Highland Park
Highland Park
4.5
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The annual Lilac Festival is the most popular event on the calendar here, one of the country's oldest city arboretums.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
507 reviews
Excellent
370
Very good
121
Average
13
Poor
1
Terrible
2
Bob_and_friends-2014
Tampa, FL230 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
A premier example of F. L. Olmsted landscape design. The hills and deep ravines are a wonderland in the heart of the city. Every season is a reason to explore. Be sure to wander through the Lamberton Conservatory to breath in the freshest botanical scents. It offers several different climates, each with silently moving quail, or turtles, or tortoises. Be sure to look for Lucky, the freeloading duck.
Written February 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
RYHD
Ohio15 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
The lilacs are just starting to bloom. They smell so good! There are lots of venders so there is something for everyone. It’s an easy walk through the park with kids.
Written May 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
RutherfordB
Cumberland, MD145 contributions
Jun 2021
We didn't have time to wander the whole park, but we loved seeing the plants and wildlife in the arboretum!
Written June 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sharon H
Rochester, NY, United States297 contributions
Jul 2020
This is gem for Rochester. It is a beautiful with many flowers and flowers trees in season. It is a great place to walk, job or just sit and reflect.
Written September 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
C-Pat21
Rochester, NY148 contributions
Aug 2019 • Family
This is the place to go to get your flower fix. Obviously there is the Lilac Festival which anyone local knows about. My sneaky tip is to go the week prior to the festival. Typically you'll get easy access to things like the tulip garden which is overrun with people during the festival. Plus depending on weather the lilacs can bloom prior to the festival. Also if you go a week or two after you get more of the rhododendron blooms.
Great place to walk and enjoy nature. Also, there are two playgrounds now for little ones. Can't go wrong with that!
Great place to walk and enjoy nature. Also, there are two playgrounds now for little ones. Can't go wrong with that!
Written August 22, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Salvatore J T
Rochester, New York, United States21 contributions
May 2012 • Couples
Rochester ,NY is I feel is one of the best kept secrets of NY. State. In the spring of the year Rochester opens it's spring doors with one of the most beautiful sites, Highland Park. This park in Late April or early May displays acre's and acre's of the most beautiful flowering Lilac's. Hundreds of different species of these trees and bushes abound the hill sides of this park. Also called the Lilac Feasterville with crafts, food, entertainment and much more. At this time of the year you not only see the beauty of the blossoms and the variation of the colors but the fragrance of the flowers makes you A wear of nature's many talents. People have come cross country to see this site. So if you enjoy flowers and garden visit Rochester, NY Lilac Feasterville. I with friends and family enjoy this exhibit of mother nature annually.
Written April 1, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
kestral55
ROchester ny9 contributions
Aug 2012
Highland Park hosts Rochester's annual Lilac Festival in May. While that is an amazing and fun time, don't think you have to visit then to enjoy the park.
First - the lilacs don't always match the festival schedule. If you can visit without a lot of advance planning go to the park when the lilacs are in full bloom. 500 varieties, 1200 bushes. It is an unforgettable experience.
Beyond the lilacs, Highland Park also has the Lamberton Conservatory. It's a small one, but a nice little gem - especially during our famous Rochester winters, when you can get a taste of warmth, humidity and flowers.
Across from the Conservatory is the Shakespeare Garden, a small area featuring plants mentioned in the Bard's writings.
Wintertime outside in the park is nice also. There is a wonderful pinetum - a collection of evergreens that are majestic in the snow.
Everyone here looks forward to spring in the park - the blossoming trees and hundreds of naturalized daffodils get everyone posting pics on FB.
Just past the lilac season, there is a staircase at the eastern corner of the park that is bordered with a display of rhododendrons and azaela. Its a staircase of heavenly color when they bloom.
In summer, the paths through the park are filled with walkers and joggers. If you start on Highland Avenue you'll walk uphill, and be rewarded with view of a lovely historic reservoir and pump house. Or you can park near the pump house and walk down!
Things to know: Highland Park is a pretty good size hill. The paths meander up and down the side of the hill. It's also not a huge park, which means you can enjoy most of its areas of interest in a few hours. But why rush? Grab a lunch (there are a number of places on nearby Mt. Hope Avenue) and spread a blanket under one of the big trees, and relax!
First - the lilacs don't always match the festival schedule. If you can visit without a lot of advance planning go to the park when the lilacs are in full bloom. 500 varieties, 1200 bushes. It is an unforgettable experience.
Beyond the lilacs, Highland Park also has the Lamberton Conservatory. It's a small one, but a nice little gem - especially during our famous Rochester winters, when you can get a taste of warmth, humidity and flowers.
Across from the Conservatory is the Shakespeare Garden, a small area featuring plants mentioned in the Bard's writings.
Wintertime outside in the park is nice also. There is a wonderful pinetum - a collection of evergreens that are majestic in the snow.
Everyone here looks forward to spring in the park - the blossoming trees and hundreds of naturalized daffodils get everyone posting pics on FB.
Just past the lilac season, there is a staircase at the eastern corner of the park that is bordered with a display of rhododendrons and azaela. Its a staircase of heavenly color when they bloom.
In summer, the paths through the park are filled with walkers and joggers. If you start on Highland Avenue you'll walk uphill, and be rewarded with view of a lovely historic reservoir and pump house. Or you can park near the pump house and walk down!
Things to know: Highland Park is a pretty good size hill. The paths meander up and down the side of the hill. It's also not a huge park, which means you can enjoy most of its areas of interest in a few hours. But why rush? Grab a lunch (there are a number of places on nearby Mt. Hope Avenue) and spread a blanket under one of the big trees, and relax!
Written August 26, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sherrie E
Rochester, NY3 contributions
May 2019
The park is beautiful, filled with flora and fauna for everyone to enjoy. It is free to the public and is really an asset to our city. The lilac collection is second to none in the whole USA.
Written March 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Nicky L
7 contributions
Oct 2019 • Family
Highland park is so beautiful no matter what time of year you visit. Visiting during rhe lilac festival or even in the fall to see the leaves changing. You won't be disappointed.
Written November 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
StillTravelingOn
San Francisco, CA30 contributions
May 2019
I visited Highland Park during the lilac festival and it was fun! The lilacs were beautiful and I would recommend a visit for running or walking or even a picnic if the weather was good!
Written May 14, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Hi, we plan to visit the park this weekend, 6/1, any flowers or features items to see? And is an entrance ticket required? Thanks!
Diana R
Rochester, NY11 contributions
As with others, I'm sorry I did not see this question before your visit. I hope you had a wonderful time, and that you saw the lilacs (which sometimes get forgotten among the razzmatazz of the part of the festival that is south of the lilacs. I hope you also saw the Lamberton Conservatory, and that perhaps one of the musical events was to your taste.
Debbie R
Colchester, CT25 contributions
We'd like to visit in the third week of September. What will be the featured items in the Park?
Diana R
Rochester, NY11 contributions
I second what both of the prior respondents said. The Lamberton Conservatory will be open for a very small fee (less than $5.00. - I think it is $2 or $3. In there you can walk through a number of different climate sections, with appropriate plants. It is a lovely and peaceful place to stroll. Also, in addition to the magnificent Veteran's Memorial, there is a more low-key memorial to those who have died of HIV/AIDS although it is not well signed so may be difficult to find. There is no time of year when Highland Park is not a gorgeous place to visit.
Carol S
Canandaigua, NY
I will be coming to the Lilac Festival tomorrow with a group of 11 people, two are in wheelchairs. We will be arriving about 11:00. We will probably be in 3 or 4 cars. Where do you recommend we park - we are coming from the south into Rochester, probably Rte. 15A.
David M
Rochester, NY22 contributions
Go to the Lilac Festival website. Google will get you there. On it there is a section for handicap parking. There is also a shuttle service that is free if that works better for you. Everything else about the festival is on the site too. The lilacs are readily viewed and smelled from the many sidewalks through the park. Have fun.
Mikey619
Glen Cove, NY
Dog friendly?
girlnamedsue1
Rochester, New York, United States29 contributions
Yes.
Highland Park (Rochester) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Highland Park
- Hotels near Highland Park:
- (0.55 mi) Ellwanger Estate Bed and Breakfast
- (0.74 mi) Hilton Garden Inn Rochester/University & Medical Center
- (1.36 mi) Staybridge Suites Rochester University, an IHG Hotel
- (1.88 mi) The Strathallan Rochester Hotel & Spa - a DoubleTree by Hilton
- (1.75 mi) Hilton Garden Inn Rochester Downtown
- Restaurants near Highland Park:
- (0.89 mi) Cheesy Eddie's
- (0.43 mi) The Distillery Restaurant Mt. Hope
- (0.31 mi) The Little Apothecary
- (0.35 mi) Something Delicious Bake Shop
- (0.41 mi) Pellegrino's Deli Cafe
- Attractions near Highland Park:
- (0.05 mi) Highland Botanical Park and Lamberton Conservatory
- (0.18 mi) Lilac Adventure Zone
- (0.24 mi) Greater Rochester Vietnam Veterans Memorial
- (0.23 mi) Warner Castle
- (0.60 mi) Mount Hope Cemetery