It's...that icky brown time between winter and spring!

Get out and about for some early-spring hikes!

...or some late-winter hikes!


Those wacky Webster Children's Librarians!
Stories, songs, and fingerplays on YouTube


Calendar


Places to Go

Museums, Sports, Amusement Parks, Nature and Outdoor Recreation, and Family Fun Centers

Rochester Museum & Science Center

Museums

  • Rochester Museum and Science Center -657 East Avenue, Rochester, NY, 585-271-1880
    One of Rochester's best resources for children, the Museum, with its accompanying Strasenburgh Planetarium, not only has wondeful hands-on science exhibits for kids, but giant-screen movies and star shows in the Planetarium, and a wealth of classes and camps. F map

  • Strong Museum-Just for Kids -1 Manhattan Square, Rochester, NY, 585-263-2700
    Voted #1 resource by Rochester parents in our list of the Top 20 Places to Take Your Kids in Rochester. F map

  • Susan B. Anthony House  - 17 Madison St., Rochester, 585-235-6124
    The Susan B. Anthony House was the home of the legendary American civil rights leader during the most politically active period of her life, and the site of her famous arrest for voting in 1872. F Map

  • George Eastman House - 900 East Avenue, Rochester, 585-271-3361
    International Museum of Photography and Film. Given where we are, you can expect -- correctly -- that it's one of the best in the world. Of more interest to slightly older children; except for special events, preschoolers don't find as much to occupy them.F map

  • Memorial Art Gallery - 500 University Avenue, Rochester, 585-473-7720
    Journey through 50 centuries of the world's great art, from the relics of antiquity to 20th-century masterworks. Learn why the Memorial Art Gallery has been called "the best balanced collection of any museum in the state outside metropolitan New York City." F map

  • Medina Railroad Museum - 530 West Avenue, Medina, NY, (585) 798-6106. office@railroadmuseum.net
    Located in the old New York Central freight depot in Medina, NY, the Medina Railroad Museum is the largest freight depot museum in the country. F map .

  • Ganondagan - 1488 State Route 444, Victor, NY, (585) 742-1690 F map - Historical site: Native American community that was a center for the Seneca people. Visit this site where thousands of Seneca lived 300 years ago, tour a full-size replica of a 17th-century Seneca Bark Longhouse, walk miles of self-guided trails (they're very family-friendly though make sure you take a map!), and climb the mesa where a huge palisaded granary stored hundreds of thousands of bushels of corn.

  • Explore and More - A children's museum in East Aurora that has several interactive educational play areas. 300 Gleed Avenue, East Aurora NY, 14052, 716-655-5131. Hours are Wed thru Sat - 10 am to 5 pm Sun - 12 noon to 5 pm. Also open until 8pm the first Friday of every month. See web site for more details.F map .

  • The Jell-O Museum - Take a tour through time and explore the history of “America’s Most Famous Dessert”, Jell-O. Browse through the Historic LeRoy House and experience 3 floors of 100 years of history. 23 E Main St, LeRoy, NY, 14482, (585) 768-7433. Hours are Monday-Saturday 10-4, Sunday 1-4.F map .

  • Wayne County Historical Society - Located in the village of Lyons, New York, the Wayne County Historical Society is housed in the Former Sheriff's Residence and Old Jail Museum. 21 Butternut Street, Lyons, New York 14489. 315-946-4943.

  • New York Museum of Transportation - The museum's exhibit spaces feature a collection of antique trolley cars, a steam locomotive, fire truck, operating model railroad, many other vehicles, and several exhibits of photographs and artifacts pertaining to local transportation history.
    Mid-May through October, trolley rides operate every half-hour beginning at 11:30 a.m. 6393 East River Road, Rush, NY (585) 533-1113. Open all year, Sundays only, from 11:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission, from mid-May through October, including both museums (NYMT and the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum) and the trolley ride is $7 adults, $6 seniors 65 and over, $5 students age 3 through 15. From November to early May, admission to the New York Museum of Transportation is $3 adults and $2 children under 12.

Libraries

Libraries in Monroe County, NY - address, contact info plus links to their web sites and children's sections

Sports

Click here for a list of all of the local Rochester teams we cheer for!

Please click here for the KidsOutAndAbout.com Guide to Family Fun with the Red Wings!

Please click here for the KidsOutAndAbout.com Guide to Family Fun with the Rhinos!

Indoor Recreation

What to do when the weather doesn't cooperate? Rochester has you covered!

New! Great INDOOR Recreation Venues - The Sandbox, Jump'N Jungle, The Indoor Track Speedway, Village Sports, and more. Wonderful for when the weather doesn't cooperate, or any time!

Outside

Click here for our virtual playground tour of greater Rochester.

Amusement Parks

  • Seabreeze Amusement Park - 4600 Culver Road, Rochester, NY 585-323-1900 F map

  • Roseland Water Park - 250 Eastern Boulevard, Canandaigua, NY, 585-396-2000F map

  • Darien Lake - 9993 Allegheny Road, Darien Center, NY, 585-599-2211F map

  • PolarWave Snowtubing
    3500 Harloff Road
    Batavia, NY 14021
    (888) 727-2794
    Snowtubing is a downhill ride that runs on specially designed snow tubes. The tubing hill is groomed in "chutes" that resemble various sizes of snow-built waves and includes runs for both adults and children. There are six runs and three tube tows.

Nature and Outdoor Recreation

Click here to search for nature-oriented events happening this week!

InfoRochester.com has a great list of nature-oriented organizations and clubs in the greater Rochester area.

Footprint Press - This local publisher has some great books about outdoorsy things to do in the Rochester area...particularly Take a Hike!. Make sure you check out their free online newsletter at www.footprintpress.com/newsletters/Newslett.htm

Monroe County Parks

Wayne County Parks

Livingston County Parks

Genesee County Parks

Ontario County Parks

Cayuga County Parks

Baycreek Paddling Center
  • Baycreek Paddling Center 1099 Empire Blvd, Rochester, NY 14609 (585) 288-2830
    Baycreek offers canoe and kayak rentals off the banks of beautiful Irondequoit Creek. They also offer parent-child activities, shuttles to Ellison Park, nature tours, canoe and kayak lessons, race events and fitness boats, Kids Paddlesport Kamp, Scout merit badge programs, open water and surf training, and special $5 events throughout the week.

  • Genesee Country Nature Center 1410 Flint Hill Road, Mumford, NY (585) 538-6822 ext.262 F map
    Genesee Country Nature Center has wonderful trails for hiking in the warm seasons and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing (equipment available) in the winter. They have wonderful classes and camps for kids age 4 through high school.

  • Cumming Nature Center
    Part of the Rochester Museum & Science Center network
    6472 Gulick Rd, Naples, NY 14512 (585) 374-6160 F map Nicely marked and groomed trails. Not very challenging terrain, so it is perfect for small children.

  • Hansen Nature Center, 1525 Calkins Road, Henrietta, NY - 585-359-7044
    Nature center activities throughout the year, plus hiking on a few miles of groomed trails (great for young kids). Nice playground on east end of park. Snowshoeing in the winter.F map

  • Helmer Nature Center, 154 Pinegrove Ave, Rochester, NY - 585-336-3035
    The Helmer Nature Center, owned and operated by the West Irondequoit Central School District, is both an outdoor classroom and an environmental resource for the entire community. It encompasses approximately 45 acres of land.F map

  • Sterling Park and Nature Center Jensvold Road, Sterling, NY 14512 (315) 947-6143 F map
    Because of its size, its great diversity of plant and wildlife, and its position along the shore of Lake Ontario, Sterling Lakeshore Park is an outstanding natural habitat.

  • Genesee Waterways Center
    149 Elmwood Avenue
    Rochester, NY 14611 (585) 328-3960
    Genesee Waterways Center is a wonderful organization "bringing people to the water" of the Erie Canal and Genesee River. They have canoe and cayak rentals available, plus all kinds of classes and camps for both kids and adults. Locations for classes vary (they're not always at that Elmwood address) so be sure to verify.

  • Ganondagan - 1488 State Route 444, Victor, NY, (585) 742-1690 F map

  • Seneca Park Zoo - 2222 St. Paul Street, Rochester, NY 14621 (585) 336-7200  F map
    Click here to find out what's going on at the Zoo this week!

  • Lollypop Farm - 99 Victor Road, Fairport, NY 14450 (585) 223-1330
    Mission: The Humane Society at Lollypop Farm is committed to building lifelong bonds between people and animals through education, community outreach programs and the prevention of cruelty. It's free to walk around and see the farm animals outside and the house pets inside. This is one of the most popular places for animal adoption in the area. F map

    Other outdoor places to go

  • Rochesterians specialize in making the most of winter! Click here for the best places to ski, snowshoe, sled, and skate.

  • When spring hits, Rochesterians get Out and About in it!

  • The warm months are our big payoff seasons! Here's what to do outdoors in summer!

  • Fall is the most active time of year in Rochester, tons of festivals, foliage, and farm fun! Plus Halloween events.



    Family Fun Centers

    • Webster Aquatic Center - 875 Ridge Road, Webster, NY 14580 (adjacent to Webster Schroeder HS); (585) 670-1082Webster Aquatic Center Pool  F map
      Enjoy a lap swim, water exercise class, or just splash around at Webster's premier recreation attraction. This Olympic sized (50 meter x 25 yard) pool is stocked with noodles, kickboards, and other pool toys and open to the community 90 hours per week. Webster School District Residents $3 (adults) $2 (students); non-residents $5 (adults); $3 (students); half price for senior citizens (55+); children 5 and under swim for free.

    • Minnehans Family Restaurant and Fun Center - Corner of Route 20A and Route 256, Lakeville, Livingston County, 585-346-6167 F map
      They have miniature golf, go-karting, and batting cages. They also have a mini discovery zone for the younger children. They also have a nice restaurant with hamburgers and hot dogs, and ice cream.

    • Adventure Landing -3340 West Ridge Road, Greece, 585-225-5093  F map

    • Eagle Ridge Mini Golf -4794 Route 104, Williamson, 315-589-4015 F map

    • My-T-Putt-7902 Lake Road, Sodus Point, 315-483-2001 F map

    • The Clubhouse Fun Center -70 Jay Scutti Boulevard, Rochester, 585-272-7888 F map
      Two 18-hole miniature golf courses, a go-kart track with 16 single-seat karts and 8 2-seat karts. The 2-seat karts allow children as young as 3 to accompany an adult on the main track. Game room also.

    • All Star Sports Arena - 557 East Ridge Road, Rochester, NY, 585-467-7250. allstarsa@frontiernet.com. map

    • Sportworks-180 Route 31, Macedon, 315-986-4245 F map

    • County Line Raceway -311 Pittsford Palmyra Road, Macedon, 315-986-5876 F map

    • Spinners Family Skate Center-280 Route 31, Macedon, 315-986-7755F map


    For Teens

    • Java's-16 Gibbs Street, Rochester, NY, 585-232-4820 F map

    • Spot Coffee -200 East Ave, Rochester, NY, 585-232-7768 F map


     

    Links

  • RochesterLiving.com - A free, Rochester-centric, electronic postcard Web site aims to leverage the popularity of the Internet while supporting local charities in the Rochester area.