With so many family-friendly activities to enjoy indoors, you won’t have to worry about the weather impacting your visit. Here are some of the best ways to spend a day in Rochester, regardless of what’s happening outside.  

 

The Strong National Museum of Play

Set aside at least a few hours and feel like a kid again at the Strong National Museum of Play. Sit on the stoop of Sesame Street, “shop” at the kid-sized Wegmans supermarket, test your superhero strength in the American Comic Book Heroes exhibit or play for the high score in Pinball Playfields. Plus, the National Toy Hall of Fame and World Video Game Hall of Fame will bring back fond memories of your favorite amusements.

Now you can take your play to new levels with their brand-new Skyline Climb. The all-new high ropes course is suspended above the museum’s carousel atrium with beams, bridges, balance obstacles and even a zipline!

 

Rochester Museum and Science Center

More than 200 interactive exhibits await you at the Rochester Museum and Science Center, tackling everything from science and culture to the natural world. In Under Construction, try your hand at maneuvering a giant crane, or running wires through 2x4 studded walls to build a simulated working electrical system. Watch the dark Electricity Theater light up as zaps of lightning appear just feet away! Or experiment with lasers, lenses and mirrors in the Illumination: The World of Light and Optics exhibit.

Wonders of Water is a brand-new exhibit at the museum. Step onto a ship to explore the shipwreck of the USS Scourge, which sank during the War of 1812. Discover tales from sailors who lived aboard the ship. And even pilot a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) to discover what you can expect to find at the bottom of Lake Ontario!

Another part of the RMSC is Strasenburgh Planetarium, a 65-foot dome theater that allows you to travel through the universe. View the schedule to see upcoming featured presentations, star shows and laser shows.

 

Memorial Art Gallery

Featuring greats like Monet, Rembrandt and O’Keefe, along with plenty of contemporaries, the Memorial Art Gallery is considered one of the finest regional art museums in the U.S. Their permanent collection features over 12,000 works of art including textiles, sculpture, painting and metalwork. On exhibit November 20, 2022 through March 5, 2023, Striking Power: Iconoclasm in Ancient Egypt is an exploration of a little-known aspect of Egyptian sculpture: the deliberate damage inflicted upon images for political and religious power.

Kids Create Dates are offered on select Saturdays from 1:30-3:30 p.m. and provides fun and flexible art projects for kids ages 4-14 to create. View the full schedule for a calendar of special events and exhibits.

 

George Eastman Museum

The estate of George Eastman, considered the pioneer of popular photography and motion picture, is now the world’s oldest photography museum and one of the oldest film archives. The George Eastman Museum tells the story of George Eastman's life (providing a glimpse into how he lived for almost 30 years), his rise to fame and the history of the Eastman Kodak Company. Walk through the historic mansion, impeccable gardens and enjoy the temporary exhibits which change roughly every four months, meaning there is always something new to experience.

Also on-site is the Dryden Theatre, hosting more than 300 film screenings each year. The 500-seat theatre is one of just a few venues in the world that can play nitrate film.  

 

Mercantile on Main

Whether you’re looking for a breakfast, lunch or dinner spot, the Mercantile on Main has you covered. Located on East Main Street in Sibley Square, former home of the Sibley Department Store, Mercantile on Main features six kitchen vendors, with Me Gusta Caribbean Cuisine coming soon. Each kitchen has its own hours of operations and serves up some of the best food and drinks in Rochester – whether you’re in the mood for Pho, Caribbean dishes, Mediterranean cuisine, or a warm cup of regionally roasted coffee.

While you wait for your food, challenge your family with two 40-foot curling lanes and two 8-foot chess and checker boards.