Family Fun This Weekend

The first week of school is coming to an end; it's time to celebrate! Give your kids a break from the books and get out to a farm to pick some apples or pumpkins - there are plenty of places where you can pick your own. Or teach your kids about the Irish culture at the Irish Festival. Or enjoy a look at the past with a trolley ride. As usual, there are lots of family-friendly options for fun, fun, fun in the Rochester area.

Story Time & Animal Friends

Friday, September 7 at 11 a.m.

1. Lollypop Farm, 99 Victor Road, Fairport, NY - come for the story, stay for the farm animal fun!

2. Wickham Farms, 1821 Fairport Nine Mile Line Road, Penfield, NY - story time, sandbox, farm animals, and playground are free; jumping pillow, batting cages, and mini golf fees apply.

Kids' Weekend
Friday, September 7 - Sunday, September 9
The Apple Shed, 3391 Fairville Maple Ridge Road, Newark, NY
Friday at 10:30 a.m.: Stop by the corn tent for stories and related games and crafts. Stay for lunch; storytime participants will receive a coupon for a cider slushie or $1 off kids' meals. Saturday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.: Free activities include balloon creatures, face painting, crafts, games in the picnic tent. Paid activities include hayrides ($1/child; $2/adult). Sunday from 1-4 p.m.: Free actives include a family-friendly concert with music, storytelling, and juggling; crafts; face painting; and games. Paid activities include hayrides ($1/child; $2/adult).

Rochester Irish Festival
Friday, Sept. 7 (3-11 p.m.), Saturday, Sept. 8 (noon-11 p.m.) & Sunday, Sept. 9 (12-6 p.m.)
Camp Eastman, Lake Shore Boulevard, Irondequoit, NY
Enjoy Irish crafts, dancers, traditional Irish food and music to keep Ireland's spirit and culture alive in Rochester. Be sure to check the schedule before attending. Don't miss the children's activities including free crafts, family photos, tattoos, scavenger hunt, kiss the Blarney Stone, learn to Irish dance, and more. Adult tickets are $10 for one day or $20 for the weekend.

You Pick Apples, Raspberries, and More
Saturday, September 8 - Sunday, September 9 from 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
G and S Orchards, 825 Atlantic Avenue (Route 286), Walworth, NY
From now through the end of October, enjoy an afternoon of family fun while picking apples, berries, pumpkins, and more.

Pumpkin Harvest Festival Weekends
Saturday, September 8 - October 31 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Long Acre Farms, 1342 Eddy Road, Macedon, NY
Celebrate autumn with the Maize Maze, Back 40, hayrides, and cow train rides. Check out nursery rhymes made entirely of pumpkins and gourds, fun picture cut-outs, and a funny graveyard. Admission is $10.50/ages 5+ and $6.50/ ages 2-4.

"Pumpkintown" & Pick-Your-Own Apples
Saturday, September 8 - Sunday, October 28 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Lagoner Farms, 6985 Lake Avenue, Williamson, NY
Pick your own apples and pumpkins, enjoy wagon rides, ride the Cider Barrel Express, explore the Mini Maze, Ring the Corn Cob, Knock the Apple Off the Tree, Bowl Over the Cider Jugs, play Farmer's Fastball, and more. Activities are 1-2 tickets each (tickets are $1 each) or pay one price: $10 each or $35 for a family of 4. Lunch menu is available.

Trolley Rides

Sunday, September 9 from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

New York Museum of Transportation, 6393 East River Road, West Henrietta, NY

Purchase your tickets, then explore the train cars, antique cars, fire truck, and the model trains in the museum. At your departure time, board the trolley and enjoy the 1-mile ride to the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum. Explore the second museum before boarding for a ride back to the Museum of Transportation.


Have fun welcoming the fall, and enjoy the weekend! As always, thanks for reading.