Highland Park
About
150-Acre Olmsted Park With 1,200+ Lilac Shrubs
Highland Park is a 150-acre arboretum park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted's firm in 1888 - home to 1,200+ lilac shrubs of 500 varieties. The annual Rochester Lilac Festival (May) draws 500,000+ visitors. Adjacent to Lamberton Conservatory.
What Kids Can Do
The Pansy Bed displays 10,000 pansies each spring. Sundial garden in the south section. Reservoir Lookout offers Rochester skyline views. Picnic areas throughout - kids run through the lilac groves during peak May bloom. Cross-country skiing in winter. Frederick Douglass Monument and Civil War Memorial teach local history [marked: Lilac Festival weekend (mid-May) extremely crowded - go pre/post-Festival for normal park experience].
What's Included
Free day-use of all park areas, gardens, and lookouts. Lilac Festival admission free, food/merchandise vendors paid.
Experience
Plan 1-3 hours. Almost entirely outdoor - bring sun protection, water. Stroller-friendly main paths. About 3 miles south of downtown Rochester. Free street parking and lots.