There are a few places that as snow settles in for the winter, I have to visit! Here are a few of my favorite snow & ice covered places I’ve enjoyed visiting over the last couple of years that I think you should consider adding to your outdoor winter bucket list!

Tucked behind Warner Castle on Mt. Hope (next to Reservoir Ave) are the Sunken Gardens. This is where I had my Senior Ball pictures taken (it looks just a little bit different in June!) but is not to be forgotten in the snowy winter months. You can park in the front of Warner Castle (pictured lower right) and then walk behind the castle to see the Sunken Gardens. If you keep walking past the Sunken Gardens it will take you over by the Highland Bowl.

Weather pending, an ice volcano emerges next to the Glen Iris Inn at Letchworth State Park. The Ice Volcano occurs with the freezing of a man-made fountain that as the water drips and freezes grows into an ice volcano. It needs to be a sustained cold, below freezing, for an extended period of time to form. Letchworth State Park’s social media team does a great job of sharing updates as it gets bigger so you can plan a visit. Mid February tends to be a good sweet spot to keep your eye out for a visit!

The first time I saw someone post about the Chimney Bluffs I remember thinking that there was no way that was near Rochester... it was in the summer and the water looked so blue I thought it was the Caribbean, not Lake Ontario...

Fast forward to winter and I just HAD to know what those unique bluffs looked like when they were snow covered! The park is open year round from dawn to dusk and there is no vehicle entrance fee from November 1st to March 31st!

It was definitely a HIKE. You’ll want to make sure you’re bundled and ready to be outside, it was not a quick walk to the top, especially depending on how deep the snow is. When we went the snow was not packed down so every step we took we were up to our knees!

Whether you visit in the winter or save it for nicer weather, Chimney Bluffs is definitely a must-see within an hour drive of Rochester!

Call me crazy but I love going to Ontario Beach Park in the Winter... I love seeing the ice forming on the pier and the beach extending out into the lake as the shallow water freezes over!

If you visit Ontario Beach Park in the winter...

You have got to be so careful with the ice! Do NOT walk along the beach where the water starts, you never know how deep it is and you do not want to fall in!

Be aware that on a windy day, the water may be crashing along the pier and you could get wet! Opt for waterproof gloves, snowpants, etc. to stay dry.

If you choose to walk along the pier, you may want to pack microspikes as an additional layer for stability when walking.