Last weekend we went on our first road trip of the year.
Hello Rochester, NY!
Having only planned road trips mainly for outlet shopping, this family road trip was all about the kids – museums, museums and even more museums.
We chose Rochester as it is about a 3 hour drive from home.
Very doable with two young children. Although with the amount of pit stops we had to make it took closer to 5 hours. Still OK – no one had a meltdown.
Below are some photos from last weekend.
The George Eastman House wasn’t that fun for our kids but the adults liked it!
Rochester Science Center isn’t very big and can be completed in 3 hours. A great deal if you have a reciprocal membership.
National Museum of Play was the highlight of the weekend for our kids. We spent 6 hours there and could have stayed even longer!
Of course, I had to include a few pics of food! One of the many delicious meals our family enjoyed.
Full detailed reviews coming soon!
*This post is part of Travel Photo Thursday at Budget Travelers Sandbox and Friday Daydreaming at R We There Yet Mom?.
I love Rochester and we go yearly. Have you tried Wegmans for lunch or dinner?
Yes Rose, Wegmans was actually what we had for our first meal in Rochester (dinner). It was very impressive as we don’t have anything similar like that where we live.
The Strong looks like a lot of fun. I hope to go this year!
You should definitely visit Lisa. I think your family would love it
OOO, I would love the Kodak Museum! And I wish I would have been there to steal those ribs… 😉
– Maria Alexandra
LOL! The ribs were pretty good. And the side dishes too! My daughter ate all of the mac and cheese!
I’ve heard of the National Museum of Play in Rochester and wanted to visit. A 3-hour drive is totally doable. Thanks for the other ideas too!
The Strong (Museum of Play) is probably one of the most (if not the most) popular attractions for families. You should definitely try to make a stop there Susannah – just 1.5 from Niagara Falls (Canadian side)
I want to visit the Strong museum so much! How old do you think a toddler needs to be to enjoy? (I’d like to go for my daughter…AS WELL as myself :D)
As long as toddlers know who Big Bird and Elmo are they’ll enjoy it. There is a section dedicated to Sesame Street, a train ride which my toddler loved and a Wegmans store. Yes it’s like a kid size grocery store! It was a hoot watching toddlers use the cash register and dumping things into mini shopping carts!
Such a great post! I’ve never been to Rochester, NY and never even really thought about it for a family vacay. Thanks!
It’s a quick weekend road trip Julia. And I think there are outlets near by as well but not 100% sure.
Looks like a fun road trip – I’ve never considered Rochester for a weekend but it looks like there’s a lot to do!
There is quite a bit to do if you have kids who are into museums, zoos, science centres etc. There’s an outlet mall close by too (from what I read online) and you can pass by Niagara Falls too on your way to Rochester.
Looks great! I haven’t been to Rochester – definitely need to make it a travel destination!
I think your boys would LOVE The Strong (Museum of Play) Kerrie! So much for them to do there! My kids wanted to go back the next day! LOL.
I’ve never heard of the Museum of Play. I bet it just naturally draws kids from all over. Looks like a fun road trip with some good eats on the way.
Great pictures!!! Looks like you had a great time! I’ve heard wonderful things about the Museum of Play. Maybe a road trip for us in the fall……. 🙂
Looks like a fun road trip to make!
Looks like a great stop. Putting it on my list!
Rochester is definitely a family friendly city!
I haven’t been to Rochester, although it is certainly on our list!
The museums and the food – I want to hear more about it!
Thanks for linking up with us this week – hope you continue to do so!
Coming up soon Becca! I will definitely try to link up every week. Just hope my kids cooperate and I can find time to write 🙂
That museum looks awesome!
The museum was by far my kids’ favourite part of the weekend 🙂
The Kodak Museum definitely looks like one I’d enjoy- and I think my 16 year old would like it as well since she’s a photography buff. We’ve thought about running up to Rochester before- maybe I’ll begin to plan a road trip. 🙂
I think your family would love the George Eastman House and Museum, Tonya! Our kids didn’t really like it (which was expected as they are so young) but we loved walking through the mansion and looking at the stunning photos and learning about cameras of the past (some toy cameras which we recognized from our childhood!)
If it isn’t too long of a drive from where you are I’d definitely recommend visiting Rochester.
i spent so much time as a kid driving around NYS in the back of our Pontiac Station Wagon that the thought of a NYS vacation often makes me roll my eyes. But there really is a lot of great stuff across the state for kids. Will have to contemplate a visit to Rochester…
It is a very family friendly destination Eileen 🙂
Wow, that looks like a really fun trip!
And if visiting during the summer months, make sure to stop by Seabreeze Park. A traditional amusement park that is all about family fun.
We’re sad we went a few weeks to early Jeff! We will be sure to stop by and visit the next time 🙂
We haven’t taken a vacation in a few years, and a lot has change in our family over the past few years. We were actually discussing renting a car and going some place this year… looking at your pictures just makes me more anxious for summer to get here and plans in motion.
I’m excited for your family Darlene! Let me know where you end up going.