Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get to the Festival?

From East & Thruway Exit 45:
... Take Rt. 490 West, Exit Goodman St.
... Turn left and proceed south on Goodman St.
... Follow S. Goodman along side of Highland Park to our parking area
From South & Thruway Exit 46:
... Take Rt. 390 North (airport)
... Proceed to Exit 16. Turn right onto Rt. 15A to Elmwood Avenue
... Turn Right onto Elmwood Avenue
... Proceed to our parking area on the left.
From West & Thruway Exit 47:
... Take Rt. 490 east
... Exit at South Avenue
... Proceed straight on South Avenue to Elmwood Avenue
... Turn left onto Elmwood Ave. and proceed to our parking area on the left.

Where Should I park to go to the Festival?
IMPORTANT! We urge you NOT to park on the side streets surrounding the Festival. Vehicles parked illegally WILL be ticketed and/or towed.
Weekends:
- Park free at Monroe Community College (3 miles south of the Festival at 100 East Henrietta Rd, Brighton) and ride the First Student shuttle busses (small fee - Adults - $1.00, Seniors over 62 and Children ages 6-12 - $.50, and Children 5 and under- FREE!) from 10:30am to 8:30pm. (Shuttles available at 8:30AM on Parade Day, 5/10)
A limited amout of paid parking and handicapped parking will be available in the two on-site parking lots listsed below:
Monday - Friday
Limited parking is available at two locations: (a $5 fee will apply after 5:00PM)
Off Goodman St., just south of Highland Avenue and off Elmwood Ave. east of South Avenue. Handicapped visitors can park in those lots anytime, but they are encouraged to use the shuttles on weekends.
Parking on side streets surrounding the Festival is highly discouraged. Your car may be ticketed and/or towed.
Motorcoaches and other group tour vehicles must stop at the motorcoach check-in booth at the corner of Highland and South Avenues before discharging their passengers: vehicles will be directed to free parking.

Where Should I Stay If I'm traveling in from out of town??
Nestled on the banks of the Genesee River, the Clarion Riverside Hotel is conveniently located in the center of downtown Rochester. Connected to the Rochester Riverside Convention Center, it is the primary link to an enclosed skyway system that encompasses over 100 retail stores, restaurants, and office buildings.

Make your reservations now!

Can I bring my pet?
The Lilac Festival is animal free. We appologize ahead of time for this inconvenience but we are considering the saftey of your pets and other visitors to the Lilac Festival.

I want to bring my family back next year, what are the future dates of the Festival?
2009 May 8-17
2010 May 14-23

Is there any other Visitor Information available while I'm there?
Visitor Information is available from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. and includes details on the lilac collections, Rochester sights, and what to do on rainy days. Booths are manned during the festival by the Visitor Rochester's volunteers. Booths are located at Highland Park South.

Do you have any Services For Visitors with Disabilities?
Two parking lots are reserved for vehicles with NYS handicapped permits (Goodman St. just south of Highland Ave., and South Ave. just south of Highland Ave.). Parking is limited. Off-site parking will be provided on weekends at Monroe Community College; lift-equipped Regional Transit Service shuttle buses will transport visitors to the heart of the festival and back.
People with mobility problems can be dropped off at the crosswalk on Highland Ave. on weekdays; the driver of the-vehicle can then park in one of the general public parking lots on Elmwood Ave. or Goodman Street.
For your convenience a limited number of wheelchairs are available onsite. No reservations. First come, first served. Wheelchairs,provided courtesy of Monroe Wheelchair, may be borrowed from a tent located at the handicap parking loop off of South Avenue.