Things to do this weekend in and around Rochester
Friendly fun in Rochester, NY for June 19–21, 2026
(Scroll down for full list of weekend activities.)
Friday, June 19, 2026
Kick off your weekend with animal adventures and celebrations all around Rochester! Head out for a wild day on the savanna at Safari Tours At Hidden Valley Animal Adventure!, where kids can ride an open-air safari bus or drive through to meet camels, zebra, bison, and more up close, then visit the Small Animal Adventure to feed friendly barnyard buddies. For a magical evening, bring the family to Mumford for Firefly Fridays at GCV&M and wander the meadow on a guided hike as lightning bugs glow all around you. Baseball fans can cheer on the home team at Rochester Red Wings vs. Toledo Mud Hens June 16-21, 2026, where family-friendly fun, ballpark snacks, and big-league action make for a perfect summer night out. Wrap up the day with a sparkle of science and culture at the RMSC, where active-duty military families can enjoy Free admission to RMSC for active-duty military and their families, or dive into music and lasers under the dome with Laser Beyoncé at RMSC Strasenburgh Planetarium (Matinee) for a dazzling daytime treat.
Saturday, June 20, 2026
Saturday is packed with ways to get outside, explore, and play together. Cruise through history in Pittsford on the water with Lunch and Erie Canal Lock 32 Cruise Aboard Sam Patch - Pittsford, NY, where live narration, a working lock, and optional lunch make this a relaxed family outing. If your kids love boats and big views, step aboard Riverie for the Scenic River and Canal Cruise Aboard Riverie, gliding past the University of Rochester and along the Erie Canal before returning to a stunning skyline. Budding photographers and art lovers will enjoy a quieter afternoon at the George Eastman Museum, taking in the student creativity of Flower City Arts Center: Studio 678 Photo Club 2025/2026 at the George Eastman Museum or exploring the lush beauty of Edward Steichen and the Garden at the George Eastman Museum . To keep things playful and active, register your crew for Kids Bowl Free - Register your kids for a Summer Fun Bowling Pass today!, giving kids two free games a day all summer long at participating centers.
Sunday, June 21, 2026
Close out the weekend with a mix of animals, dinosaurs, and relaxing time together. At Seneca Park Zoo, the Tales of Conservation sculpture exhibit at the Seneca Park Zoo - Summer 2026 turns the zoo grounds into an outdoor storybook, with towering sculptures of animals saved from extinction and plenty of chances to talk about caring for our planet. Dino-loving kids will roar with excitement at Destination Dinosaur at the Buffalo Zoo!, where life-size animatronic dinosaurs move, roar, and lurk along a special trail, complete with a fossil dig pit and daily dino shows. For a laid-back day on the water, you can opt for a different Erie Canal experience with Erie Canal Lock 32 Cruise Aboard Sam Patch, a narrated journey through Lock 32 with beautiful scenery and local history. Art and nature lovers can savor one more cultural stop at the George Eastman Museum with Edward Steichen and the Garden at the George Eastman Museum , soaking in peaceful galleries and garden views before heading home to rest up for the week ahead.