Things to Do in Rochester

While we might not regularly think of it as such, simply sitting down to play for a while is a science unto itself. What is it that captures the imagination or piques a particular interest, and what form of playing is educational—rather than just passing time? These are some the questions explored at the National Museum of Play—formerly the Strong National Museum of Play in the city of Rochester, New York. There are interactive and hands on exhibits on everything from video games to action figures, and the center has a way of bringing out the kid in even the most serious of adults. There’s a video arcade full of classic games and enormous exhibits on Sesame Street, and even an indoor butterfly garden that is filled with 1,000 butterflies. While the center is heavily geared towards kids, it ends up being a family outing that everyone in the party can enjoy, since it’s hard to go wrong when visiting a building full of 400,000 toys.

Set on the estate of photography and motion picture pioneer George Eastman, the George Eastman Museum is the world’s oldest photography museum. It's home to several million objects that show the evolution of photography and cinema, and the philanthropist's mansion and surrounding gardens are listed as a National Historic Landmark.

See history come to life at Genesee Country Village and Museum, near Rochester, N.Y. Spanning 600 acres (243 hectares), the GCV&M is the largest living history museum in the state and provides a look at 19th-century life through its 68 historical buildings, costumed interpreters, demonstrations, and interactive programs and events.