The ales part is strictly optional, so all the first-years, sophomores, and juniors can still partake. Cost is $28 per person for an hour of throwing. Make sure you won’t need to be doing any heavy lifting for the next few days because if memory serves me your arms are going to be very, very sore.