Genesee Waterways Center

Such a great way to explore the hidden gems along the erie canal and genesee river. My husband I rented kayaks for the morni ng and explored the path along the Erie Canal and the Genesee River alongside Genesee Valley park. It was so nice and relaxing to breeze through explore the hidden beauty just minutes away from the hustle and bustle of the busy streets of Rochester. The man running the place was very helpful, giving us maps of the area and also gave tips on areas that would be beneficial to see during different seasons. As new kayakers, this was extremely helpfulc and he made us feel very welcome there. We will definately be back!

Loved this trek along the canal. It was a beautiful half-​day experience and truly time consuming! We were out there for what felt like hours and still had time left to roam the waters… if only we didn’t get hungry. You definitely get your money’s worth. Also, if it’s sunny, be prepared with sunscreen and water, there’s little tree coverage so you’re soaking up the rays.
As for the logistical experience, it was a lady and man running the show for us that day. We went into the office, but no one was there so we walked around back where we found the people in charge. We signed some waivers and made our way to the kayaks. The lady was hilarious with all her quips and questions. We had to wait a little bit for folks to return so I advise you get there early or mid-​afternoon in order to get the first picks of the kayaks. There were five of us so we were lucky to get the right number of people to return and trade off so we could all take to the water together.
We went to the right up the canal first so we could float downstream on the way back. There are some bigger boats that come through and create some waves. Just be mindful not to get in their way because obviously they’d capsize these teensy kayaks. But those guys were few and far between. We got to spend the day on the water — it was peaceful and relaxing. The picture perfect fall day. It’s a different experience than kayaking on the bay, but equally awesome because the scenery is lovely along the canal and it’s really open so there’s a lot of area to cover.
Thumbs up! I’ll be back once the weather is warm again.