The Strong National Museum of Play
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The Strong National Museum of Play is a 150,000-square-foot interactive and educational museum in Rochester, New York. It is known for being the only museum dedicated to the study of play, and it is the second-largest children's museum in the United States.
This museum was first opened to the public in 1982 by Margaret Woodbury Strong, a collector of dolls and toys. Initially, the museum housed Strong's own collections of toys plus American and European art, prints, paintings, and Japanese crafts. Later, the museum would be expanded three separate times to reach the size it is today.
Visitors to this museum can explore the history of popular toys, games, and characters, including Sesame Street. Also found within the museum are the World Video Game Hall of Fame and the National Toy Hall of Fame.
How to Get There
With its location near the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport in downtown Rochester, visitors can access the museum via car, the RTS city bus system, or their own RV by using the museum's bus and RV parking lot on Chapman Alley.
Rent an RV For Your Visit to The Strong National Museum of Play
Visit The Strong National Museum of Play
People can visit The Strong National Museum of Play any time of year, although late spring through early fall are the best times so that visitors may enjoy the outdoor exhibits. One of the best exhibits to explore is the Play Lab, which offers hands-on crafting and play activities to do with new activities offered every month. Another great exhibit to check out is the interior Strong Express Train, which is a working ride for all ages to enjoy with onboard trivia games.
Ticket Information
Tickets to The Strong National Museum of Play may be purchased either on-site or online; however, there is a $2 discount for tickets purchased online. General admission to the museum is $25 per person per day when purchased at the museum's entrance. Additional tickets may be purchased to access the museum's Butterfly Garden and Skyline Climb areas. A ticket for admission, plus access to the Butterfly Garden, is $31 while a ticket for admission, plus access to the Skyline Climb, is $33. A ticket with total access for one day is $37.
During the first Friday of each month, general ticket admission prices are half-off after 4 p.m. For those over 55, discounts are available for general admission and Butterfly Garden tickets every Monday. For those who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, the museum also offers a discount of $5 off per ticket for up to four people at the museum entrance. And, for military members, veterans, and college students, a $5 discount is available when you show a valid ID. All these discounts are not available for tickets bought online.
Annual museum memberships are available in multiple packages through The Strong National Museum of Play, and each membership includes general admission to the museum for a full year. Other benefits of membership include six free parking tickets, four train or carousel ride tickets, a 10% discount on museum shop purchases, and a dollar-off discount for all Butterfly Garden and Skyline Climb tickets. Memberships start at $199 for two adults and four children. Discounts are also available for those who receive SNAP benefits, are active duty in the military, or are a veteran.
Family-Friendly Options
The Strong National Museum of Play offers permanent and temporary exhibits that are tailored to toddlers, children, teens, and even adults. For example, the Play Pals exhibit has large-scale dollhouses and toy cars that are designed for toddlers and young children to enjoy while the Pixel Landing exhibit can be enjoyed by teens and adults who want to see statues created to represent video gaming characters.
Group admission tickets are also available for groups with more than 10 children or teens. Mixed groups with children and adults with more than 20 people can also request a Mixed Group admission rate, and these tickets must be reserved in advance.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
For the best experience, start your journey early at the museum to beat the admissions line, unless you decide to buy tickets online. Depending on the season, plan to check out the outdoor exhibits, like the Hasbro Game Park, when it is early morning in the summer or late afternoon in the fall. From there, stop by the short-term exhibits to learn the history of today's most popular toys and games. Lastly, be sure to get a photo of Snoopy and Woodstock at the Peanuts and Play Display, where you can also read about popular comic strip artists.
The Strong National Museum of Play Accommodations
Campgrounds Nearby
One of the better Rochester campgrounds you’ll find is Gravel Ponds Sport Fishing & Recreation, which is located about 15 miles southwest of the city in Scottsville. The campsite is built around a large fishing pond complete with beaches and a boat launch, and it also features several smaller swimming ponds. It’s a destition designed for extended fishing vacations.
Bristol Woodlands Campground is located between Canandaigua Lake and Honeoye Lake, and it is less than 10 miles away from both lakes. This RV campground in Finger Lakes, New York, is also about 32 miles south of downtown Rochester and is open between early May and late October.
Hamlin Beach State Park offers some of the best RV camping in Rochester, New York. Situated on the coast of Lake Ontario, the park is about 20 miles from downtown Rochester and not far from the suburbs around the city. Hamlin Beach State Park has the campgrounds and trails you’d expect at a state park plus beaches and boat launches, so if you want to go boating on Lake Ontario, this is the place to go.
Activities Near The Strong National Museum of Play
Things to Do
Arts and Culture
Located just two blocks away is the Rochester Museum & Science Center, an earth and space museum. The Memorial Art Gallery is also nearby on University Avenue, and it houses works by international artists, such as Monet and Rembrandt.
The Little Theatre
The Little Theatre, a historic art deco movie theater that shows independent and foreign films, is also just down the street from The Strong National Museum of Play.
Outdoor Recreation
For outdoor recreation, check out the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park in downtown Rochester, which features a reflective water pool that is often used as a public ice-skating area in the winter. On the north side of town are High Falls, a waterfall on the Genesee River, and Maplewood Rose Garden, which is a rose garden and park with a fishing pond and picnic tables.
National Parks
National Sites
Weather, Safety & Accessibility
Weather & Packing
The Strong National Museum of Play is open year-round except on October 20, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. During the summer, outdoor activities at the museum are popular, but visitors who want to enjoy these exhibits during the fall or on rainy days should dress accordingly.
Safety & Accessibility
Visitors who would like to use the Skyline Climb area should be aware of the required attire for using this area before coming to the museum. For safety reasons, climbers must wear shoes with closed toes and backs, and no skirts or dresses are permitted. If any first aid assistance is needed during your visit, know that all museum security staff members are trained in CPR and first aid, and they can help if notified of any emergencies.
The museum is wheelchair-accessible, and complimentary wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the entrance. For individuals with autism, the museum offers special Sensory Friendly Sunday programs in collaboration with Autism Up. For those who require a licensed care provider or interpreter during their visits, free admission is available for those assistance providers. Lastly, the museum has elevators, benches, family restrooms, and closed captioning systems available throughout the building.
Conclusion
The Strong National Museum of Play is one of the top museums in the United States, and it is popular with visitors of all ages. When you visit this museum, you can get both a traditional museum learning experience plus a unique, interactive experience.
FAQ
While there are not many camping options within Rochester, there are some options just outside the city on Lake Ontario. One such option is Webster Park Campgrounds, which accepts RV reservations.
This museum does not offer overnight camping options, but it does have a bus and RV parking area for museum visitors.
Visitors who want to visit this museum should know in advance that online tickets are less expensive than the tickets offered on-site. Visitors should also know that large groups can reserve lunch or party areas for their visit when they plan their visit in advance.
This museum is a great attraction for all ages since it is partly a historical museum and partly a children's museum.
This museum is not pet-friendly. However, service animals with proper identification are welcome.