The Highland Park Conservancy in Rochester is best known for the popular 10-day Lilac Festival, held every May. But the 150-acre conservancy, a public park-turned-conservancy created by Frederick Law Olmsted, has plenty of other attractions to keep visitors interested all year long. Every season at the has something uniquely beautiful to offer, whether you are strolling through snow-covered hills or green valleys.
Kids (and kids at heart) will especially enjoy the turtles and quails that roam freely around the property.
Head to the Poet’s Garden which was created in 1916 to celebrate the 300th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death. Have fun checking out the plants referred to in Shakespeare’s works. There are also stone benches adorned with Shakespeare’s quotes, a sundial and a bird bath.
At the Lamberton Conservancy, you can find a multitude of plant species from tropical rain forests to desert environments. A section of Lamberton changes each season to showcase the beauty of New York’s seasons. At Warner Castle & Estate Gardens, you can tour a beautiful property, landscaped by Olmsted. In 1930, the Alling DeForest Sunken Gardens were included in the Warner Castle & Estate Gardens.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial of Greater Rochester, allows you to reflect on the war and the soldiers who fought in it. There are 280 bollards at the memorial that represent the soldiers who did not return from Vietnam.
At the Frederick Douglass Memorial Plaza, you can view a blue granite statue of Frederick Douglass that was created in 1899. After being moved, today, the statue stands in the memorial plaza alongside a sculpture of the North Star.
Highland Park Conservancy is one of the oldest arboretums in the country that is also open to the public.
Take Amtrak to the Highland Park Conservancy
Experience the Highland Park Conservancy via Amtrak to Rochester Station in Rochester, NY—Don’t forget to use Amtrak’s See New York and Save 15% discount!
Rent a car with Enterprise! Pick up your reserved NYTRAIN Enterprise Rent-a-Car right at the Rochester Station. Click here to reserve your car or call the Rochester office today at: 585-423-2220.
