We hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving with family, friends, and of course good food! If you're looking for more to do this weekend with the family, here are some fun ideas. Jump-start the holiday season at Stokoe Farms, Eastman House, Genesee Country Village, or The Garden Factory. See some trains - and possibly take a train ride - at the Edgerton Recreation Center, NY Museum of Transportation, or Victor Village Hall. Plus check out Brother Bear from Berenstain Bears, a giant T. rex, or Dora & Diego. Whew! So many options, so little time...
ONGOING
Christmas Fun
Friday, November 23 - Sunday December 16, from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Fridays, Saturdays, & Sundays only)
Stokoe Farms, 656 South Road, Scottsville, NY
Take a wagon ride into the fields, stroll through the trees and choose just the right one. Enjoy complimentary hot chocolate and tree baling, a bonfire, live manger scene, straw fort for the kids, and you may even see Santa Claus. The gift shop, indoor restaurant, and restrooms are all open.
Sweet Creations Gingerbread House Display
Now through Wednesday, December 12 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tues-Sun and 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday (closed Mondays, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day)
George Eastman House, 900 East Avenue, Rochester, NY
See more than 60 cleverly designed gingerbread houses from professional bakers, families, and community groups. Included with museum admission: adults, $12; children 12 and under are free.
A T. Rex Named Sue
Daily through January 6, 2013; Mon-Sat 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sun 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Rochester Museum & Science Center, 657 East Avenue, Rochester, NY
See the largest, most complete, and best-preserved T. Rex! Touch casts of Sue's bones, complete a 3-D puzzle with bones, move models of Sue's jaws, and more. Included with general admission.
Daily through January 6, 2013: Mon-Thurs 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Fri-Sat 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., Sun 12 - 5 p.m.
Strong National Museum of Play, 1 Manhattan Square, Rochester, NY
This fun, interactive exhibit includes a pirate ship, animal rescue center, rainforest maze, flower garden, rocket ship, car, and Purple Planet slide.
Fun Fridays
Friday, November 23 from 6 - 8 p.m.
YMCA-Westside, 920 Elmgrove Road, Rochester, NY
Family gym games, inflatables, obstacle course, crafts, and family swimming. There is no fee for members; $10 per family for the community.
SATURDAY
Breakfast with Saint Nick
Saturday, November 24 at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., or 12:30 p.m.
Genesee Country Village & Museum, 1410 Flint Hill Road, Mumford, NY
Enjoy a pancake breakfast, visit with the 19th-century style Santa Claus (great photo pop!), kids receive a 19th-century treat from Santa. Reservations are required; tickets are $12; please call (585) 294-8218. NOTE: Breakfast with Saint Nick does not include general admission into the Genesee Country Village for the "Preparing for the Holidays" event.
Preparing for the Holidays: the 19th Century Way
Saturday, November 24 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Genesee Country Village & Museum, 1410 Flint Hill Road, Mumford, NY
See how families prepared for the holidays in the 19th century. Enjoy tastings, plus demonstrations of making soap, preserving meat, spinning wool, making clothes, making chocolate, preparing blackpowder, and more. The heated Freight House will feature 5 different holiday crafts ($4 each or make all 5 for $15). General admission is $8.50 per adult, $6.50 per child (16 and under), and children ages 3 and under are free. NOTE: General admission does not include Breakfast with Saint Nick, and does not include the crafts in the Freight House.
Edgerton Model Railroad Club Holiday Open House
Saturday, November 24 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Edgerton Recreation Center, 41 Backus Street, Rochester, NY
Visit four historic model railroad layouts depicting the Rochester area during each of the four seasons. Be on the lookout for the Polar Express train and Thomas the Tank Engine & his friends. Plus be sure to press the operating buttons along the edge of the layout (fun for young visitors). Parking and admission are free, but donations are welcome.
SATURDAY-SUNDAY
Literature Live: Brother Bear
Saturday, November 24 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Sunday, November 25 from 1 p.m - 4 p.m.
National Museum of Play, 1 Manhattan Square, Rochester, NY
Meet Brother Bear from the Berenstain Bears! Be sure to bring your camera. Included with general admission.
Holiday Family Fun
Saturday, November 24 - Sunday, November 25 (weekends only, continues through December 23)
The Garden Factory, 2126 Buffalo Road, Rochester, NY
Enjoy an indoor winter carnival in the greenhouse! The model train display opens at 10 a.m. along with the Hilton Sno-Flyers Snow Show. Rides, crafts, games, and the light show will run from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m., and photos with Santa will be available from 12 - 4 p.m. Admission is free and includes the model trains; rides are $0.50-1.50 each, crafts are $1-2.50, games are $2.50, and the light show is $2 per person (ages 3 and under are free for the light show). While the activities are indoors, it is still chilly in the greenhouse - coats and hats are a good idea.
Holly Trolley Rides
Weekends only; Saturday, November 24 - Sunday, December 16 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
New York Museum of Transportation, 6393 East River Road, Rochester, NY
Catch the holiday spirit with an old-fashioned trolley ride. Plus, visit the train cars, model trains, and antique car and trucks inside the museum. Admission plus trolley ride is $5 per adult and $4 per child under 12; children under 3 are free.
SUNDAY
Santa Train Rides
Sunday, November 25 at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. (as of 11/23, the 11 a.m. ride is sold out)
Railroad Tracks by the Victor Village Hall, 60 East Main Street, Victor, NY
Santa Train Rides with Santa and Mrs. Claus, holiday music, games & prizes, children visit with Santa and receive a gift bag. Sponsored by Victor Friends of the Railroad with Finger Lakes Railway. Tickets are $15 each (free for children age 2 and younger who will sit on an adult's lap) and may be ordered from the FORR website. Trains will board 15 minutes prior to departure time. There is a public parking lot located at 60 East Main Street, Victor, NY.
Stay warm and have fun this weekend! As always, thanks for reading.
Weekends only; Saturday, November 24 - Sunday, December 16 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
New York Museum of Transportation, 6393 East River Road, Rochester, NY
Catch the holiday spirit with an old-fashioned trolley ride. Plus, visit the train cars, model trains, and antique car and trucks inside the museum. Admission plus trolley ride is $5 per adult and $4 per child under 12; children under 3 are free.
Santa Train Rides
Sunday, November 25 at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. (as of 11/23, the 11 a.m. ride is sold out)
Railroad Tracks by the Victor Village Hall, 60 East Main Street, Victor, NY
Santa Train Rides with Santa and Mrs. Claus, holiday music, games & prizes, children visit with Santa and receive a gift bag. Sponsored by Victor Friends of the Railroad with Finger Lakes Railway. Tickets are $15 each (free for children age 2 and younger who will sit on an adult's lap) and may be ordered from the FORR website. Trains will board 15 minutes prior to departure time. There is a public parking lot located at 60 East Main Street, Victor, NY.
Stay warm and have fun this weekend! As always, thanks for reading.
