Seabreeze Amusement Park

I know that Seabreeze isn't open yet, but it is one of my favorite things to do in Rochester so I had to talk about it. I go every year because I think it is nice that a small city like Rochester has a amusement park right in its' backyard.

Seabreeze was opened in 1879 and it is still operating to this day. They have a ton of attractions from the Jack Rabbit, Whirlwind, Bobsleds, Bear Trax, yo-yo, Bumper Cars, Sea Dragon, Music Express, Screamin' Eagle, etc. I only named a few! They have a host of kiddy rides for children and they have a huge water park. The one thing that I like about Seabreeze is that it is clean and well kept up. Also, it is not too big and not too small, it is just right for a family. I forgot to mention that they have a stunt show that performs

Seabreeze is located by the Irondequoit Bay of Lake Ontario, so even after your long day of play, you can relax by the water and eat some Bill Gray's or ice cream.

Seabreeze opens on May 21- September 11. Each day have different operating hours so I will check the hours before you go just in case. Ride and slide tickets are $25.99 which includes the water park, children under 48 inches are $20.99, people that come after 5pm pay $19.99, people that just want to walk around and not ride pay $10.99, and children 2 and under are free!

I think that Seabreeze is a wonderful thing to have in the Rochester community. It adds fun and adventure to families during the summer time. I have always gone to Seabreeze and for as long as I am in Rochester, I will continue to go.

Seabreeze is highly recommended!

Lilac Festival

The lilac festival is something fun to do during May in Rochester. This year, it is only from May 13-22 10:30- 8:30. The lilac festival is something that the Rochester community has been doing for a long time. I go every year and as a result I feel more connected with the Rochester community.

The lilac festival is the only 10 day free festival of its' kind in North America. The festival hosts over 500 different varieties of lilacs. Lilacs are my favorite flower so it is always nice to see the many lilacs. I went to the lilac festival with my mom and sister. They also are fans of the lilac festival and they make sure to come yearly. They feature concerts, entertainment for children, food, games, etc. Even Gary the pirate (founder of the Pirate Toy Fund) is there doing entertaining some children. My mom loves the farmers market wine and tasting. She loves to sip and sample the different types of wine that are from the many local wineries. There is a pageant called the lilac queen (winner takes home a 1,000 scholarship). There is also a parade that comes through that is sure to please.

I would definitely recommend people to go to the lilac festival, especially if your not from Rochester.

Overall, It is a beautiful place to just sit back and enjoy what Rochester has to offer (for free)!

Oh...Did I mention that the festival has fried dough!

Located at 249 Highland Avenue in Rochester, NY

Strasenburgh Planetarium

During the week, I took a visit to the Strasenburgh Planetarium with my niece and nephews. They have never been before so I figured I'll take them. I haven't been to the Planetarium since I was in elementary school on a school field trip. I was wondering what new things they had and if I would enjoy it or not.

When I walked into the Planetarium, I noticed that it looked the same as I remembered. I knew my niece and nephews would enjoy the huge screen because they are so young and they have never seen anything like that before. Inside, we saw a show about Mummies. They feature different shows depending on what time you get there. The shows that are available currently are: Mummies, Dolphins, My Planets, Sun Moon and Stars, A Trip to Saturn and Pink Floyd Laser. The show that I went to was very informative and interesting. The kids and I enjoyed it a lot. The planetarium is a place to go when you want to learn about something new while having fun at the same time. They also have simulated rides, and telescope viewing.

Everything inside was an adventure at a low price. I had to pay $9 because I am a student and my niece and nephews had to pay $7 dollars. It is located on 657 East Avenue. I would definitely recommend the Strasenburgh Planetarium to anyone that love to learn about new things. I had a wonderful time with the kids and they have been begging me to take them back!

Bug Jar

Over the past weekend, I went to Bug Jar with some friends. Bug Jar is TOTALLY different from Strong Museum. It is for an adult crowd because it does include a bar and a lot of local bands play there. We went because my friend's boyfriend is a lead singer in a band and they played a gig there.

Bug Jar is a very nice place that has a retro feel and a somewhat diverse crowd. The inside and outside of Bug Jar is themed around the 80's. In the room where the bands play, they have a ceiling that is modeling to be an upside down apartment. The ceiling has a refrigerator, a table (equipped with food and drinks), chairs, couch and sink. It was a really nice view. On top of that, they have different displays of art around the whole lounge. Even the bathrooms are a work of art.

At Bug Jar, there is a pool table with a bar next to it. So if listening to music isn't your thing, you may just want to have some drinks and play pool. This side of Bug Jar is mostly about interacting with people and having fun. The drinks are real reasonable and the price to get in was $6 dollars for people 21 and up for  7 days a week.

I really had a fun time in Bug Jar and met some really cool people. I would go again and I would recommend going to Bug Jar as something to do in Rochester. For more information, visit www.bugjar.com

 

Above is the outside of Bug Jar located on 219 Monroe Avenue
Rochester, NY 14607 

                                             Above is the ceiling of the band room in Bug Jar 

Strong National Museum of Play

I wanted to write a blog about different things to see and do while in Rochester. Many people don't know, but Rochester is actually filled with really cool and adventurous things for the old and young at heart. I really love to explore and I have always been interested in taking advantage of the many events in Rochester. It started off about 3 weeks ago when I went to Strong National Museum of play.

In the Strong Museum, I experienced a new side of me. I had the full opportunity to be a kid again. I did get funny looks when my friend and I walked into the doors, but who cares! We were really bored on a Saturday and we wanted to get out and play. We started off by going to the well known Wegmans. Every since I was young I had a dream of being a cashier. I don't really know why but it looked really appealing to me: swiping food across a scanner, interacting with customers and handling cash. However, my parents wouldn't allow me (and I couldn't allow my self) to be a cashier. It's perfectly fine because that day I had the ultimate experience of what that lifestyle would be like.

Next, we went to the toy/ doll collection. In there, we had the experience to look at the different toys and dolls around the world and what made the National Toy Hall of Fame. It was really interesting because we both reminisced on our childhood, telling stories about what our experiences were with each toy. We say the Raggedy Ann doll, the stick, crayons, Mr. Potato Head, etc.

Another thing that was fun in the Strong Museum was interacting with the butterflies in the garden. That was truly a fun experience. Interacting with nature and seeing its' wonders is amazing. Overall, Strong Museum wasn't expensive, it costs $12 to enter and I would definitely recommend anyone in going.

What I learned about this experience in the Strong Museum was that you are never too old to experience fun and play.

Strong Museum is located on One Manhattan Square in Rochester, NY 14607. Open  Mon- Thurs (10am-5pm), Fri & Sat (10am-8pm), and Sun (noon-5pm). For more information, visit www.museumofplay.org

 Above is the butterfly garden at Strong Museum