The Strong National Museum of Play

Strong National Museum of Play is a MUST do if you are in the area with or without kids! Obviously it has countless exhibits that kids can interact with, but within the exhibits is a ton of historical information, displays and activities that will entertain adults as well. Since we were there last they have made quite a few changes including a few more exhibits dedicated to video games. While I totally get it, once my kids found it, they could have spent the entire day there. It was fun for them I guess, but I just sat outside and read a book. We bring our own lunches and snacks so I can't speak to the quality of the food, but what we saw looked pretty good. The day we went was on a day during the holiday week so it was absolutely mobbed. It inspired me to purchase some noise cancelling earbuds. I purchased a basic membership for my family before we went and it saved us from standing in line for an hour, and you get 6 parking days free. It pays for itself even if we go twice a year. There are some add-ons like the ropes course, a little train and carousel. My kids liked the ropes course, but for $7, if they don't like it and are done after a few minutes it's a waste, but I guess it's not a ton of money to see if they are into that kind of thing. Overall, it's a wonderful place to spend a day with the kids. Make sure you wear something comfortable, especially shoes because you will be chasing them around, crawling around and having fun with the kids all day!

We were meeting up with some family friends and they recommended the Strong Museum. We were a little hesitant on this place, coming from out of town and knowing nothing about it, and it was a little pricey. But, I must say, it was TOTALLY WORTH IT! I wish we were local, we would have an annual membership and be here all of the time. The butterfly exhibit was truly magical and worth the extra cost. All of the exhibits were hands on and were pretty much geared at children (and adults) of all ages. The staff was very attentive and there were hand sanitizing stations everywhere. I will say, the food was slightly overpriced, but for what it was, I didn't have any complaints.

My family and I loved going here. We arrived at 10 and left at 2:30, spending time doing most activities. The food was good with a large selection of choices for all. Very interactive and spacious. It's a pretty neat place with something for everyone of all ages. Specifically helpful with those who have sensory difficulties. I personally felt that their gift shop was well above normal markup but worth the drive and tickets to go with your family. Make sure to get there early enough for good parking and bring a stroller if you have younger children as there is a lot of walking. Even though they offer sanitizer, I recommend bringing your own as theirs was scented strong and was a little bit drying for your hands. You will need germ x 💯%

Must go-to experience in Rochester! Staff were helpful and kind once we walked in. We traveled to Rochester from Kentucky and had this experience on our trip list! Glad we got to visit it. We got the General Admission and Butterfly Garden pack. My little sister enjoyed the museum and even as a teen, I found it nostalgic and fun. My mom enjoyed seeing us smile and even loved reading the history on everything. My family is also obsessed with pinball and we had no idea there even was a pinball area so that was thrilling! The Butterfly Garden was gorgeously amazing, animals and nature are my absolute favorite so I was excited hearing about it! Though there weren’t many butterflies, but I didn’t get a chance to see the emergence chamber so maybe many were still emerging. We got to see 2 different butterfly species, though some were hiding. There were many Owl Butterflies. There were also animals such as a red-eared slider, The Great Mormon butterfly, Chinese Button Quails, a Green Aracari, goldfish, and a Panther Chameleon.

There are not enough words I can say about this place. I might start by saying I thought their 2 day pass option online was silly, but after about 6 hours, we left and still needed some more time to explore! This place is amazing. If we lived nearby, I'd definitely have a membership. From art rooms (play lab) to multiple small playgrounds, the arcade room, and video games alone, you get your monies worth. My favorite part was the butterfly garden (additional fee), what an absolute delight - my cheekbones hurt from smiling so much! It's also awesome that you can bring in your own lunch to cut down some expenses. There are bathrooms, quiet rooms, and water bottle refill stations all throughout. So, with all that being said, why wouldn't it be hectic on a weekend? We visited during the middle of the week would come back if we had more time.