Overview
Rochester is a city in Oakland County, Michigan. It is about 20 miles due north of Detroit. Settlers arrived in what is now Rochester in 1817, making it the oldest settlement in Oakland County. Rochester was incorporated as a village in 1869 and became a city in 1966.
1 sights · 1 things to do · 3 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Rochester
Meadow Brook Hall
Paint Creek Trail
Runs along the Paint Creek which cuts through Rochester just north of Main and University.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 84°F; winter lows dip to about 19°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: May and Jul. (climate data from nearby Detroit)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- DTW Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Detroit — 34 mi away (major hub). Directions
- FNT Bishop International Airport, Flint — 37 mi away. Directions
Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Meadow Brook Hall
- Lunch Andiamo
- Afternoon Paint Creek Trail
- Dinner Lipuma's Coney Island
- Evening Bean and Leaf
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By plane
Get around
Downtown Rochester is centered at Main St. and Fourth and extends for several blocks in all directions. It is entirely walkable, although there is metered street parking on Main St. and municipal lots within a block or two.
See
Do
Buy
Eat
Eat Andiamo
One of several Andiamo restaurants in the Detroit area, Andiamo Rochester offers high-quality, if slightly pricey, Italian food in a pleasant, subdued setting. Be sure to tell your server it is your first visit and you will receive a complementary risotto appetizer.
Eat Lipuma's Coney Island
A Rochester institution for decades, Lipuma's serves, in addition to Coneys, a large number of other hot dogs, chili, tacos, and soups. Service is friendly and familiar. In the good weather you can sit on the deck overlooking the creek. If you only eat meal in Rochester, it should be here.
Eat Red Knapp's Dairy Bar
Red Knapp's is a classic diner -- a true Rochester staple -- with burgers, fries, cokes, malts, milkshakes, etc. The malts' and shakes' flavors range from chocolate to vanilla, raspberry to lime. The fries, in particular, are delicious (especially the seasoned ones!) This place is a must-see when visiting Rochester. The atmosphere is fun and the food is greasy and delicious!
Drink
Drink Bean and Leaf
This is a local hotspot serving a wide variety of different coffees, teas, and other beverages. They also serve pastries and other small snacks and have free wifi.
Drink Rochester Mills Beer Co
excellent beers, good food.
Sleep
Stay Royal Park Hotel
A luxury hotel with a very high level of service. The rooms are comfortable, with amenities such as terrycloth robes and two-headed showers. Some rooms have a nice view overlooking Paint Creek. There are two restaurants: The Brookshire, for fine dining, and The Commons, a bar with a casual environment. The Royal Park is frequented by athletes and musicians playing at the Palace of Auburn Hills, and President George W. Bush once stayed there.
Nearby
Rochester Hills
City / town · 18 listings · 2 mi away
Auburn Hills
City / town · 6 listings · 5 mi away
Washington Township
City / town · 2 listings · 6 mi away
Troy
City / town · 27 listings · 7 mi away
Pontiac
City / town · 7 listings · 8 mi away
Sterling Heights
City / town · 1 listings · 9 mi away
Bloomfield Hills
City / town · 6 listings · 9 mi away
Birmingham
City / town · 11 listings · 10 mi away
My experience
Write about your trip here. Notes save automatically in this browser as you type; back them up from My journal.