🇺🇸 Rochester Trip Guide: Perfect for Families with Kids! 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

If you’re planning a trip to The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester — you’re in for a treat! Known as one of the top child-friendly museums in both the U.S. and Canada, it truly lives up to the hype. One day is NOT enough — we highly recommend a two-day pass! 🎟️💖 🛂 Border Crossing Tips: We used the Queenston-Lewiston Bridge on the way there — located near Niagara-on-the-Lake 🍇🍷, with plenty of wineries to explore nearby. Wait time was less than 20 minutes on a long weekend, and there’s no toll fee on this bridge. On the way back, we took the Rainbow Bridge 🌈 — which does have a toll — and got a gorgeous view of Niagara Falls! 🛣️ Navigating U.S. Tolls: Right after crossing, find an E-ZPass retailer using their online store locator 🧭. We bought ours at Wegmans (customer service desk). Register the tag online 🏷️, stick it on your windshield, and add funds — it works like the 407 transponder but way cheaper! A full toll ride to Rochester costs only around $6-7 and saves ~40 mins. ⚠️ Just a heads-up: some Rochester toll roads are poorly lit. Cheap but… a little dark! 😅 🏛️ The Strong National Museum of Play: Fun for both kids AND adults! As soon as you enter, you’ll see a grand spiral staircase leading to the second floor — which is a literal time capsule of childhood 🕹️👾! Classic ‘90s arcade games and consoles Vintage anime and toy exhibits (some dating back to the 1800s!) Special Age of Empires exhibit — hearing that battle horn brought back so many memories! 🎮⚔️ A digital gaming zone where you use a wristband to unlock games 🕶️🎪 The first floor is ideal for kids under 10: Jungle gyms, science exhibits, craft zones 🧪✂️ Aquarium, Sesame Street area, mini-golf, and a pretend supermarket 🛒🐠 Outdoor playground and more! 💰 Extra paid attractions include: Mini-train 🚂 Zipline Carousel 🎠 Butterfly garden 🦋 (skip this one — it’s quite small) There’s a café and restaurant inside — great for quick bites ☕🥪. 🍽️ Restaurant Recommendation: Try The Cheesecake Factory — just 15 minutes from the museum! Avoid peak dining hours to skip the lines. Great value and yummy portions 🍰😋. 📌 Perfect for a long weekend trip — educational, fun, and full of memories! #Rochester #WeekendGetaway #FamilyTravel #StrongMuseum #KidsActivities