Visit High Falls in Rochester, New York

High Falls refers not only to the 100-foot waterfall in the Genesee River Gorge located in the center of Rochester, but also of the district where one can find Rochester heritage information, businesses, entertainment and retail stores. This historic district pays homage to 19^th century entrepreneurs and their promising technology.

If you are planning a visit to Rochester, or live here and want to learn more about Rochester's rich history, the place to start is The Center at High Falls (60 Browns Race). Here you will find interactive exhibits involving contributions made by past Rochesterians, such as Susan B. Anthony, John Jacob Bausch & Capt. Henry Lomb, George Eastman, Frederick Douglas and many others.

Here at the Center, you will also find The High Falls Fine Art Gallery. Rochester has a legacy of the arts and you will find local artists works displayed here. There are two galleries, they feature original brick walls, high ceilings as well as floor to ceiling windows that overlook the Genesee River Gorge.

Currently at the Center is the exhibition titled, "Renew Reuse Recycle." This art is described as "locally made art from the sublime to the ridiculous." Some of the exhibitors include Anne DeStefano, Susan Link, Sheridan Vincent as well as a host of others. The Center has represented, since 1992, over 2,000 artists.

The Genesee River Gorge is also the home to a spectacular laser light show, with shows each night running from the end of May to the beginning of September. These shows are set to modern music and are about 20 minutes long. You can view them quite well from the pedestrian bridge, Pont De Rennes (the bridge is named after Rochester's sister city, Rennes, France.)

High Falls is incorporated within the Brown's Race District, (a National Register Historic District and a City Preservation District.) Within this small area, you can tour such places as the Kodak office tower, (former) Rochester Button Factory (once reportedly the largest manufacturer of buttons), High Falls Brewing Company, Triphammer Forge Site, Frontier Field, Iron Works (an 1880's window-sash producer) and the building at 208 Mills Street, formerly the Selye Fire Engine Company, where they built fire engines and distributed them to other cities in New York, as well as many other historical buildings.

At the High Falls Visitor's Center, you can also book a guided tour. These last about one hour and are a simulated taxi ride, taking you to the outer reaches of Rochester. To schedule one you can call (585) 325-2030.

If you're in the High Falls District and are looking for something to eat, why not try the Triphammer Grill? This building has great history behind it. It was first built as a forge in 1816, and burned down in 1977, but visitors can still see the original, rebuilt 12-ton, 25 foot waterwheel in its original chamber.

Overall, Rochester has an engaging history with many contributions to the modern-world as we know it today. Rochester is blessed with a spectacular waterfall, and a city government that cares enough to slowly but purposefully populate its historic district with entertainment and educational exhibits for its residents.