the weekend
Over the weekend, I came across some posts about The Strong Museum in New York State and was instantly intrigued! 🏛️ After checking the address, I found it was only a little over three hours' drive from Toronto, so I decided to plan a spontaneous short trip. Wrapping up work early on Thursday, I drove south and finally arrived in Rochester by 7 PM. First stop: filling our stomachs! 🍽️ We chose a restaurant located in one of Rochester’s historic upscale neighborhoods. The decor was retro and elegant, and surprisingly, there was even a Chinese-style “dragon throne” in the lobby for photo ops—pretty fun! The food was solid, classic American fare. After the meal, we strolled over to the famous local ice cream shop, Pittsford Farm Dairy 🍦. Their ice cream is rich and creamy—highly recommend trying their signature maple walnut flavor! Once we were happily full, we drove to our hotel. This time, I didn’t choose the Hampton Inn near the museum because Rochester is fairly compact, and most places are only about 15 minutes apart by car. Instead, I stayed at Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, which offered great value! 🛌 Their breakfast is complimentary and available 24/7, with drinks, milk, yogurt, cookies, fruit, and more—it felt like an all-inclusive resort in Cancun, but at a much friendlier price point. Now, let’s talk about The Strong Museum! It’s truly a paradise for families, but adults won’t be bored either. 👨👩👧👦 📍 The first floor has various interactive play areas for kids, a carousel 🎠, and a small theater (some activities require an extra fee). 📍 The second floor is a gamer’s dream! 🎮 It’s a whole level dedicated to arcade and video games—and they’re all free!! Upon entry, staff give you a wristband; just scan it at any game station to play unlimited times. Both kids and adults can relive their childhood memories here. 🍽️ The food options inside the museum are decent, but if you prefer your own meals, you’re welcome to bring them in—there are no restrictions, which is very considerate. After leaving the museum in the evening, I highly recommend trying Seasoning Thai! 🌶️ The owner is from Thailand, and the dishes are authentic—the tom yum soup and pad thai were especially delicious, leaving us warm and satisfied. Before heading home the next day, you can also visit the University of Rochester 🏛️, nearby Warm Castle, and some small local parks. These spots are all close together and quite scenic. Overall, The Strong Museum is absolutely worth revisiting—one day really isn’t enough! Plus, Rochester has such a warm, friendly community, super polite people, and clean streets, making the whole experience even better. 🎫 Ticket Tips: Opt for the Museum + Skyline Climb combo ticket for a fuller experience. If planning to visit for two days, go for the 2-Day Pass. For visits longer than two days, an annual membership is the most cost-effective choice! (You can check out photos on their official website—I’ll spare you my amateur photography skills 😉.) #FamilyFriendly#FamilyTravel#Rochester#MuseumVisit#ShortTrip#TorontoDayTrip#NYStateTravel#TheStrongMuseum
