Top 20 Places to Take Kids in Greater Rochester - 2019

Seneca Park Zoo brings you face-to-face with wildlife from around the world. From Masai giraffes and plains zebras to red pandas and river otters, the Zoo is home many amazing species, big and small, that inspire tens of thousands of guests every year to act on behalf of wildlife conservation. Seneca Park Zoo is also the only zoo in New York state home to African elephants. Open 362 days a year, Seneca Park Zoo has special programming hourly in the summer, a seasonal tram service, and several indoor areas that allow guests to escape the cold in the winter including Rocky Coasts Gallery with underwater viewing for California sea lions and the beloved polar bear. Plan your visit today at senecaparkzoo.org.

Ranked by FamilyFun magazine as one of the top family travel destination in the country, The Strong is the only museum in the world dedicated to the study and exploration of play. In addition to the many traveling exhibitions that make their temporary home at the Strong, the museum features Can You Tell Me How To Get to Sesame Street?"; a restored carousel, a Wegmans Super Kids Market; their wonderful Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden; and Reading Adventureland.

Of course, the libraries in the Rochester area are not really ONE place, but MANY places... but it's important to emphasize how valuable libraries are for family learning and fun. The libraries in our area are wonderful about posting their events to the KidsOutAndAbout calendar so you always can get ideas for free things to do with your kids that celebrate education and imagination. KidsOutAndAbout.com takes this opportunity to salute the wonderful children's librarians who serve our community with such dedication. They're proud that locals voted them #3 in best places to take kids this year!

Immerse yourself in the incredible world of science at Rochester Museum & Science Center (RMSC), which includes the Science Museum, Strasenburgh Planetarium, and Cumming Nature Center. Follow your curiosity from the depths of the oceans to the edge of the universe. Push the limits of your imagination to create never-before-seen inventions. All at the Science Museum, with more than 200 interactive exhibits; Planetarium with a 65-foot, four-story dome; and Nature Center, with more than six miles of trails on 900 acres. In addition, RMSC's more than 1.2 million  collection items tell the story of Rochester’s past including its rich history of innovation and invention.

Seabreeze is the amusement park and water park closest to home, located right on the shore Lake Ontario at the top of Route 590 to the East. Seabreeze has both thrilling adult rides such as the Jackrabbit (the fourth oldest operating coaster in the country), classic family rides such as the Carousel and Train, and some great rides for the under-8 set such as the Kiddie Swings. The waterpark section of Seabreeze has "liquid fun for everyone"--includes adult and kiddie slides, wave pool, lazy river, and more. It's not too big, and not too small, and it's a very good price (rates vary per ticket type; click here for current rates.

The YMCA of Greater Rochester is in our community to give everyone an opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. Every day, we work side-by-side with our neighbors to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has access to Y programing that foster healthy living, youth development and social responsibility.

History comes alive at the largest and most comprehensive living history museum in New York State. Genesee Country Village & Museum invites your whole family to step back in time with costumed interpreters to explore the 19^th-century Historic Village. Visitors can tour the working brewery, the blacksmith, potter, print shop, and tinsmith, and visit the animals on the farm. End your day by taking a piece of history home from the Flint Hill Store, featuring handcrafted fudge and village-made tin and pottery. GCV&M is also home to the John L. Wehle Gallery, a Nature Center with five miles of themed trails, and the Silver Base Ball Park. Offering special events all year long. Located in nearby Mumford. Visit gcv.org for schedule and information.

The Rochester Red Wings are a Triple-A baseball team based in Rochester, New York. The team plays is the top minor league affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. The Red Wings play in Frontier Field, located in downtown Rochester.  Whether it’s a catching a game with friends or family, Red Wings baseball is guaranteed fun!  With fireworks following Friday and Saturday home games and some of the best ballpark food you can find – don’t miss any of the action this Summer!

Altitude Trampoline Park is Rochester's newest active indoor play center. Located in Southtown Plaza on Jefferson Road in Henrietta. Ages 2-adult, special playtimes and areas for toddlers and preschoolers. Jump, play, and take a break.

Stokoe Farms is a short hike to the southwest of Rochester, in Scottsville, and it is especially noteworthy that they made our Top 20 list when they are only open for fall family fun for seven weeks from mid-September through the end of October, plus a long weekend at the beginning of August for summer fun on the farm. Stokoe Farms sure makes an impression on families, though: Hours of farm-fresh fun in the corn maze and a wide variety of outdoor active activities. Kids can play in the straw fort and slide down a huge slide, pet a large number of animals, and chomp on delicious cider donuts. Thousands of families then return the weekend after Thanksgiving for the start of the Christmas Tree season.

Lollypop Farm is maintained by the Humane Society of Rochester and Monroe County and located in the Hamlet of Egypt off of Route 31. It provides a free opportunity to introduce kids of all ages to all kinds of farm animals and pets. 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. Inside, Lollypop Farm houses dogs, cats, and other small animals that are ready for adoption, as well as a Family Learning Center where families can learn about pet care together. Outside, take a walk through the Farm's pastures of horses, llamas, goats, deer, geese, ducks, and chickens. Stroll to the nearby playround and have a picnic lunch!

Wickham Farms is a fun place for families to spend an hour, an afternoon or all day! Attractions include a jumping pillow, batting cages, kiddy train ride, a mini golf course, farm animals, and a free weekly storytime. In the fall, they have a corn maze, hayrides, a u-pick pumpkin patch, and u-pick apple orchard. The barn serves 16 flavors of ice cream, frozen custard, and casual meals.

Bristol Mountain Aerial Adventures offers 3 exciting experiences for kids (and adults!) ages 4+. Watch your child gain confidence at the Kids Adventure Park with 2 courses specifically designed for kids aged 4-7. Conquer the Aerial Adventure Park (ages 7+), a series of 7 challenge courses interwoven within the forest canopy featuring unique elements and ziplines. Or, soar through the trees on the 3-hour guided Zipline Canopy Tour featuring over 5,000ft of ziplines. Get outside, create memories, build confidence, and have an adventure!

Open year-round for indoor fun, and seasonally for outdoor fun, Clubhouse Fun Center Henrietta is located on Jay Scutti Blvd; Clubhouse Fun Center Greece is located on Ridge Road West. Clubhouse Fun Center features arcade games, birthday parties, go karts, and a fabulous mini golf course. Bring your kids, or the whole family! You can join their e-club and get exclusive specials. Like them on Facebook for exclusive coupons.

Six Flags Darien Lake is about an hour west of Rochester, south of Batavia. It's New York's largest family-friendly attraction. Theme park, water park, campground, hotel. Offering thrill rides, family rides, kids' rides, water park rides, and entertainment. Rides include the Predator, the Viper, Rolling Thunder, and the Ride of Steel. The water park features the Swirl City Slide Complex, the Big Kahuna, the Brain Drain, Flotation Station, the Tornado, and Crocodile Isle, their 600,000-gallon wave pool.

Roseland Waterpark is the largest waterpark in the Finger Lakes region.   Located in Canandaigua, NY, it is the pinnacle of summer family fun.  With attractions such as the Giant Wave Pool, Adventure River, Splash Factory for our youngest guest, tube slides and body slides, and the Mammoth Raft Ride, Roseland Waterpark perfect for the entire family from the end of June through Labor Day.Visit www.roselandwaterpark.com for weekly Splash & Save specials, group rates and events. Save up to $7 on the Regular Admission ticket when you purchase online.

Roseland Wake Park, the only full size cable wakeboarding park in the Northeast is located next door to Roseland Waterpark in Canandaigua.   It features a half mile loop with a variety of water features (jumps, rails and flat boxes) and has the capacity for nine riders at one time. 

Nestled between the Allegany foothills and the Finger Lakes of New York State is one of the jewels of the New York State Parks system, Letchworth State Park, also known as “The Grand Canyon the of East.” Today this 14,000 plus acre park offers a wide variety of family activities; you can rent one of its 82 cabins or stay at one of its 270 campsites or experience the accommodations at the historic Glen Iris Inn. You may also swim at Letchworth's Olympic size pool in the summer, and hike on over 60 miles of trails. 

Through innovative, quality programs, the YMCA of Greater Rochester helps strengthen families, aids in the healthy development of children, encourages positive individual behavior and contributes toward a healthier, safe community for all. Our programs build character by emphasizing the values of caring, honesty, respect, responsibility, fun and friendship.

Seabreeze is the amusement park and water park closest to home, located right on the shore Lake Ontario at the top of Route 590 to the East. Seabreeze has both thrilling adult rides such as the Jackrabbit (the fourth oldest operating coaster in the country), classic family rides such as the Carousel and Train, and some great rides for the under-8 set such as the Kiddie Swings. The waterpark section of Seabreeze has "liquid fun for everyone"--includes adult and kiddie slides, wave pool, lazy river, and more. It's not too big, and not too small, and it's a very good price (rates vary per ticket type; click here for current rates.

Open year-round for indoor fun, and seasonally for outdoor fun, Clubhouse Fun Center Henrietta is located on Jay Scutti Blvd; Clubhouse Fun Center Greece is located on Ridge Road West. Clubhouse Fun Center features arcade games, birthday parties, go karts, and a fabulous mini golf course. Bring your kids, or the whole family! You can join their e-club and get exclusive specials. Like them on Facebook for exclusive coupons.

Through innovative, quality programs, the YMCA of Greater Rochester helps strengthen families, aids in the healthy development of children, encourages positive individual behavior and contributes toward a healthier, safe community for all. Our programs build character by emphasizing the values of caring, honesty, respect, responsibility, fun and friendship.