- How did Rochester grow to become a thriving city?
- Rochester grew from being the biggest supplier of flour in the country to a booming city known for its innovation, 140 fantastic festivals, 60 golf courses, and over 12,000 acres of parks.
- What are some top attractions for kids in Rochester?
- Top things to do in Rochester with kids include visiting the Seneca Park Zoo, The Strong - National Museum of Play, and the Rochester Museum & Science Center.
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Take the kids to The Strong - National Museum of Play
© The Strong - National Museum of Play
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What is The Strong - National Museum of Play?
- The Strong, previously known as The Strong Museum of Play, is one of the most exciting children's museums in the world, offering interactive exhibits and a focus on play.
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How large is the museum?
- The museum spans 150,000 square feet of exhibit space, all dedicated to toys, games, and interactive play experiences.
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What exhibits can visitors explore?
- The museum features board games, dolls, video games, and books, as well as a century-old carousel and New York’s only indoor butterfly garden.
- Other exhibits include displays on Berenstain Bears, Sesame Street, Monopoly, The Wizard of Oz, and many more.
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What is the mission of The Strong Museum?
- The museum's mission is to research and record the history of play and its role in human development and learning.
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Does the museum have research facilities?
- Yes! The museum houses research facilities and libraries dedicated to the study of play.
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Is the museum fun for families?
- Absolutely! The Strong Museum is filled with interactive exhibits and hands-on activities, making it a fantastic experience for the whole family.
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Where is The Strong - National Museum of Play located?
- The Strong - National Museum of Play, 1 Manhattan Square Dr, Rochester, NY 14607. For more information, call 585-263-2700.
Have fun with interactive exhibits at Rochester Museum & Science Center
© Rochester Museum & Science Center
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What is the Rochester Museum & Science Center?
- Rochester Museum & Science Center is an interactive museum that makes science fun with hands-on activities, engaging exhibits, and immersive experiences.
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What interactive activities can visitors enjoy?
- Guests can climb a wall, zap lasers, build robots, throw a catapult, and fly through space.
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How many exhibits does the museum have?
- Visitors can explore more than 200 interactive exhibits, exciting shows, and original collections.
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What kinds of collections are housed at the museum?
- The museum holds 1.2 million items across various collections, showcasing the natural wonders of the region, the world, and beyond.
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What is Science on a Sphere?
- Science on a Sphere is a unique exhibit that displays our planet in 3D, appearing to float right in front of visitors.
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Are there any virtual experiences at the museum?
- Yes! Guests can take a virtual trip on a simulator and explore various scientific concepts.
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What other unique experiences does the museum offer?
- Visitors can talk to a frog expert, see bolts of lightning up close, and engage in many other exciting activities.
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What additional attractions are part of the museum?
- The museum also includes the Strasenburgh Planetarium and the Cumming Nature Center, both of which inspire young minds to explore science.
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Where is the Rochester Museum & Science Center located?
- 657 East Ave, Rochester, NY 14607. For more information, call 585-271-4320.
Explore the Finger Lakes Wine Country
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What is Finger Lakes Wine Country?
- Finger Lakes Wine Country is a region in central New York known for producing some of the tastiest wines in the U.S. The area is home to over 100 wineries and features breathtaking natural scenery.
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What makes the Finger Lakes ideal for winemaking?
- The Finger Lakes region benefits from a unique climate, where the great depth of some lakes creates a lake effect, protecting the grapes from harsh winter conditions.
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What types of wines are produced in the region?
- Wineries in the region produce Chardonnays, Rieslings, Pinot Noirs, and many other varieties that attract wine lovers from all over the world.
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How can visitors explore the wineries?
- Three well-organized wine trails help visitors explore the region, allowing them to visit up to 35 wineries and experience wine tastings.
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What experiences do the wine trails offer?
- The trails often include wine and food pairings, barbecues, and festivals that showcase the best of Finger Lakes Wine Country.
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What other attractions are in the area?
- In addition to wineries, the region features great restaurants, markets, breweries, and distilleries.
- Visitors can also explore excellent museums like the Corning Museum of Glass and enjoy the natural beauty of Watkins Glen State Park.
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Where is Finger Lakes Wine Country located?
- 1 W Market St #203, Corning, NY 14830. For more information, call 607-936-0706.
Visit the George Eastman Museum, the oldest museum of photography
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What is the George Eastman Museum?
- The George Eastman Museum is a historic museum dedicated to George Eastman, the pioneer of modern photography. It is located in a magnificent Colonial Revival mansion that Eastman completed in 1905.
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What happened to George Eastman’s mansion?
- Upon his death, Eastman bequeathed the mansion to the University of Rochester, which later donated it to the museum dedicated to his memory and contributions.
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Why is the George Eastman Museum significant?
- The museum is the oldest museum of photography in the world and one of the oldest film archives, preserving a vast collection of photographic and cinematic history.
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What are some of the museum’s original collections?
- The museum's original collections included the historical collection of Eastman Kodak Company, the Medicus collection of Alexander Gardner’s Civil War photographs, and the extensive Gabriel Cromer collection.
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Has the museum expanded its collections?
- Yes! Thanks to numerous donations over the years, the museum's collection of photography and film has greatly expanded.
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Are there temporary exhibits at the museum?
- Yes, the museum frequently hosts well-received temporary exhibits that showcase various aspects of photography and cinema history.
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What is the Dryden Theatre?
- The museum is home to the 500-seat Dryden Theatre, which screens historic and contemporary films.
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Where is the George Eastman Museum located?
- 900 East Ave, Rochester, NY 14607. For more information, call 585-271-3361.
Admire flowers and plants at Highland Park
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What is Highland Park?
- Highland Park is a world-class arboretum and landscape spread over 150 acres of valleys and hills. It was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted.
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What makes Highland Park famous?
- The park features 1,200 lilac shrubs, making it the site of the famous annual Lilac Festival.
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What plant collections can visitors find in Highland Park?
- Highland Park is home to a collection of Japanese Maples, 35 kinds of magnolias, a collection of barberries, and a rock garden with dwarf evergreens.
- It also features 700 varieties of azaleas and rhododendrons, Andromeda, mountain laurel, horse chestnuts, spring bulbs, native wildflowers, and many exotic trees.
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What is unique about the park’s pansy bed?
- Each year, the pansy bed contains 10,000 plants arranged in a unique and different pattern.
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What attractions are located within Highland Park?
- The park is home to the Lamberton Conservatory, the Greater Rochester Vietnam Memorial, Warner Castle, and the John Dunbar Memorial Pavilion.
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Where is Highland Park located?
- 180 Reservoir Ave, Rochester, NY 14620. For more information, call 585-753-7270.
See a Rochester City Ballet performance
© Serenade choreography by George Balanchine, Courtesy of The George Balanchine Trust, Photo: Will Brenner
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What is the Rochester City Ballet?
- Since its inception in 1987, the Rochester City Ballet has been performing award-winning contemporary ballets and enriching the Rochester community through the art of dance.
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What is the mission of the Rochester City Ballet?
- One of the company’s aims is to enrich the quality of life in the Rochester community by providing performances for a broad range of audiences.
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What is the Sensory-Friendly performance?
- The Sensory-Friendly performance, first performed in May 2015, was the first of its kind and allows children on the Autism spectrum to enjoy artistic performances in a welcoming environment.
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What other programs does the ballet company offer?
- The ballet offers workshops, donates to underserved youth, and actively engages in community outreach programs.
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Where can I find ticket and performance information?
- The Rochester City Ballet puts on several performances throughout the year. Ticket information and event schedules can be found on the company’s main website.
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What is the Draper Center for Dance Education?
- The Draper Center for Dance Education, affiliated with the Rochester City Ballet, provides high-level dance training in classical ballet and offers dancing opportunities for the community.
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Where is the Rochester City Ballet located?
- 1326 University Avenue, Rochester, NY 14607.
Spend an afternoon at The RMSC Strasenburgh Planetarium
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What is the RMSC Strasenburgh Planetarium?
- The RMSC Strasenburgh Planetarium provides the Rochester community with unique space experiences through various shows and interactive exhibits.
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What are the star shows at the planetarium?
- The planetarium features star shows that use a star projector to accurately display the sun, planets, and more than 8,000 stars as they would appear on a perfectly clear night.
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What are the Saturday night laser shows?
- The planetarium hosts Saturday night laser shows that project choreographed beams of light onto the indoor sky, synchronized with music.
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Does the planetarium offer interactive experiences?
- Yes! Visitors can participate in hands-on space mission simulations, experience world exploration through giant-screen films, and enjoy free public telescope viewing.
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Is the planetarium open to the public?
- Yes, the planetarium is open to the public and welcomes grade-appropriate class visits.
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Are there special ticketed events?
- Yes! The planetarium offers featured shows that are ticketed events and open to the public.
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Where is the RMSC Strasenburgh Planetarium located?
- 657 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14607. For more information, call 585-697-1945.
See a show at the Theatre Young Kids Enjoy (TYKEs)
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What is Theatre Young Kids Enjoy (TYKEs)?
- Theatre Young Kids Enjoy (TYKEs) is a non-profit organization that brings meaningful stories to life on stage, captivating young audiences with professional performances.
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Where do TYKEs performances take place?
- TYKEs performances take place in the Hart Theater at the JCC in Brighton.
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Who performs in TYKEs productions?
- The stories are presented by adult professional actors who bring imaginative and inspiring performances to young audiences.
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What is the mission of TYKEs?
- TYKEs aims to inspire children’s appreciation of the arts and literature, promote communication, and teach valuable life lessons through theater.
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What makes TYKEs productions special?
- The scripts are carefully chosen, the costumes are spectacular, and the actors transport audiences to faraway lands and fantasy worlds.
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What facilities does the theater have?
- The theatre features a cozy and intimate space, state-of-the-art light and sound equipment, and a large, comfortable lobby for families to enjoy.
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Are TYKEs performances accessible to all children?
- Yes! TYKEs performances are accessible to all children regardless of their ability to pay.
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Where is TYKEs located?
- 1200 Edgewood Avenue, Rochester, NY, 14618. For more information, call 585-461-2000.
Watch animals at the Seneca Park Zoo
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What is the Seneca Park Zoo?
- Seneca Park Zoo is a 15.5-acre zoo in Rochester, New York, located within Seneca Park, which was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted.
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What animals can visitors see at the zoo?
- Visitors can see African elephants, white rhinos, and Bornean orangutans, as well as polar bears and sea lions in their underwater habitats.
- The zoo is home to over 90 species of animals, each living in naturalistic habitats.
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When was Seneca Park Zoo founded?
- The zoo opened in 1893 with just an aviary containing a few birds and several species of deer.
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What is the Rocky Coasts exhibit?
- The Rocky Coasts exhibit, which opened in 1997, is a state-of-the-art habitat designed to give animals more spacious and natural environments. It represents the future of zoos.
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Where is Seneca Park Zoo located?
- 2222 St. Paul Street, Rochester, NY 14621. For more information, call 585-336-7200.
Step back in time at the National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House
© National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House
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What is the National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House?
- The National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House pays tribute to legendary civil rights leader Susan B. Anthony, who fought for women’s rights and voting equality.
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Where is the museum located?
- The museum is housed in the home where Susan B. Anthony lived during her most active years and where she was arrested in 1872 for voting.
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What can visitors see at the museum?
- The house features a collection of research materials, artifacts, and memorabilia related to Susan B. Anthony’s struggles and legacy.
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What is the significance of this house?
- This is the house where Susan B. Anthony spent her final years and where she passed away after delivering her famous speech, "Failure is Impossible," in Baltimore.
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Does the museum offer educational programs?
- Yes! The museum serves as a learning center, inspiring younger generations to make a difference through various programs such as Girl Scouts, Healthy Aging, and Grade School initiatives.
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Where is the National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House located?
- 17 Madison St, Rochester, NY 14608. For more information, call 585-235-6124.
Plan Your Trip
Table of Contents:
- 1. Take the kids to The Strong - National Museum of Play
- 2. Have fun with interactive exhibits at Rochester Museum & Science Center
- 3. Explore the Finger Lakes Wine Country
- 4. Visit the George Eastman Museum, the oldest museum of photography
- 5. Admire flowers and plants at Highland Park
- 6. See a Rochester City Ballet performance
- 7. Spend an afternoon at The RMSC Strasenburgh Planetarium
- 8. See a show at the Theatre Young Kids Enjoy (TYKEs)
- 9. Watch animals at the Seneca Park Zoo
- 10. Step back in time at the National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House