When it comes to enjoying life, Rochester really shines. It's our culture, our recreation, our education, and our inventive spirit. It's the historic sites, including two National Historic Landmarks; captivating, hands-on museums for children and families; over 1,100 acres of parkland for skiing, hiking and nature study; 18 top-rated colleges and universities--with inspired community programs; and a top-notch workforce.

Located on Lake Ontario's southern shore between Buffalo and Syracuse, and just across from Toronto, Rochester became America's first boomtown in the mid-1800s with the building of the Erie Canal. Susan B. Anthony, Frederick Douglass and George Eastman all called Rochester home. The National Historic Landmark homes of Anthony and Eastman are open for visitors.

Several Fortune 500 companies do business in Rochester. Eastman Kodak Company, founded by George Eastman, and Bausch and Lomb are headquartered here and others, such as Xerox, maintain a high manufacturing presence. In fact, Chester Carlson first started using the process of Xerography right here in Rochester. Rochester's number of patents per worker is the highest in the nation. The city is one of the top ten exporting areas in the U.S.

Some other American mainstays have their roots in Rochester: French's Mustard; the voting machine; Fanny Farmer Candy; the white-hot and marshmallows. Jazz musicians Cab Calloway and Chuck Mangione are from Rochester, as is Olympic soccermedalist Abby Wambach. The Mormon religion began in a rural area just east of Rochester and Francis Bellamy, who wrote the Pledge of Allegiance, attended the University of Rochester.

Accommodations in the Rochester area are first-rate, with more than sixty-five hundred rooms in 76 hotels in the area. Sixteen of these are "full service" hotels with on-site restaurants and extensive meeting space.

Rochester is the third largest urban area in New York State, the 38th largest in the country. Rochesterians are known for their philanthropy. The United Way began in Rochester and "American Demographics" magazine twice has rated Rochesterians as the kindest and most helpful in the United States. "Child" magazine has rated Rochester one of the "top 10" best cities for families. Just take a look -- the Rochester area is rich with history and culture.

George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film (585) 271-3361 (www.eastmanhouse.org). The National Historic Landmark home of the founder of Kodak, George Eastman House combines the treasures of the world's leading museum of photography and film with tours of the Colonial Revival mansion and gardens. Features include exhibits on photography and film, plus a hands-on learning center for children.

A National Historic Landmark, Susan B. Anthony House (585) 235-6124 (www.susanbanthonyhouse.org), tells the story of the suffragist who paved the way for women to vote. Anthony lived in the Victorian home during the most politically active years of her life -- including when she was arrested for her illegal vote.

Strong Museum (585) 263-2702 (www.strongmuseum.org), is the nation's only museum devoted to the study of play as it illuminates American popular culture. Known for its family-friendly, interactive exhibits and world-renowned collections (including the world's largest collection of toys and dolls), Strong Museum has been ranked one of the Top 10 "children's" museums by CHILD magazine and among the most family-friendly museums in the Northeast by Family Fun magazine.

The Memorial Art Gallery (585) 473-7720 (mag.rochester.edu) offers a visual journey through 5,000 years of art. With more than 9,500 pieces in its permanent collection, this gallery has one of the most comprehensive collections of any New York State art museum outside metropolitan New York City.

Rochester Museum & Science Center

(585) 271-4320 (www.rmsc.org), Surprise! It's Science exhibit contains all the ingredients of an exceptional science and technology experience. The whole family will enjoy hands-on fun in Adventurezone by taking a simulated voyage beneath the waves of Lake Ontario to explore aquatic life and shipwrecks and examine the rock layers of the Genesee River gorge. The Strasenburgh Planetarium, next door, offers a giant-screen film experience and laser light shows set to music.

Monroe County's Seneca Park Zoo (585) 467-9453 (www.senecaparkzoo.org) allows you to get up close and personal with polar bears, sea lions and penguins at the underwater viewing areas of the Rocky Coasts Exhibit. Be sure to stop in to check out the ZOT Zone inside of the new Animal Health & Education Complex! Visitors will also meet African elephants, Bornean orangutans, wolves, Amur leopards and tigers, and many other animals.

The Genesee Country Village & Museum (585) 538-6822(www.gcv.org) is an experience into the past. Visit the 60 authentic buildings in a reconstructed 19th century village--including a town hall, schoolhouse, doctor's office and George Eastman's boyhood home--complete with dozens of costumed interpreters. There's also a gallery of sporting art and a 19th century Baseball Park. (From May through October).

Other Points of Interest:

Casa Larga Vineyards (585) 223-4210 (www.casalarga.com) is Monroe County's only winery. Year-round tours offer a peek at the wine making process from "graft to glass."

The Eastman School of Music (585) 274-1100 (www.rochester.edu/eastman) is world-renowned. Established in 1921 by George Eastman, the School presents more than 700 concerts a year in its magnificent Eastman Theatre and stunning Kilbourn Hall. Five Eastman-trained composers and three faculty members have been awarded the Pulitzer Prize for music.

Geva Theatre Center (585) 232-4382 (www.gevatheatre.org) is Rochester's premier professional Regional theatre and the most attend Regional theatre in New York State outside of Manhattan. Presenting productions September through June.

Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (585) 454-2100 (www.rpo.org) is one of America's finest professional orchestras. The RPO presents world-class symphonic music with a spectacular array of classical, pops and family concerts in the elegant Eastman Theatre.