From beach days to amusement parks and museum explorations, Rochester offers a diverse range of activities to keep kids engaged. But as August kicks into full gear and the back-to-school countdown begins, it’s the perfect opportunity to discover some of the area’s hidden gems that you won’t want to miss. With four distinct seasons and all sorts of weather in between, remember to plan accordingly.
ROC City Circus
Location: 1344 University Ave., Suite 6200, Rochester, NY 14607
Contact: 585.287.5976
More info: roccitycircus.com
Best time to go? Any time of year
If your child has ever dreamed of running away with the circus and has a love of movement, you’re in luck—ROC City Circus can help that dream come true. Catering to both adults and children, classes allow participants to experience the trapeze and aerial arts. While Youth Aerials is designed for ages seven to twelve, even the littlest ones can participate in Peanut & Parent Circus Class, which is offered to children ages one to three.
Youth who take classes will rotate between flying on the trapeze, learning aerial hoop, aerial silk, static trapeze and aerial hammock. “We’re not competitive. If the kids and parents are tired of the more competitive dance or gymnastics scene, many of the movements are still the same ones you’d use for dance or gymnastics,” says Mandy Raville, owner of ROC City Circus. “You can’t just go anywhere and learn these things. We get a lot of kids who say, ‘I watched the “Greatest Showman,” and I want to try it,’ and they come in and get hooked.”
Webster Arboretum Poetry Trail
Location: 1700 Schlegel Rd., Webster, NY 14580
Contact: 585.512.8886
More info: thewebsterarboretum.org
Best time to go? Spring, summer, fall
Soak up the last of summer foliage at Webster Arboretum at Kent Park, and while you’re there, walk the Poetry Trail—combining literary prose with the great outdoors. The trail, which just opened this past May, was a passion project created by Rochester-area poet Ron Friedman. Featuring poetry written by area writers, including a preschool class from Webster Central School District, the trail winds over bridges and around a gazebo, featuring plaques with selected works of local poetry.
“The trails of the Arboretum are filled with color, shapes, textures, still and flowing water, and sequential blooms. It is an exceptional environment to find yourself in a state of flow, where you are just part of the moment and place to play and take in the sights and break free from electronic stimulation,” says Friedman. “We intentionally designed the project to include young kids as well as adults in their senior years. By having the kids' poem on the trail, other kids will hopefully realize (now or in the future) that there is a larger community out there that wants to hear from them and their individual voices.”
Shortsville Reindeer Farm
Location: 4285 Shortsville Rd., Shortsville, NY 14548
Contact: 585.282.9892
More info: shortsvillereindeer.com
Best time to go? Any time of year
On a small farm in Shortsville, you can find interesting classes, activities and events throughout the year. One of the more unique things about this farm, however, is its reindeer. Owner Mike Schaertl says they bought their first two reindeer in 2017 and have been growing ever since. Although it’s considered a hobby farm, it also has chickens, beehives, a small maple syrup operation, apple picking, cider pressing on an antique mill and pumpkin availability in the fall, as well as Christmas trees during the holidays.
Of course, the most popular activity is the reindeer, Schaertl says, with their busiest season running from Thanksgiving to January. Visitors often come to get pictures with the reindeer, feed them and walk with them. “For most visitors, it is the first time they have seen, touched and fed a reindeer, not just the kids but the parents and grandparents as well. Many come here with the assumption that reindeer are not a real species and are surprised to learn about them. But for the littlest visitors, the highlight of their visit is the chickens, not the reindeer.”
Explore these other unique spots:
Lamberton Conservatory
Location: 180 Reservoir Ave., Rochester, NY 14620
Contact: 585.753.7270
More info: monroecounty.gov/parks-conservatory
Best time to go? Any time of year
Offering tranquility within a glass greenhouse, the Lamberton Conservatory features a vibrant array of flowers and plants. You may even encounter small quail and turtles living among the fauna and flora.
The Lilac Adventure Zone in Highland Park
Location: 249 Highland Ave., Rochester, NY 14620
Contact: NA
More info: bartonandloguidice.com/project/lilac-adventure-zone
Best time to go? Spring, summer, fall
Near the annual Lilac Festival in Highland Park is a playground featuring natural, free-form timber structures made from recycled materials salvaged from other county parks. Offering accessible pathways, pavilions, bike racks, public parking and a nature play area, it’s the perfect spot to let children play among the blooming lilacs or when fall foliage has painted the area in vivid hues.
Paintbox Rochester
Location: 3122 Monroe Ave., Rochester, NY 14618
Contact: 716.903.8490
More info: paintboxrochester.com
Best time to go? Any time of year
If you’re looking for a creative outlet, Paintbox Kids Art Center is all about “imaginary play, sensory play and getting messy” and is open to kids ages two to ten.
Mockingbird Farm Sanctuary
Location: 5978 Upper Holley Rd., Byron, NY 14422
Contact: mockingbirdfarmny@gmail.com
More info: mockingbirdfarmny.com
Best time to go? Spring, summer, and fall
Outside the city, Mockingbird Farm Sanctuary offers animals who may have been neglected, abused, surrendered, fated for slaughter, or have medical needs a forever home. From cows, pigs, horses, and llamas, to Maine coon cats, and rabbits, there are a number of resident animals with interesting backstories waiting for humans to visit.
iSmash
Location: 1225 Jefferson Rd., Suite 24, Rochester, NY 14623
Contact: 585.270.8221
More info: ismashusa.com/locations/ny-rochester
Best time to go? Any time of year
Is your child looking for a “smashing” good time? iSMASH offers smashing rooms, paint splatter packages in fun, neon colors, and axe throwing for the older ones.
Rochester Pinball Collective
Location: 349 West Commercial St., Suite 2965, East Rochester, NY 14445
Contact: info@rochesterpinball.com
More info: rochesterpinball.com
Best time to go? Any time of year
Do you have a burgeoning pinball wizard on your hands? Located in Piano Works Plaza, this throwback has more than 75 different pinball machines ranging from the 1950s to contemporary times. Since all the machines are set on unlimited free play, you won’t be weighed down by a pocketful of quarters.
“For most visitors, it's the first time they have seen, touched and fed a reindeer..."