Came to see how frozen the lake was. I could see ice as far as the lighthouse. Snow was more than a foot deep on the beach. Walk path still get clear during winter just in case you want to take a walk. read more

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If you asked me a couple years ago, I would've told you that if there isn't an ocean, you don't have a real beach. I would probably still tell you that today, but I'd be ever so slightly more conflicted about it, because this is about as close as it gets to a real beach. Only if a lake is truly great can you stare across it and not even see the other side. There's even adorable little waves, if you look hard enough. The park itself is a nice place to get outside in the summer, too. It can be a bit grimy, but it's hard to hate on sand and water and sunshine. The sunsets can be spectacular by the pier, the boardwalk is nice for a walk, and there's some places to play and even some public grills if I remember right. As far as the vendors go, I'm not that big on Bill Gray's, but Abbot's ice cream is a winner. Ice cream + sunshine + sand + sea (I mean lake) = good. read more

Swim hours on the beach start at 11am while lifeguards are on duty. They have a swim area blocked off in a perimeter. We got there around 1130am and there were about 20 people. We stayed until about 4pm and there were about 100+ people. There is also an old carousel you can ride for $1. The beach is located at the edge of the park with gazebos, grills and a giant splash pad for those not wanting to go into the water. There are shower heads at the stairs located at the beginning of where the beach starts to wash off your feet. There are at least 2 (perhaps more) sets of restrooms as well. Super fun and we will be back. read more

I've been to Ontario Beach Park a number of times over the years, including earlier this week to spend time on the beach (and get some fresh air while socially distancing) before it got more crowded over the 4th of July weekend and later into summer. Unfortunately, I didn't end up getting in the water this time around... it was too green from (I assume) algae. It's nice to get out and walk around a bit, but there are some issues I've had in my past couple experiences... 1) flooding issues. I've gone a couple times previously where it's clear the drainage in/around the park isn't great, and there are flooding issues around the park and in the parking area. 2) cleanliness. The parking area frequently has issues with broken glass, and I can tell you after this last visit that it seems like the restroom (at least the women's room) is never tended to or cleaned (smelled awful, toilets not flushed / backed up, etc) 3) folks along the pier trying to hand out pamphlets or other advertisements. I've had a number of issues with them getting way too close during this time of social distancing. And especially right now? I don't want strangers handing me anything. There are certainly pros to this park though, including... 1) parking. There's a good amount of parking. If there has been a lot of rain, portions of the lot may be flooded... but it's usually easy enough to find alternative areas in which to park. 2) a very open beach area. Especially during this time of social distancing, walking along the beach didn't feel problematic and it was easy enough to stay 6ft or more away from other folks. A swimming area was blocked off, and lifeguards were also on duty and watching the kids in the water, etc. 3) walking the pier area. It's a nice little walk to the end of the pier and back, and you can also see the folks fishing, boating / sailing along the lake, or just enjoy the weather. TL;DR All-in-all, I enjoy visiting from time to time... but the experience (including cleanliness of the lake water) can definitely vary. read more

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Great beach park for a family outing. We walk to the end of the pier and feed the duck. Nice outdoor restaurants, the oldest carousel the united states and plenty of cute outdoor pavilions. read more

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A good escape from urban and suburban Rochester. Lots of shaded green space with picnic tables and grills. A short wood "boardwalk" of sorts that leads to a pier and a lighthouse. I can't really speak of the sand quality, but lots of it and with areas for volleyball. The squirrels and seagulls are particularly aggressive, so beware. There is also a hidden public pathway close-by, called the "Hidden Sidewalk" that makes for a good stroll along Lake Ontario behind a residential neighborhood. read more

This beach is great but gosh can it get crowded on some days. If your looking for a low key quiet beach experience this may not be the beach for you but if your looking to play some frisbee or chat you can probably have a good time. There's frequently volley ball games going on and there's a good number of people who bring portable speakers so you may get stuck listening to music you may not particularly love. The sand is decent, not too rocky, you can walk without sandles pretty comfortably. The water is almost always really cold. I'm not a huge fan of swimming in this lake but really love the beach. The water isn't the most clear, there's nicer quality water at some other beaches. The size of this beach makes me feel like I've left Rochester. It really feels like a vacation away from home. I love this beach but it's not for everyone. Oh and they also have pickleball courts!! read more

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It is nice to see the effort the city puts into the park. It is always clean. The visitors are nice and it is somewhere you can and spend hours and just enjoy the water and the breeze. I wish there were more benches along the water. Bring a nice comfortable chair. A pair of headphone and good music and the current Brad Thor book and simply enjoy. Bring you appetite and grab some ice cream. read more

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What an amazing park filled with fun to explore. The boardwalk, the beach, the carousel, the pavilions, the eateries, the ABBOTT'S! If you're looking to *get away* and see some beautiful sights that make you feel like you live somewhere else, this is the place to go. Find yourself a small plot of sandy land to call your own and watch over Lake Ontario's waves. As we have this week of unseasonably warm November weather, I am looking forward to getting another trip in to watch the sunset or enjoy the view before the sunny season ends for good. It needs some TLC in a couple of differents areas, and there is a BIT of a trash problem but nowhere near as bad as it once was. I took so many trips here with my family growing up and celebrating various school activities. It always makes me reflect on how lucky we are to live in a place where you can truly have any kind of climate experience you want, depending on where we are in the year. Skiing, beaching, foliage, gray, hot heat, and snow storms, being in this park always allows me to feel some gratitude and major ROC love. This park marks the end (or beginning?) of the Genesee Riverway trail where you can see many more ROC sights. The City used to hold a winter fest here and I am looking forward to utilizing this park more throughout the entire year. read more

We've been here numerous times over the course of our lives. We recently took our 3 little kids here while up on a vacation to the ROC. I've never been a HUGE fan of Ontario Beach Park but it was something to do. We walked the pier and let the kids go on the carousel. The carousel was $1 per ride. Adults riding with kids need to pay $1 as well. The grounds were pretty well kept, unfortunately there had been a ton of rain and areas were flooded. The restroom was under construction so there were portable facilities. Eh, it was something to do. read more

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I got married here and am often asked if I had a destination wedding when I show coworkers the photos. Gorgeous place. read more

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I've been here enough times and thought I wrote a review. People come hereto have parties (meaning bbq) sit on the beach, walk the boardwalk, watch the boats and when open checkout the carousel. The Park is green meaning the grass wise. You can get a good walk in, see all the little pergola's around the area. I'll post a photo, sometimes you see people playing volleyball..the view of the lake is lovely on a sunny day. It can get crowded cause it's a public beach. I've mostly been here to walk around, go there the pier lighthouse thing at the end of the boardwalk and walk along the lakeshore and get my feet into the water. Alas now with COVID-19 things are different. Respect others and wear a mask sorry I'm that person. What use to be a relaxing walk is like playing a game of Tetris and I do not take for granted anything. It's a lovely place to hang out, bbq, walk around. I've even done walks here for charity. Parking is across the way the Port of Rochester is close and across the street is a walk up Abbots Custard. That always reminds me of summer. Enjoy, be safe, party on read more

Ontario Beach Park - One of the pergolas - Parks Near Me - Rochester, New York

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For 34 years, I have never lived more than 30 minutes from the ocean. After living in Rochester for a month, I was starting the get the itch to go to the beach, but also conflicted as to what a beach with no ocean would be like. My trip to the Great Lake was... well... great. OBP is a gorgeous park with a playground and tons of space for a picnic. There is ample parking, and it's a quick walk from the parking lot to the shore. There are lots of garbage cans around to throw trash out, and the lifeguards looked attentive and called out to swimmers when they were going too far out. read more

I burp a lot when I come here, as do most visitors, which must be why it's named Ontario Belch Park. It's easily my favourite beach area in this part of the world. It's spacious and gorgeous and vast and beautiful. It's on the shores of Lake Ontario and on a clear day you can't quite see the Toronto skyline to the North West, so don't bother looking, which makes me wonder why I mentioned it. The water in this lake is not always the cleanest and not always safe for swimming. I wouldn't risk it. The same can be said about many lakes in the North East, though. Animals are not allowed here, unless your name is Starlight, who has hung out with me here on many occasions, but is scared to death of the lake itself, as in, mortally afraid, poor little thing. She likes the beach part though. Somewhat. I come to OBP very regularly. Only 2 or 3 times this summer but usually more. It may be my favourite place to come in the whole Western NY area. There is a Schaller's nearby and an Abbott's right next to OBP. Amazing custard. I feel like this is the most underrated place in the entire region for a day out... I hear all this talk about how it's crappy or smelly or dirty, but it's always smelled fine, and been fairly clean, and wonderful, and miles better than any sort of beach that Buffalo has, and much cleaner than Durand-Eastman to the East which is where all the kids and smokers and party animals seem to hang out. I drive to Rochester in the summer for this beach quite often. Definitely one of the loveliest and most open and family friendly beaches in the whole region... bitterly horrendous in cold weather which lasts for 10 and a half months a year around here (jk) but when it's warm, this place is paradise, and I wish it got more love from people. Then again maybe the fact that it doesn't is why it's so lovely and unspoiled. And I wish my pants were more lovely and unsoiled but you can't have everything. I guess it's Onta the next review now. read more

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No matter the season there is plenty of beautiful scenery. I've witnessed wonderful Sunsets in the four seasons. All spectacular. Recently, I capture the Full Moon in all its splendor. It was just pure chance that I ended up by the lake. I just had the urge that evening to go by the water. So I was getting back into my car, the glorious Moon popped up and I took hundreds of pictures on a very cold Evening. Minus -17F with the wind chill factor. It was like 5F. Even on the most bitter cold there are always people around. A young woman got out of her car with just a sweater and ran out & back to snap a few pictures. The cold gives you lots of problems to take pics. Camera freezes(battery gets drain very quickly)cell dies too. More important your fingers freeze. It's cumbersome to take pic with gloves. I've never encountered any problems, however, I've never seen any patrolling by security personnel or police in the area. read more

Ontario Beach Park - Ducks by the Port - Parks Near Me - Rochester, New York

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Classic throwback; need I say more? As a kid, I remember times when I would actually swim out into the lake and enjoy the water on a hot summer day. I swam and played water games with childhood friends at Charlotte Beach. I have memories of my mom and I hanging out on the beach and even of my annual elementary school cookout renting a pavilion each year. Charlotte beach is truly beautiful and will always hold a special place in the memories of many Rochesterians. Nowadays, I wouldn't dare touch the water in the lake, let alone swim in it. Last weekend, an announcement was played multiple times warning people to stay out of the water. Times have changed. There is still a nice sized playground for the kids and also the nostalgic carousel. Neighboring businesses seem to change out periodically, but it is nice to have an Abbot's nearby as well as a few other eateries. It seems like every few years they are doing some major construction over there and this year is no different. Half of the parking lot is currently carved out. Despite the atrocious levels of pollution or whatever is going on with the water, the amazing view remains intact. read more

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Nice enough beach facility but the big thing missing is showers or foot rinses or really anything to get sand off of yourself after being in the beach. It's a large sandy beach and the bathroom facilities were clean (we were there early in the day), the beach is raked and maintained , and there are lifeguards in duty. The area permitted for swimming is VERY small and shallow. To me the HUGE thing missing was the fact that there's no bath house or changing room, no showers if any sort that we could find, at least - only bathrooms. It's a municipal beach so I feel like showers should be a fire gone conclusion. Overall we had a nice time there, but a sandy drive home kind of stinks. Oh well. ‍ read more

I love it here. As a Rochester-born guy, to me going to the beach meant coming here in the summer for a swim, a walk on the boardwalk, and a stroll down the pier. I never even experienced the ocean until I was much older, and after that I still love the Lake. I don't really like to swim but the sand is usually clean. It is a great place to hang out with friends, to bring a date, to spend some time contemplating with the seagulls, and to have a picnic. And where else would you want to go to when you need prom pictures taken? The pier is an especially nice place to watch the sunset, though others consider it a prime fishing spot. This place has something for everybody! read more

This place has cleaned up a lot since I was in high school. It looks a lot better. Beautiful views, great place to bbq, hangout with friends and family. Play frisbee and football go fishing. I like how everything is spaced out so it doesn't feel crowded and you can actually do things. They have really good restaurants too. read more

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This is such a GEM of a place and how did I not realize it 8 minutes from my apartment?? Nice facilities with restaurants nearby. Just sit and chill watching the boats float read more

Easy parking situation. tons of room for multiple events. parks and walking paths. Close to food and drinks. Volleyball courts on the sand. Only downside was how dirty the beach was. There was a ton of trash on the shore. read more

I just love this place, it's one of my favorite places in Rochester! The beach is beautiful, and I love the huge pier that goes out into the lake. There are always cool birds to see, and there's plenty of space to sit and take in a relaxing view of the water. They have a lot of events here throughout the warmer weather and the boardwalk makes for a lovely date. Sunset is fantastic here as well, and don't forget to grab your ice cream from right cross the street at Abbot's! The beach and park are always pretty well kept up, and there are usually lots of families and kids here during the weekends and in warmer weather. Check ahead of time about swimming, as sometimes the water is unsafe or closed for whatever reason. read more

Have been to the beach and pier many times, usually on weekends when the place is a little more crowded. Stopped this past week and it was so nice, quiet, relaxing, and very peaceful. The walk on the pier is fun and great exercise, watching and listening to the waves is great. Uh I don't think I would swim in the water though! lol On the weekends it's noisier and busier with families and activities but during the week it's a great time to go, sit in the sun, read, relax, just awesome! Also on the weekends the carousel is usually up and running in nice weather which is fun for kids. read more

Ontario Beach Park - Entrance to park, beautiful sunny day too! - Parks Near Me - Rochester, New York

It's not perfect, but it's what we've got here in ROC. Come to the pier for sunset viewing. It's a great view of the lake and the horizon. Is that Canada across the way? Sure is. Lots of boats floating by as the marina is nearby. It's a little dirty, I wouldn't recommend swimming but it's worth a visit for a walk along the water and to enjoy the waterfront stops like ice cream at Abbotts or a hot dog from the vendors. Beach volleyball courts are cool and it's a nice spot to grill - bring the charcoal! Bonus is all the free parking. Here's hoping the Pier 45 area upgrades bring some better dining options and spruce up the area. read more

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The water is always blue? Lies! How's that murky greenish brown color suit your interests? Care to take a dip inside some churning polluted liquid? Yes? Ok, just make sure you go on the right day. Ok, this is in no way a filthy beachfront. Throughout my years visiting it has usually been clean and I have never had any encounters with suspicious smells, strange creatures or murky weather. Well I did see a waterspout over here once, but that is a story for another time. The sand is easy on the feet on partly cloudy days but be wary when the sun shines, pack some sandals or you'll regret the consequences. Around this time, this beach is one of the best to go to next to Durand Eastman. The beach is vast and their is plenty of room to catch some UV rays, enjoy some drinks, watch waves, and so forth. The water may seem filthy but by the shoreline and a bit farther out, it's still clean enough for swimming and carries no toxic smells along with it. Besides the beauty of the beach, there is also the park portion. By portion I mean a modest section of grassland with picnic tables and greenery that is ideal for enjoying your food without it getting sandy. Speaking of food, there's an Abbotts just near the entrance, how can you not go wrong with custard on the beach? The park and beach are both maintained very well and it always is welcoming to return to a lush or tranquil part of Rochester. Need I mention the amazing pier/boardwalk with the lighthouse? It's a great way to enjoy the lake view and also work off the food you just ate. It's a lengthy walk but enjoyable if you go on a day where no one happens to be jogging around the pier. It's sad that the lighthouse has been a victim of vandals but hopefully that will be fixed in the future. Does Ontario Beach Park have drawbacks? Some would argue it's the polluted lake which I tend to disagree because it isn't always like that. Others would say it gets to crowded. I can surely see where that is coming from. It varies from time to time but that's saying a lot. Suffice to say, OBP is one of the best beaches that Rochester has to offer around here. Don't let the pollutants and the crowds scare you away, it's well worth to visit to enjoy a small slice of haven. read more

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It's very rare that I give a one star, but today is a day I have no issue doing so. This beach is definitely gorgeous and it's definitely in a really cool area too. Don't let that sway you though. When you drive 1.5 hours from Liverpool all the way to Rochester only to find out you aren't allowed to swim because there are no lifeguards. All that other stuff is worthless. Now you may ask "why didn't you call?" I would ask back " Would you call if it was a Saturday in July around 1pm?" That answer would be no for both of us. There is absolutely no acceptable reason for this. What was worse is they had 3 life guards walking around the beach to make sure people didn't swim, but were actually being active life guards. I for one will never return here. It's just not worth it to plan a day trip for a beach that is so flakey. Every single other beach was open in Rochester too. I called them all. read more

Great park on Lake Ontario. Beach area with access to the water. Beach volleyball available. Also has a grassy area with a playground. Be aware that the water might not be safe to swim in during certain times due to high bacteria levels. Best part was the hundred year old carousel. Very quaint and fun for my kids. Also cool seeing the tugboat in the channel. read more

Ontario Beach has it's pluses and minuses, but when it comes down to it...you can't beat having a beach right on your doorstep. As a child, I remember my mother dragging us down to the beach so she could sit in the sun, I usually retreated to the shade of a tree which is still one of the great benefits of this park. You can be at the beach and still have the shade. Also a plus is the pier. On a beautiful summer day at sundown, there is not greater spot than on the pier. It could use a bit of work - yes - but we've been saying that for years and still people come. The carousel. Abbots. Plenty of parking. An assortment of restaurants. Soft sand and lifeguards. free concerts in the summer. The historic bath house... While there has tended to be a stigma because of youths getting out of hand at times, the beach is generally a family-friendly location to get out and enjoy. Maybe stay away when there are big festivals that tend to draw large crowds... But during the day, I wouldn't hesitate to come here and enjoy. read more

I grew up down the street from the much less fancy version of this park/beach (pre renovation). With more parking and upgraded light poles I still see the same place I spent my childhood. The playground is a bit rundown in spots (missing swings) but the awesome historic merry-go-round (still $1) makes up for that! Bring a picnic and get some Abbott's custard, for a day of sand and sun. I don't suggest going in the water, but hey, I see people do and there are life guards on duty... so to each his own ;) I suggest keeping the little ones in view, there are some rather special people hangin' out around there, especially later at night (and all of those darn teenagers :p ) Visit the web site for: * a downloadable map of the park * info about events * online wedding or park reservations (call the phone # for water conditions) read more

Ontario Beach Park - via http://www.monroecounty.gov/parks-ontariobeach.php - Parks Near Me - Rochester, New York

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Way underrated park with a beautiful groomed beach. Take a ride on the carousel, walk on the pier, or relax on a shady bench.

We ended our date night here with a walk on the pier. It was really lovely. Great pictures opportunities. Really romantic. It was a bit of an eye sore when we saw all the graffiti. It was everywhere and made the beautiful spot look really bad. We are definitely going to go back for more walks though. read more

Ontario Beach Park - Parks Near Me - Rochester, New York

The biggest downside of this park is you can't bring your dog (unless you prefer a dog free venue), which is strange since there's plenty of room, and most places I've been in Western New York are dog friendly. Otherwise, there's plenty of free parking, wide open spaces, a boardwalk and a beach. The carousel is $1 a ride, but it's so much larger than the carousel at our local beach, I imagine the ticket price is essential for maintenance. It's also one of the more whimsical carousels with ostriches, rabbits, cats, dogs, and pigs in addition to the usual horses. I do feel bad for any kid who discovers the hard way that the super special mounts like the lion, tiger, giraffe and reindeer don't move up and down. I still remember my own trauma as a child and nearly lost one of my sons to the same fate today. If you don't have any pets or a desire to bring them with you, this beach is great. If you do want to bring a pet, drive the extra couple of miles to the pet friendly part of Durand Eastman Park. read more

Lake Ontario - according to my daughter, the lake looks like the ocean when one gets up to the water's edge. She's kind of right. On a clear night, according to legend, one can see the lights in Toronto from the beaches in Rochester. This was a terrific place to conduct a wedding ceremony this past weekend. Granted the weather was near perfect which probably influenced my happiness with the beach venue. The loudspeaker announced the beach was closed to swimmers due to high bacteria levels, which was just as well for the wedding ceremony. Plenty of shade and grass just off the beach area, picnic pavilions, a bath house, a carousel to ride and a pier to walk. Nice retreat from the daily/weekly grind. read more

I'm very glad to have a beach to visit in Rochester. I love lying out in the sand with a great view of the water and the sun shining down on me. On nearly every visit I also walk over to Abbott's for a cone. But beware, some days the water is too filthy to swim in and the smell wafting in will make your visit less than pleasant. If you're looking for a party space, rent one of the pavilions or consider the Robach Community Center (Bathhouse) for a larger affair. Spacious room, private balcony, and beach access. I've been to a wedding there and hosted an event and both were a huge success. read more

Ontario Beach Park - View from the bathhouse - Parks Near Me - Rochester, New York

The husband and I stopped here during our February trip to Rochester. We wanted to check out the Great Lake as long as we were so close and YELPERS guided us here. Had this been summer we would have spent most of the day. Cute seasonal type restaurants and shopping are close to the lake. Along the beach area are plenty of really well maintained pavilions. The beach had at least 2 feet of snow on it so we can't comment on that. We did walk out on the pier along the channel and nearly got blown away. Brrrr! Again, this would have been gorgeous in the warmer months, only 15 minutes outside of Rochester it is worth the side trip. read more

If the lake wasn't polluted and smelling like death most of the year this would be my favorite place in all of Rochester. What other city not by an ocean has a huge beach that you can go enjoy when the weather is right? You can play volleyball (bring a net) have a picnic, walk on the pier, and also do a lot of other great things. Abbots, a few restaurants, and other attractions are nearby. The crowds are crazy on the weekends, and can definitely cause trouble with each other which can ruin the fun you are having, but I don't see that as much of a problem as a lot of other people do. Those people really want society to be segregated so if you listen to their reviews about places they are always going to have a negative review if it doesn't resemble a culdesac in Pittsford. Overall its a great place to go, if the water wasn't horribly polluted and have a wretched smell many days it would be 4 or 5 stars, but because thats often the case, and I would never get in the water there even if the smell isn't prevalent, its only 3 stars. read more

Very lovely and big. There are lots of bbq grills for when the weather is nice out or you want to grill by the ocean. Lots of sand and grass room for any out door activities. Best part is the light house that stretches out into the ocean so it feels so nice when you are talking a nice walk with your friends or love ones. I came here over the weekends so the weather was nice in the afternoon but got cold once the sun sets. There is even a playground for families with children. It is a well rounded beach with everything you can imagine to do. The sand isn't grey though, it is tan/yellowish so it is not the best beach out there but it is decent for those living in Rochester area. read more

Ontario Beach Park - The entrance view - Parks Near Me - Rochester, New York

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I do love the idea of Hot Shots having beach courts. Why not, you're just trading one smell on a court for another smell on another court. The environment is more colorful and the sunset outshines the murals decorating the walls of the indoor court. read more

Wow! Coming from NYC & northern NJ area, Ontario beach park is a gem in the Western NY/ Rochester area. It is clean, parking is adequate & FREE, so is the beach btw (Those from busy/cosmopolitan US areas who pay enormous amounts for beach experiences & parking know what I'm talking about). You can enjoy the beach, take a walk along the waterways, yatch watch, enjoy delicious ice cream from the store at the port etc etc. Lavatories are clean. The place is family friendly as well. Never overcrowded, it is beautiful, peaceful & relaxing. It is definately a place to visit whenever you're in the area. read more

This my first time to see a Great Lake...and I can't get over how much it resembles the ocean! The beach was pretty, the pier was a great view of the water and the beach. If you are in the area I definitely recommend you to visit read more

Ontario Beach Park - Parks Near Me - Rochester, New York