This Family Friendly Road Trip Through New York Leads To Whimsical Attractions, Fantastic Waterfalls, And More
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Lisa Sammons
Author
Road trips in New York are great, but it can be tough to find destinations that appease the entire family. Kids won’t want to go to stuffy old museums and many don’t have the stamina to walk through miles of state park trails. Have no fear, there are plenty of family friendly attractions in New York! There are enough kid-friendly stops that we made an entire road trip just of them. All of these attractions are suitable for kids but they’re also fun enough that adults will have a great time as well. Check them out:
The entire trip takes right around four hours of drive time, though of course you'll want to account for time stopped. You can check out the full, customizable itinerary at Google Maps.
All Things Oz Museum, 219 Genesee St, Chittenango, NY 13037, USA
We'll start off your trip with the enchanting All Things Oz Museum, because who doesn't love the Wizard of Oz? This museum focuses on, well, all things Oz, from the original book series by Frank L. Baum to the famous 1939 Judy Garland film and all of its spin-offs. This is such a fun place for an Oz fan. The hours change sometimes as the museum is volunteer-run, so make sure to check out the website before planning a trip.
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WonderWorks Destiny, 9090 Destiny USA Dr, Syracuse, NY 13204, USA
You could easily spend a whole day at Destiny USA if you wanted: the mall is so big that it has its own ZIP code. Thanks to its large size, it holds much, much more than the typical chain stores and small restaurants you usually find at malls. Among its attractions is WonderWorks, which bills itself as "an indoor amusement park for the mind." There are more than 100 exhibits and games here that are a blast no matter your age. You can find out more on the WonderWorks page of the Destiny USA website.
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Rochester Museum & Science Center, 657 East Ave, Rochester, NY 14607, USA
The Rochester Museum and Science Center is an absolute blast for science lovers of all ages. There are all kinds of science exhibits on practically any topic you can think of, ranging from dinosaurs to space to the depths of the ocean. Find out more on the center's website.
Medina Railroad Museum, 530 West Ave, Medina, NY 14103, USA
Note: The Medina Railroad Museum is closed in the winter, so this is one stop you'll want to plan for one of the warmer months.
This one is entertaining for train fanatics of all ages! They've got one of the largest model train layouts in the country, plus you can even take a ride on a passenger train here. Find out more on the museum's website.
This one is entertaining for train fanatics of all ages! They've got one of the largest model train layouts in the country, plus you can even take a ride on a passenger train here. Find out more on the museum's website.
Explore & More - The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Children's Museum, 130 Main St, Buffalo, NY 14202, USA
Explore and More Children's Museum is a fantastic children's museum in New York that caters to kids up to 12 years of age. There are four floors to explore here, with all kinds of exhibits that tell the story of western New York. There are seven educational play zones where kids can have fun and learn. Find out more about this great museum via its website.
Eternal Flame Falls, Eternal Flame Hiking Trail, Orchard Park, NY 14127, USA
Many of the hikes in New York are a bit difficult for young children, but this is one that features beautiful scenery and isn't too long! The hike is about 1.4 miles in length and is accessible year-round. You'll want to make sure you're wearing proper shoes and watching your step, as some areas can be quite slippery. The hike leads to a magical-looking flame that burns behind a waterfall, thanks to the release of flammable natural gas from the rocks. This is one of the most beautiful and unique sights in New York!
What stops would you add to this family friendly road trip in New York? Share your ideas in the comments!
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