Things to do this weekend in and around Rochester
Friendly fun in Rochester for August 7–9, 2026
(Scroll down for full list of weekend activities.)
Friday, August 7, 2026
Kick off your family weekend with animal adventures and hands-on creativity all around Rochester! Little explorers will love the up-close encounters on the Safari Tours At Hidden Valley Animal Adventure!, where you can ride through 63 acres to feed camels, zebras, llamas, bison, and more, then visit the Small Animal Adventure for gentle petting and feeding time. Budding artists and photographers can be inspired at the George Eastman Museum with Edward Steichen and the Garden at the George Eastman Museum, a beautiful look at how art and gardening intertwine, or explore history and inclusion through imagery at Picturing Equality: The Lambda Network at Kodak at the George Eastman Museum. If your crew is ready for a relaxing outing on the water, step aboard for the narrated Erie Canal Lock 32 Cruise Aboard Sam Patch, gliding through a working lock and learning the canal’s fascinating history. And for a dose of science fun that also honors service members, active-duty military families can enjoy Free admission to RMSC for active-duty military and their families, making Friday a perfect day to mix learning with play.
Saturday, August 8, 2026
Saturday is packed with ways to keep kids curious and parents smiling. History comes alive at General Admission to GCV&M's 2026 Season, where your family can wander through a 19th-century village, peek into historic homes and shops, and chat with costumed interpreters about life in the 1800s. Animal lovers can continue the adventure at the zoo with the larger-than-life Tales of Conservation sculpture exhibit at the Seneca Park Zoo - Summer 2026, a trail of towering animal sculptures that tell real stories of species saved from extinction. Dinosaur fans, meanwhile, can head west to meet roaring, moving giants at Destination Dinosaur at the Buffalo Zoo!, complete with animatronic dinos, a fossil dig pit, and daily educational shows. If your family prefers a peaceful cruise, the Scenic River and Canal Cruise Aboard Riverie offers narrated views along the Genesee River and Erie Canal, finishing with a gorgeous skyline scene. And for a bit of cool, grown-up humor after a busy day with the kids, you can reserve your evening for URINETOWN, THE MUSICAL at Blackfriars Theatre, a witty, Tony-Award-winning show that’s perfect for parents’ night out.
Sunday, August 9, 2026
Round out the weekend with laid-back fun and a few special treats. Start with a gentle stroll through the Penfield Public Library’s summer celebration of stories by checking out "Unearth a Story" Summer Reading, where kids and teens can discover new books, special events, and prizes that keep reading exciting even on vacation. Art-loving families can then pop over to Image City Photography Gallery for Fur, Feathers, and Fins - exhibit at Image City through Aug 9, featuring animal-themed photos from more than 70 photographers—great inspiration for young shutterbugs. If you missed your canal cruise earlier in the weekend, there’s still time to climb aboard Sam Patch for the Lunch and Erie Canal Lock 32 Cruise Aboard Sam Patch - Pittsford, NY, combining local history, river views, and an optional lunch for a relaxing family outing. And if your idea of Sunday perfection is a little poolside pampering without leaving town, you can treat your household to a mini “staycation” with the ResortPass Experience, booking day access at participating hotel pools and spas in the area to splash, lounge, and recharge together before the new week begins.