Looking for a fun weekend getaway for the family? Look no further than Rochester, NY. In a small, easy-to-drive city, Rochester has activities for every member of your family. From the popular Strong National Museum of Play, to delicious locally-owned restaurants, Rochester is the perfect option for families wanting to explore, learn, and create lifelong memories.
Plans for a Great Weekend
Thursday
Check-In to your Hotel
There are a variety of places to stay in the Rochester area. Most locations, even in the suburbs, are within 20-25 minutes of driving to Rochester’s favorite attractions. Below are a few recommendations we have for families visiting the Flower City.
- Hampton Inn & Suites Rochester Downtown (Downtown Rochester- near The Strong National Museum of Play)
- Hilton Garden Inn Rochester Downtown (Downtown Rochester)
- DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Rochester (Henrietta)
Dinner
The Genesee Brew House is a classic place to start your Rochester adventure. The terrace and rooftop seating offer awesome views of High Falls and Downtown Rochester. After dinner, be sure to take a stroll through the gift shop and take in some Rochester history from the many displays.
Evening Activity
After dinner is the perfect time to walk around High Falls. There are plenty of excellent views of the falls and stops to enjoy as you wander the area. Once the sun sets, the falls is illuminated for more picturesque cityscape moments. Take a look at our High Falls article to learn more about what there is to do in that area.
Friday
Breakfast
For breakfast, swing by the 1940s-era boxcar diner, Highland Park Diner. You will be immersed in a fun atmosphere and enjoy great food at the same time! It’s a Rochester favorite!
Morning Activity
The gem of Rochester for both local families with young children and visitors is the The Strong National Museum of Play. With two levels of exhibits and hands-on fun, the museum could keep you busy for days. Some of its most loved features include the kid-sized Wegmans, Sesame Street, butterfly garden, ropes course, arcade, video game wing, learning lab, and Hasbro Play Garden. There is fun and nostalgia for every generation, making it a great addition to your itinerary.
Lunch
The local hamburger chain, Bill Gray’s, has locations available all over town, including inside the Museum of Play and at Ontario Beach. This way, you can take your time and enjoy some local cuisine no matter where you decide to eat the self-proclaimed “World’s Greatest Cheeseburger”.
Afternoon Activity
On the north side of the city, along Lake Ontario, you’ll find Ontario Beach Park. Featuring a large, sandy beach along lifeguarded water, a long pier, the historic Dentzel Carousel, shelters, a playground, and a splash pad; the park provides all the things you need for a relaxing afternoon at the beach.
Dinner
As you head back downtown for the evening, you can choose between a couple of excellent restaurants. At Nerdvana, you can enjoy relaxed food while playing your favorite board and video games. Check out their website to see what’s on their Board Game Menu. Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, a long-time staple of Rochester, has some of the best BBQ around. If you love it, and you will, you can head over to Wegmans to buy a bottle of their famous sauce. Be sure to call ahead for reservations, as it fills up quickly!
Evening Activity
Rochester is home to a variety of quality entertainment. Sports fans and patrons of the arts alike can find something to enjoy on any given weekend. For an evening out on the town, check out these events and see what your family would like to attend:
Rochester Sports
- Rochester Americans (hockey)
- Rochester Nighthawks (lacrosse)
- Rochester Redwings (baseball)
- Flower City Union (soccer)
- Rochester Lancers (indoor soccer)
Rochester Performing Arts
- Rochester Broadway Theater League
- Geva Theater
- Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra
- Garth Fagan Dance
- Finger Lakes Opera
Saturday
Breakfast
On Saturday morning, head to the ritzy Park Ave neighborhood and enjoy breakfast at Jines Restaurant. There is plenty of parking on the residential streets around the restaurant and you can enjoy a walk through the beautiful homes, trees, and shops of the area.
Morning Activity
There are so many options for the family in this area, it is hard to recommend just one. For children, the Rochester Museum and Science Center is a location to learn, explore, create, and have fun. The whole family will enjoy exhibits that cover local history, artifacts, geology, and physics. With shows that allow you to stand in a faraday cage amongst lightning bolts of electricity, to a hands-on archaeological dig, this museum balances learning and fun. For those looking to learn about local history, the George Eastman Museum (founder of Kodak) and the Susan B. Anthony Museum & House (champion of women’s rights) are testaments to just a couple of the many people from Rochester who have impacted the world. The Memorial Art Gallery, touts extensive and diverse art collections, including a 10 acre sculpture park that is free to wander. With so many great choices, it can be hard to choose how to spend a Saturday morning.
Lunch
On your way out of the city, you can stop for some of Rochester’s most beloved food at Dogtown. Here, you’ll not only find some of the best hotdogs around, but you’ll get to eat Rochester’s most famous cuisine: the Garbage Plate. While Dogtown’s version is known as the Junkyard Plate, and may not be the original, it is largely considered the best. And, as an added bonus, they have a full vegetarian-friendly menu.
Afternoon Activity
Take a drive out to the countryside for the afternoon. The Greater Rochester area is easily accessible by car, and a quick drive can take you out to the fresh air. While in the rural areas, you can choose from some family activities including, berry or apple picking. If you’re looking for an immersive historical village, the Genesee Country Village and Museum is just for you. The living museum recreates traditional life from the 19th century, and has plenty of events and activities for a day of entertainment. If you’re looking for a relaxing afternoon at the farm, Springdale Farm offers tours of their dairy barn and activities for you to do at your leisure.
Dinner
As you head back into the city, we recommend that you stop at The Playhouse // Swillburger for dinner. Here, your family can enjoy good food along with classic arcade games and pinball machines.
Evening Activity
After a long day your family might need some time to go back to the hotel and enjoy a swim in the pool or some down time. But, if they’re up for even more fun, an hour of bowling and games at Radio Social could be for you! The adults can sit back and sip a drink while the kids get out their last bits of energy playing games in the back room.
Sunday
Check out of your hotel! (You can ask if your hotel will hold your luggage while you explore for the day.)
Breakfast
You will not regret taking the trip to Donuts Delite. Delicious donuts and excellent breakfast food, all in a 50’s diner setting. It’s a Rochester favorite. And, if you love donuts as much as we do, check out other top donut places!
Morning Activity
Along the edge of the Genesee River sits Seneca Park, designed by Frank Law Olmstead, the same landscape architect who designed Central Park in NYC. There you’ll find the Seneca Park Zoo; a fantastic place for the family to spend a few hours. The zoo, while a manageable size, has plenty animals as well as playgrounds and activities for the children to enjoy.
Lunch
After a weekend full of activity, it is nice to take a break along the Erie Canal. Along a landing in the Village of Pittsford, is a quaint setting with shops and restaurants. While there, you can eat lunch at The Village Coal Tower, Simply Crepes, or Aladdin’s Natural Eatery. After a good meal and some relaxation, everybody loves a walk over to the Pittsford Farms Dairy & Bakery for some homemade ice cream.
Afternoon Activity
To complete your trip to Rochester, enjoy the historic Erie Canal with a Sam Patch Cruise. Your live tour guide will share about the Erie Canal as you experience going through Lock 32 on a replica of the historic packet boats.
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More Suggestions
Where to Eat
- Create A Pizza
- DiBella’s Subs
- Dice Versa
- Original Steve’s Diner
- Pure Imagination Café
- Sakura Home Restaurant
- Umai Revolving Sushi
Where to Explore
- 5 Closest (and amazing!) State Parks
- ARTISANworks
- Disc Golf Courses
- Lamberton Conservatory and Highland Park
- Mount Hope Cemetery
- Skiing
- Seabreeze Amusement Park
- Wickham Farms
