The Lake Ontario State Parkway is a quiet, scenic way of driving to Niagara Falls from Rochester, taking about an hour longer than the standard route along I-90 via Buffalo. The parkway starts eight miles from downtown at the end of Lake Avenue, near the popular Ontario Beach Park . This short golden strand of shore, rimmed by exclusive holiday homes, is a real poseur's paradise; you may well feel self-conscious if your shades don't match up to the ubiquitous (locally manufactured) Ray-Bans.

If big crowds and the churning noise of speedboats are not your thing, head twenty miles along the parkway to the more secluded Hamlin Beach State Park ($3 per car). The parkway passes through few towns, and the best place to stop for refreshments is the small and attractive Point Breeze harbor, ten miles on from Hamlin.

Out from Rochester

• Out from Rochester

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