Things to Do in Rochester in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
Low Season · Budget Friendly
March Weather in Rochester
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
44°F (7°C)
High Temp
28°F (-2°C)
Low Temp
0.1 inches (3 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
⚠ UV index reaches 8 on clear days - sun reflects off snow and ice, doubling exposure
Is March Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + March delivers the last reliable cross-country skiing on the Erie Canal trail before spring thaw - the snowpack holds firm at 15-cm (6-inch) base through mid-month
- + Maple-syrup weekends at area sugar shacks run every Saturday-Sunday, with free tastings of Grade An amber that won't hit retail shelves until April
- + Hotel rates drop 30-40% the week after college spring break crowds clear out - you might score a room overlooking High Falls for once
- + The Rochester Public Market indoor farmers' market moves back outdoors to the parking lot on South Avenue - local growers start selling overwintered root vegetables at prices that undercut Wegmans
Considerations
- − Grey slush pools at every curb until the third week - your shoes will get salt-stained within an hour of walking downtown
- − The Genesee River's ice dams sometimes back up enough to close parts of the River Trail through early March - check city alerts before planning riverside walks
- − Restaurant patios stay shuttered. Outdoor seating doesn't appear until mid-April regardless of any random 15°C (59°F) teaser day
Best Activities in March
Top things to do during your visit
Rochester in March shakes off winter. Expect a slow thaw. Daytime highs reach seven degrees Celsius. But nights still drop to minus three. The damp chill sticks around, with seventy percent humidity. A cool breeze often cuts across the Genesee River. You will see about ten days of fine, cold rain. Locals huddle in coffee shops. The month has two distinct beats. First, the Rochester International Jazz Festival Kickoff Weekend fills East Avenue venues with music. Then, the Saint Patrick's Day Parade echoes around Park Avenue. These events draw people out. They are the communal heart of the city this month.
Corning Museum of Glass Admission Tickets
culturalWatch molten silica become art at the Corning Museum of Glass. Live furnaces roar. Master gaffers shape glowing orbs. You can trace the history of this material from ancient Roman vessels to modern installations. Try making a piece in a workshop.
It is the world's most complete collection of glass. The look at this medium is impressive.
Insider tip: Book a workshop for late afternoon. Most school groups will be gone by then, giving you a more intimate experience.
This month: The indoor climate is a warm, consistent escape from March weather.
Canandaigua Wine Trail Experience
guided_experienceTravel the sloping vineyards of the Finger Lakes on the Canandaigua Wine Trail. In March, leafless vines stand against grey skies. Tasting rooms glow with warmth. This guided tour visits several estates. You will sample crisp Rieslings and strong Cabernet Francs. Vintners pour the wine and explain the local terroir.
It is a curated, behind-the-scenes introduction to the region's celebrated wineries.
Insider tip: Wear sturdy, waterproof boots. The thawing ground between cellar doors is often soft and muddy.
Shared Wine, Chocolate and Cheese Tasting in Conesus Lake
otherGather around a rustic table overlooking Conesus Lake. The tasting pairs local wines with artisan cheeses and handmade chocolates. Taste a blue cheese with a dry rosé. Try a dark chocolate square with a full-bodied red. Watch slate-grey water ripple under the March sky.
This experience focuses on the direct relationship between three local craft products.
Insider tip: Ask for a window seat. The afternoon light fading over the lake is dramatic on clear, cold days.
Canandaigua Lake Brewery Tour
foodEnter the humid air of a working brewery on the Canandaigua Lake Brewery Tour. Smell malted barley and yeast. Catch the citrus notes of hops hitting the boil kettle. The tour passes fermentation tanks before ending in the taproom. Your flight includes small-batch ales and lagers, from a crisp pilsner to a malty stout.
You get an unfiltered look at the craft beer process. Generous samples are included.
Insider tip: Friday evening tours have a more lively atmosphere. The local weekend crowd starts to arrive.
Zipline Canopy Activity Admission at Bristol Mountain
adventureStrap into a harness at Bristol Mountain. Launch into the leafless forest. You will zip along cables above a snowy creek bed. The canopy is bare oak and maple branches. Feel the cold rush of air. Hear the whir of the pulley.
It provides a thrilling, year-round aerial view of the Bristol Hills.
Insider tip: Wear close-fitting gloves. You need dexterity for clipping carabiners. But your fingers must stay warm.
This month: The bare winter forest offers long-range views you cannot get in leafier seasons.
Luxury 2 Hour Sunset Tour Canandaigua Lake-Groups or Individuals
guided_experienceBoard a spacious vessel for a luxury sunset tour on Canandaigua Lake. The water takes on deep twilight hues. See silhouetted hills dotted with warm house lights. Feel the gentle rock of the boat. Listen to waves lap the hull. Watch the last orange and violet light fade.
This tranquil tour shows the lake's beauty from its center. The comforts are premium.
Insider tip: The port side usually gives the most direct views of the sunset reflecting on the water.
This month: March air is often crisp and clear. This creates vivid, prolonged sunset colors.
Where to Stay in Rochester in March
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for March travellers.
★★★★★
Luxury
Trump International Hotel & Tower® New York
From $839 / night
Check Prices on Trip.com →
March Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Early March
Rochester International Jazz Festival - Kickoff Weekend
The club-pass weekend (usually first or second Saturday of March) previews June's main festival with three-venue hops around East Avenue. Sets run 7 PM-midnight; you can walk between Hatch Recital Hall, The Little Theatre, and Abilene within ten minutes, clutching a plastic cup of local craft beer that doesn't get skunked by cold air.
Mid March (Saturday before 17th)
Saint Patrick's Day Parade
Upstate's largest Irish parade clogs Park Avenue with bagpipe bands and county associations you've never heard of. Arrive at 11:30 AM for the shorter pre-parade procession of pipers warming up reeds in doorways - the sound ricochets off Victorian porches like a rehearsal for the main event at noon.
Packing Checklist
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View Rochester Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Park free at the Court Street garage after 5 PM and on weekends - gates stay open and security doesn't ticket; it's a five-minute walk to most downtown restaurants.
Order a "white hot" at Dogtown or Schaller's - Rochester's own uncured pork-and-beef hot dog that looks pale but tastes garlicky and smoky. Locals eat them with meat-hot sauce that stains like chili.
The Rochester Broadway Theatre League offers $25 rush tickets (cash only) at the box office two hours before curtain on Tuesday-Thursday nights in March - tourism is thin enough that seats usually remain.
If you need a restroom while exploring the abandoned subway tunnel entrance behind Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, the Radisson lobby on East Main lets non-guests use facilities - just nod at security like you belong.
Avoid These Mistakes
Assuming March is full-on spring - trees stay bare and grass brown until mid-April; don't plan picnic photos with blossoms
Trying to walk from the Public Market to downtown - it's only 1.6 km (1 mi) but crosses a freeway ramp without sidewalks. Grab a rideshare instead
Showing up at Letchworth State Park for waterfalls without checking road closures - the gorge rim drive often shuts for ice control even when Rochester itself is slushy
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