The Strong National Museum of Play — Attraction in City of Rochester

The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York, has become a favorite destination for my family, and every time we visit, it’s a new adventure. The museum is an incredible mix of nostalgia and modern play, where both my boys and I find something we love. It’s more than just a place to learn about toys and games; it’s an immersive world where play is celebrated in all its forms, and every visit feels like a journey back to the best parts of childhood while still discovering something new.

One weekend, we decided to spend the day at The Strong, and from the moment we walked in, my boys were off and running. The sheer excitement on their faces as they darted from exhibit to exhibit was priceless. The museum is like a playground for the mind, filled with interactive exhibits that aren’t just for show but for engaging with the very essence of play. Whether it’s pretending to be a cashier in the mini supermarket or exploring the whimsical butterfly garden, there’s no shortage of things for kids to do. One of my personal favorites is the Sesame Street exhibit. It brought me back to when I was a kid, watching Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch, and now I get to share that magic with my boys.

What really stands out about The Strong is how it’s designed for all ages. My boys can immerse themselves in video games in the World Video Game Hall of Fame, discovering the origins of games they love today while I appreciate the iconic history of games that shaped my own childhood. Even the National Toy Hall of Fame is a reminder of how play has evolved but still holds that same universal joy. We spent hours wandering through exhibits, exploring collections of toys, board games, and even arcade games. There’s something so satisfying about seeing the history of play preserved like this, yet so accessible and fun.

During one of our visits, we found ourselves in the Berenstain Bears exhibit, and I watched as my boys lit up with laughter as they explored Bear Country. It was like stepping into the pages of the books we’d read at home, and seeing them experience that world in real life was a reminder of how play extends beyond just toys—it’s about stories, imagination, and connection. And let’s not forget the butterfly garden, where we all took a moment to slow down and enjoy the beauty of nature. It was a peaceful break amidst all the action and noise, and I think it’s those little unexpected moments that make the museum so special.

I can’t speak highly enough about how well The Strong balances education with pure fun. The interactive displays and exhibits sneak learning into the experience without ever feeling forced, so the kids are constantly absorbing new ideas about creativity, history, and culture, all while having a blast. The museum’s mission to explore the role of play in learning and development shines through in every corner. It’s hard to find a place that keeps kids engaged for hours and still offers such rich, educational value.

I love that The Strong isn’t just about static displays—it’s an active, living celebration of play. Whether we’re exploring a library of classic toys, diving into the arcade, or pretending to shop in a supermarket, there’s always something to keep everyone entertained. Every time we leave, my boys are already asking when we can go back, and truthfully, I’m just as eager to return. It’s one of those rare places where the fun of childhood is preserved and expanded upon, and it’s truly a joy to experience...

I wanted to take a moment to share feedback about my family’s recent visit to The Strong Museum. We were visiting from Orlando, Florida and experienced the museum for the first time. It truly is such a cool and unique place, offering amazing experiences for both kids and adults. My niece especially loved exploring the exhibits and playing, and we all appreciated the variety of interactive activities. That said, I wanted to provide some constructive feedback regarding our visit. Throughout the museum, we noticed several employees grouped together in almost every room, talking amongst themselves and not really engaging with guests. While that didn’t necessarily ruin our experience, it did stand out. On a positive note, the gentleman monitoring the train was exceptionally personable and welcoming—he stood out as a bright spot in our visit. However, we did have one incident that really impacted our experience. While my niece was playing in the Berenstain Bears area, we had coffee with us, not realizing drinks weren’t allowed inside (completely our mistake). One employee circled us several times but said nothing. Then another employee came over and abruptly told us, “They said you can’t have drinks here,” and asked us to leave. We immediately took our beverages outside. Unfortunately, the first employee (Carrie) then continued to follow us outside, reprimanding my niece—who had three adults supervising her—and questioning where her parents were right in front of us. She literally stood by our table as if we were doing something wrong, even though we had complied and removed the drinks. After we made several comments (loudly) that we were upset, we moved tables. Carrie then tried to make light of the situation but still followed us inside when we later returned, walking behind us to the elevator. I’ve never felt so judged in a family space, and it truly felt like we were being watched for the remainder of our visit. I completely understand enforcing museum rules, but the way Carrie handled the situation felt unnecessarily harsh, invasive, and inconsistent with the friendly, family-oriented environment The Strong Museum is known for. I’m sharing this feedback because our family really did enjoy much of what the museum has to offer, and I’d love for future guests—especially those traveling from out of town—to feel welcomed and respected even if a rule is accidentally broken. Thank you for your time and for considering...

A museum that will really appeal to the child in all of us. Strong museum of play Date of Visit: Fri July 7 A museum that will really appeal to the child in all of us. Let your inner child loose, and play till your hearts content at the Strong Museum of play in Rochester NY. The Strong is dedicated to the art & joy of play. Everything you can think of related to toys, games, playthings, books, and childhood memories is here for you to enjoy. They have exhibits from the origin of toys, right up to the most recent toys. You will enjoy the trip down memory lane as you go through the many displays and interactive exhibits featuring the toys and toy brands you love. The Hall of fame features the best toys throughout history. Every year new toys are inducted and places on their hall of fame. There is a great video game section where you can enjoy playing all the video arcade games you have grown up with. Over the last few years they have renovated and expanded – and the new additions include a “level Up” interactive digital game world, “High Score” the video game history museum, and the Hasbro Game Park – which features giant versions of classic Hasbro games – Simon, Monopoly, candyland, Jenga, etc. The Museum is huge, and so much fun. The photo opportunities, the interactive exhibits, the giant characters, and the various play structures, will keep you busy for hours.

Tips for visitors: There is so much to see and do here, you will want to plan several hours to spend here. There is a carrousel in the main entrance – and a diner to grab something to eat. There is plenty of parking in their parking garage. The museum is a big attraction for families with children, and on weekends and holidays – it will be packed with children running around. We visited on a Saturday and it was extremely busy. The last time we visited a few years ago – was a weekday afternoon – and it was not too bad. The Hasbro Game Park will be closed on Rainy days (esp if lightning) They take extra caution. Do not go late in the day – because it will take you longer to get through everything than you might think, and you wont want to miss...