At RST, waiting for your flight doesn’t have to mean staring at the departure board. You can read a book, strum a guitar, relax in a quiet space, explore Rochester’s global connections, or make a new four-legged friend — all before your boarding group is even called. Here are five things worth checking out while you wait.
1. Browse the Mini-Library (and Take a Free Book)
Need something to read on the plane? RST and the Rochester Public Library have teamed up to offer a free mini-library located in the lower-level gate area past security.
Travelers are welcome to take any book — no checkout, no due dates and no obligation to return it. Passengers can also donate gently used reading materials for future travelers to enjoy.
The library also includes two activity booklets. One features lighthearted activities and coloring pages, while another, created with the Mayo Clinic Center for Humanities in Medicine, includes wellness-focused prompts, meditations and inspirational reflections designed to help travelers decompress.
2. Grab a Snack, Sip a Drink … or Play a Guitar
Hungry? Thirsty? Need a little entertainment? Tailwind Concessions has you covered.
Passengers can enjoy everything from coffee and grab-and-go sandwiches to cocktails and locally brewed SXSE and Little Thistle beer on tap. The menu includes handhelds, snacks, yogurt, hummus and other quick options perfect for travel days.
But one of the airport’s more unexpected features sits quietly near the seating area: an acoustic guitar available for passengers to play.
The guitar is part of a tradition across Tailwind locations inspired by the owner’s love of music. Sometimes it’s simply someone casually strumming while waiting for a flight. Other times, an impromptu performance unfolds, complete with singing, smiling travelers and even the occasional round of applause from nearby passengers.
It’s one of those small surprises that can completely change the mood of an airport terminal.
3. Recharge in a Quiet Room
Travel can be exciting, but it can also be exhausting, emotional or overwhelming.
RST offers three Quiet Rooms designed for passengers who need a calm, private place before their flight. Two rooms are located post-security, and one is in the main lobby. Each room includes a recliner along with an adjacent private restroom.
The rooms are used by all kinds of travelers — from nursing mothers and families to patients traveling for medical care or anyone simply needing a peaceful place to regroup before boarding.
4. Explore Rochester’s International Connections Through the Sister City Display
One of the newest additions at RST is also one of the most colorful.
A recently installed international flag display now welcomes travelers with flags representing Rochester’s five Sister Cities and two Project Cities. The installation also features a display case filled with gifts, artwork and cultural artifacts exchanged through decades of international partnerships.
The display includes connections with communities in Germany, Japan, China, South Korea, Nepal and Cambodia, serving as a reminder that even a regional airport can connect people to stories and relationships around the world.
5. Get Some Love From a Therapy Dog
Yes, there are dogs at the airport, and yes, you are encouraged to pet them.
The RST Caring Tails Pet Therapy Program helps create a more welcoming and comforting airport experience through visits from registered therapy dogs and their handlers. During peak travel times, the dogs walk through the terminal greeting passengers, offering stress relief and occasionally becoming the most popular attraction in the building.
For nervous flyers, tired travelers or anyone missing their own pets, the interaction can instantly brighten the day.
There’s more to discover at Rochester International Airport than just your departure gate. Learn about more of RST’s services and amenities.
