Strong - Rochester, NY Area Guide

Many noteworthy Americans have hailed from Rochester including Frederick Douglass, Susan B. Anthony and George Eastman. Rochester continues to be a place where people of all backgrounds continue to thrive and achieve success.

Strong's more specific history relates to that of Strong Memorial Hospital and The University of Rochester Medical Center, both of which first accepted students and patients in the 1920s. Many people have moved to the Strong neighborhood to pursue health care at the hospital and medical center as well as to work at the university's River Campus, slightly northwest of the neighborhood. Most of the residences in the neighborhood were built before the 1950s, but some buildings have origins in the 1800s.

You'll find a few chain restaurants near Strong, but also plenty of treasured local spots to enjoy food and entertainment. The most popular location for dining out, Mount Hope Avenue, appeals to both college students and hospital staff. The Distillery on Mount Hope Avenue is a much-adored location of a local franchise. At this sports bar serving American fare, you can get a variety of meals, including the popular baby back ribs, Tex-Mex chicken salad, a Guinness burger, or a personal-size tomato, basil and cheese pizza. You may have trouble deciding which of the many big-screen televisions to watch. The Elmwood Inn sits right next to The Distillery on Mount Hope Avenue. When you enter the late-19th century building, you feel welcomed, relaxed and at home. If you're not craving the roast beef Elmwood dip sandwich, just choose from one of the many selections on the menu. You can also receive complementary items if you take advantage of the reward club and return often.

A historic haven for many in the community, Mt. Hope Family Diner has a satisfying menu and surprisingly low prices for the incredible quality of the food. Don't pass the opportunity to have breakfast there, and feel free to bring a deck of playing cards if you and your friends want to play a game across the large round tables. If you're not in the mood for a sit-down meal or just want something prepared quicker, go to Pellegrino's Deli & Cafe, on the other side of the The Distillery on Mount Hope Avenue. There you can get hot and cold subs, burgers, wraps and several savory sides. Buffalo chicken lovers can enjoy their favorite a variety of ways whether on a roll, in a tortilla or chopped up into a salad.

For those who own vehicles, Strong permits quick access to Rochester's highway system. If you're driving and looking to park downtown, just pull into one of the many metered spaces or a garage.

Monroe County's Regional Transit Service is also a reliable mode of transportation. Check out the website for maps and schedules to help plan your commute for a given day or weekly routine.

While you might not be able to hail a cab near Strong and Uber doesn't service the area, you can simply call a company and request a pickup.

Cyclists who love exercise and open air appreciate Rochester's well-maintained bike lanes. Many college students and young professionals have made it their priority to encourage the community to be courteous of eco-friendly travelers on the roads.

If you'd rather just walk your way around town, you can certainly get to plenty of destinations around Strong without breaking too much of a sweat, especially the section of Mount Hope Avenue by the hospital and medical center.

Strong contains many popular parks. One of the most impressive, Genesee Valley Park, sits just south of the river after which it's named. This park seems endless with its vast grassy areas for picnics, pathways along the river for exercise, and large open spaces for outdoor games. Pavilions are available at no charge, but make sure you have a back-up plan in case they fill up quickly during the warmer seasons.

You can access another lovely uninhabited space, the Highland Botanical Park on Reservoir Avenue, from many roads and yet you can still wander through the 150 acres and feel a sense of privacy and intimacy with nature. Every spring, Highland Park hosts the Lilac Festival, a cherished family festival in Rochester. The free admission includes the opportunity to walk along rolling hills, gaze at scenic gardens and listen to live music.

If you're interested in finding a park with courts and fields for basketball, tennis and baseball, go to Buckland Park on Westfall Road. It's also an enjoyable place to hold a gathering, especially if you feel too crowded at Genesee Valley Park when full with a camp program, regatta, or cross country race.

Finally, if you're an avid walker, go on a self-guided tour of Mt. Hope Cemetery. Old and peaceful, it holds the graves of Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass and is worth a visit to if you're interested in capturing the historical essence of Rochester and its legacy.

The cost of living around Strong hovers slightly lower than that of Rochester overall, especially when it comes to housing. The average monthly rent of a one-bedroom apartment runs around $895.

The price of gas in Rochester remains about 25 percent higher than the national average, but if you're eager to save money and share a ride, the bus fare for a trip to the center of the city only costs $1.00. You can also purchase monthly passes for $56.00, an efficient choice if you commute downtown for work everyday.

Dining out costs about the same in Strong as the rest of the city, but it all depends on where you go, and a pint of draft beer runs around $5 to $6.

The neighborhood's shopping options tend toward the everyday with drug stores, food markets, florists and bookstores lining Mount Hope Avenue. Visitors to the University of Rochester Medical Center find gifts nearby at The Creator’s Hands. The small shop sells unique creations from craftspeople and artisans, from jewelry and wooden toys to quality kitchen accessories and pottery. A nice selection of cards and a room dedicated to Christian and Judaic items rounds out the options for well-wishers. Bike enthusiasts go to Freewheelers Bicycle Shop for expert repairs and trustworthy sales advice from the community-minded owner. The store's commitment to safety and kids also wins over many area parents.

When seeking an adventure, go for a 10-minute drive to Monroe Avenue to reach several specialty shops, including local favorite Parkleigh. Perfect for gifts or treating yourself, this boutique carries a big selection of cool wares, from high-end chocolates and artsy cards to retro kitsch trinkets and creative kitchenware. Fun to browse, the store's carefree layout encourages lingering. For weekly groceries, Tops Friendly Market on Clinton Avenue South stocks everything you need. If you like ethnic food, Hikari Foods & Grocery on Upper Mount Hope Avenue sells exceptionally fresh Asian ingredients at reasonable prices. Fans of Wegmans can find a location on East Avenue about a 10-minute drive away.

The only farmers market in town, Rochester Public Market, hosts over 100 vendors hawking fresh meat, produce and baked goods. Parking can be challenging, but there are many opportunities to go to the year-round market, which is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.