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National Museum of Play at The Strong: Traveller Reviews

One Manhattan Square, Rochester, NY 14607
585-263-2700
Ranked #1 of 25 attractions in Rochester
5.0 of 5 stars 207 Reviews
Type: Children’s Museums
Fee: Yes
Owner description: Come over to play at the only museum in the world devoted solely to the importance of play. The museum blends the best features of both history...... more » Owner description: Come over to play at the only museum in the world devoted solely to the importance of play. The museum blends the best features of both history museums (extensive collections and children’s museums (high interactivity). At 282,000 square feet, the National Museum of Play at The Strong is the largest regional year-round family attraction, and the second largest “children’s” museum in the nation. The museum takes play very seriously. Its philosophy—that play is essential to learning and human development—is reflected everywhere you look beginning with its uniquely whimsical architecture (including a butterfly house built to look like the world’s largest butterfly, an undulating two-story caterpillar-shaped atrium, and a structure resembling a pile of gigantic children’s building blocks). Engaging hands-on exhibits invite you to attend Super Powers School, meet the Berenstain Bears, play your way through the history of video games, enter a giant kaleidoscope, board a whaling ship, see the world’s oldest Monopoly games, step into Sesame Street, walk into the pages of a giant pop-up book, and so much more! The museum is home to the region’s only indoor butterfly garden; the world’s largest and most comprehensive collection of dolls, toys, and games; and the prestigious National Toy Hall of Fame®. Amenities include a food court, indoor train and carousel, two museum shops, and an outdoor Discovery Garden. Admission Fees: General Admission (does not include admission to Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden®): Adults $13, Seniors $12, Children (2–15) $11, Children younger than two free, Museum members free. Admission to Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden: General Admission fee plus $2 for members, $4 for nonmembers; children under 2 free. Entry is by timed ticket only. Parking: Free parking is available at the museum for all guests on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that, on high visitation days, the museum lot may reach capacity early in the day. If space is not available on site at the time of your visit, additional parking is available at neighboring municipal garages for a fee. The Strong is not responsible for fees incurred at off-site locations. « less
Useful Information: Activities for young children
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207 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
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Date Rating
Rochester, New York
Contributor
18 reviews 18 reviews
Reviews in 9 cities Reviews in 9 cities
12 helpful votes 12 helpful votes
“Fun place!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 12 February 2012

Want to go to a place where the kids can learn and have a good time? Come here! It even has things that adults will enjoy.

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Rochester
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“Best!!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 11 February 2012

Best for kids 4-7 but even adults will be entertained for hours. Hands on fun!!

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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Rochester, New York
Top Contributor
158 reviews 158 reviews
Reviews in 49 cities Reviews in 49 cities
27 helpful votes 27 helpful votes
“Fun place to visit inside a larger museum”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 9 February 2012

The National Museum of Play is inside Strong Museum, located in downtown Rochester. This is a fun place to visit, and kids can have a blast because there is so much "hands-on" activity. Besides all the cool stuff to play with, and exhibits where the kids get to do things, there are also a ton of other activities. Of interest to a lot of kids is the miniature Wegmans supermarket where the kids get to shop with miniature carts, taking food and other staples, and even check them out through some functioning registers. If you've never done this museum, (or even if you have), go back again soon. Don't forget to try the butterfly conservatory!

Visited February 2012
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Hornell, New York
Top Contributor
53 reviews 53 reviews
Reviews in 28 cities Reviews in 28 cities
16 helpful votes 16 helpful votes
“A Must See for Kids”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 9 February 2012

This museum can't be beat. Great variety of hands-on exhibits. I would recommend going on an off hour or day. Definitely avoid holidays from school.

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Innisfil, Canada
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
“Never Disappointed”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 6 February 2012

This has been our third trip to this wonderful place and we have never been disappointed. My girls love it and always ask when our next trip from Canada to there will be.

Visited January 2012
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