Things to do this weekend in and around Rochester
Friendly fun in Rochester & the Finger Lakes for Friday, August 28 – Sunday, August 30, 2026
(Scroll down for full list of weekend activities.)
Friday, August 28, 2026
Kick off your weekend with wild excitement on a countryside safari at Safari Tours At Hidden Valley Animal Adventure!, where kids can ride through rolling hills, hand-feed friendly camels, zebras, bison, and more, then giggle their way through the Small Animal Adventure petting area. For sports-loving families, cheer on the home team together at Rochester Red Wings vs. Buffalo Bisons Aug 25-30, 2026, a perfect evening of ballpark treats, between-inning entertainment, and big-league dreams. History buffs can float back in time with a narrated canal adventure on Lunch and Erie Canal Lock 32 Cruise Aboard Sam Patch - Pittsford, NY, gliding through a working lock while kids learn how this engineering marvel helped build New York. As the sun begins to set, climb aboard a narrated journey on the water with Scenic River and Canal Cruise Aboard Riverie, where your family can relax on deck, listen to stories of Rochester’s past, and finish with a sparkling view of the downtown skyline. And if you’re looking for a low-cost, meaningful outing, active-duty military families can spend the day exploring hands-on exhibits and science fun thanks to Free admission to RMSC for active-duty military and their families, making Friday a wonderful mix of learning, gratitude, and play.
Saturday, August 29, 2026
Saturday is bursting with chances to explore, imagine, and play together, starting with a roar at Destination Dinosaur at the Buffalo Zoo!, where towering animatronic T. rex, Triceratops, and soaring prehistoric flyers delight kids and spark conversations about animals past and present. Little foodies and history lovers will be enchanted at Taste of History at Genesee Country Village & Museum, as your family strolls through a 19th-century village, peeks into historic kitchens, and discovers old-time cooking tools and tasty traditions. For camp-style fun that parents can share, pack up the kids for Family Fun Day Camp, a day of hands-on activities that blend the museum’s historic village, nature center trails, and imagination-fueled games so even the youngest campers feel included. Young performers and theater fans will love diving under the sea during Finding Nemo KIDS, a kid-friendly show brimming with family, friendship, and adventure that’s just the right length and energy level for children. Music-loving families can wind down the day with a toe-tapping outdoor concert at Concert in the Pines: Tim Ball with Alex Fortier, where Celtic and American fiddle tunes echo through the woods at RMSC Cumming Nature Center, giving you a serene, storybook setting for blankets, snacks, and happy memories under the trees.
Sunday, August 30, 2026
On Sunday, keep the weekend magic going with another chance to stroll the streets of a living-history village at Taste of History, following the scent of open-hearth cooking and discovering how families ate, worked, and celebrated in the 1800s. If your kids are ready to try something new and active, book a one-hour adventure at Guided Climbing at RocVentures Climbing Gym, where friendly staff handle the ropes and encouragement so youngsters can safely conquer colorful climbing walls and build confidence. Swifties in your house can cap the weekend with big smiles and sing-alongs at Laser Taylor Swift: Remixed - Matinee at Strasenburgh Planetarium, a dazzling laser show that turns favorite songs into swirling color and light, delighting tweens, teens, and even younger fans. Nature-loving families can head to the water for an early-day birding adventure on Birding Cruise Aboard Riverie, spotting herons, ducks, and other canal-side species with help from expert guides while relaxing on deck. And if your crew prefers a slow, flexible Sunday, treat yourselves to poolside lounging or spa-side relaxing with a mini staycation through the ResortPass Experience, which lets you enjoy hotel amenities for the day without packing for an overnight, ending your weekend refreshed and ready for the week ahead.