Anybody who has kids knows that summers can get expensive: Camps, Outings, Food, and just keeping the kids busy and out of your hair during the summer months is an investment in itself. Luckily for harried parents, there are a good number of free and reasonably priced activities available to families in the Rochester area. Here are a few suggestions if you are looking to save a few pennies and still have a great time.

Totally Free!
Mount Hope Cemetery: Learn about famous Rochesterians, such as Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass, as you take a guided tour through a fascinating Victorian cemetery. Free Guided Walking Tours are every Saturday and Sunday, May-October. Saturday tours begin at 12pm or 1pm, and Sunday tours begin at 2pm and 3pm. All tours begin in front of the gatehouse at 791 Mount Hope Avenue. For more information on tours throughout the summer check out http://www.fomh.org/ or call 461-3494.

Browns Berry Patch: Go and pick-your-own fruit, experience how fruit is grown on a farm, special events, a farm market, country gift shop and gourmet foods including a deli, bakery, grill, ice cream and fresh baked pies. Visit the Barnyard Adventure play area and farm animals for children. Open from 9am-8pm located 14264 Route 18, Waterport. For more information and special events visit http://www.brownsberrypatch.com or call 682-5569.

Springdale Farm: Springdale Farm has been an active farm since 1830. Now owned by Monroe County and operated by Heritage Christian Services, Inc., the 200-acre farm features a working dairy barn, friendly animals, a greenhouse, pod, nature trails, picnic area and playground. Springdale Farm is open to the public Monday through Saturday, 10am-4pm, and Sunday, noon-4pm. Located at 696 Colby Street, Brockport. For more information about Springdale Farm visit www.springdalefarm.org or call 349-2090.

Rochester Public Market: Take the kids exploring at the Rochester Public Market. Wander around hundreds of stalls to browse the huge variety of fresh produce, dry and baked goods, and enjoy the early morning hustle and bustle. The best time to visit is on Saturday mornings in summer before 8:00 a.m. Open Tuesday and Thursday 5:30am - noon and Saturdays 5:30am- 2pm. Located at 280 Union Street, Rochester. For more information about special events call 428-6907 or visit www.cityofrochester.gov/PRHS/PublicMarket/index.cfm

Local Parks: There are many great Rochester area parks for daytripping with the family. Mendon Ponds Park in Mendon is the largest in Monroe County at 2,500 acres. There are hiking trails, great places for a picnic, and playgrounds. Located on Clover Street (Route 65). Open daily from 7am-11pm. Other great Monroe County parks are Durand Eastman Park, Ellison Park , Highland park, Perinton park, Powder Mills park (home of the powder mills fish hatchery), and Webster Park. For more parks visit www.Monroecounty.gov/parks-index.php or call 753-PARK (7275).

High Falls: See the Genesee River rushing over a 96-foot cliff! The Center at High Falls with its interactive exhibits and 3-D displays, is fun for kids of all ages. Open Wednesday through Friday 10am to 4pm, Saturday and Sunday noon to 4pm. And for a whole new view of High Falls, check out a Laser Light show on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at 9:30pm through September 3rd. Located at 60 Browns Race, Rochester. For more information visit http://www.centerathighfalls.org or call 325-2030.

The Erie Canal: Walking along the canal path can be a great way to spend an afternoon. Either walk along the pathway through any of the local towns and villages (like Pittsford or Fairport), or visit lock 33. This stretch of the canal path is paved, providing a great place to bike, rollerblade or just walk. It is also fun to watch boats go through the lock, especially on weekends and holidays when water traffic is heaviest. Located at Edgeview Drive (near French Rd.), Henrietta.

Genesee Regional Trails Coalition: With various trails around the Rochester area, you are sure to find the perfect place for a nice stroll or hike. Many local trail groups , like the Friends of Webster Trails, have monthly guided walks. Schedules are available at www.grtcinc.org. Also visit the City's web site for Rochester-area nature walks and boat trips at www.cityofrochester.gov.

Rochester Public Libraries: Explore summer reading events with a centralized theme as well as entertainment, films, stories, crafts and more at the Central libraries' Children's events. Visiting any of the local library branches is a great way to spend a rainy day or a sweltering afternoon. Many of the local branches have activities for children, such as story hour, performances, and drop-in entertainment times. Visit www.rochester.lib.ny.us for library branch information and scheduling.

Corning Museum of Glass: The Corning Museum of Glass is home to the world's most comprehensive and celebrated collection of glass. During the summer months take the kids to visit during the Little Gather events, with storytelling, magic shows, music and lots of fun. Free shows take place Wednesdays in July and August. Follow up the fun with gallery activities and craft activities to take home. Museum admission is free for children under 17 and $12 dollars for adults. Open from 9am -8pm. Located at One Museum way, Corning. For more information on events visit http://www.cmog.org/ or call 1(800)-732-6845.

Long Acre Farms: Enjoy the outdoors and visit the three-acre courtyard full of activities, including a pirate ship to climb on, giant tractor tires, goat feeding and playground equipment. They have a Sweet Cone shop serving ice cream and soft serve, and a country store filled with fudge, hand-popped kettle corn and other treats. They also invite you to bring along your own picnic lunch to eat at their picnic tables or under their covered pavilion. Open 10am until dark. Located at 1342 Eddy Road, Macedon. For more information and special events visit http://www.longacrefarms.com/ or call (315) 986-4202.

Tinker Nature Park: This beautiful stretch of land was developed as the Town's nature park. The Tinker Nature Park is open from dawn to dusk. On the site is also The Hansen Nature Center, open Tues.-Sat., 9am to 3:30pm, and on Sun. from noon until 3pm. Don’t forget to see the Tinker Homestead and Farm Museum as well. The museum depicts Tinker family life at the end of the 19th century. Located at 1525 Calkins Road, Henrietta. For more information visit http://www.ggw.org/users/hansen/ or call 359-7044.

Rockwell Museum of Western Art: See some of the best American, Western and Native American art at the Rockwell Museum of Western Art. While visiting, pick up a free art pack for the kids. The unique and creative pack guides kids on a trail of discovery, and features different paintings, sculptures and historical objects in the Museum. The 30th of every month is free all day, and children under 17 are always free (admission for adults is usually $6.50). Or, you can spend the day in Corning and combine admission with the Corning Museum of Glass. Located at 111 Cedar Street, Corning. For more information visit http://www.stny.com/rockwellmuseum/ or call (607) 937-5386.

Very Cheap!
These activities may not be free, but they offer priceless fun for the whole family!

Sonnenberg Mansion and Gardens: This beautiful Victorian mansion with adjoining gardens is located at the North end of Canandaigua Lake on 151 Charlotte Street. During the regular garden season, children under 12 are free (adults $10). Open 7 days a week , 9:30am-5:30pm between the months of May and October. For more information visit http://www.sonnenberg.org/ or call 394-9422.

Rochester Red Wings Baseball: Become a member of Knot Hole Gang (its free) and admission to a game is only $3 and includes one coupon for a free Coca-Cola product, as well as a coupon for a free Red Wings poster. For more information on Knot Hole Gang game nights and other family discount nights visit http://www.redwingsbaseball.com/ or call 454-1001.

Granger Homestead: Enjoy narrated tours of the historic mansion and carriage museum free for pre-school age and students K-12 ($6 for adults). Tours take place on the hour between 1pm and 3pm. They last about two hours and are both educational and fun. The grounds are open from 1pm - 5pm. Sunday afternoons feature horse-drawn carriage rides on the grounds. Closed Mondays. Located 295 North Main Street, Canandaigua. For more information visit http://www.grangerhomestead.org/ or call 394-1472.

Glen H. Curtiss Museum: For an educational afternoon, visit the Curtiss Museum, which highlights the "Spirit of Innovation" that made Glenn Curtiss successful as a cyclist, motorcyclist, aviator, engineer and entrepreneur. Admission is free for children 6 and under and only $7 for adults. Located 8419 Rt. 54, Hammondsport. For more information visit http://www.glennhcurtissmuseum.org/ or call (607) 569-2160