9 Fantastic Things to Do With Kids in Rochester, NY

Are you looking for run things to do with kids in Rochester? You’ve come to the right place!

Rochester, the 3rd largest city in New York State, offers many fun, family-friendly activities.

As part of the Finger Lakes region, there are many waterfalls, hikes, and other outdoor activities. And being located on the shores of Lake Ontario, you can swim, boat, and enjoy other water fun during the warmer months!

Rochester is also home to the Strong Museum of Play, a fantastic children’s museum with the National Toy Hall of Fame.

We loved our visit to Rochester. One of the most unique things we did was ride on the Erie Canal. It was fascinating going through a lock on the canal.

Although we visited over a weekend, you can easily spend more time in this cool New York town. The guide shares goes into more detail about the many fun things to do with kids in Rochester. Let’s dive in!

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Things to Do With Kids in Rochester

1. Explore the Waterfalls

Just like the rest of the Finger Lakes region, there are several beautiful waterfalls within Rochester, thanks to the Genesee River. We especially loved seeing High Falls, which is in the city’s center.

You can get a great view of the High Falls waterfall by taking the Pont de Rennes Bridge, a footbridge that spans the Genesee River.

Plenty of benches are available for those who want to sit and enjoy the beautiful view.

The waterfalls along the Rochester Gorge were formed more than 20,000 years ago. Melting ice caps formed three glacial lakes (Lakes Scottsville, Dawson, and Iroquois) that covered most of New York State. The water drained and formed rivers that cut through the bedrock creating waterfalls.

Some of the other falls along the Genesee River are the Lower Falls and Turning Point Falls.

Lower Falls can be easily seen from the overlook at Lower Falls Park or while walking across the bridge on Driving Park Avenue. However, Turning Point Falls requires a short hike to the falls.

2. Walk the Genesee Riverway Trail

The Genesee Riverway Trail is split into two sections and is over 16 miles long. The northern section of the trail starts at Brewer Street and crosses the Genesee River by Lower Falls Park.

The most scenic part of the trail begins at Turning Point Park, where the path becomes a boardwalk above the water. If you start at Turning Point park and follow the trail to the Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse, that’s about 3 miles.

Follow River Street a few more blocks, and you’ll end up at Ontario Beach Park, where you can swim during summer.

3. Seabreeze Amusement Park

If you visit Rochester with kids during the summer months, you may want to visit Seabreeze Amusement Park.

This small park still packs in the fun with over 70 attractions, ranging from kiddie rides to roller coasters. Don’t forget to take in the view of Lake Ontario before you get on the water slides!

Seabreeze Amusement Park opens weekends mid-May and weekly from mid-June through Labor Day. Hours vary depending on the day. Admission varies depending on age, with discounted tickets for the spring season. Children two years and under are always FREE, as are military personnel.

4. Seneca Park Zoo

Located along the Genesee River, the Seneca Park Zoo is a small, fun zoo that features animals like elephants, lions, and polar bears. They even have the option for visitors to feed the giraffes!

The Seneca Park Zoo is open year-round, with hours varying depending on the season. Admission also varies depending on the season. Children two years and under are FREE.

If you have a membership at a participating zoo or aquarium, you’ll receive FREE or discounted admission to the Seneca Park Zoo under the AZA Reciprocal Admissions Program.

5. Susan B. Anthony House & Museum

Susan B. Anthony is one of Rochester’s pride and joy. As both a suffragist and abolitionist, Ms. Anthony made a name for herself, fighting for the rights of women and the enslaved.

Her family moved to Rochester when she was 25 years old, and their family farm became a meeting place for abolitionists, including Frederick Douglass.

The Susan B. Anthony Museum offers several tours daily (closed Monday). Tour hours vary depending on the day of the week. Admission ranges from $5-$15, depending on age.

6. George Eastman Museum

If the name George Eastman doesn’t sound familiar, I’m sure the Kodak brand will ring a bell.

George Eastman was the founder of the Eastman Kodak Company and built his beautiful mansion in Rochester in 1905. (You can visit his childhood home at the Genesee Country Village & Museum). His estate has been transformed into the George Eastman Museum, dedicated to both the man and the film he created.

Several exhibits through the museum focus on the history of photography, movies, and the technology behind it, as well as Eastman’s life in Rochester. Visitors can also enjoy the gardens and grounds of the mansion.

The George Eastman Museum is open Tuesday-Sunday, 10 am – 5 pm. Admission ranges from $7-$20, depending on age. Children four years and younger are FREE, as are military personnel and their families.

7. Take a Boat Ride on the Erie Canal

Not too far from the center of Rochester is Pittsford, NY. The beautiful, quaint town is located along the Erie Canal, a manufactured waterway initially used to transport goods across the state.

Visitors can ride a boat on the Erie Canal and go through one of the 35 locks. Sam Patch offers tours on the canal that last about 1.5 hours. They take through lock number 32 and back again. If you ever wanted to know what it was like to be in a water elevator, then you need to experience this.

The seating arrangements on the boat are tables for four people. It is first-on-board, first-served. No outside food or beverages are allowed on the ship, but refreshments were available for purchase.

You can watch our video below to see what it is like to go through a lock!

8. Play at the Strong Museum

One of the best things to do with kids in Rochester is The Strong National Museum of Play!

The Strong is a HUGE (I’m not exaggerating) children’s museum with many exhibits for children of all ages. Plan to spend a few hours in the museum, as several exhibits capture your child’s attention and imagination.

In addition to the children’s play area, the Strong Museum also houses the National Toy Hall of Fame. Relive your childhood as you peruse the many toys that have impacted children’s lives.

The Strong Museum is open year-round, with hours varying depending on the day of the week. Admission is charged for every guest two years old and up. If you have a membership at an ACM Museum, you will receive a 50% admission discount for up to six people.

9. Travel Through Time at Genesee Country Village & Museum

Genesee Country Village is the largest “living museum” in New York. It comprises over 50 historical buildings from all over New York state. Guides and costumed interpreters are in many of the buildings to share information.

It is located in Mumford, NY, about a 30-minute drive from Rochester city center. The museum spans three eras, from the late 1700s to the early 1900s. With over 50 buildings to explore, it is a fun way to spend the day!

Genesee Country Village & Museum is open on select days from mid-May through mid-September. Visit their website for the most accurate information.

Admission costs vary depending on age. However children two and under are FREE. Active military personnel and their families receive FREE admission as well.

Where to Stay in Rochester with Kids

The beauty of Rochester is its size! Wherever you stay, it won’t take long to reach any of the attractions below by car.

If you’d like to stay within walking distance of some of the activities, staying at a hotel downtown like the Hyatt Regency or Hilton Garden Inn will put you close to the action.

On our visit, we stayed at the Homewood Suites. It was convenient to shopping and restaurants, and a short drive from all of the above activities.

Other Fun Things to Do With Kids Near Rochester

Although there are many things you can do in Rochester with kids, there is even more fun not too far away.

There are tons of things to do in the Finger Lakes like the Corning Museum of Glass and some fantastic waterfall hikes. We especially loved the hike at Buttermilk Falls.

Upstate New York is one of our favorite areas to visit with kids. Places like the Catskills and Tarrytown in the Hudson River Valley also make great family destinations.

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