Before beginning my freshman year at Nazareth College, I had never been to the city of Rochester before. Even during my first few years here, I did not wander too far from the safety of Pittsford due to lack of a car, lack of confidence maneuvering through a city and lack of time due to my 15-plus credit course load and my list of extracurriculars. I didn’t mind, though. I had no intention to get to know the city because I had my own city at home. After spending the first part of summer in Rochester, though, I have fallen in love with this city by accident and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Here are reasons that you should fall in love with Rochester too.

1. The coffee shops.

The first places I began to explore were the coffee shops. There are so many, it’s impossible to have just one favorite! Spot, Java’s, Boulder, Glen Edith, Fuego, Equal Grounds, Joe Bean and Press, just to name a few. Each one has its own unique vibe.

2. One word: local.

I am constantly impressed by the local emphasis in the community. Whether it be coffee, beer, art, music, poetry, or produce, the people are so proud to be from here.

3. It’s a college town, but not really.

Home to Nazareth, Saint John Fisher, University of Rochester, Rochester Institute of Technology and Monroe Community College, the city is buzzing with liberal twenty-somethings! However, because we don’t just have one giant university, there is a lot happening in the community that doesn’t revolve around drinking beer and watching college football.

4. This city is so cool, it even has a logo!

I have never in my life seen a city with a logo before. The Flower City (or Flour City) has it covered though! Combining the waterwheel used to mill flour in the early 1800s and the five petaled lilac that became the Rochester flower in 1948, this logo can be found in local businesses, on t-shirts and tattooed onto the dedicated locals.

5. Lilac Festival.

Speaking of flowers, there is nothing more lovely on a warm spring day than the Lilac Festival at Highland Park. Filled with flowers, food trucks and music, the Lilac Festival is the ideal event for people of all ages.

6. The skyline.

The Frederick Douglass–Susan B. Anthony Memorial Bridge makes the skyline one of a kind. After some exploration on my own, I’ve found the best place to get this famous postcard view is from the Ford Street Bridge on Ford Street.

7. All of the hidden gems.

Every time you turn the corner, you find another place you didn’t know existed, and each one is better than the next! These include Lower Falls, Fuego (as previously mentioned), Aaron’s Alley, Poster Art, The Bug Jar, Lux Lounge, Cobb's Hill, Little Button Craft and Press and John’s Tex Mex, to name a few.

8. The people here were born to stand out!

At the Lilac Festival, there was a woman dressed like a unicorn that said “Rainbow or bust!” People were all about it. They were taking pictures, striking up conversations and expressing genuine interest in the outfit choice. Now, I’m not saying everyone in Rochester walks around dressed like a unicorn, but people are not afraid to express their own unique style. People are embraced for their uniqueness here.

9. Once you come, you are a part of the Rochester family.

Whether I’m at a cafe, walking to my apartment, or at a concert, I’m always meeting new people in the community! People are not afraid to say hello, and it’s very easy to make friends. Whether you’re born into the Rochester family or adopted into it, you tend to stay around or keep coming back. After all, it’s hard not to fall in love with such a great city.