Martin's Fantasy Island is a family-friendly amusement park with more than 100 rides in Grand Island, New York. The park features areas for visitors of all ages, including a kiddie land with attractions designed for small children, a Ferris wheel and a carousel. It also offers thrill rides for older patrons, such as two roller coasters and a sizzler. Children will also enjoy the park's petting zoo, puppet shows, Fairy Tale Theater and miniature golf course. Martin's Fantasy Island is home to a water park area as well, with water slides, a wave pool and a children's wading pool. Guests can also paddle canoes on the park's lake.
Martin's Fantasy Island
2400 Grand Island Blvd.
Grand Island, NY 14072
716-773-7591
martinsfantasyisland.com
The New York State Museum in Albany, New York, is a complimentary attraction that appeals to tots and teens alike. The museum features permanent exhibits on the state's history, as well as quite a few traveling exhibitions throughout the year. One item that is popular with children is the full-sized carousel that visitors can take a spin on for free. The Cohoes Mastodon, displayed in the museum year-round, is a fully restored mastodon skeleton found near Cohoes Falls on the Mohawk River. Fire Engine Hall is a gallery of fire apparatus from the eighteenth through the twentieth century. "The World Trade Center: Rescue, Recovery, Response," which is best reserved for older children, outlines the history of the World Trade Center, through the September 11, 2001 attacks.
New York State Museum
222 Madison Ave.
Albany, NY 12230
518-474-5843
nysm.nysed.gov
The Strong National Museum of Play offers hands-on exhibits that encourage kids to learn while having fun. Guests can take a walk down Sesame Street, a replica of the famed TV show's set that features activities exploring letters, words, numbers and diversity issues. "The Berenstain Bears: Down a Sunny Dirt Road" allows children to explore and interact with businesses and residents of Bear Country. Super Kids Market lets kids take charge of grocery shopping, filling their carts with realistic products and scanning them at working checkout registers. Visitors can become superheroes in American Comic Book Heroes as they make their way through each challenging course in Super Powers School. The museum also contains the National Toy Hall of Fame and the International Center for the History of Electronic Games.
Strong National Museum of Play
1 Manhattan Square
Rochester, NY 14607
585-263-2700
museumofplay.org
