Three Days in Rochester, NY

I was lucky enough to spend several days in the Finger Lakes region of New York last month. I was impressed with the breadth of activities for families in Rochester and the surrounding areas of New York and quickly realized it’s the perfect spot for a week-long getaway or even a long weekend. If three days is all you have to spare, think of Rochester as a great destination to fit in a whole lot of family fun at a reasonable cost. Here is my suggested itinerary:

Day One:
After a long day of travel, a great way to wind down and get a good sense of the Finger Lakes region is to head to the picturesque Village of Fairport for dinner and a tour of the Erie Canal. I suggest a dinner cruise on the Colonial Belle where families will learn the history of the Erie Canal and the area, all while enjoying live entertainment, beautiful views and the unique experience of going through the canal locks. It’s a relaxing but fun way to start your getaway.

There are many family-friendly hotels in the area. One I found to be in close proximity to everything and very accommodating for families was the Doubletree Hotel by Hilton. It’s time to rest up for a whirlwind of fun on day two!

Day Two:
Honestly, you could easily spend the entire day at the National Museum of Play at The Strong and, if you have more than a few days, I recommend it. The Strong not only houses the world’s largest collection of toys, dolls and games but also is home to the Toy Hall of Fame, a 1918 carousel, an indoor butterfly garden and an entire city block of interactive exhibits built for play. Don’t let the name fool you, kids aren’t the only ones that will happily get lost for hours in The Strong. Parents will delight in revisiting their own childhoods with exhibits of toys from every decade and playable video and pinball games from a bygone era. Yours truly delighted in being a winner on the only functioning 4-player Pac-Man game in the world.

Continue your day of play by heading to Seabreeze Amusement Park for an afternoon of roller coasters (4 of them), thrill and kiddie rides, a midway and an entire waterpark with wave pool, tube slides, body flumes and a designated area for the youngest visitors. 

In the early evening, slow things down with a stroll through Seneca Park Zoo. Animals will be a little more active in the cooler temperatures of the evening and you can spot African elephants, baboons, and lions as well as a white rhino, a polar bear and--my favorite--naked mole rats.



Day Three:
Head out early to Livingston County and the “Grand Canyon of the East”—Letchworth State Park. The 17-mile long state park sports three major waterfalls, hiking trails, campsites, whitewater rafting, kayaking and hot air balloon rides. Stop by the Humprey Nature Center to learn more about the Park and then get out your cameras because the breathtaking views are Instagram-worthy.

In the afternoon, step back in time with a visit to the Genesee Country Village and Museum. Explore the 19th century within this living history museum. The grounds and buildings are great fun to walk through and the costumed interpreters will entertain you with history, stories and hands-on exploration of the working brewery, potter’s shop, farm and more.



An evening trip to Casa Larga Vineyards in Fairport is the perfect way for parents to end the day (if you are able to sneak away for a bit).

If time allows, before you head home, squeeze in a visit to the Susan B. Anthony home, the George Eastman Museum or the Rochester Museum and Science Center. 

Enjoy Rochester—I know I certainly did! For more information, click VisitRochester.com.


The author was a guest of Visit Rochester for several days and nights. All opinions are her own.