Welcome Home!
Whether you’re staying the weekend or been here a lifetime, there’s always something fun and exciting to do in Rochester, New Hampshire. This page is a one-stop shop for places to visit, things to see, annual events, and more. Rochester has some of the best restaurants, retail shops, nonprofit organizations, and recreational activities in the region. With a rich history and strong arts, entertainment, dining, and lodging options, Rochester is the place to be any time of the year. Our mission is to educate and enrich the lives of our residents and visitors. Enjoy!
About Rochester, NH
Rochester, known as the Lilac City, is located in southeastern New Hampshire. It is the largest city in the seacoast region and fourth-largest city in the state. Rochester is conveniently located, serving as a gateway to the Lakes Region, the White Mountains, and the Seacoast.
Rochester enjoys many of the conveniences of a prospering city combined with the delights of small-town New England traditions. Family values, strong work ethic, and lasting community spirit sustain the pride among residents and businesses in Rochester.
Rochester enjoys many of the conveniences of a prospering city combined with the delights of small-town New England traditions. Family values, strong work ethic, and lasting community spirit sustain the pride among residents and businesses in Rochester.
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A wide variety of cultural and recreational activities are offered at the Rochester Public Library, Rochester Historical Society & Museum, Recreation Department & Arena, Rochester Opera House, and Rochester Museum of Fine Arts. There are also multiple public parks and playgrounds, ball fields, tennis and basketball courts, disc golf, hiking and walking trails, public pools, and a kayak and canoe launch on the Cocheco River. Exciting shopping advantages and fine dining are also found throughout the city.
The city’s commitment to economic development has spurred major growth of manufacturing and high-tech companies, retail, and the ongoing revitalization of the historic downtown district. Rochester continues to diversify, strengthen, and grow as business and industrial expansions attract new residents to the area.
The city’s commitment to economic development has spurred major growth of manufacturing and high-tech companies, retail, and the ongoing revitalization of the historic downtown district. Rochester continues to diversify, strengthen, and grow as business and industrial expansions attract new residents to the area.
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Photography by John Gisis
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Excellent educational advantages are available to residents. The Richard W. Creteau Regional Technology Center at Spaulding High School trains students for well-paid positions and assures companies in the area of a skilled workforce.
New Hampshire has been consistently ranked among the Top 10 best places to live in America based on several categories including economy, education, public safety, health care, most desirable livability, affordable housing, and short commute to work. Combined with a convenient location with opportunities to prosper, Rochester is truly – The Place to Be!
New Hampshire has been consistently ranked among the Top 10 best places to live in America based on several categories including economy, education, public safety, health care, most desirable livability, affordable housing, and short commute to work. Combined with a convenient location with opportunities to prosper, Rochester is truly – The Place to Be!
Virtual Historic Map
The Planning & Development Department and Public Information Office collaborated to catalog and upload several hundred photos from the Rochester Historical Society into Google Earth. The project is viewable on a desktop or via a mobile device.
Hanson Street
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Central Square
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Users are encouraged to navigate between "pins" using the Table of Contents feature. Yellow pins represent open space and streetscape views throughout the years. Blue pins represent structures still standing today. Red pins mark the sites of demolished structures. The photos have also been correlated with the related Architectural Surveys by Strafford Rockingham Regional Council in 1980 and the Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps for accuracy.
The historic map is an evolving project. Additional photos and text will be uploaded as more information is uncovered and compiled. Check back frequently for updates. If you would like to contribute stories or photos of historic Rochester, please contact matthew.wyatt@rochesternh.net.
Mobile devices will prompt you to download the Google Earth app if you don't have it installed already. Google Earth is free and available on the iOS and Google app stores. Need help? Click here for step-by-step instructions.
The historic map is an evolving project. Additional photos and text will be uploaded as more information is uncovered and compiled. Check back frequently for updates. If you would like to contribute stories or photos of historic Rochester, please contact matthew.wyatt@rochesternh.net.
Mobile devices will prompt you to download the Google Earth app if you don't have it installed already. Google Earth is free and available on the iOS and Google app stores. Need help? Click here for step-by-step instructions.
The Rochester Post is the best place to see the latest news and events happening in Rochester. We feature a variety of news categories including Arts & Culture, Business, Community, Downtown, Municipal, Public Safety, and Recreation. Businesses and organizations are encouraged to submit news story ideas, press releases, and event information.
This is a great way for residents and city employees alike to share things that are important to them with the rest of the community," said Blaine Cox, Rochester City Manager. "It’s also a vehicle for people in the community who like to write and share their Rochester-related work with a larger audience. I invite everyone to take advantage of it.”
Recreation & Relaxation
Riverwalk Boat Launch
For Kayaks/Canoes End of Hillsdale Street |
Central Square
Small Band Stand, Public Park Downtown Rochester |
Dominicus Hanson Pines
Playground/Courts, Pool, Trails Yeagley Way |
Pickering Ponds
Walking Trails 175 Pickering Road |
Spaulding High School
Ball Fields, Track 150 Wakefield Street |
Salmon Falls River
Kayaks/Canoes, Swimming Hole Flat Rock Bridge Road |
Gonic Trails
Swimming Hole, Walking Trails 103 Rochester Neck Road |
Rochester Common
Ball Field, Bandstand, Playground, Track South Main Street |
Rochester Community Center
Ball Fields, Tennis Courts, Gymnasium 150 Wakefield Street |
Recreation Videos
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Arts Nonprofits & Groups
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Granite State Choral Society
www.gschoralsociety.org The Granite State Choral Society has shared its joy of singing and love of music with friends and neighbors since 1974. Its members come from every walk of life with a wide variety of backgrounds and include experienced singers and musicians to novices who are just discovering the joys of choral singing. The chorus performs music from various time periods and cultures including Broadway tunes, folk songs from around the world, as well as well-known classical works. Many generous volunteers in the community assist us in promoting the appreciation of the choral and musical arts and, very often, a portion of the proceeds from our annual concerts are presented to area organizations to help them achieve their goals in serving the community as well. |
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Rochester Historical Society
58 Hanson Street www.rochesterhistoricalnh.org/about The Rochester Historical Society Museum is open on Thursdays from 1-4pm for research and viewing our displays. On the second Thursday of each month we have a special program at 7pm with informative speakers. These programs are free and open to the public. |
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Rochester Main Street
18 South Main Street (Suite 2B) www.rochestermainstreet.org Rochester Main Street is an economic development and historic preservation program. Our goal is to promote a positive image of downtown by preserving our unique historic character, strengthening our economic base, and emphasizing downtown as the center of community activity. We are accredited as a Certified National Main Street Program through a branch of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Rochester Main Street is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates through an Executive Director and the guidance of a volunteer-based Board of Directors who set the policies and procedures for the overall program. |
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Rochester Museum of Fine Arts
150 Wakefield Street (Suite 135) www.rochestermfa.org The Rochester Museum of Fine Arts is a community art initiative dedicated to the accessibility of contemporary works made by regionally, nationally, and internationally recognized artists. Founded in 2011, the museum works to enrich people’s lives through the presentation of fine art. The museum is located in Suite 135 and the hallways of the Rochester Community Center. The Mayor Harvey E. Bernier Room (at the Rochester Community Center, Suite 135) features temporary art exhibits by emerging and seasoned artists on a monthly basis. The gallery showcases a wide range of original work - from painting and sculpture to works on paper and photography. The gallery is named for former Rochester Mayor Harvey E. Bernier. For tirelessly supporting arts and cultural programming and volunteerism during his tenure. We also offer digital shows featuring extraordinary and thought-provoking works on a large 4K UHD LED display. The purpose is to connect visitors to emerging trends occurring in international contemporary art. Visitors can view these presentations in the museum's suite during regular hours of operation. Notable past exhibitions featured Susan Kare, graphic designer responsible for many of the interface elements and typefaces for the original Apple Macintosh; Eric Carle, author and illustrator of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, a picture book that has been translated into more than 65 languages and sold more than 46 million copies; Wayne White, painter, puppeteer, set designer for Pee Wee’s Playhouse; Robert Indiana, creator of the iconic LOVE statue and stamp; Bob Gruen, famous rock ’n roll photographer for John Lennon, Led Zeppelin, Sex Pistols, and many more; Sunday B. Morning, the screen printing company behind Andy Warhol’s second Marilyn Monroe series; and the Picasso Estate Collection, a selection of original lithographs qualified by Picasso’s granddaughter, Marina Picasso. The Rochester Museum of Fine Arts is a nonprofit organization through a partnership with Rochester Main Street. The museum has no paid staff and is operated entirely by volunteers. Consider volunteering or become an annual donor or sponsor to support this cause. |
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Rochester Opera House
31 Wakefield Street www.rochesteroperahouse.com The historic Rochester Opera House, a not-for-profit organization, presents an annual performance season of shows for children, teens, adults, and seniors. Built within City Hall in 1908, this beautifully restored theater is the only remaining theater in the world with a unique mechanism that raises the orchestra floor at an incline for amphitheater seating and levels the floor for dancing. Our mission is to educate, engage, empower, challenge, and inspire a community of all ages by presenting extraordinary and culturally diverse theatre, performance art, music, dance, and film on the city’s foremost performing arts stage. As we preserve our vibrant historic theater for future generations, we embrace the integration of a broad arts culture in our community. Through the cultivation of new performers, diversity of shows, and innovative arts education programs developed with an “ARTS FOR ALL” philosophy, we bring the incredible power of the arts to the widest possible audience. |
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Rochester Performance & Arts Center (RPAC)
32 North Main Street www.rochesteroperahouse.com/rpac Opened in 2017, and just down the block from the historic Rochester Opera House, the Rochester Performance & Arts Center (RPAC) offers additional programming in a smaller setting. RPAC combines a versatile recital hall featuring 150 seats; rehearsal and practice studios; costume and scenic workshops for theatre production; and a premier art gallery featuring emerging and seasoned artists. We offer a wide range of educational programming, music and dance lessons, theatre camps, live performances, cabaret, and more. |
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Rochester Writers Night
www.facebook.com/rochesterNHwriters Rochester Writers Night meets on the fourth Thursday of each month at RiverStones Custom Framing and Franklin Gallery starting at 6 p.m.. Local writers of poetry, prose, or music are invited to share their original work. More information is available on our website. |
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Strafford Wind Symphony
www.straffordwindsymphony.org The Strafford Wind Symphony has a way of creating a supportive atmosphere for the creation and enjoyment of music by non-professional musicians. The SWS provides an opportunity for fellowship between musicians from all walks of life. The commitment to the love of music has kept Strafford Wind Symphony alive and growing. The fifty-five-member ensemble rehearses on Wednesday evenings in Rochester, NH. The SWS performs a variety of music literature from well-known favorites to contemporary pieces. The group has played at venues throughout New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Maine. In 2007, the Wind Symphony collaborated with the Rochester Opera House to offer a concert series to add local cultural experiences to the Seacoast area. 2010 marked the twelfth time that the group has been chosen as a participant in the Boston Festival of Bands, held annually at Faneuil Hall Marketplace in Boston, MA each June. Our main purpose is to stimulate interest in symphonic music through our public concerts and regional touring, reaffirming the necessity of the American community band by broadening appreciation for the music we play. It is also an opportunity for our members to grow as musicians and express themselves creatively. We believe it is vitally important to assist in the musical education of our youth and local communities. |
Dining, Lodging, Entertainment & More
Our vibrant downtown, healthy business community and strong arts and cultural offerings make Rochester the perfect place to visit, work, and live. The Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce offers a robust directory featuring a wide variety of businesses and services, professional resources, and annual events for people of all ages. Visit the directory to find the best lodging and accommodations, fine dining, and quality arts and entertainment in Rochester, New Hampshire.
Annual Celebrations
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Rochester Arts Awards
presented by the Commission for Arts & Culture The Rochester Arts Awards celebrates the significant and exceptional art efforts occurring in the city. 10 honorees are awarded each year. The event is held and catered at The Governor's Inn. Past winner's include Rochester Museum of Fine Arts, Home School Theatre Guild, Rochester Opera House, Granite State Choral Society, and many more. |
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Concerts on the Common
presented by Rochester Recreation Deptartment www.rochesterrec.com Concerts on the Common are held weekly in the summer by the Rochester Recreation and Arena. They present a wide-variety of bands for residents and visitors to enjoy at no cost. |
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Festival of Trees
presented by Rochester Main Street www.rochestermainstreet.org Festival of Trees is held at Studley's Flower Garden's greenhouse at 82 Wakefield Street. Enjoy caroling, refreshments, and Santa Claus while strolling through dozens of wonderfully decorated trees, generously donated by area businesses and organizations. Get a sneak peek of the trees during Friday's Tree Showcase, and enter the raffles early! Then enjoy the traditional Festival of Trees event Saturday and enter for your chance to win! Enjoy live music and refreshments as you stroll through the beautiful trees. Awards will be given to businesses for a "People's Choice" tree based on total raffle entries submitted both days. You can also vote for your favorite trees for: "Best Decorated" tree, "Most Creative" tree. |
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Free Comic Book Day
presented by Jetpack Comics & Games www.jetpackcomics.com Just like the name says! It’s a day to get FREE COMIC BOOKS. Sponsored by The Rochester Main Street Association, The Governor’s Inn, The Rochester Opera House and Jetpack Comics llc with big thanks to the City of Rochester, NH for allowing this event to happen. This city-wide event will be taking place at locations around the downtown Rochester area. All ages are welcome to attend the event. Families can visit participating locations and collect Free Comic Books! Most of the comic books given away are all ages appropriate. |
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Holiday Parade
presented by Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce www.rochesternh.org Rochester’s Holiday Parade, produced by the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, fills the streets of downtown Rochester with youth, organization and commercial floats, VIPs, marching bands and more in celebration of the holiday season. Festive floats, energetic marchers and candy-tossing elves weave their way through a twinkling downtown Rochester, spreading cheer during the Lilac City’s annual holiday parade. |
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National Night Out
presented by Rochester Police Department & Bridging the Gaps www.rochesterpd.org National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. |
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Night Before the 4th of July
presented by Rochester Main Street www.rochestermainstreet.org Enjoy delicious food, great vendors, face painting, children's games, live music, and more! Then enjoy a spectacular fireworks show at 9:30pm! Bring your blankets and chairs! |
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PorchFest Music Festival
presented by Rochester Performance & Arts Center www.rochesteroperahouse.com/porchfest PorchFest is a FREE outdoor music and food truck festival featuring more than 30 bands of all genres! Bands are placed on outdoor stages throughout the downtown and attendees can walk around and hear a little bit of everything. There are also food trucks and vendors at the Union Street parking lot. Participating restaurants and shops offer specials and discounts to attendees wearing all-access bracelets. All-access bracelets are only $10 and can be purchased online or at the main booth on Union Street. The all-access pass also gives you access to the after party at RPAC. You don't want to miss this incredible live music event — There’s something for everyone at Rochester PorchFest! Proceeds raised from this event directly support music scholarships for under-served students at the Rochester Performance & Arts Center. |
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Rochester Fair
www.rochesterfair.com Bring your whole family for fun and entertainment you won’t find anywhere else. We are excited to bring a wholesome experience focused on agriculture and entertainment. From our animal barns to our exhibits and our big top circus to our midway, we are sure there will be something for everyone in the whole family to enjoy! Enjoy a day or night out at the fairgrounds and see what the best ten days in Rochester looks like. |
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Rochester Farmer's Market
www.rochesternhfarmersmarket.com The Rochester Farmers Market was founded to support local farmers, and provide a venue to provide fresh and nutritional food options to the community. The Rochester Farmers Market is a community organization founded to support and encourage local farmers, and provide a venue to promote their wares. |
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Rochester LGBTQ+ Pride
presented by Rochester Main Street www.rochestermainstreet.org Join us for a free community event that celebrates diversity, acceptance, and friendship in a festive downtown atmosphere! Founded in 2016 by the Rochester Museum of Fine Arts, our mission is to promote unity, visibility, inclusivity, equality, and a positive image of the LGBTQ+ community. |
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Trick-or-Treat On The Town/Zombie Walk
presented by Rochester Main Street www.rochestermainstreet.org This fun, popular downtown event starts at 4:00pm and lasts through 6:00pm for costumed children 10-years-old and younger. The children are invited to go door-to-door at the local participating businesses to get treats and goodies. Participants are asked to gather in the Union Street parking lot at 4:00pm to pick up treat bags and maps indicating participating businesses. Bags and maps will be available until 5:00pm or until they are gone! |
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Wings & Wheels
presented by Rochester Rotary Charities www.wingsandwheelsrochesternh.com Wings & Wheels is an annual event hosted by Skyhaven, Pease Development Authority, Rochester Police Department, and Rochester Rotary Charities, a program of the Rochester Rotary. Held at local airfield, Rochester's Skyhaven Airport, this event brings over 5,500 people together to enjoy aviation adventures, a car & motorcycle show, crafts, exhibits, music, concessions, games, raffles, and more! |
Visit Downtown Rochester
Rochester Main Street is an economic development and historic preservation program. We are a volunteer-based nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing downtown Rochester, New Hampshire through various improvement projects, events, and community engagement initiatives.
Our goal is to promote a positive image of downtown by preserving our unique historic character, strengthening our economic base, and emphasizing downtown as the center of community activity.
Our goal is to promote a positive image of downtown by preserving our unique historic character, strengthening our economic base, and emphasizing downtown as the center of community activity.
