I've always believed that there are many artists whether Actors, Artists,Singers, etc., that are…read morenever discovered but continue to do their work with great pride. And right here in Rochester are many. Graffiti and Murals have always been one of my favorite joys in photography. I've done 2 videos on Graffiti and Murals in the city. One was by Black artists in the city, the other was by Spanish artists. Rochester has many great "unknown" artists!

Rochester has a ton of cool wall art/graffiti/street art. The one I specifically saw was in the…read morealley way left of Roll'n'Yen Thai Rolled Ice Cream on South Avenue (no idea if this is part of the Wall Therapy project but it was great to look at and looked to be in this realm of art). I love cities that proudly display art with very powerful and bold statements. They are beautiful and fun to look at and make a destination a little more memorable. Graffiti can sometimes be seen as vandalism or a nuisance but it's hard to deny how wonderful it is when it is objectively obvious that the artist who created it has unique talent (vs. a random scribble on the wall that look like it took 2-seconds to do).

I love this event and I'm so glad they were able to do again. Looks like more people are taking…read morenotice too. Not only is it free and a chance to see some amazing color at the end of winter (a time of year that can a look a little drab), but even the food and venders are reasonably priced. I just got a large slice of pizza from Salvatore's for $4 and a bag of popcorn from Doc Popcorn for $3. A nice lunch for a Friday afternoon. I love walking around and finding all the little details that Airigami has included in their installation, it's like a life sized look and find. There is also a small store, with a photo booth ($5 for a keepsake photo). Just like last year they have created some events to tie into the exhibit, including an Enchantment Under the Sea Dance--with a nod to Back to the Future (2015--get it?). The dance is sponsored by Yelp Rochester. There will also be another popping party this year, where participants will get to pop the balloons (with golf tees I heard) and discover prizes inside the balloons ($10 a ticket). Can't wait to come back later this week with my family and my good camera. I always love seeing the creative things Airigami can do. They also do custom installations for meetings, conventions, parties and even weddings--in fact they created a piece at the Rochester Makers Faire for the NYSCATE Convention at the Convention Center back in November, which was really fun to watch them build. I hope this event continues to grow.

Balloon mania! Great temporary exhibit that is fun and very clever. The creativity is awesome -…read moreit is amazing what they can do with balloons. This is the second year we have gone to this exhibit in the Sibley building. Kudos to all of the sponsors of this event!

I had the opportunity to visit the Rochester Public Market a few times this harvest season…read more It's a large, bustling farmers market where many vendors sell not only seasonal produce, meat, seafood, baked goods etc., but also all sorts of unexpected merchandise. If I lived closer, I would certainly be here more often to shop, meet for coffee, lunch, and so on. There are restaurants, cafés, and bakeries on the premises. You can find whatever you're in the mood for--whether you want something elegant or more casual, or perhaps something trendy. There are plenty of places to sit and sip coffee, eat a sweet pastry, and watch what's going on around you. I love everything about this market! It's incredibly diverse and lively. What a fun place to be! I don't know what else I could add. Perhaps the fact that, for the past two years, I've been buying all the tomatoes for my preserves at this very market. This year, I discovered a stall run by a very friendly person originally from Turkey. It turned out we both love making tomato preserves. To my delight, she even showed me photos of her finished jars! Her tomatoes were delicious! I hope to return to that exact spot next year. What else? For the first time on this side of the ocean, I saw a mushroom stand where you could pick out the specific mushrooms you wanted. On top of that, paper bags were provided--not plastic ones. Perfect! As I've already mentioned, you never quite know what to expect. Every week, you'll see or experience something new. That's why there's no room for boredom.

The Rochester Public Market is one of the best farmers market I have been to and I've been to a lot…read moreof farmers markets! Not only do they have your typical produce, food vendors, flowers etc... they also are constantly hosting various free events. Always something fun, free and unique things to check out! If you haven't been here before you're missing out!

Sammies -n- Sweets food truck from Spencerport, NY is AMAZING! We enjoyed their fare at a local…read moreNativity Night in Caledonia. The service was prompt and piping hot on a very cold night. We had combo #3 which included a red osier beef sandwich, Mac salad, drink and dessert. The beef on weck was served perfectly roasted with juicy meat and a delicious roll. The carrot cake was rich with a creamy cream cheese frosting! I'll definitely be following them to see where they pop up next!

Update: Bay Vista Taqueria is the food truck…read more Fun last Wednesday of the season 9/25 food truck rodeo Music was a little loud for my liking. They could've used a few less speakers to project the noise. Wide variety of food trucks-30-40. The service at the truck I chose was fairly priced and delicious If I remember the name, I will edit my review.

In a part of Rochester that I would call "up and coming," this artwork is on the traffic island at…read morethe intersection of Lake Avenue and Route 104. It's hard to miss. Three painted steel arches joined at the peak, connected by cables. It was built in 2006 and incorporates solutions to engineering challenges as part of its aesthetic: the structural beauty of tension and compression. It is 36 feet tall. Maplewood Arch is by artist Dejan Pejovic and it has a small copper plaque at its base that is very hard to read. I believe some of it says, "This gateway protector which includes this sculpture and the welcoming sign at the eastern end to our community is the product of a generous spirit of support among neighbors who, in concert with local businesses, city and state governmental agencies and many private individuals have created symbols of pride which will enhance the Maplewood landscapes for all to enjoy." It lists the names and titles of some public officials and several local businesses. [Review 1405 of 2024 - 409 in New York - 22428 overall]

Pont de Rennes Bridge, run across the Genesse River, also the best spot to check out High Falls…read more High Falls is the tallest of the three waterfalls on the Genesee River. It is 96-ft waterfall in the center of downtown Rochester. It is a must-stop when you visit city of Rochester.

Pont de Rennes Bridge, formerly Platt Street, is a pedestrian bridge that connects the Brown's Race…read moreHistoric District and High Falls Terrace. Crossing the Genesee River downriver from High Falls. The bridge converted to pedestrian traffic in 1982. When it converted it was renamed in honor of Rochester's sister city of Rennes, France. From the bridge you get amazing views of High Falls, Genesee Brewing Company, Kodak Tower, Brown's Race, and many other sites. Great vantage point for when the falls are lit up. Great place to just take a minute to relax during a hectic day. With the conversion to a pedestrian bridge there are seating areas and public art available for a person out for a stroll. The breeze from up here is quite nice on a sunny day.

Liberty Pole is an ever changing Rochester landmark and piece of public art. I was just doing some…read morereading about the Liberty Pole on the Landmark Society's website and didn't know it was built by the same guy who did the mushroom house in Perinton: https://www.landmarksociety.org/liberty-pole/ This is a great meeting spot for the city in a central location, flanked by gorgeous and historical buildings. Watching this part of town develop over time has been and will continue to be something to behold. Stop by if you're visiting!

Liberty Pole Plaza is a downtown feature that holds holiday memories for many Rochestarians. During…read morethe holiday season, the Liberty Pole twinkles at an annual "tree-lighting" ceremony. In the warmer months, the plaza is a great spot to sit and enjoy lunch from a nearby vendor during the workday. Liberty Pole Plaza is also the home to concerts and other gatherings. After the war, poles were erected in communities to commemorate those struggles and celebrate patriotic pride. Rochester's first Liberty Pole was built on this same spot in 1846. When it was destroyed in a storm, the new one went up in 1860, standing proudly at 102 feet tall with a large wooden ball and weather vane.

It's Pittsford Village! While there is a lot of traffic during the daytime, it's still an…read moreincredibly pedestrian friendly place to visit. Parking is pretty easy to find, either on the street or in the two village lots or at Shoenplace.