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10 Things to Discover in Rochester New York

From wineries to museums, Rochester has a lot to offer

By Karen Evans, Publisher *SPONSORED* August 19, 2017
A trip to Rochester, New York has all the components of a great family getaway: it's just far enough away to properly be called a road trip without losing too much vacation time to driving (5.5 hours via Canada, 7.5 via the U.S.); it takes you through another country or a few other states with plenty of new sights to see along the way; and once you are there, Rochester offers a variety of activities that makes it easy to build a vacation for families of all ages. (It's even a great spot for a couple's or girlfriends' getaway!). 

Set up a home base at anywhere from hotels (such as the Doubletree Hilton, which has a plant-filled atrium lobby with indoor pool, workout center and restaurant and is across the street from a Starbucks) to campgrounds (find your ideal one at http://www.nycampgrounds.com/), and then create an itinerary that works for your family. Need ideas for where to go? Check out these 10 things to discover:

1. Strong Museum of Play 

1 Manhattan Square Dr, Rochester, NY 14607 | http://www.museumofplay.org/

At the Strong, kids can take a journey deep into Bear Country with the Berenstain Bears village (yes, I spelled it correctly), sit on the steps of 123 Sesame Street, or take charge of the family shopping at the mini Wegman's supermarket (complete with mini pretend coffee bar, sushi counter, checkout counters and products on the shelves). Older kids will enjoy interacting with old-fashioned video games (like one of the few 4-player PacMan games in the entire world), engaging with high-tech virtual reality displays, and learning more about their favorite super heroes. History buffs will love seeing collections of historic toys that explore how play has and hasn't changed over time. The Strong Museum really has something for everyone, and spending a day or afternoon there is easy with a food court on site. Bonus: if you have a membership to another children's museum (such as the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum), you may be able to receive a 50% discount on admission!

"Dig" in the plastic construction site, shop or run the store at the mini Wegman's, or see the first Monopoly board (it's a circle because it was drawn on a tablecloth!)

2. Letchworth State Park​

1 Letchworth State Park, Castile, NY 14427 | https://parks.ny.gov/parks/79/details.aspx

When you think “New York,” you might think New York City and its bustle and buildings. Letchworth is basically the opposite of all of that. 14,000+ acres of lush hiking trails, waterfalls, a brand-new nature center, and a truly breathtaking view of the “Grand Canyon of the East.” Originally a privately-owned estate, Letchworth State Park retains many original buildings (including Mr. Letchworth's beautiful home, which overlooks the gorge and is now a lovely restaurant). This is the perfect place to get close to nature, take a romantic walk, or let kids get their wiggles out. The new nature center also includes a sensory component that was designed to be enjoyable to kids with autism or sensory processing disorders.

The Grand Canyon of the East

3. Seabreeze Amusement Park

4600 Culver Road, Rochester, NY 14622 | https://seabreeze.com/

Owned and operated by the same family for going on 136 years, Seabreeze Amusement Park combines family-friendliness with a few thrills for the more adventurous. Rides include the thrills of hills and surprises of the Jack Rabbit roller coaster, the oldest continuously operating wooden roller coaster in the US; the clock-wise excitement of the Time Machine, designed in Italy and hand-customized by the Seabreeze Park families; the mixture of spins and coaster fun of the Wildcat; and a few tamer rides including bumper cars, acarousel, and teacups. Overlooking Lake Ontario, Seabreeze also includes a waterpark with a wave pool and waterslides, along with deck chairs for relaxing. The waterpark is right in the same area as the rides, so your family doesn't have to choose which one you gravitate toward. Food choices abound, with classic carnival treats including Italian sausage hot dogs, and a crunchy powdered-sugar-coated snowflake-looking treat that the park is known for. This is a smaller park, so you could easily do the whole park in one day and not worry about losing anyone in a huge crowd. 


4. Erie Canal

http://www.canals.ny.gov/index.shtml

Rochester and area communities are putting together fun activities this year in honor of the Erie Canal's 200th anniversary. Still in regular use, the canal is a fascinating destination. There are plenty of recreational opportunities nearby (kayaking, standup paddleboarding, etc.) along with narrated boat tours of the canal itself.  If you're on the upper deck of a boat tour, be prepared to duck – some of the bridges you go under are almost low enough to graze the top of the boats! Some companies offer tours of the lock, where the canal becomes enclosed as water is let in to raise boats to the next level. If you stop in the Village of Fairport, you can see one of the few working elevator-style drawbridges, where the bridge takes a section of the road up vertically to allow boats to pass (instead of pulling up from one side diagonally). A visit to the canal is a cool way to connect the New York region back to Michigan, to talk about the importance of the Great Lakes, to catch history from an experiential point of view – and to get the “Erie Canal” song from elementary school stuck in your head again. (If you weren't raised in an Erie Canal-adjacent geographic area, here you go).


5. Susan B. Anthony House ​

19 Madison Street, Rochester, NY 14608 | http://susanbanthonyhouse.org/index.php

A must-stop for families with kids over 8. Visit the home where Susan B. Anthony did her ground-breaking advocacy work, still nestled on a residential street. Museum docents are available to explain Anthony's history and her influence on our history. The visit doesn't take too much time – tours are limited to the first floor of the home – so it's easy to add it to your itinerary. Pick up a “Susan B. Inspires Me” pin and head out with a renewed sense of appreciation for those who made it possible for women to vote. 

6. Seneca Park Zoo

2222 St. Paul Street, Rochester, NY 14621 | http://senecaparkzoo.org/
Lions, hyenas and elephants, oh my! The Seneca Park Zoo offers close-up views of animals from Africa and beyond. Focused on conservation, the zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums and focuses on education and animal survival. Throughout the year, the zoo offers events like Art at the Zoo, special programs most days during the summer, Zoo Camp-Ins and more. There is also a playground, gift shop, and eating area. The Seneca Park Zoo is currently undergoing big renovations, so expect to see a brand-new cafe and larger habitats for the animals in the coming year. Cool tip: if you have a membership to the Detroit Zoo, you may be able to receive a 50% discount on admission.


7. Rochester Museum and Science Center

657 East Ave, Rochester, NY 14607 | http://www.rmsc.org/

The RMSC is part science center, part STEM career exploration, part history museum, and ALL fun. Watch tesla coils zap electricity back and forth, creating musical tunes (including a highly electric version of Katy Perry's "Firework." Be adventurous and volunteer to stand in the Faraday cage in the middle of all that zapping (for real). Get hands-on in the dino dig, immerse yourself in the universe in the Strasenburgh Planetarium, or open the doors to Rochester's history. The RMSC is located in downtown Rochester, making it easy to head over to other local attractions (such as the Memorial Art Gallery or the George Eastman Museum) or to grab a bite to eat (Dinosaur Bar-B-Que is only a 7 minute drive up the road. Just saying.)

8. Genesee Country Village and Museum

1410 Flint Hill Rd, Mumford, NY 14511 | https://www.gcv.org/
Immerse yourself in 19th century New York in the 600 acres of the Genesee Country Village and Museum. Every day brings authentic demonstrations of 1800s life, from beer or cider tastings in the old mill to watching wet clay become usable bowls in the potter's studio. Docents walk around in period costumes and will stop and give you “their” stories, giving you a real-life glimpse into life in the past. There is even a real working farm, with live animals and corn harvesting. Special events throughout the year include special Halloween trick-or-treating and Christmas celebrations. 


Pottery being created in real time; the farmer takes a break.

9. Wineries 

Rochester is near the Finger Lakes region of New York, which is known for its trails – both of the hiking and of the wine varieties. The area's climate produces excellent wines, and local wineries are only too happy to bring you in for tastings and a few souvenir bottles to take home. We visited Casa Larga, known for its Lilac Hill white wine, and found sweeping views of beautiful vineyards, but you can find wonderful experiences at any of the hundreds of wineries in the area. Wine not your thing? Check out the Sweet Treat Trail or the Finger Lakes Cheese Trail.


10. Wegmans Flagship Store
3195 Monroe Ave, Rochester, NY 14618 | https://www.wegmans.com/
Wegmans has a huge following in the New York area, and when you visit it's easy to see why. The flagship store is where they test out new concepts like an in-store Mexican restaurant, and Power Meals, ready-to-eat meals designed by nutritionists to provide an ideal balance of nutrients. There is a huge cafe adjacent to the store, and all kinds of items from smoothies to sushi to tide you over as you venture around town. Dedicated to families, they even provide diapers and wipes in the store bathrooms should an emergency need arise. They bake their own bread in the store, source many of their cheese varieties from the company's own nearby cheese cave, and bring in produce from local family farms along with their own produce from their Organic Farm and Orchard in Canandigua, NY. 


Whatever you choose, your family will be in for a great time in Rochester. We would love to hear any other tips you have for the area! For more ideas, check out VisitRochester.com or #VisitROC on social media!

The writer received a complementary trip to Rochester in exchange for this article. All views are her own and were not compensated in any other way.