When we plan our family vacations or weekend getaways, sometimes it feels we have to compromise on a fun, yet rich-with-history destination in order to find something that will please our little travelers. Add into the mix the requirement for a destination that is drivable from the Chester County area and it can be downright challenging to please everyone. Then I visited Rochester, NY which is one of the kid-friendliest cities I have explored. This beautiful area of New York is full of museums, eateries, history, education, outdoor adventures and family fun. It's about a 5 and 1/2-hour drive from our area and the scenery and towns along the way are beautiful.
Rochester is home to many great museums and other attractions. We've highlighted a few that we loved to help you as you plan your visit. From playing to animal conservation to thrill-rides, you'll have a variety of activities during your stay.
The Strong - National Museum of Play - An entire museum dedicated to the importance of play? Yes! There is a reason why USA Today named it among the Top 10 Museums for Families. The biggest surprise you might have during your family visit to The Strong National Museum of Play and National Toy Hall of Fame is that you might find you enjoy it as much as or even more than your children. What will your kids love? They'll delight in stepping into a life size pop-up book, visiting Sesame Street and Elmo's World, exploring with the Berenstain Bears, shopping at a kid-friendly Wegman's, playing video games and seeing the history of their favorite board games and puzzles. They'll love the interactive exhibits, seeing their favorite comic book heroes, visiting the butterfly garden, seeing the World Video Game Hall of Fame and so much more.
What will you love? Besides seeing your children having so much fun and seeing their imaginations come to life, you'll be taken back to your childhood when you see your old Barbie Dream house or your favorite Pac-Man Game, Easy Bake Oven and other beloved toys and games. It seemed like every time I turned a corner I found myself gasping and declaring "I remember that toy" or "I forgot about that one!" It was an awesome trip down memory lane. Many of my favorites, and probably yours, have been added to the National Toy Hall of Fame. Your entire family will enjoy a visit to The Strong. You'll need time to enjoy it all, so plan to spend lots of time here - there are lots of dining options to help fuel your visit. Get ready to put your imagination to work and to have some fun playing!
Seabreeze Amusement Park - situated against beautiful Lake Ontario and is the 4th oldest operating amusement park and the oldest family-owned one in America. We often find the struggle with a visit to amusement parks is making sure there is something for everyone and Seabreeze Amusement Park has made sure of that. There are rides for all ages, including rides designed for the littlest riders and thrill rides for the adventurous members of your group. The same goes for their attached waterpark area - there will be something for all the splashers in your family. One don't miss spot here is the Carousel - hand-carved and beautifully designed this ride is not only family-friendly and photo-op ready but it is a beautiful icon of the park.
Seneca Park Zoo - This beautiful zoo situated along the Genessee River is passionate about conservation and you'll leave with an increased awareness of the wildlife around you, both near and far. It is home to many animals including African elephants, river otters, sea lions, a white rhino, snow leopards, Amur tiger, a polar bear, Chester the Lion and two other African lions as well and many other wonderful animals. Check out a full listing and description of each animal's diet, habitat and more here. What's more exciting is that the Seneca Park Zoo will be expanding to include giraffes, a zebra and more in 2018. But don't wait until then to visit. This beautiful zoo will inspire you and your children to think more about conservation efforts and the animal world around them. During your visit don't miss the Eagles Landing Cafe and the Crater Canteen as well as the Zoo Shop with awesome animal-themed souvenirs from your visit.
Wegman's - Ok, so it's not really a museum but did you know that Wegman's got it's start in the Rochester area over a hundred years ago as the Rochester Fruit and Vegetable Company? It soon grew to become the Wegman's Food Market we know and love. You can visit the original Wegman's in Pittsford, NY to see what they are working on in research and development. That's right, at this location they test out new ideas and concepts. I spend a lot of time at our local Wegman's stores yet was still impressed with the offerings and overall layout of this Wegman's store. It was fun to see some of the new ideas that they were working on as well as some different products from our local stores. Be sure to plan a trip to the Burger Bar at this Wegman's location as well.
Genesee Country Village and Museum - You can step back in time at the largest living history museum in New York State. Genesee Country Village and Museum is a living, working 19th century village with costumed interpreters there to help bring it to life for even the youngest visitors. You can visit the pottery shop and learn about how pottery was used throughout history, visit animals on the farm, tour the working brewery, watch a historic baseball game and enjoy the beautiful nature trails. This is just a sampling of what you can experience. With over 40 stops on the tour map you can experience so much living history that your whole family can enjoy. If all that history leaves your group hungry, visit one of the eateries onsite or make a stop at the confectionery - part exhibit and part true working confectionery.
National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House - As parents, we want our children to do the right thing when they see or experience something that doesn't seem or feel right or just. We hope that they will be brave enough to do the right thing when the moment calls for it and I can't think of too many better places to help them learn more about that concept than at the National Susan B. Anthony Museum and House. Your children might be surprised to look at the spot in the parlor where Susan was arrest for the "crime" of voting. I, personally, stood there feeling thankful and humbled for the people like Susan B. Anthony who fought so hard for the rights we enjoy today.
Rochester Museum & Science Center - Satisfy your child's curiosity at the Rochester Museum & Science Center. From the Strasenburgh Planetarium to the Science on a Sphere to the Inventor Center I was amazed by how much there was for children to do and explore here and how many interactive exhibits and shows they had. There are 200 hands-on exhibits so curious kiddos can explore and play (and learn all at the same time). The RMSC also has awesome events including Animal Shows with Wildlife Rockstars, Electricity Theater and planetarium laser light shows set to music like Dave Matthews and U2. This is another museum where grown-ups will have as much fun as the kids!
Want to learn more about how to enjoy the outdoors with your family in the Rochester area? Click here!
Need a few tips on saving money while you're there? Read our tips here.
Want more? View our Rochester, NY Facebook Album to see more highlights of our trip. I promise that your biggest obstacle when planning a trip to the area will likely be how to fit it all in. Not to worry, you can return which is what I look forward to doing with my children. The biggest question will be where will we stop first?
Visit Rochester hosted Macaroni Kid for a 4-day press trip. Accommodations and most meals and activities were complimentary. No other compensation was received in consideration of this article and all opinions are that of the writer.
