My husband LOVES a full house, and we’re always happy to host our teens and their friends but when they want to be out and about, I want to know that they’re having fun AND safe AND not spending a huge amount of money for each outing. Here’s a list of places in Rochester that tweens and teens might find some fun.
Escape Rooms
I highly recommend an escape room for a small group that tends to get bored. There are a number of places to solve the puzzles or complete the scavenger hunt of an escape room in Rochester. Named “the best” in Rochester, “The Great Escape” changes its themes regularly so there are new opportunities to escape every few months. A group that wants to have fun, work together as a team, and use their brain would find an escape room a good way to pass an afternoon or evening.
Independent Coffee and Tea Shops
If your tween/teen is like mine, there is something Very Cool about picking up a drink after school. Rochester boasts some truly unique coffee spots and dropping your young person off at one of these places might introduce them to a new favorite drink while supporting a local business. A few family favorites: The Chai Guy, Cafe Sasso, Java’s Café, Clementine Coffee, and Fairpour Coffee Roasters.
Guide To Rochester Coffee Shops
There are some great hot spots for coffee in Rochester. Looking for a new regular drink or seasonal treat? Check out these local coffee shops in the greater Rochester area.…
Read MoreCat Cafe
Raise your hand if petting someone else’s cat sounds stress-relieving! Once and awhile I gather my youngest teen and take her to stroke cats at Lazy Cat Lounge & Cafe or The Pawsitive Cafe; her stress minimizes almost immediately and keeps her occupied without her phone – except to capture the cuteness! It’s a perfect group activity! (What is a cat cafe? Learn here.)
Seneca Park Zoo
On a nice day, allowing your teens to stroll around the Seneca Park Zoo while you keep a distance or drop them off provides what Dr. Lisa Damour considers two of the big three for teen well-being: unplugging and nature. Student prices are modest and cuteness factor high! Pro tips: buy tickets in advance online for a slight discount and bring snacks to keep costs down.
The Strong National Museum of Play
Tickets to The Strong Museum are 1/2 off on Fridays from 4-8pm. This is a great way for teens to check out all the museum offers including the High or Low Skyline Climb (for an additional cost). There are pinball and video games to explore, Wegman’s for a heavy dose of nostalgia, and an evolving special exhibit.
Trampoline Parks
There are a few trampoline parks in the area. They are all similar but each boasts the promise of “tiring out your kids”. If it’s been a while since you attended a birthday party here or your teen is willing to try something new to break up the grey skies, this might be just the outing that will make your teen feel like a kid again.
- Altitude Trampoline Park | Henrietta
- Nova Trampoline Park | Greece
- Get Air | Greece
Dave and Busters
Dave and Busters is located in Marketplace Mall; it’s open early in the day and late into the night, perfect for teens whether it’s an early afternoon hang or a desire to meet up later. It’s the priciest on the list but for a kid who likes wild, noisy, competition, and cheap prizes, this is the place for them.
ARTISANworks
I’ve never seen anything quite like ARTISANworks; there are 40,000 square feet in a renovated factory with nearly 500,000 pieces of artwork, antiques, automobiles and memorabilia. You can visit this unique space to explore its nooks and crannies or check out one of its events. There is so much to see and a lot of it is odd enough to keep teens’ interest. Before you visit Rochester’s largest art gallery, be sure to print off the student coupon for $5 off of admission.
Full disclosure: I asked our 14 year old for her ideas and she listed lots of stores. I’d like to think, though, if I told her I would take her and a few friends to any of the above, they’d be glad to try something new. Choose one to try in the next month or two before the weather becomes nicer and see which YOUR teen is willing to try.
