Conference Location
About Rochester
Rochester is the cultural capital of Upstate New York and one of the Northeast’s best-kept secrets. This dynamic city blends sophistication with charm, offering the perfect balance of refined and relaxed, historic and happening, exceptional and affordable. It’s an ideal destination for your next meeting or conference.
Located on the southern shore of Lake Ontario, Rochester is the third largest metropolitan area in New York State and known as the “Front Door” to the Finger Lakes wine region. It’s within an hour’s drive of more than 100 wineries, distilleries, cideries, and breweries, and just 90 minutes from Niagara Falls and the Canadian border.
Hotel Room Blocks
Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Rochester Downtown
101 South Union Street (5 min walk to The Strong Museum of Play)
- $149.00 / night
- Free parking, free WiFi, free hot breakfast, indoor pool, fitness center, airport shuttle, and pet-friendly rooms
- Book by January 31
- Booking link
- To book by phone, call Reservations at 585-450-3801 and reference 2027 Small Museum Association Conference.
The Courtyard by Marriott Rochester Downtown
390 East Avenue (13 min walk to The Strong Museum of Play)
- $149.00 / night
- Free parking, free WiFi, on-site restaurant, fitness center.
- Book by January 20
- Booking link
The Strathallan Rochester Hotel & Spa, Tapestry by Hilton
550 East Avenue (18 min walk to The Strong Museum of Play)
- $169.00 / night
- Free parking, free WiFi, on-site restaurant, fitness center.
- Book by January 22
- Booking link
- To book by phone, call Reservations at 1-800-446-6677 and reference the 2027 Small Museum Association Conference.
Transportation
The Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC) is serviced by nine airlines— Allegiant, American, Avelo, Breeze, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit and United. The airport is a short 10-minute drive to downtown with most hotels offering free shuttle service. Have a question while at the airport? Look for our Visitors Services Desk at the bottom of the escalator and our team will assist you!
Amtrak operates out of the state-of-the-art Louise M. Slaughter Rochester Station, an intermodal station that also serves local and regional bus service. The station is a quick five-minute drive to the downtown convention district.
Rochester is conveniently located within a day’s drive of one-third of the U.S. and Canadian population and is easily accessible via three exits along the New York State Thruway – making it a smart and comfortable drive-in destination.
Rochester Transit Service (RTS) offers reliable and affordable bus service throughout the City of Rochester, connecting visitors to attractions, shopping malls, and most surrounding suburbs. The cost for a single bus trip is $1.00 ($0.50 for seniors 65+ during “non-peak” hours.)
Rochester also has Uber and Lift and many of our hotels offer shuttle services.