See

Rochester Museum and Science Center

A science museum filled with hands-on exhibits and activities. Fantastic for kids, but a lot of it is fun for parents, too. Major hands-on exhibits include Wonders of Water, How Things Work, and Illumination: The World of Light and Optics. Don't miss the enormous mastodon skeleton in Expedition Earth, or the musical Tesla coils in the Electricity Theater. Other permanent exhibits focus on the people of the Haudenosaunee, 19th-century Rochester, and the Underground Railroad. The Strasenburgh Planetarium is next door; get a $4 discount on combined admission when you purchase in person.

Address: 657 East Ave
Hours: Tue-Sat 9AM-5PM (+Mon during school breaks), Sun 11AM-5PM
Price: Adults $19, military/veteran $16, seniors/students $18, ages 3-18 $17, under 3 free
Website: rmsc.org (opens in a new tab)

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Listing from Wikivoyage: Rochester (New York), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Updated 28 Sept 2026. Something wrong? Tell us.

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Strasenburgh Planetarium
The planetarium adjacent to the RMSC offers a variety of large-format films and planetarium shows using their state-of-the-art star projector. Laser shows set to music are also quite popular. A few space-related exhibits occupy areas outside the star theater. Purchase tickets in person to save $4 on combined admission with the RMSC.
Wed-Sun, show times varyPrices per show: adults $12, seniors/students/youths $10, under 3 free
Eat
ROAM Cafe
A casual and cozy spot on Park Avenue for intimate Italian-American dinners.
Mon-Sat 11:30AM-11PM, Sun 10:30AM-10PM$25-35
Eat
Char Steak and Lounge
The Strathallan's signature restaurant is one of the finest dining options in Rochester. Upscale American entrees and steaks in a contemporary lounge setting. Breakfast is quite a bit more conventional to cater to overnight guests.
Breakfast: Mon-Fri 6AM-10AM, Sat Sun 7AM-11AM; Lunch: daily noon-2PM; Dinner: Mon-Sat 5PM-10PM, Sun 5PM-9PMLunch $20+, Dinner $35+
Buy
Parkleigh
Epitomizing the Park Avenue vibe, Parkleigh is a gift shop par excellence and a local institution. One of the oldest retailers of MacKenzie-Childs ceramics, they also specialize in gourmet coffee and tea. You'll also find toys, games, books, jewelry, apparel, stationery, and all kinds of sweets and treats. (Note: the MacKenzie-Childs store is across Goodman Street at 235 Park Ave; its hours are the same except it's closed on Sundays.)
Tue-Sat 10AM-5:30PM, Sun 11AM-3PM