Outdoor Fun for Families in Rochester, NY

Rochester is overflowing with outdoor activities that are perfect for families with kids of all ages from tiny toddlers and preschoolers through teens that tower over you. Here are some of my favorite outdoor things to enjoy as a family in Rochester.

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Go camping at any of the hundreds of sites available through Camp Ground Owners of New York (CONY). CONY affiliated parks offer everything from the very basic, most rustic camp site you could think of, to more modern sites with hookups, electricity & amenities. The parks cater to not just the most advanced camper, but the weekend warrior who enjoys camping periodically or for the first time ever. CONY offers a breakdown of campgrounds available by eleven different regions inside New York state and helps you find the perfect site for your needs. Also listed on CONY’s website are any special events happening at their affiliates, including guided walks/hikes, kids’ programs, trick or treat nights & more. To find the perfect campground for your family, check CONY’s website, Facebook, & Twitter.

Learn about Nature at Humphrey Nature Center, which is nestled inside Letchworth State Park. and offers programs for all ages, interactive displays, a butterfly garden, and is almost totally self-sustained. As with all butterfly gardens, the garden always has something in bloom to attract butterflies. Also offered is a new Autism Nature Trail (ANT) that was put together with folks from the park & local community as well as specialists in the field of Autism. ANT features special sensory zones including an obstacle climb, cuddle swing, fine motor station, rest took and more to allow all members of the family to rejuvenate their soul and take in the beauty of Letchworth State Park. Make sure to add time to talk to any of the Nature Center’s knowledgeable staff, they’ll be able to tell you all about the geology of the area, interesting things to note about the gorge, what type of people lived here before and how they lived and so much more. The Nature Center is open daily, 10a-5p year-round. For more information on Humphrey Nature Center, check their website & Facebook.

Take a hike inside “the Grand Canyon of the East” at Letchworth State Park, a 17 mile stretch of land where the Genesee River passes multiple waterfalls & features absolutely stunning views of the river. Recently named the best state park in the nation, Letchworth State Park offers hundreds of campsites & cabins, guided walks, kayaking, rafting, hot air balloons, amazing views of the up to 600-foot cliffs surrounding the Genesee River and more. Letchworth State Park offers more than 66 miles of trails ranging from beginners through more difficult and offers trails of all lengths. The park is absolutely gorgeous in the fall when the foliage turns, but the fun continues right on through winter with snow shoeing, cross country skiing, snowmobiling and more. For more information on Letchworth State Park, check their website or Facebook.

Take a trek into Africa at the Seneca Park Zoo where they’re expanding the zoo’s footprint to allow a better lifestyle for their beloved animals. The “Step into Africa” exhibit’s expansion will allow Bill, the 13 year old Rhino to move down towards the three 6-year-old lions, primates & playful elephants, as well as create better living quarters for all animals. The zoo strives to connect with, care for and conserve all animal species through selective breeding, enclosures that included plentiful enrichment, and animal keepers who work closely with the conservationists to ensure the best life for the animals while sharing their work and characteristics with the public. Each animal has the opportunity to have some alone space, places inside a den, house or similar structure where they can get away from the sights, sounds & smells of the public. The animals aren’t forced to be on display 24/7, as was the case with more traditional zoos. After the expansion, the zoo will offer a trolley to help guests navigate the long and linear shape of the Seneca Park Zoo with a little more ease if needed. For more info, please check their website, Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.

Have family fun naturally at Long Acre Farms with a variety of farm related fun, including a corn maze in the fall. Located just west of Rochester in Macedon, NY and open May - October, Long Acre Farms offers a farm market, outdoor activities, hayrides, pumpkins, ice cream, a wine tasting room and more. Families will enjoy meandering through the fun - including a jump pillow, tetherball, logic mazes, a cow train, corn cannon, giant spider web, gem stone panning, climbing wall, giant slide & more (not all are open daily - check their website for full schedule). For the adults, there is a tasting room for JD Winery (that welcomes kids to come too) open year round featuring red, white & 100% fruit wines, as well as NY State produced spirits & beers near a beautiful deck. For more information, including activity schedule, please check Long Acre Farm’s website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Stroll through history at Genesee Country Village & Museum where you’ll be transported back in time to visit the 1800’s. With more than three dozen period specific buildings brought in from the surrounding region, Genesee Country Village & Museum is sectioned off by periods - Turn of the Century (1870s - 1920s), Antebellum Village (1830s - 1860s) and a Pioneer Settlement (1780s - 1830s). Each of the three village areas features not only paid interpreters, but also an assortment of volunteers, all clad in period specific attire which is hand sewn and accurate to reflect the time period they are in. Genesee Country Village & Museum offers a working brewery, tin shop, farm (complete with crops & animals), blacksmith, pottery kiln & full-time potter, a nature center, baseball park & more. Not only is Genesee Country Village open during the spring and summer seasons, but also hosts fun trick or treat and holiday events in the fall & winter. Don't forget to check out the Nature Center and trails that are clearly marked and easy for families to navigate. For more information, check GCVM’s website, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. 

Take a ride at Seabreeze Amusement Park on the Jack Rabbit, Time Machine or one of their other rides. Located right on the banks of Lake Ontario, Seabreeze Amusement Park offers rides geared towards families, specifically those with kids ages 15 & under. While boasting four roller coasters, a classic wooden carousel, water park (complete with multiple slides, a splash pad, wave pool & more!), a fun midway with games we all know and love, an acrobatics show & more, Seabreeze Amusement Park offers a variety of rides that aren’t too scary for kids, but still are a good time. Seabreeze Amusement Park’s pricing is one of the things that makes it truly unique when it comes to amusement parks, they offer a spectator pass for those ages 21+ who are coming to the park but not riding rides, ages 2 & under and parking are always free, pricing is determined based on height, senior citizens get in free on Mondays with a spectator pass & more. There are coupons available at different locations throughout the Rochester/Finger Lakes region as well as discounted tickets on their website. For more info on Seabreeze Amusement Park check their website, Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.

A huge thank you goes out to Visit Rochester, who kindly hosted 50 Macaroni Kid publisher from across the country for a three day stay in beautiful Rochester. To find out more info about these great locations and dozens more in the Rochester area request a Visitors Guide HERE or check out Visit Rochester's website.

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