Originally called the "Flour City" because of its milling industries, Rochester also became known as the "Flower City" because of its nurseries, parks and fruit growing areas. Rochester leads in the manufacture of surgical, dental, optical, and gear-cutting products.
The Rochester area has many parks. Cobb's Hill Park contains Lake Riley, the old Erie Canal turning basin. The city can be viewed from the up on the hilltop. Upper Falls Park, on the Genesee River, has a 100-foot waterfall. Originally used to power the city's flour mills, now the falls continue to generate electricity. Manhattan Square Park at Chestnut and Broad streets has a 100-foot observation tower. Mendon Ponds Park is a 500+ acre natural preserve well worth visiting.
Rochester is blessed with a good educational enironment. At the University of Rochester's Laboratory of Laser Energetics, nuclear fusion research is done. The Rochester Institute of Technology has the School for American Craftsmen and the National Technical Institute for the Deaf.
The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra performs at the Eastman Theater. The GEVA Theatre, 75 Woodbury Blvd., offers performances throughout the year. The Eastman School of Music is said to produce more professional musicians than any other conservatory in the country.
One of the most popular recreational pursuits is fishing. Lake Ontario and its tributaries offer ice fishing in winter and warm-water angling in summer. Abundant species include coho and giant chinook salmon, smelt, bass, pike and steelhead, rainbow and brown trout. Hiking and biking are popular along the Barge Canal Trail recreation area.
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