Ranked by USA Today as one of the top museums for families in the country, The Strong is the only museum in the world dedicated to the study and exploration of play. The museum is home to the world’s largest collection of play-related artifacts, as well as the internationally recognized National Toy Hall of Fame and World Video Game Hall of Fame. The museum features more than 100,000 square feet of exhibits—including Can You Tell Me How To Get to Sesame Street?"; Wegmans Super Kids Market; the magical Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden; and Reading Adventureland. Learn more at museumofplay.org.

The Seneca Park Zoo inspires our community to connect with, care for, and conserve wildlife and wild places. Wild adventure awaits 362 days a year. Learn about conservation action and species survival as you come face to face with giraffes, red pandas, lions, reptiles, elephants and so much more! Visit our website to learn about all the animals in our care and plan your visit.

Immerse yourself in the incredible world of science, history, culture, and nature at the RMSC (Rochester Museum & Science Center). You can follow your curiosity from the depths of the oceans to the edge of the universe when you visit the Museum & Science Center, Strasenburgh Planetarium, or Cumming Nature Center. Push the limits of your imagination to create never-before-seen inventions, explore the natural world, or discover the wonders of the universe. When you visit the RMSC, you’ll have access to more than 200 interactive exhibits at the Museum, star shows and featured films on the 65-foot Planetarium dome, and 15 miles of trails to explore at the Nature Center.

 Seabreeze is a family owned and operated amusement park. The park offers a variety of family-oriented attractions, including four roller coasters, adult and kiddie rides, games, gift shops, a complete waterpark with slides, a wave pool, and more. The 143^rd season brings the return of Cirque En Vol, high-flying acrobats from Canada, adding the Chinese Pole and Acrobatic Bicycle acts which will premiering on June 23^rd. The Bear Trax Kiddie Coaster turns 25 and we are celebrating with a refreshed look. Coming soon, we will have a brand-new photo opportunity spot for your family next to the Bear Trax. The classic Jack Rabbit coaster is celebrating 102 years of operation. It holds the honor in amusement park history as the oldest continuously operating coaster in America! 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.

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.

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.

Bristol Mountain is the place for outdoor family fun in the Rochester Area! It is the premier ski resort in the Finger Lakes Region offering 1200’ of vertical, 2 high speed quads, and state-of-the-art snowmaking.

All winter long we offer learn to ski and ride programs  for all members of the family. Bristol Brigades offer season long coaching for all ages and levels of skiers and snowboarders. Adventure Camps, during the winter breaks, offer a fun way to be outside over the holidays.

Our Family & Friends Night is a great and affordable way to hit the slopes together. The package includes discounted rentals and a FREE 5pm beginner lesson (based on terrain and instructor availability).

Enjoy the beautiful autumn colors on a scenic Fall Sky Ride that are offered in September and October. This tranquil 15-20 minute ride is for people of all ages to experience the Bristol Hills and the valley below in all its splendor.

The YMCA of Greater Rochester is an incredible cause-driven Association, whose goals are transformational work, impactful partnerships, and innovative program development. The Y is focused on strengthening our community; is committed to being a catalyst for change and collaboration; and is dedicated to ensuring our mission-critical services are equitably accessible to all.

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!

Altitude Trampoline Park, Rochester, New York, is the sixth indoor trampoline park in the Altitude Trampoline Park family. The largest indoor park in the United States, Altitude offers high-energy and exciting entertainment activities throughout the 50,000 sq. ft. facility which houses 24,000 sq. ft. of interconnected wall-to-wall trampoline attractions. Altitude is a fresh, new entertainment option for groups and individuals to have healthy and active fun.

Located on beautiful farmland just 10 minutes east of Rochester, Wickham Farms is an incredible place to spend a day. Guests of all ages can enjoy activities, food, photo ops, and much more as they make lasting memories on the farm. The farm has signature attractions like the Giant 'Corn - A - Copia', 18 hole mini golf, corn maze, kid's train ride, and jumping pillow, along with stunning seasonal events that span late June - Halloween. Summer is highlighted by Lavender Days in July and the signature Sunflower Spectacular Festival in August, while the Fall Harvest is filled with apple picking, pumpkin picking, and fresh fall foods. Guests can save by buying tickets online, and season passes are also available!"

Bristol Mountain Aerial Adventures offers 3 exciting experiences for kids (and adults!) ages 4+ to get outside, create memories, build confidence, and have an adventure! 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. Plan your family’s next adventure today!

Lollypop Farm has been helping animals and people in the Greater Rochester area since 1873. Through programs like adoption, foster care, community outreach, humane law enforcement, and humane education Lollypop Farm works together with the community to help save thousands of pets every year. The Lollypop Farm campus rests on 134 acres outside of Fairport, New York and is a wonderful place for families to visit. Check out the story walk and see farmyard friends or enjoy a hike on the nature trails. Lollypop Farm also offers opportunities for children to learn alongside animal friends including Pet First Aid & CPR, Shelter Helpers, Scout Programs, Petacular Birthday Parties, Summer Camp, family friendly special events and more! 

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 Washington Nationals. The Red Wings play at 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!

The RMSC Cumming Nature Center is a dynamic environmental education facility that celebrates the unique landscape and culture of the Finger Lakes region through hands-on learning opportunities and thoughtful exhibits. Our 900-acre preserve is as beautiful as it is vast. You can meander through more than 6 miles of trails complete with wetlands, climbing forest roads and hiking through the past. And you can investigate the curious intricacies of nature with our educational programs.

 Go-Karts! Bumper Cars! Mini Golf! Video Arcade! Birthdays! Come on down to Rochester's #1 place for affordable family fun!

TYKEs is honored to rank as the #1 children’s theatre and one of the top places in town to bring kids for more than a decade. Now entering its 18th season, TYKEs captivates families with beloved plays and musicals brought alive on stage by adult professional actors. TYKEs strives to inspire an appreciation of the arts, literary awareness, and social skills while teaching key life lessons. Performances, school field trips, after-school classes and special programs take place in the warm, welcoming Hart Theater at the JCC in Brighton. Plus... join us for How I Became a Pirate at TYKEs KidStage theatre camp this summer! Our exciting new 2022-23 season opens November 12th.

Mendon Ponds Park is our area's most famous park. Fabulous sledding, cross-country skiing, and snowshowing in the winter--especially along the Birdsong Trail near the nature center, and wonderful hiking, picnicing, kite flying, and other recreation in the summer, it offers plenty of opportunities for families to get out and active together at no cost. The Nature Center features Wild Wings, is a not-for-profit educational organization for permanently injured raptors thatare unable to survive on their own in the wild. Eagles, owls, hawks, falcons, and more are displayed for viewing! Take your camera!

Altitude Trampoline Park, Rochester, New York, is the sixth indoor trampoline park in the Altitude Trampoline Park family. The largest indoor park in the United States, Altitude offers high-energy and exciting entertainment activities throughout the 50,000 sq. ft. facility which houses 24,000 sq. ft. of interconnected wall-to-wall trampoline attractions. Altitude is a fresh, new entertainment option for groups and individuals to have healthy and active fun.

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 Jack Rabbit (the fourth oldest operating coaster in the country), classic family rides such as the Carousel and Train, and some great rides for the youngest thrill-seekers. 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. 

The largest festival of its kind in North America began 121 years ago and continues to be inspired by the magnificent lilac collection at Highland Park in Rochester, NY — 500 varieties of lilacs on more than 1,200 bushes. The festival runs 10 days in mid-May.