Who knew there were waterfalls in Rochester NY? We didn’t until we planned a trip to the area. Since there are so many to visit, we are sharing the waterfalls worth checking out and tips for visiting with a little one.
If you asked us to name a waterfall, Niagara Falls is probably the first (and only one) that comes to mind. That is until we spent some time in Upstate New York.
There are A LOT of waterfalls in this region. And we really mean A LOT! You can easily plan a multi-day road trip traveling to all the waterfalls.
That being said, how many waterfalls can you really look at before they start to blur together? Well, you won’t have to find out!
We rounded up the best waterfalls in Rochester NY worth visiting and are sharing everything you need to know for visiting with toddlers.
This post is all about waterfalls in Rochester NY that you need to visit!
Must-See Waterfalls In Rochester NY
Rochester Area Waterfalls
High Falls
Out of all the waterfalls in Rochester NY, you can’t miss High Falls! It is located right in downtown Rochester. If you are spending any time in the city, then High Falls should be on your list to visit.
You can view this 96-foot waterfall from a few places.
The Pont de Rennes bridge is the best viewing point. This pedestrian bridge spans the Genesee River and is a great place to stand for a beautiful view of High Falls and the Rochester skyline. Unfortunately, the bridge closed in 2023 for repairs and won’t reopen until 2024.
Another option is High Falls Terrace Park. This is where we went to get a view of the falls. There is a small parking lot at the park. From the parking lot, it’s a short walk to an overlook where you can see the falls. You can take a stroller with you to the overlook, but it really is a short walk from the parking lot.
Lower Falls
Lower Falls is also on our list of must-see waterfalls in Rochester NY. This 85-foot waterfall is located in Rochester so it’s an urban setting and not as pretty an environment as some of the others on this list. Seeing a waterfall in a city is a unique experience you don’t want to miss.
Your best bets for getting a view of the falls are either from Driving Park Avenue Bridge or Lower Falls Park. You can park at Maplewood Park in order to access the bridge and the park.
The Maplewood Park parking lot is off of Driving Park Avenue so you can follow the sidewalk to the bridge. You will just want to make sure that from the parking lot you cross over Driving Park Avenue to take the sidewalk to the bridge so you are on the right side of the road to see the falls.
To get to Lower Falls Park, you can take the Genesee Riverway Trail from the parking lot. The trail is paved so you can take your toddler in a stroller to get a view of the falls from the trail.
Corbett’s Glen
Corbett’s Glen Nature Park is located in the town of Brighton right outside Rochester. In Corbett’s Glen, you will find another Monroe County waterfall – Postcard Falls.
There are two ways to access Corbett’s Glen. There is a small parking area off of Penfield Road. If you have a little one and want to view Postcard Falls, you will not want to access the park from this entry point. The trails from this parking area to Postcard Falls are just that – trails. Be prepared to hike without a stroller.
Instead, we would recommend parking on Glen Road. There is a small designated parking area on the side of Glen Road, but it is easy to miss. The parking area will be on your right as soon as you turn onto Glen Road from Linden Avenue.
From the Glen Road parking area, it’s a short walk down Glen Road and through Corbett’s Glen Tunnel to get to Perimeter Trail. You will take the trail to the right to get to Postcard Falls. You aren’t on the trail for long before you reach the falls and the trail is wide so you can take a stroller.
The falls are pretty, but small. However, it’s a great adventure with a toddler so it’s a must-see waterfall with your little one!
Letchworth State Park
Letchworth State Park is about an hour from Rochester. It is known as the Grand Canyon of the East and is home to many beautiful waterfalls. There are three major waterfalls in the park – Upper Falls, Middle Falls, and Lower Falls.
These three large waterfalls are at the southern end of the park along the Genesee River, which flows northward to Rochester and Lake Ontario.
If you are just planning to check out the large waterfalls, then you will want to use the Portageville Entrance to the park.
Upper Falls and Middle Falls are very accessible. There are parking lots close to each and it’s a short walk from the parking lot to overlooks for great views of these falls. Lower Falls is close to parking, but you will need to take a steep trail with steps so be prepared if you are traveling with a toddler.
Make sure you also check out Inspiration Point overlook for a great view of the gorge, Upper Falls, and Middle Falls.
Finger Lakes Waterfalls
Buttermilk Falls
Buttermilk Falls State Park is in Ithaca NY and is about an hour and 45 minutes from Rochester.
The falls are super accessible and easy to view with a toddler. You will want to use the Lower Park Entrance. There is a parking lot as soon as you enter the park and it’s a short walk from the parking lot to the falls.
You can take a stroller from the parking lot to see the falls. If you want to do more exploring beyond viewing the lower main falls, then you won’t be able to take a stroller. The trails have steps and are not paved.
Taughannock Falls
You want to make sure this is at the top of your list of waterfalls to visit! Taughannock Falls is near Ithaca and only 20 minutes north of Buttermilk Falls. It is about 90 minutes from Rochester.
The falls are located in Taughannock Falls State Park, which is along Cayuga Lake. Part of what makes Taughannock Falls a must-see waterfall is its distinction as the tallest single-drop waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains at 215 feet.
The other reason it’s a must-see waterfall is because you can easily see Taughannock Falls with a toddler.
There are two viewing areas for the falls. The first is an overlook above the falls at the visitor center. There is parking at the visitor center which is super convenient. You don’t need a stroller since it’s a short walk from the parking lot to the overlook, but you can take one if needed for your toddler. There are some steps to get to the lower level of the overlook, but you can see the falls without going down the steps.
The second place to view the falls is at the base of the falls. To get to the base of the falls, you will want to park in the parking lot near Gorge Trail. The walk from the parking lot to the falls and back is only about 2 miles. The trail is wide, flat, and you can push a stroller the whole way.
Watkins Glen State Park
Watkins Glen is located in the Finger Lakes Region and is about an hour and 45 minutes from Rochester.
There are 19 waterfalls and the best way to see them is by taking the Gorge Trail, which is only 1.5 miles. One big negative of the trail with a toddler is that there are a lot of stairs. We are talking over 800! With the number of stairs and slippery conditions, there can be some challenges with a toddler since you can’t take a stroller.
Your best option is to wear your toddler in a carrier. However, if that’s not an option for your toddler, you can complete the trail with a combination of carrying your toddler and letting them walk because realistically they probably won’t walk the whole trail on their own!
If you are wearing your toddler in a carrier, then you will want to start at the Upper Entrance and take the Gorge Trail down. If your toddler will be walking, then you will want to start at the Main Entrance and walk up since it’s safer for them to walk up the stairs than down.
There is a Watkins Glen State Park Shuttle that runs between the entrances. Once you complete the Gorge Trail, you can take the shuttle back to the entrance you parked at instead of having to walk back. The shuttle availability varies by time of year so make sure you check the schedule.
Robert H. Treman State Park
Robert H. Treman State Park is a natural beauty in Ithaca NY and is about an hour and 45 minutes from Rochester. It’s also only 5 minutes from Buttermilk Falls State Park!
You can use the Lower Park Entrance to get to Lower Falls. The Lower Falls are the most accessible. It’s only a 1/2 mile round-trip walk on a paved path from the parking area to view the falls.
If you want to check out Lucifer Falls, then you should park at the Upper Park Entrance. While Enfield Glen is absolutely stunning to walk through to get to Lucifer Falls, it can be challenging with a toddler. The trail has a lot of stairs and can be slippery in spots so it’s not stroller-friendly.
If it’s an option with your toddler, you can wear them in a carrier. Otherwise, you can take the option we did which was a combination of our toddler walking and us carrying him. Luckily, it’s a short walk from the parking lot at the Upper Park Entrance to Lucifer Falls. It only took us 25 minutes each way and that included stops and walking at a toddler’s pace at times.
Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls State Park is about 90 minutes from Rochester and definitely worth visiting. There are three waterfalls – Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls – and the power and beauty of each make them natural wonders of the world.
You won’t have any issues viewing these waterfalls with a toddler. There are paved paths throughout the park so you can easily get around with a stroller.
Parking on Goat Island is a great option, especially if you want to see all three falls but don’t want to spend a lot of time at the park. You will want to park in the lot closest to the falls. From there it’s a short walk to Terrapin Point to see Horseshoe Falls and Luna Island for views of American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls.
If you want to get an up-close look at the falls, then take the Cave of the Winds tour. During the tour, an elevator will take you down Niagara Gorge to wooden walkways where you can get within feet of Bridal Veil Falls.
In case you are wondering, you can take the tour with a toddler. After watching a short video and the elevator ride, the tour is self-guided. You can’t take a stroller so you will have to carry your toddler. You will want to take the tour early in the day to avoid lines, especially if you have a little one with you.
There you have it! Our list of the best toddler-friendly waterfalls in Rochester NY (and the surrounding area)!
This post was all about must-see waterfalls in Rochester NY that you can visit with a toddler!
Other Posts You May Like
- If you are looking for other places to visit with a toddler near Rochester, you may like 5 Best Things to Do in Pittsburgh with Toddlers for a Fun Family Trip!
- Before taking any toddler trip, you will want to read How to Travel with a Toddler | 9 Essential Tips so you have the best trip ever!
