Finger Lakes Region
Museums/Theater
The Strong Museum of Play, Rochester
Any museum that includes a Toy and Video Game Hall of Fame is definitely worth a visit. Even though there are a lot of exhibits here that are geared for kids, there is plenty of things for adults to do as well. It is a trip down memory lane for middle aged people who used to play Space Invaders or Tetris, but there are many interactive activities that will have the youngins’ tucked out and smiling after a handful of hours. The butterfly and aquarium exhibits are really cool as well.
The George Eastman House, Rochester
In the early 1900’s, Kodak’s founder, George Eastman, was one of the wealthiest people in the U.S. At one point, Eastman Kodak employed over 50,000 people in Rochester when the manufacturing and processing of film photography was in it’s heyday, and the 35,000 sq. foot house is a testament to the success that Eastman achieved. A separate 73,000 sq foot climate controlled vault that is located on the grounds of the house preserves over 400,000 photos that have been taken since Eastman invented the camera in 1888. The museum also includes a beautiful garden in the backyard which becomes a music venue a few times each summer for people to hear music, unfold a lawn chair, and consume a beverage of their choice in the pastoral venue. This is a must see for anyone visiting Rochester and the Finger Lakes region.
Susan B. Anthony House, Rochester
Nestled in a quaint neighborhood that was built in Rochester during the 1860’s is an unassuming house that was owned by the visionary woman who was instrumental in getting the right for women to vote in the United States. The house is now a museum that details her vigilance and persistence to break through the rules that restricted voting to white men in the mid-1800’s.
Glenn Curtiss Museum, Hammondsport
Everyone thinks of the Wright Brothers as the pioneers of aviation, but Glenn Curtiss was the first person in the U.S. to get a pilot’s license and his planes beat those of the Wright’s in the first international aviation events. He also pioneered the motorcycle and held world speed records for years. All this happened in the small town of Hammondsport, NY at the end of Keuka Lake. This must see museum contains many of the early prototypes for Curtiss’s motorcycles and planes that revolutionized transportation in the early 1900’s. This is a fun trip to add to a Finger Lakes wine tour weekend, or a relaxing stay in an AirBNB on Keuka.
Museum of the Earth, Ithaca
While Ithaca is best known for being the home of Cornell University, there is a lot of things to see and do in this eclectic small town. The Museum of the Earth is one of them. With over 7 million fossils, numerous dinosaur remains, and details of 4.5 million years of the Earth’s history, this is a great place to spend a day.
Corning Museum of Glass, Corning
This museum is a must see for any traveler to the FLX. We never realized how much we use Corning products in our every day life. The glass on your cellphone, your lightbulbs, the fiber optic cable that gets you the Internet, the windshield on your car, and the glass pans you cook in - thank 170 year old Corning, Inc. for all of that. Still based in Corning, NY, the company started a museum in the town in 1951. During a stroll through the museum you can make your own glass creation, watch people hand blowing glass, see 3500 year old glass objects and learn a ton of fascinating things about a substance that we take for granted every day.
William Seward House, Auburn
Most people don’t think about Alaska when they are visiting the Finger Lakes, well maybe a bit in January, but Alaska wouldn’t be a part of the United States if it wasn’t for William Seward. At the time, the purchase of Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million in 1867, was called Seward’s Folly, but now that seems like a steal! The tour of the house is incredibly interesting. Most people don’t know that Seward almost died the same day as Abraham Lincoln because he too was targeted by the same assassination plot. His life was very fascinating as a man who grew up in Auburn, but later became the New York Governor, a U.S. Senator, and finally the Secretary of State under Lincoln. All that and more is covered in the tour of his house which is definitely worth the trip.
Geva Theatre, Rochester
With seating for 700 between the two stages at Geva, it certainly isn’t the biggest venue, but for great productions, cutting edge plays and unique comedy performances it is definitely the best. We have seen numerous productions here and that are always entertaining, thought provoking, and well produced.
Eastman Theater, Rochester
The beauty and grandeur of this timeless theater is reason enough to visit, but many top name acts perform here during the course of each year. The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra is the primary show, but Tony Bennett, Jennifer Hudson, Dave Brubeck and many more famous artists have performed here over the years.
Harriet Tubman House, Auburn
Over a period of 11 years, it is reported that Harriet Tubman freed over 300 slaves and guided them on the Underground Railroad from Maryland to Canada. Her home, which sits on 7 acres of land that William Seward sold her in 1860, still stands and the museum on the property tells the story of a courageous woman who put herself in harm’s way many times to free her family members and other slaves.
Memorial Art Gallery, Rochester
With over 12,000 pieces that were created from 0 to 5000 years ago, the Memorial Art Gallery is the best Art Museum outside of NYC. They frequently have new exhibits and special events so there are always new things to see with every visit you take.
Genesee Country Museum - Mumford
This historic 19th Century village consists of 68 buildings from that time period. It is one of the largest working country villages in the entire United States. As you stroll through the village, you can see live demonstrations of pottery making, barrel making Coopers, a tinsmith, and blacksmith. It is a full day adventure that gives you in-depth knowledge of what life was like in the 1800’s. As you stroll the village, you will notice that you are progressing through three time periods, from 1800 to 1900, with lifestyles growing more sophisticated as time moves forward. There are even restaurants and pub that are reminiscent of that era.
REV Theatre Company - Auburn
Auburn is a small town with a lot of fun things to do. If you are looking to take in a theatrical performance at night when you are there, the Merry-Go-Round Theatre hosts good off Broadway shows in the summer.