Rochester, New York, United States of America: What to pack, what to wear, and when to go [2023]

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Ready to pack for Rochester, New York, United States of America? If you're planning to go to Rochester, this article contains some important information about when to go, what to wear, and what to pack.

Contents

When to go to Rochester, New York, United States of America

Based on the climate and weather in Rochester, New York, United States of America, the best time to go is August. See below for details.

What to wear/what to pack for Rochester, New York, United States of America

Already know when you're traveling?

Here are some general tips on what to wear in Rochester, as well as several items to remember to pack when traveling there.

What to wear/what to pack for Rochester, New York, United States of America by month

January

January in Rochester can be extremely cold, very snowy and very rainy. The snow can amount to several inches/centimeters. During this time, temperatures average in the low 30s F (single digits below 0 C), although night temperatures can dip into the single digits F (10+ below zero C).

What to wear/what to pack:

Clothes + Footwear
Health
Safety + Security

  • AirTag to track your luggage

    With airports repeatedly losing bags these days, an AirTag can locate it anywhere in the world: AirTag for iPhones.

  • Anti-theft backpack

    For a bit of protection, an anti-theft backpack protects your stuff.

  • Voice and data SIM card

    A SIM card that works in Rochester. A good global SIM card works in most countries, but check the country list before buying.

  • Money/passport pouch

    A money pouch is vital for protecting your passport and credit cards.

Comfort + Essentials

  • Luggage scale to avoid fees

    Airlines charge huge prices for overweight luggage. Save money with this

  • Power bank for devices

    A portable power bank, like this one

  • Travel adapter

    A plug adapter that supports outlet types A and B. Be careful to get the necessary type. The majority of adapters for sale now are just plugs and require your electronics to adjust the voltage themselves. If yours can't do that they could get destroyed. This one should be appropriate for most countries.

  • Airplane phone mount

    Make your flight more comfortable with an airplane phone mount

  • Travel neck support pillow

    A great choice is this one

If you go to Seneca Park Zoo, you will do a lot of walking. These are a must:

If you want to visit High Falls Interpretive Center and Museum, prepare to get wet, and take these:

February

If you go to Rochester in February, you will notice that it can be extremely cold, somewhat snowy and somewhat rainy. Expect it to rain about half of the time and snow about half of the time. Daytime temperatures are in the 30s F (single digits C).

What to wear/what to pack:

Clothes + Footwear
Health
Safety + Security

  • Money/passport pouch

    A money pouch is vital for protecting your passport and credit cards.

  • Anti-theft backpack

    For a little protection, an anti-theft backpack protects your belongings.

  • AirTag to track your luggage

    With airlines frequently losing things recently, an AirTag can find it anywhere on earth: AirTag for iPhones.

  • Voice and data SIM card

    A SIM card that works in Rochester. A good global SIM card works in most countries, but check the country list before buying.

Comfort + Essentials

  • Airplane phone mount

    Make your flight more comfortable with an airplane phone mount

  • Power bank for devices

    A portable power bank, like this one

  • Travel adapter

    A plug adapter that supports outlet types A and B. Make sure to get the necessary kind. A lot of adapters available online are simply plug changers and expect your devices to convert the voltage themselves. If your devices can't do that they could burn up. This one is sufficent for most areas.

  • Travel pillow

    A versatile choice is this one

  • Luggage scale to avoid fees

    Airlines charge large amounts for overweight luggage. Avoid penalties with this

If you go to Seneca Park Zoo, you will do a lot of walking. These are a must:

If you want to visit High Falls Interpretive Center and Museum, prepare to get wet, and take these:

March

March in Rochester is brisk, somewhat snowy and somewhat rainy. The average overnight temperatures in the area are in the 20s F (single digits below 0 C). It tends to rain about half of the time. It also snows a bit less than half of the time. But the colder weather doesn't bring low humidity, which is in the 60% to 70% range on average.

What to wear/what to pack:

Clothes + Footwear
Health
Safety + Security

  • AirTag to track your luggage

    With airlines frequently losing bags recently, an AirTag can help you find it anywhere on earth: AirTag for iPhones.

  • Anti-theft backpack

    For a little peace of mind, an anti-theft backpack protects your belongings.

  • Voice and data SIM card

    A SIM card that works in Rochester. A good global SIM card works in most countries, but check the country list before buying.

  • Money/passport pouch

    A money pouch is vital for protecting your passport and credit cards.

Comfort + Essentials

  • Travel pillow

    A top rated pillow is this one

  • Luggage scale to avoid fees

    Airlines charge large penalties for overweight luggage. Save money with this

  • Power bank for devices

    A portable power bank, like this one

  • Airplane phone mount

    Make your flight more comfortable with an airplane phone mount

  • Voltage step down adapter

    A plug adapter that supports outlet types A and B. Be sure to choose the necessary kind. A lot of adapters currently being sold are simply plug changers and require your electronics to change the voltage themselves. If your devices can't do that they could get destroyed. This one should work in most places.

If you go to Seneca Park Zoo, you will do a lot of walking. These are a must:

If you want to visit High Falls Interpretive Center and Museum, prepare to get wet, and take these:

April

April for Rochester is crisp and somewhat rainy. Temperatures average in the 50s F (low 10s C) during the day. It rains about half of the time and snows occasionally.

What to wear/what to pack:

Clothes + Footwear
Health
Safety + Security

  • Anti-theft backpack

    For a bit of protection, an anti-theft backpack protects your belongings.

  • AirTag to track your luggage

    With airlines frequently losing bags nowadays, an AirTag can help you locate it anywhere anywhere: AirTag for iPhones.

  • Money/passport pouch

    A money pouch is vital for protecting your passport and credit cards.

  • Voice and data SIM card

    A SIM card that works in Rochester. A good global SIM card works in most countries, but check the country list before buying.

Comfort + Essentials

  • Power bank for devices

    A portable power bank, like this one

  • Travel adapter

    A plug adapter that supports outlet types A and B. Ensure that you pick the correct type. A lot of adapters currently sold are just plugs and expect your devices to convert the voltage themselves. If your devices can't do that they could get destroyed. This one works in most countries.

  • Travel neck pillow

    Our favorite is this one

  • Luggage scale to avoid fees

    Airlines charge huge prices for overweight luggage. Avoid surcharges with this

  • Airplane phone mount

    Make your flight more comfortable with an airplane phone mount

If you go to Seneca Park Zoo, you will do a lot of walking. These are a must:

If you want to visit High Falls Interpretive Center and Museum, prepare to get wet, and take these:

May

In May, Rochester is balmy and somewhat rainy. Temperatures routinely are in the high 60s F (low 10s C) and about half of the time jump into the low 70s F (low 20s C) range. At night, lows are in the 40s F (single digits C). This is also a rainy time for Rochester, with several of the days of the month having rain. In May, humidity reaches as high as 60%.

What to wear/what to pack:

Clothes + Footwear
Health
Safety + Security

  • Anti-theft backpack

    For a little protection, an anti-theft backpack protects your belongings.

  • Voice and data SIM card

    A SIM card that works in Rochester. A good global SIM card works in most countries, but check the country list before buying.

  • Money/passport pouch

    A money pouch is vital for protecting your passport and credit cards.

  • AirTag to track your luggage

    With airports always losing bags recently, an AirTag can locate it anywhere on earth: AirTag for iPhones.

Comfort + Essentials

  • Luggage scale to avoid fees

    Airlines charge huge prices for overweight luggage. Avoid penalties with this

  • Voltage step down adapter

    A plug adapter that supports outlet types A and B. Be careful to get the right type. A lot of adapters on sale are simply plug changers and require your electronics to adjust the voltage themselves. If your devices can't do that they could get destroyed. This one should be sufficient for most locations.

  • Travel neck pillow

    A great choice is this one

  • Airplane phone mount

    Make your flight more comfortable with an airplane phone mount

  • Power bank for devices

    A portable power bank, like this one

If you go to Seneca Park Zoo, you will do a lot of walking. These are a must:

If you want to visit High Falls Interpretive Center and Museum, prepare to get wet, and take these:

June

In June, Rochester is warm and somewhat rainy. Temperatures routinely are in the high 70s F (mid 20s C) and about a third of the time jump into the low 80s F (high 20s C) range. At night, lows are in the 50s F (low 10s C). This is also a rainy time for Rochester, with several of the days of the month having rain. In June, humidity reaches as high as 60%.

What to wear/what to pack:

Clothes + Footwear
Health
Safety + Security

  • Anti-theft backpack

    For a little protection, an anti-theft backpack protects your stuff.

  • Money/passport pouch

    A money pouch is vital for protecting your passport and credit cards.

  • AirTag to track your luggage

    With airlines always losing luggage recently, an AirTag can locate it anywhere anywhere: AirTag for iPhones.

  • Voice and data SIM card

    A SIM card that works in Rochester. A good global SIM card works in most countries, but check the country list before buying.

Comfort + Essentials

  • Power bank for devices

    A portable power bank, like this one

  • Airplane phone mount

    Make your flight more comfortable with an airplane phone mount

  • Luggage scale to avoid fees

    Airlines charge excessive prices for overweight luggage. Avoid penalties with this

  • Travel neck support pillow

    An excellent option is this one

  • Travel voltage adapter

    A plug adapter that supports outlet types A and B. Check that you pick the right type. Many adapters that you can buy are just plugs and require your devices to change the voltage themselves. If your electronics can't do that they could get fried. This one should be sufficient for most countries.

If you go to Seneca Park Zoo, you will do a lot of walking. These are a must:

If you want to visit High Falls Interpretive Center and Museum, prepare to get wet, and take these:

July

If you are traveling to Rochester in July, you will notice that it is pretty consistently hot and somewhat rainy. Expect it to rain about a third of the time. Daytime temperatures are in the low 80s F (high 20s C).

What to wear/what to pack:

Clothes + Footwear
Health
Safety + Security

  • Money/passport pouch

    A money pouch is vital for protecting your passport and credit cards.

  • AirTag to track your luggage

    With airports frequently losing things these days, an AirTag can help you locate it anywhere on earth: AirTag for iPhones.

  • Voice and data SIM card

    A SIM card that works in Rochester. A good global SIM card works in most countries, but check the country list before buying.

  • Anti-theft backpack

    For a little protection, an anti-theft backpack protects your belongings.

Comfort + Essentials

  • Airplane phone mount

    Make your flight more comfortable with an airplane phone mount

  • Voltage step down adapter

    A plug adapter that supports outlet types A and B. Make sure to choose the right type. Many adapters on sale are simply plugs and require your electronics to adjust the voltage themselves. If your electronics can't do that they could burn up. This one should be sufficient for most places.

  • Power bank for devices

    A portable power bank, like this one

  • Travel neck pillow

    A top rated pillow is this one

  • Luggage scale to avoid fees

    Airlines charge excessive prices for overweight luggage. Avoid penalties with this

If you go to Seneca Park Zoo, you will do a lot of walking. These are a must:

If you want to visit High Falls Interpretive Center and Museum, prepare to get wet, and take these:

August

August in Rochester is a perfect temperature and somewhat rainy. The rain can amount to several inches/centimeters. During this time, temperatures average in the high 60s F (low 20s C) to high 70s F (mid 20s C), although night temperatures can dip into the low 50s F (single digits C).

What to wear/what to pack:

Clothes + Footwear
Health
Safety + Security

  • AirTag to track your luggage

    With airports constantly losing luggage recently, an AirTag can find it anywhere in the world: AirTag for iPhones.

  • Anti-theft backpack

    For a little protection, an anti-theft backpack protects your things.

  • Voice and data SIM card

    A SIM card that works in Rochester. A good global SIM card works in most countries, but check the country list before buying.

  • Money/passport pouch

    A money pouch is vital for protecting your passport and credit cards.

Comfort + Essentials

  • Travel adapter

    A plug adapter that supports outlet types A and B. Take care to get the correct type. The vast majority of adapters currently available are simply plugs and expect your devices to change the voltage themselves. If yours can't do that they could get destroyed. This one should work in most areas.

  • Travel neck support pillow

    An excellent option is this one

  • Airplane phone mount

    Make your flight more comfortable with an airplane phone mount

  • Luggage scale to avoid fees

    Airlines charge large amounts for overweight luggage. Avoid penalties with this

  • Power bank for devices

    A portable power bank, like this one

If you go to Seneca Park Zoo, you will do a lot of walking. These are a must:

If you want to visit High Falls Interpretive Center and Museum, prepare to get wet, and take these:

September

September in this region is mild and somewhat rainy. Temperatures average in the low 70s F (low 20s C) during the day. It rains 5-10 days this month.

What to wear/what to pack:

Clothes + Footwear
Health
Safety + Security

  • Money/passport pouch

    A money pouch is vital for protecting your passport and credit cards.

  • AirTag to track your luggage

    With airports repeatedly losing luggage these days, an AirTag can help you find it anywhere anywhere: AirTag for iPhones.

  • Voice and data SIM card

    A SIM card that works in Rochester. A good global SIM card works in most countries, but check the country list before buying.

  • Anti-theft backpack

    For a bit of peace of mind, an anti-theft backpack protects your belongings.

Comfort + Essentials

  • Airplane phone mount

    Make your flight more comfortable with an airplane phone mount

  • Luggage scale to avoid fees

    Airlines charge large prices for overweight luggage. Save money with this

  • Voltage step down adapter

    A plug adapter that supports outlet types A and B. Check that you get the necessary kind. The vast majority of adapters on sale are simply plug changers and expect your devices to change the voltage themselves. If your electronics can't do that they could burn up. This one should be sufficient for most countries.

  • Power bank for devices

    A portable power bank, like this one

  • Travel neck support pillow

    An excellent option is this one

If you go to Seneca Park Zoo, you will do a lot of walking. These are a must:

If you want to visit High Falls Interpretive Center and Museum, prepare to get wet, and take these:

October

October in Rochester is crisp and somewhat rainy. The average overnight temperatures in the area are in the low 40s F (single digits C), with a few days below 32 F (single digits C). It tends to rain 5-10 days this month. But the colder weather doesn't bring low humidity, which is in the 60% to 60% range on average.

What to wear/what to pack:

Clothes + Footwear
Health
Safety + Security

  • AirTag to track your luggage

    With airlines frequently losing things these days, an AirTag can find it anywhere anywhere: AirTag for iPhones.

  • Voice and data SIM card

    A SIM card that works in Rochester. A good global SIM card works in most countries, but check the country list before buying.

  • Money/passport pouch

    A money pouch is vital for protecting your passport and credit cards.

  • Anti-theft backpack

    For a little protection, an anti-theft backpack protects your things.

Comfort + Essentials

  • Luggage scale to avoid fees

    Airlines charge excessive amounts for overweight luggage. Avoid penalties with this

  • Airplane phone mount

    Make your flight more comfortable with an airplane phone mount

  • Travel neck pillow

    A top rated pillow is this one

  • Power bank for devices

    A portable power bank, like this one

  • Plug adapter

    A plug adapter that supports outlet types A and B. Be careful to get the correct type. A lot of adapters currently available are just plugs and expect your devices to adjust the voltage themselves. If your devices can't do that they could burn up. This one is sufficent for most places.

If you go to Seneca Park Zoo, you will do a lot of walking. These are a must:

If you want to visit High Falls Interpretive Center and Museum, prepare to get wet, and take these:

November

November in Rochester can be very chilly, snowy and somewhat rainy. The average overnight temperatures in the area are in the low 30s F (single digits C). It tends to rain about half of the time. It also snows sometimes. But the colder weather doesn't bring low humidity, which is in the 60% to 70% range on average.

What to wear/what to pack:

Clothes + Footwear
Health
Safety + Security

  • AirTag to track your luggage

    With airports always losing things recently, an AirTag can find it anywhere anywhere: AirTag for iPhones.

  • Voice and data SIM card

    A SIM card that works in Rochester. A good global SIM card works in most countries, but check the country list before buying.

  • Money/passport pouch

    A money pouch is vital for protecting your passport and credit cards.

  • Anti-theft backpack

    For a little peace of mind, an anti-theft backpack protects your belongings.

Comfort + Essentials

  • Power bank for devices

    A portable power bank, like this one

  • Travel voltage adapter

    A plug adapter that supports outlet types A and B. Be sure to find the correct kind. Most adapters that you can buy are simply plug changers and require your electronics to convert the voltage themselves. If yours can't do that they could get fried. This one should be sufficient for most areas.

  • Travel pillow

    A good option is this one

  • Airplane phone mount

    Make your flight more comfortable with an airplane phone mount

  • Luggage scale to avoid fees

    Airlines charge large penalties for overweight luggage. Save money with this

If you go to Seneca Park Zoo, you will do a lot of walking. These are a must:

If you want to visit High Falls Interpretive Center and Museum, prepare to get wet, and take these:

December

December in Rochester is frosty, somewhat snowy and very rainy. The snow can amount to several inches/centimeters. During this time, temperatures average in the low 30s F (single digits below 0 C) to high 30s F (single digits C), although night temperatures can dip into the low 20s F (single digits below 0 C).

What to wear/what to pack:

Clothes + Footwear
Health
Safety + Security

  • Anti-theft backpack

    For a bit of protection, an anti-theft backpack protects your belongings.

  • Voice and data SIM card

    A SIM card that works in Rochester. A good global SIM card works in most countries, but check the country list before buying.

  • Money/passport pouch

    A money pouch is vital for protecting your passport and credit cards.

  • AirTag to track your luggage

    With airports frequently losing luggage nowadays, an AirTag can help you locate it anywhere in the world: AirTag for iPhones.

Comfort + Essentials

  • Airplane phone mount

    Make your flight more comfortable with an airplane phone mount

  • Travel pillow

    A top rated pillow is this one

  • Power bank for devices

    A portable power bank, like this one

  • Travel adapter

    A plug adapter that supports outlet types A and B. Check that you choose the right type. Most adapters that you can buy are simply plug changers and expect your electronics to convert the voltage themselves. If your devices can't do that they could burn up. This one should work in most places.

  • Luggage scale to avoid fees

    Airlines charge large prices for overweight luggage. Avoid penalties with this

If you go to Seneca Park Zoo, you will do a lot of walking. These are a must:

If you want to visit High Falls Interpretive Center and Museum, prepare to get wet, and take these:

What to do in Rochester, New York, United States of America

Rochester, New York is a city rich in history, culture, and tourist attractions. Located in western New York, Rochester is a vibrant city with a lot of things to offer both locals and visitors. The city is known for several tourist attractions that attract thousands of tourists every year. Here are the top tourist attractions in Rochester.

1. The Strong National Museum of Play: The Strong National Museum of Play is one of the most famous attractions in Rochester. The museum is dedicated to the history of play and is home to over 500,000 objects related to toys, games, and other forms of play. Visitors can enjoy interactive exhibits that showcase the history of games and toys, and can even play some classic games themselves.

2. Rochester Museum and Science Center: The Rochester Museum and Science Center is another popular tourist attraction in the city. The museum offers many exhibits that explore the natural world and the universe. It has several exhibitions on the natural history of western New York, and also provides visitors with a look at the development of technology.

3. Seneca Park Zoo: Seneca Park Zoo is a 15-acre zoo with more than 90 species of animals from around the world. The zoo has a diverse collection of animals, including African elephants, polar bears, and penguins. Visitors can take a guided tour or explore the zoo on their own.

4. George Eastman Museum: The George Eastman Museum is a museum dedicated to the life and work of George Eastman, the founder of Eastman Kodak Company. The museum has an extensive collection of photographs and cameras, and visitors can explore exhibits that showcase the history of photography.

5. Susan B. Anthony Museum & House: The Susan B. Anthony Museum & House is a famous historic attraction in Rochester. The museum is dedicated to the life and legacy of Susan B. Anthony, a famous suffragist who fought for women's rights. Visitors can explore the museum's exhibits and take a guided tour of the home where Anthony lived.

6. Highland Park: Highland Park is a beautiful park in Rochester that features a Japanese Garden, a Lilac Collection, and several other botanical gardens. The park is perfect for nature lovers and is a great place to take a relaxing walk or have a picnic.

7. Mount Hope Cemetery: Mount Hope Cemetery is a beautiful cemetery in Rochester that has been designated as a National Historic Landmark. The cemetery is home to several notable individuals, including Susan B. Anthony, Frederick Douglass, and Nathaniel Rochester.

In conclusion, Rochester is a city with a lot of things to offer tourists. From museums to parks and historic landmarks, visitors will find plenty to see and do in Rochester. If you're planning a trip to New York State, make sure to add Rochester to your list of must-visit destinations.

About your travel guide

Hi! I'm Dev. I've traveled all over the world and in my travels, I have made many packing lists. In this series, my team and I have compiled the most useful information, as well as things we couldn't live without, to help you plan your trip.

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