Lonely Planet

Lonely Planet is a major travel guide, normally an excellent resource for travelers, does not even list Rochester in the USA destinations - see WordGuide USA and click on the Select Destinations pull down. Further, a search of their site results in only one hit and it is just a list of which airports someone has travel to - see Search for Rochester, NY.

The guide had the following to say about Rochester in their commentary on Western New York in their 2005 USA travel guide:

"The Erie Canal spawned a number of early industrial centers along its route between Albany and Buffalo. Tracing the canal is an alternative to the I-90 toll route, and a more interesting way to get to Niagara Falls, 430 miles northwest of New York City. Plus, the canal's towpaths are ideal for easy-going cycling trips. Unfortunately, two of the region's biggest cities, Syracuse and Rochester, don't really warrant visits. The cities, filled with chain motels, are a cultural void, and the food isn't great (Rochester's local specialty is the 'garbage plate, a pile of macaroni, beans, french fries and a hot dog.) ¹

The guide's lack of knowledge about our city can't be entirely be blamed on their shortcomings. If this site existed a few years earlier, then perhaps they would have known better.

Notes and References

• Wikipedia Article
  

• Lonely Planet Website
  

• Preview of NY NJ, PA Guide - nothing about the Finger Lakes - only the Adirondacks and the Poconos.
  

• http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1741041252/ Amazon Current Edtion] - Note that the current edition of the New York State LP book actually has a couple pages on Rochester, and it is generally complimentary!
  

• It is currently unknown whether or not Jan Wong, author of the Ferry Bad Place Article is affiliated with Lonely Planet travel guide.