Visiting the National Toy Hall of Fame + Rochester, New York Three Day Itinerary
For Christmas 2022, my family gifted my dad a weekend in Rochester, NY. We planned the weekend around visiting The Strong National Museum of Play, but we discovered so many other hidden gems and restaurants around the city while we were there.
While we have visited the Fingerlakes region before, it was our first time in Rochester, NY. Keep reading to see where we stayed, ate, and explored during our short time in this amazing city!
Courtesy of The Strong, Rochester, New York
Getting to Rochester, NY
If you are planning to fly into Rochester, the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC) is conveniently located just three miles southwest of the city.
We opted to drive, and it was a six-hour car ride from our home in Columbus, OH. If you live further north in the Great Lakes region, this can be a very easy road trip; Rochester is only a four-hour drive from Cleveland!
Parking can be a bit tricky, so be sure to check street signs!
Where to Stay
Because we were traveling with my parents, we opted to stay at the Beds on Berkeley Airbnb.
This is a fantastic 2 bed/1.5 bath house that is walking distance to many restaurants and shops, and it is within a 5 minute drive from The Strong Museum. Pets are allowed on a case-by-case basis, so be sure to inquire about this when booking!
If you are not traveling with your dog, the Courtyard by Marriot Rochester Downtown is a great, low-cost option located 0.5 miles from The Strong Museum.
Three-Day Itinerary
Day One
Arrive in Rochester, NY by plane, bus, or car. Check into your accommodations and freshen up for dinner.
Check out either Ox and Stone or The Gate House for a great first meal in Rochester. Ox and Stone offers upscale Latin fare and incredible cocktails, while The Gate House’s serves gourmet burgers, wood-fired pizzas, and GIANT shareable appetizers perfect for a large group. *Reservations are recommended at either restaurant.
After dinner, grab a drink at one of Rochester’s many local breweries. Swiftwater Brewing is a community-centered farm brewery in the heart of Rochester’s historic South Wedge neighborhood. Rohrbach Brewing Co. was founded in 1991 and was the first craft brewery in Rochester, NY!
Day Two
Wake up and head to an early breakfast at The Mad Hatter Restaurant & Bakery. We got to The Mad Hatter about 10 minutes before they opened, which turned out to be the right move! When the doors opened at 8:00am, there was a line wrapping around the building. The restaurant is named after the famous character from Lewis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland," and is decorated with whimsical paintings, ornate chandeliers, and an array of antique knick-knacks. The menu at The Mad Hatter Restaurant is equally creative, with an emphasis on fresh, locally sourced ingredients and inventive flavor combinations. We were so excited to see an extensive list of vegetarian and vegan options included! If you eat eggs, definitely order the Rabbit’s Benedict and upgrade to the housemade cheddar biscuit for the base. The vegan breakfast burrito was also delicious and extremely filling.
Visit the Strong National Museum of Play, one of the largest museums in the world dedicated to the study and exploration of play. With over 100,000 square feet of exhibition space, visitors of all ages and interests can engage with interactive exhibits and activities featuring video games, life-size board games, dolls, toys, and more. The museum is home to the National Toy Hall of Fame, World Video Game Hall of Fame, Brian Sutton-Smith Library and Archives of Play, and the Woodbury School. The Strong Museum offers immersive experiences such as classic arcade games, video game creation, and dollhouse exploration. For thrill-seeking guests, there is also a ropes course and carousel near the food court!
We spent over six hours at The Strong, and we easily could have stayed longer. The museum was so interactive, and it was fun to feel like a kid again! Our favorite exhibit was the National Toy Hall of Fame, which was launched in 1984 to “recognize the people behind the power of play and the wonderful toys that facilitate it.” Here we saw toys that have been played with across generations, from basic “toys” like Stick, Sand, and Bubbles (which can become many different toys with a little imagination) to newer inductees like American Girl dolls.
We also loved the Game Time! exhibit, which featured oversized board games, air hockey, and nostalgic video games. Getting to play Guitar Hero again after 15 years was so much fun (even though my skills have sharply declined since my prime rock days)!
Travel Tips: I highly recommend purchasing museum tickets in advance, packing water and snacks, and utilizing the museum’s free coat check! Parking in The Strong’s garage is $5 with a validated museum ticket. We left our car in the garage while we walked to dinner nearby without a problem.
If you're not all gamed out after your day of play at the Strong Museum, walk around the corner and check out Nerdvana. Nerdvana is an amazing sports bar-type restaurant, but entirely video and board game-themed! Your party can choose whether they would like to play video and/or board games, all of which are free to play during your visit. Booths are equipped with gaming consoles and TVs, and there is also an incredible selection of board games. We stuck to the nostalgic classics like Sorry, Chutes and Ladders, and Candy Land.
Just next door to Nerdvana is Roc Brewing Co.! Roc Brewing Co. is a craft brewery located in the heart of Rochester, New York. The brewery was founded in 2011 by three friends who shared a passion for brewing high-quality, flavorful beers. (Our favorite was the Smash Pils.) The brewery also hosts regular events, such as trivia nights, live music, and food truck festivals, so be sure to check their calendar during your stay!
Day Three
It wouldn’t be a trip to New York without eating a proper NY bagel! Pick up bagels from Balsam Bagels for a deliciously filling breakfast before your last day of exploring. Balsam Bagels offers a HUGE selection of bagels, cream cheeses, and breakfast sandwiches, including vegan options for all of the above. Pro tip - if you have room in your car or luggage, order a dozen bagels to go and freeze them when you get home!
Check out of your accommodations and head 15 minutes east to explore the town of Fairport, NY.
Fairport is situated on the southern shore of the Erie Canal, and it has a rich history that is closely tied to the canal. In the 1820s, the Erie Canal was constructed to connect the Hudson River to the Great Lakes, providing a vital transportation route for goods and people. Fairport quickly became an important stopping point for boats traveling between Albany and Buffalo. As the years passed, the canal's importance gradually declined, and the village's economy shifted towards manufacturing and other industries. Today, however, the canal remains an important part of Fairport's identity, and the Erie Canal Walk provides a unique glimpse into the region's rich history and heritage. The trail is approximately 1.25 miles long and is a popular destination for walkers, joggers, and cyclists. Along the trail, visitors can enjoy stunning views of the canal and its surrounding countryside, as well as quaint bridges, locks, and historic buildings. There are also several restaurants and shops located near the trail, making it a great place to stop for a meal or to do some shopping.
Grab a coffee from FairPour Coffee Roasters or ice cream from Moonlight Creamery and head out for a stroll along the canal. In warmer months, you can also rent bikes or kayaks to experience the canal in a whole new way!
Stop for lunch at Smokin’ Hot Chicks Bbq (they offer jackfruit and cauliflower options for plant-based diners) and then head home!
Other Travel Tips
If you don’t have kids, I highly recommend keeping an eye out The Strong Museum’s Happiest Hour events, which take place in the evening and are 21+. The events will let you explore the museum like a kid… without actual kids getting in the way!
While we opted not to bring Elliot on this trip (he stayed with his favorite dog sitter in Columbus and spent the weekend playing with her dogs), there are plenty of dog-friendly places and restaurants in Rochester if you are traveling with your pup. Many of the breweries mentioned above are dog-friendly on their patios and allow you to order food outside. The Canal Walk in Fairport is a perfect place for your dog to stretch their legs and enjoy the sunshine!