You will find The Strong National Museum of Play in downtown Rochester, New York. Founded in 1969 around the personal collection of Margaret Woodbury Strong and opened in 1982, this unique destination is the only collections-based museum anywhere devoted solely to studying play. Although it operates as a history museum holding hundreds of thousands of items, it has the interactive characteristics of a children's museum, making it the second largest museum of that type in the United States.
When you visit, you can immerse yourself in exhibits themed around video games, storybooks, television shows, nature, comic books, and history. Step into the worlds of Sesame Street and The Berenstain Bears: Down a Sunny Dirt Road, or take a spin on carousel and train rides. Gamers will love eGameRevolution, the first permanent video game exhibit in the United States, alongside the World Video Game Hall of Fame and the ESL Digital Worlds space.
You can also explore the National Toy Hall of Fame, wander through the outdoor Hasbro Game Park, or discover thousands of butterflies inside the Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden, the largest indoor butterfly garden in New York.
What to see at The National Museum of Play
- National Toy Hall of Fame and World Video Game Hall of Fame
- eGameRevolution and ESL Digital Worlds interactive video game spaces
- Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden featuring thousands of butterflies
- Sesame Street and The Berenstain Bears immersive exhibits
- Hasbro Game Park outdoor board game space
Visiting tips
Be sure to explore both the indoor interactive galleries and the outdoor board game-themed Hasbro Game Park during your visit.
How long: Half day · Best time: Morning
How to get there & what’s nearby
The National Museum of Play is easy to reach on Rochester’s public transport. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Rochester travel guide.
See the full Rochester travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.