Utica Children's Museum — Attraction in City of Utica

I was a member of the Fairbanks Children’s Museum for awhile, and my kids loved it there. So while visiting Utica, we definitely had to hit up this Children’s museum. Maybe I’m spoiled - but the staff at Utica is completely disinterested and on their phones the whole time my family and I were there. Not up and walking around, not creating or participating in activities, nor providing any sort of educational experience, which is disappointing. Basically we walked in, they said hi, took our money, and got right back on their phones. The building itself looks like an incredible place, it’s packed with stuff to do and explore, and there are four levels. The first floor has a walk up with little mini play rooms devoted to different businesses like post office, kitchen, the Home Depot, etc. The second floor as educational exhibits and play spaces as well. My kids had a good time, especially with the light space play floor on the second level, but this museum could be so much better if the staff devoted itself to the concept of what makes Children’s museums so great - to inspire, and connect families through...

Oof. Where do I start? First off a couple employees acted like the kids playing bothered them. Im so sorry you get paid to clean up after them. Find a new job if you don't like it. (Mind you I was cleaning after mine)

Also, wheres the history? Theres no utica history there? The longhouse is gone.. the baby/toddler area is a joke... Wheres the trains, and space stuff? And the live beehive?

Kids werent impressed. Moms not either. So sad.

Also forever wondering what happened to the train model my father helped design for the old museum on Baggs Square.

So sad to see uticas history just erased by this move. Very disappointed. Went from 4 floors of awesome stuff to do and spend all day at to maybe 2 hours of entertainment? And its more expensive?

Unfortunately not worth it to myself or my children. We will spend our museum days going to the strong museum i guess. Much better and way more things to do.

The best part of the childrens museum on baggs square was the history and having a fun way to teach it. Now...

My 6- and 8-year olds (and I too) really enjoyed this very multifaceted museum. You can't compare it to the big city museums, since this is largely a local effort lovingly built by volunteers from the area using found and donated objects. It is not fancy and high-end, but it feels real and fun and good. I actually love that aspect of it because it feels hands-on and therefore truly interactive, which is of course kids love. There are exhibits and experiences on dozens of different topics on 4 floors. The trains on the 4th floor DO close early (11:30 I believe) but we were welcome to explore the other three floors which was more than plenty. The current staff are helpful and nice to speak with (just to update on the previous review from 2011 which complained about the staff). My kids want to know when they can go back; we will for sure be stopping by next time we pass through Utica. They deserve to...