Location: Rochester
Top Things to do in Rochester
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Things to do in Rochester, New York (NY): The Best History Museums
From family-friendly activities to professional sports teams, museums and galleries, Rochester has something for everyone. Enjoy the scenic Erie Canal, Genesee River and Lake Ontario. Don't miss the Strong National Museum of Play (America's second-largest children's museum) or the International Museum of Photography. Be sure to sample one of Rochester's famous "white hots," Rochester's version of the hotdog! And don't miss the nearby Finger Lakes region with its wine trails and gorges.
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1. The Strong National Museum of Play
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,156 reviews
The Strong is a highly interactive, collections-based museum devoted to the history and exploration of play. It is one of the largest history museums in the United States and one of the leading museums serving families. The Strong houses the world's largest and most comprehensive collection of historical materials related to play and is home to the International Center for the History of Electronic Games, the National Toy Hall of Fame, the World Video Game Hall of Fame, the Brian Sutton-Smith Library and Archives of Play, the Woodbury School, and the American Journal of Play. Together, these enable a multifaceted array of research, exhibition, and other interpretive and educational activities that serve a diverse audience of adults, families, children, students, teachers, scholars, collectors, and others around the globe.
Reviewed By V7823XUmichaelb
This museum is fun for all ages and for hours! They have a mini Wegmans, toys HOF, a butterfly exhibit and so much more! Fabulous.
2. George Eastman Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,037 reviews
The George Eastman Museum is located in Rochester, New York, on the estate of George Eastman, the pioneer of popular photography and motion picture film. Founded in 1947 as an independent nonprofit institution, it is the world's oldest photography museum and one of the oldest film archives. The museum holds unparalleled collections-encompassing several million objects-in the fields of photography, cinema, and photographic and cinematographic technology, and photographically illustrated books. The institution is also a longtime leader in film preservation and photographic conservation.
Reviewed By lesliek79 - Montreal, Canada
My primary interest was the history of photography, and the Kodak company’s inventions and innovations that popularized photography. The “History of Photography” exhibit was much smaller than I expected, featuring only a few historically important images and many cameras. A smaller exhibit (upstairs in the house) featured Kodak inventions and progress that included details about the early box cameras and the use of photosensitive emulsions on rolls (substituting individual plates). It was this exhibit that demonstrated Mr. Eastman’s genius. The temporary Warner Brothers Cartoons exhibit was informative and delightful; a throwback to my early television viewing experience. The congenial tour guide was a font of knowledge about George Eastman’s personal history and life, entry into photography, entrepreneurial skills, financial success and philanthropy. The tour of his mansion highlighted it’s history and attested to Eastman’s affluence, interests and tastes. He was a wealthy man whose interests reflected the mores of his time. His legacy reverberates in Rochester’s cultural and social life, generally, and through his inventions and philanthropy internationally.
3. National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 257 reviews
The National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House shares the story of Susan B. Anthony's lifelong struggle to gain voting rights for women and equal rights for all. We keep her vision alive and relevant by preserving and sharing Anthony's National Historic Landmark home; collecting artifacts and research materials directly related to her life and work; and making these resources available to the public through tours, publications, the internet, and interpretive programs. Come visit us today!
Reviewed By LenaL8711 - Rochester, United States
This experience is priceless. Very well structured and interesting. My son got chills when standing in Susan B Anthony’s bedroom. This was the room she was in when she passed. Would recommend for anyone.
4. Rochester Museum & Science Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 319 reviews
Reviewed By JackL448 - East Syracuse, United States
The museum is three floors with my visit limited to only the first floor. The first floor is mostly the Expedition Earth & the Adventure Zone. The E.E. starts with small sea live exhibit before the end of the dinosaurs. There is one dinosaur-a Albertosaurus-65,000,00 years ago. Next is wildlife about 15,000 years ago with replicas of the Mastodon, Caribou, Raindeer & Muskox. Nearby is a replica of a mile high glacier, which a visitor can walk through along with much information. Also small wildlife of the modern era. The Adventure Zone is mostly for the children. Exhibits are the Erie Canal-which a visitor can operate the locks-open & shut-and move a tug to the locks. Following exhibits are a sailing exhibit, a three life chair for different ages, a rock climbing wall a climbing slide structure, with netting-this exhibit was closed-ending with a Rain Garden Theater. The second floor concerns the slavery of the United States & how the African-Americans were able to escape their predicament of slavery. In detail is the life & words of Frederick Douglass, Harriet Jacobs, Austin Steward, Thomas James & Henry Brown. Much of the history includes some photographs from the 1850's, many prints/illustrations, & how the Underground Railway was used to Freedom. After the African-American exhibit is the Native-Americans from the U.S., Central America & Canada. The U.S. Indians include Iroquois, Navajo, Pueblo, Indians of Peru & Guatemala, Indians of the Northwest, Plains & Southeast, Algonquian Indians of Canada. In glass cases are clothing, vases, blankets, weapons of war & masks. One interesting exhibit is the Iroquois Wood Carvings. The Native-American exhibit is larger than the African-American, however both are interesting & educational. Also on the second floor is "Iullumination" -The World of Light & Optics. The 'Galley'-which has something the way light works or affects our lives. The Forces of Nature and Science on Sphere-which is a 4-5 metric sphere that rotates while hanging from the ceiling-about weather patterns. Other museum feature are: an elevator that services all three floors, restrooms on each floor, a fountain located on the second floor and a gift shop behind the admission booth. A map of the third floor exhibits of: Rochester In 1838, The Changemakers-Rochester Women Who Changed the World & The Electricity Theater. With a short walk is the Strasenburg Planetarium. When the coronavirus calms down, I will retrn to visit the third floor and the planetarium. My visit lasted about three & half hours that included photography-lighting is excellent-reading as much as possible, & talking with the staff. Each member I talked with was polite & answered all my questions. There is no cafe, however within a 1/4 mile is Calabresella's On The Park-a sub/deli shop. The gentlemen at admissions helped with instructions to the shop. Walking only takes about 12-13 minutes. Parking is what I would call a medium lot with at least 4 handicapped spaces, My visit was on a Saturday morning & afternoon, not many visitor. One staff member informed me during certain months there are student tours. Hours: Monday-Saturday 9:30-4:30. Sunday 11:00-4:00. Admission: Adults-$16.00. Senior & collage students-with ID-$15.00. Ages 3-18-$14.00. I realize this is a long review for just three floors, however each floor is very detailed, well exhibited & displayed. Both floors are interesting, historical and educational. A visit is highly recommended for any length of time.
5. Military History Society of Rochester
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By E545MZdavidj - Rochester, United States
We visited over the December holiday with my out-of-town relatives. There is something for everyone; displays on women's participation in the defense of our nation throughout various time periods as well as all kinds of military equipment from the revolutionary times up until present day. There is no shortage of historical relics and the docents there are always very knowledgeable and very willing to answer any/all questions. Hours are limited so be sure to check them carefully before making the trip. If you have an out of town guest who really would enjoy the museum, but the posted hours are not working for you, try calling to see if someone can let you in on the off hours, as there are many times when volunteers are working there during off hours and they are sometimes able to accommodate you in this regards. Veterans will absolutely love this place! Parking is free and fairly plentiful. There are also some nice restaurants that are in walking distance - so you could always get a bite to eat following your visit. While I don't recall there being any admission charges, donations are always gratefully accepted.
