A guide for all seasons

By David Andreatta @david_andreatta

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You might think you know all there is to know about your hometown, but you can live in a place your entire life and learn something new about it every day.

That's what CITY's Annual Manual is all about. It is as much a guide for longtime residents of the Rochester region as it is an introduction for visitors and newcomers to the area's charms, hidden treasures, and delights.

We live in an age in which so much information, including some of what you'll find in this magazine, is in the palm of our hands. But mining it can mean wading through a lot of noise. The Annual Manual cuts through the din for you in a relaxed, easy-to-read format.

New to the area or looking for a new home? We spotlight the city's hottest neighborhoods and the suburbs that are hopping. Ever wonder who's running the show? Check out our profiles on political leaders who make headlines. Speaking of shows, are you looking for live entertainment? We covered that, too.

The Annual Manual is a guide for all seasons that'll point you in the right direction. What's in these pages is just the tip of the iceberg, though. Take a walk, hop in the car, catch a bus, and explore our community on your own. There's no telling what you'll find.

In This Guide...

Annual Manual

Mark Your Calendar

...but use a pencil

As of the printing of this publication, 2020 hasn't unfolded as expected. We hope the health crisis is short-lived and that, when it's all over, Rochester will get back to its routines and showcasing its treasures.

By Katherine Stathis and Daniel J. Kushner Mar 25, 2020
Annual Manual

Shelf-aware

A peek into Rochester's literary scene

Rochester's got many organizations and literary centers that support its crowd of authors, poets, and lit-loving audiences.

By Rebecca Rafferty Mar 25, 2020
Annual Manual

Exhibit A+

A survey of Rochester's museums, galleries, art studios, and public art

Rochester is regularly called a "city of the arts" by politicians and cultural movers and shakers alike.

By Rebecca Rafferty Mar 25, 2020
Annual Manual

A renters' rights run-down

Some recent, high-profile cases of negligent landlords, along with an explosion of new high-end apartment complexes with equally high-end rents, have brought issues of housing and renters rights to the fore.

By Jeremy Moule Mar 25, 2020
Annual Manual

From ale to weisse, Rochester brews it

The Flower City loves beer and there's no shortage of fresh, local brews.

By Gino Fanelli Mar 25, 2020
Annual Manual

For the kids

Family-friendly options in Rochester

If there is one constant theme to greater Rochester, it's that the area is a great place to raise kids.

By Daniel J. Kushner and David Andreatta Mar 25, 2020
Annual Manual

Take me to your leader

Greater Rochester saw a lot of changes in its political scene in the last year.

By David Andreatta Mar 25, 2020
Annual Manual

Moving the needle

As the third-largest city in New York, Rochester has a rich local media scene, with a daily newspaper, a feisty alternative news weekly, three network television news affiliates, and dozens of radio stations.

By David Andreatta Mar 25, 2020
Annual Manual

The sites for sounds

A curated guide to essential local concert venues

Location is everything when it comes to seeing music performed live.

By Daniel J. Kushner Mar 25, 2020
Annual Manual

Welcome to the neighborhood(s)

When we talk about "Rochester," we're not just talking about the city.

By CITY STAFF Mar 25, 2020
Annual Manual

Dive into the nightlife

As the old Willie Nelson song goes, "The nightlife ain't no life, but it's my life."

By Frank De Blase Mar 25, 2020
Annual Manual

Susan B.'s Big Year

Rochester has grand plans to celebrate its favorite daughter — Susan B. Anthony — and her accomplishments throughout 2020, a year that marks a trifecta of important anniversaries.

By David Andreatta Mar 25, 2020
Annual Manual

House party

Rochester's off-off-really-off-Broadway performance venues

For a city of Rochester's population size and general distance from the Great White Way, there's an impressive amount of talent and options for theatre lovers.

By Leah Stacy Mar 25, 2020
Annual Manual

Weed in the Flower City

Let's make one thing clear off the bat: Recreational cannabis was not yet legal in New York as of this guide's publishing.

By Gino Fanelli Mar 25, 2020