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Summer Fun Guide
There Are So Many Things To Do This Summer In The Area!
Area Attractions | Fairs & Festivals | Family Activities
| Museums & Education | Parks & Nature Centers
Area Attractions
"River of Light" Laser & Light Shows
High Falls Historic District, (parking available at High Falls Garage), Rochester, 14609 . . . . 428-5990
or 311 (within Rochester)
www.cityofrochester.gov
Laser shows are held Friday & Saturday nights. Appox. 20 min. (9:30pm start). DATES: June 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 & 27. Best viewed from Pont de Rennes Bridge at Platt & State Streets. ALSO: July 4th Concert & Fireworks, River City Rhythms at Corn Hill Landing, Noontime Concerts at Aqueduct Park, Parties in the Park & other summer activities sponsored by the City of Rochester.
Fisher-Price Toystore
636 Girard Ave., E. Aurora, 14052 . . . . 716-687-5151
www.toytownusa.com
Come visit the Fisher-Price Toystore (at Toy Town), a fun place to discover! You'll find Fisher-Price and Mattel products including Power Wheels and licensed items. Check out the different weekly specials and look for incredible unadvertised specials storewide. The helpful staff can guide you to that perfect gift or help you sign up for our Baby Shower Registry.
Roseland Waterpark
250 Eastern Blvd., Canandaigua, 14424 . . . . 396-2000
www.roselandwaterpark.com
Splash Factory, for those under 48", is the playground of every kid's dreams with six small waterslides, twelve water cannons, a 500 gallon bucket that dumps every minute and more! Spacious, covered lounging area for parents. Two+ lifeguards always on duty; lifejackets always available free of charge to our guests.
Santa's Workshop at North Pole, NY
(on Whiteface Mountain), Rte. 431 / 325 Whiteface Memorial Hwy., North Pole, 12997 . . . . 518-946-2211
www.NorthPoleNY.com
All the magic of Christmas! Come experience fun, fantasy and enchantment with child-friendly rides, attractions, shows, shops and more! Meet your favorite storybook characters, elves, live reindeers and SANTA HIMSELF! Open daily late June to Labor Day, fall weekends through Columbus Day and Yuletide Family weekends mid-November to mid-December. 12 miles from Lake Placid.
Seabreeze Park
4600 Culver Rd., Rochester, 14622 . . . . 323-1900
www.seabreeze.com
Give your family all the fun and excitement of more than 70 great attractions at Seabreeze. You'll find thrilling adult rides and classic family rides - plus some cool kiddie rides too. Then there's Raging Rivers, a whole water park full of liquid fun for everyone. Plus, check out great games to play, favorite summertime foods to eat and live shows to watch and enjoy.
Fairs & Festivals
Brockport Summer Art Fest
along Main Street, Brockport, 14420 . . . . 473-4482
www.rochesterevents.com
Families will have a ball at the Brockport Summer Art Fest on Main Street in Brockport on Saturday, August 8, and Sunday, August 9, 2009. There’s a kids’ play area, the Duck Derby, Farmers Market and plenty of free Cool Kids activities on Saturday, plus arts and crafts, family-friendly music and great food.
Corn Hill Arts Festival
Corn Hill Neighborhood, Rochester, 14608 . . . . 262-3142
www.cornhill.org
This summer's Corn Hills Arts Festival will be held July 11-12. Traditionally held the weekend after July 4, this two-day summer festival plays host to 500+ artists and craftspeople. From pottery to paintings, woodworking to sculptures, textiles to jewelry, the Corn Hill Arts Festival has it all - including food, entertainment and fun! No pets, please.
Monroe County Fair
2695 E. Henrietta Rd., Henrietta, 14467 . . . . 334-4000
www.mcfair.com
The 2009 Monroe County Fair will feature: "Buy One Get One Free Day", July 15; "Grandparents' Day", July 16; "Kids' Fun Day", July 17; "Family Fun Day", July 18 and "Celebrate Community Day", July 19. ALSO: The MC Fair has teamed up with Guitar Center to present a Country Jamboree on Sun., June 2, to benefit the fair's "Buy a Kid a Giggle" fundraising campaign.
New York State Fair
581 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse, 13209 . . . . 800-475-FAIR (-3247)
www.nysfair.org
The N.Y. State Fair (Aug. 27 thru Sept. 7, 2009) is a 12-day summer showcase of agriculture, education, entertainment, industry & technology with 375+ acres of animals, exhibits & displays. Live entertainment. Midway rides & games of skill. Mountains of mouth-watering food.
Park Ave Festival
, Rochester, 14607 . . . . 473-4482
www.park-avenue.org/events.html
The famously fun Park Ave. Fest will be on Saturday and Sunday August 1 and 2 this year. In addition to the artists, food and music, there will be special children’s entertainment areas throughout the festival, such as blow-up fun at Wilson Farms and creative boxes on the RMSC lawn.
Sterling Renaissance Festival
15385 Farden Rd., Sterling, 13156 . . . . 800-879-4446
www.sterlingfestival.com
Enjoy over 100 stage and street performances, authentic live jousting, period music, savory cuisine and much more! The Festival welcomes patrons of all ages and ensures fun for EVERYONE. Just bring your imagination and we will take care of the rest! July 4th to August 16th (10am - 7pm), Saturdays and Sundays only.
Family Activities
Becker Farms & Vizcarra Vineyards
3760 Quaker Rd., Gasport, 14067 . . . . 716-772-2211
www.beckerfarms.com
Family owned for five generations, our summer festivals and u-pick fruits are fun for the whole family. Our Farmers Market has ice cream, gifts and homemade baked goods. Vizcarra Vineyards is open daily serving 19 boutique wines and is available for weddings and private parties. Log on to www.beckerfarms.com for more information.
Brown's Berry Patch
, 14264 Roosevelt Hwy. (Rte. 18), Waterport, 14571 . . . . 682-5569
www.brownsberrypatch.com
Open Daily 9am-8pm. Come on out to the farm for country fun! The whole family can grab a wagon and venture out to pick your own Strawberries, Cherries, Raspberries and Blueberries. There's Barnyard Adventure for Children and Adults, Birthday Parties, Specialty Foods, Gifts, Ice Cream & Subs, too!
Green Acre Farms
3460 Latta Rd., Greece, 14612 . . . . 234-0252
www.Greenacreupick.com
June is STRAWBERRY time! Pick-Your-Own STRAWBERRIES at our West Wind Farm located at 930 Manitou Rd. BLUEBERRY picking in July, followed by APRICOTS, PEACHES and NECTARINES in August. Please call for picking hours and check out our website. Bring the whole family and PICK-YOUR-OWN farm fresh fruit!
Humane Society at Lollypop Farm
99 Victor Rd., Fairport, 14450 . . . . 223-1330
www.lollypop.org
Lollypop Farm is the perfect destination for children wanting to gain hands-on experience with animals and get a behind the scenes look at what goes on at the shelter every day. Lollypop Farm Camp teaches kindness, responsibility, compassion and respect through activities that are fun and engaging. Weekday sessions for 7-12 and 4-6 year olds. Visit us online for information!
Hurd Orchards
17260 Ridge Rd., Holley, 14470 . . . . 638-8838
www.hurdorchards.com
Hurd Orchards is an 8th generation family fruit farm offering spirited opportunities to explore farm life through pick-your-own experiences and children's programs. Open May 1st through December 24th.
Long Acre Farms
1342 Eddy Rd., Macedon, 14502 . . . . 315-986-4202
www.longacrefarms.com
Open daily through Nov. 1. Fun for the whole family - Gemstone Panning, Jumping Pillow, Amazing Maize Maze, Birthday Parties, Moonlight Mazes, Back 40 Fun & more. We also cater company picnics and private parties in the Big Red Barn. Some activities vary with the season so be sure to check out our website for all of our special events and deals.
Perinton Recreation and Parks
1350 Turk Hill Rd., Fairport, 14450 . . . . 223-5050
www.perinton.org
Athletic programs, aquatic facilities, parks & more make Perinton a great place to pass the summertime or any time of year. Our Recreation & Parks Dept. offers a wide variety of day camp programs for both boys & girls. The Town of Perinton has been cited (twice) among the "Top 100 Best Places to Live in America".
Rochester Red Wings
at Frontier Field, One Morrie Silver Way, Rochester, 14608 . . . . 423-WING (-9464)
www.RedWingsBaseball.com
Don't miss all the action this summer at Frontier Field, home of the Red Wings (Triple-A Affiliate of the Minnesota Twins). Fireworks every Friday night and most Saturday nights; check our website, www.RedWingsBaseball.com for details.
Rochester Rhinos
460 Oak St., Rochester, 14608 . . . . 454-5425
www.rhinossoccer.com
Enjoy soccer fun by taking the family out for a home game! 2009 Summer Camp programs offered by the Doug Miller Rochester Rhinos Academy & School include Little Spikes, which includes five two-hour training sessions (held 9-11am) for 4 to 7 year old boys and girls. Little Spikes programs are offered in Victor, Chili, Fairport, Webster and at Total Sports Experience. Call for details!
Springdale Farm
Operated by Heritage Christian Services, 700 Colby St., Spencerport, 14559 . . . . 349-2090
www.springdalefarm.org
Springdale Farm (part of Northampton Park) provides family fun with animals, festivals and educational attractions. It is a premiere agricultural education facility open to the public featuring a robotic dairy barn, petting zoo and more!
Watt Farms Country Market
3121 Oak Orchard Rd., Rte. 98, Albion, 14411 . . . . 589-8000
www.wattfarms.com
Open daily 9-8. U-Pick orchards beginning in July featuring cherries, raspberries, apricots, plums and peaches. Cherry Harvest Brunch July 5, Raspberry Harvest Brunch July 19, Peach Harvest Brunch August 2. Gift Shop, Homemade Fudge, Ice Cream, Greenhouse, Animals and Play Area. Group Train tours welcome with reservations.
Wickham Farms
1821 Fairport Nine Mile Point Rd. (Rte. 250), Penfield, 14526 . . . . 377-FARM (-3276)
www.wickhamfarms.com
Open daily, 10am-9pm. Miniature golf and jumping pillow are fun for the whole family! Corn maze opens in August. In our barn, enjoy ice cream, sandwiches, baked good and more. We're a great spot for birthday parties, group events and fundraisers. Check our Web site for details.
Museums & Educational
Aquarium of Niagara
Niagara's other Water Wonder!, 701 Whirpool St., Niagara Falls, 14301 . . . . 800-500-4609 or 716-285-3575
www.aquariumofniagara.org
Dive into a world of discovery beneath the waves! Encounter fishes from the Great Lakes to the Coral Reefs, including sharks, skates, piranha & clown fish. California sea lions & a colony of Peruvian penguins will greet you daily with scheduled activities. Gift shop. The Aquarium is open year 'round at 9am & is a short stroll from the Falls. Parking is free! Handicap accessible.
Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park
One Naval Park Cove, Buffalo, 14202 . . . . 716-847-1773
www.buffalonavalpark.org
The Buffalo waterfront attraction is the largest inland park of its kind in the nation. All branches of the Armed Forces are represented in the Park's displays. Tour the decks and interiors of a guided missile cruiser, destroyer and WWII submarine. Inspect memorabilia in the museum and exhibits aboard the ships. See planes, a tank and more.
The Center at High Falls
60 Brown's Race, Rochester, 14614 . . . . 325-2030
www.centerathighfalls.org
The Center at High Falls boasts an art gallery, walking tours, special events and more! Laser shows for the whole family begin at 9:30pm Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays through September 1, 2009.
Discovery Trail
Celebrating 10 years of Ithaca's best!, Greater Ithaca
www.DiscoveryTrail.com
Atoms to artifacts, foxes to fossils, robins to rhododendrons, sculpture to storytellers - Ithaca's Discovery Trail has something for everyone! Cayuga Nature Center / Cornell Lab of Ornithology / Cornell Plantations / The History Center in Tompkins County / Johnson Museum of Art / Museum of the Earth at PRI / Sciencenter / Tompkins County Public Library
Explore & More Children's Museum
300 Gleed Ave., E. Aurora, 14052 . . . . 716-655-5131
www.exploreandmore.org
Spark your kids' creativity, curiosity and imagination at a special museum designed JUST for kids. With 5000+ square feet of hands-on exhibits and fun, Explore & More is a great family adventure. This summer, enjoy special activities - Wednesday WOWS! - every Wednesday from noon to 3 p.m.
Ganondagan State Historic Site
1488 State Rte. 444, Victor, 14564 . . . . 924-5848
www.ganondagan.org
Experience Seneca life in the 1600s with an authentic 17th Century bark longhouse reproduction, miles of scenic trails and a Native American interpretive staff. Don't miss our Native American Dance & Music Festival, on July 25-26, and visit our website for other exciting events!
Genesee Country Village & Museum
Flint Hill Road, Mumford, 14511 . . . . 538-6822
www.gcv.org
Visit an 1800's American village that comes to life everyday! Enjoy the aroma of baking bread; see the blacksmith shape red hot iron; make a tin ornament or help feed the chickens at the pioneer homestead. Come spend a day and experience a century! Open May 16-Oct. 26, 2009 (T-Fri., 10-4; Sat./Sun., 10-5; closed Mondays except for Labor, Columbus and Memorial Days).
George Eastman House
900 East Ave., Rochester, 14607 . . . . 271-3361
www.eastmanhouse.org
GEH Summer (weeklong) Workshops for Kids begin Monday, June 29 and run through Saturday, July 26, 2009. Kids take pictures with digital and other cool cameras, use photo-editing tools and create custom masterpieces. Each week brings different hands-on activities around the Museum, in the darkroom and in the computer lab. Registration is required.
Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum
180 Thompson St., N. Tonawanda, 14120 . . . . 716-693-1885
www.carrouselmuseum.org
"Once Around is Never Enough!" Where families share a ride and memories are made: VIEW our exhibits, LISTEN to a band organ, RIDE our antique carousel, ENJOY our Children's Gallery, SHOP in the gift shop. Check our website for full schedule of family events.
JELL-O Gallery
LeRoy Historical Society, 23 E. Main St., LeRoy, 14482 . . . . 768-7433
www.jellomuseum.com
"There’s Always Room for Jell-O!" Discover the history and mystery of America ’s Most Famous Dessert. Take your picture with the Jell-O Girl. Explore a century of Jell-O advertising. Watch your favorite television ads. Vote for your favorite flavor. Shop in the museum shop for recipe books, molds, T-shirts and much more. Check our website for more information.
Medina Railroad Museum
530 West Ave., PO Box 136, Medina, 14103 . . . . 798-6106
www.railroadmuseum.net
Open year 'round 11am-5pm, Tuesday through Sunday. Learn about railroad history and enjoy model trains operating on the longest (204 ft.) HO-Scale model train layout in N.Y. State.
Memorial Art Gallery
500 University Ave., Rochester, 14607 . . . . 473-7720 or 473-6152 (TDD)
www.mag.rochester.edu
Memorial Art Gallery offers family-friendly programs year 'round, including a FREE Creative Workshop Family Open House to be held Sunday, July 26 (12-4pm). Learn about art classes, see demonstrations by workshop instructors & enjoy family activities. Don't forget to visit MAG in the fall for the annual Clothesline Festival.
MOST
Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology, 500 S. Franklin St., Syracuse, 13202 . . . . 315-425-9068
www.most.org
MOST offers more fun for everyone! View new & exciting exhibits (Life Sciences, Earth Science Discovery Cave & Colossal Heart). Get a hands-on science education in Technotown. Visit the Bristol IMAX Omnitheater. Play, crawl, roll, jump, learn & slide your way through five floors of fun in the Science Playhouse! See coral reefs & waterfalls close up. Located in historic Armory Square.
Old Fort Niagara
P.O. Box 169, Youngstown, 14174 . . . . 716-745-7611
www.oldfortniagara.org
Experience the Struggle for the Continent, just minutes from the Falls. Open 9am daily, all year ‘round; via the Northbound Robert Moses Parkway. French and Indian War 250th Anniversary 1759-2009: Special 250th Programs! Original 18th Century Buildings! Muskets and Cannons! Living History!
RMSC Strasenburgh Planetarium
657 East Ave., Rochester, 14607 . . . . 697-1945 (Box Office)
www.rmsc.org
Discover new worlds in an expanded summer show schedule: Giant-screen films ("Wild Ocean" and "Dinosaurs Alive!"), star shows ("I See the Sky," "Planets and Plutoids," and "Vacation Skies"), Saturday Night Laser (featuring U2, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Dave Matthews, and Pink Floyd), and free Telescope Viewing on Saturday nights.
Rochester Museum & Science Center
657 East Ave., Rochester, 14607 . . . . 271-4320
www.rmsc.org
Have hands-on fun exploring satellite technology in the "Eyes on Earth" exhibit (thru Sept. 7). Experience "Family Fridays": programs on special themes each Friday, July 10 thru August 28: Dinosaurs, Robots, Earthquakes, Circus Science, Rockets, Animals, and more! Plus new simulator rides!
Seneca Park Zoo
2222 Saint Paul St., Rochester, 14621 . . . . 336-7200
www.senecaparkzoo.org
Seneca Park Zoo is your family's resource for fun with Summer Camp programs for kids in Preschool through 8th Grade. Topics include "Around the World", "Junior Zoologist", "Visits with Vertebrates" & others. Don't forget to join us on Family Fun Nights, too!
Stone Tolan House
2370 East Ave., Rochester, 14610 . . . . 546-7029
www.landmarksociety.org
2009 Pioneer Days week-long Summer Camp for 3rd-6th Graders is offered in five one-week sessions at the Stone-Tolan House Museum. Dates include: July 13-17, 20-24, 27-31 and Aug. 3-7, 10-14. Activities include traditional crafts, outdoor games, special tours and other pioneer pastimes. Ask about Full Moon Flashlight Tours (w/S'mores!) for families, July 14 and Aug. 18.
Strong National Museum of Play
One Manhattan Square, Rochester, 14607 . . . . 263-2700
www.museumofplay.org
Enjoy a Summer of Furry Friends and Farewell Parades daily from July 6 through August 28. Meet a Berenstain Bear or other favorite furry friend daily, and join the farewell musical parade at the close of each day. Included with general museum admission fees.
Parks & Nature Centers
Genesee Country Nature Center
Flint Hill Rd., Mumford, 14511 . . . . 538-6822
www.gcv.org
Genesee Country Nature Center (at Genesee Country Village & Museum) plays host to Earth Camp, a summer camp of fun for kids in Preschool through 7th Grade. Other special programs include Summer Meteor Camp-Out, Creatures of the Night and Mission: Wolf. Hiking trails are open Tuesday through Sunday until October 18. Ask about Boy and Girl Scout badge programs!
Mendon Ponds Nature Center
Ponds Rd. at Clover St., Honeoye Falls, 14472 . . . . 334-3780
www.monroecounty.gov/parks-mendonponds.php
Park land, pond habitats, special programs, nature trails available for hiking and leisure. Admission: Free.
Hours: Nature Center Building hours are Noon - 4 p.m., Thurs.- Sun. Trails are open every day 6 a.m.-11 p.m.
RMSC Cumming Nature Center
6472 Gulick Rd., Naples, 14512 . . . . 374-6160
www.rmsc.org
Explore the outdoors with your family. Hike six miles of groomed trails, and bring your lunch to enjoy in the picnic area. Special summer events include a Strawberry Social, a Community Picnic, and programs on bats, spiders, honeybees, and pioneer life.
Tinker Nature Park & Hansen Nature Center
1525 Calkins Rd., Henrietta, 14467 . . . . 359-7044
http://tinkernaturepark.blogspot.com
Park includes Tinker Homestead and Farm Museum. Call or visit our website for events and park information.