Located to the north west of the city or Rochester where the Genesee River meets Lake Ontario, Ontario Beach Park offers family fun activities year round. Parking is free and there are plenty of spots available, though those closest to the beach will fill up fast on a sunny day. Beat the heat on a summer day, take a stroll along the water or come for one of the many events hosted here throughout the year! Don’t forget sun protection and a towel! There is a lot to explore at Ontario Beach Park.
Ontario Beach & Charlotte Pier
The beach itself is well maintained with lifeguards on duty for swimming 11am-7pm from Fathers Day through Labor Day each year. A boardwalk stretches between the beach and the park with multiple benches and gazebos. There are 6 beach volleyball courts available for public use. Fishing is allowed off the pier with a valid fishing license. The pier offers a nice walk to view boats, birds and a small lighthouse at the end.
Ontario Beach Park
The park is open 7am-11pm daily. Near the pier, you will find basketball courts, the new splash pad, an inclusive playground with swings and the carousel. There are public restrooms, picnic tables and benches around the park with additional picnic shelters available for rent.
Dentzel Menagerie Carousel
Installed in 1905, the antique carousel has been designated as a Rochester Historical Landmark. It features 52 hand carved animals including horses, cats, pigs, ostriches, rabbits, a giraffe, a lion and a tiger. Open for rides noon-7pm daily from Memorial day to Columbus day each year. $1 per ride or passes can be purchased in the form of a punch card or unlimited ride day pass. There are also multiple days throughout the summer where kids can ride for free.
Food & Drinks
There are many options for food just steps away from the beach! Abbots Frozen Custard has a walk-up location just across the street from the park while Jose Joe’s Burgers and Burritos is located on the edge of the main parking lot. The Port of Rochester Terminal building hosts several restaurants including California Rollin Sushi Bar, Bill Gray’s and an Abbotts with indoor seating. There’s also an event/party space available to rent and public restrooms.
Events
The Kite Flight in May welcomes Rochesterians of all ages to make and fly kites on the beach with additional activities and entertainment for kids. Harbor Fest kicks off the summer each June with music, food, games and entertainment. Free Jazz at the Beach shows on Tuesday nights from spring through fall. Free Concerts by the Shore sponsored by Wegmans on Wednesday nights throughout the summer. Roc the Riverway weekend festival in October offers free family fun activities each year. In February, you can enjoy or watch the Polar Plunge, an annual fundraiser where participants enter the frigid water, many dressed in costumes, to raise money for the NY Special Olympics. The Annual Lakeside Winter Celebration features horse drawn wagon rides, ice sculpture demonstrations, an artificial ice skating rink, food and fireworks.
Nearby
There are even more restaurants and shops along Lake Ave, just a short walk or drive from the beach parking lot. The historic Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse is open Friday-Sunday from May to October with museum displays and a 40 foot tower offers a lantern room with scenic views. Further down on lake Ave, about an 8 minute drive from the beach is Turning Point Park which has a beautiful hiking trail along the Genesee river featuring a boardwalk path.
