12 Ways to Play: Family-Friendly Activities to Try This Summer

Did you know that the Genesee Country Village & Museum is the largest living history museum in the state? Here, you and your crew can get up close and personal with the area’s history thanks to costumed interpreters working among nearly 70 historic buildings. The Museum offers opportunities to experience more than 20,000 artifacts, paintings, drawings, and sculptures, visit their working farm and Nature Center with five miles of trails, and explore the gorgeous landscape that first brought settlers to the region. Enjoy a full day with dining options including the Depot Restaurant, Freight House Pub, and Flint Hill Store.

During the summer, America’s favorite pastime comes to LivCo as the Dansville Gliders wooden bat league at Babcock Park in Dansville. Catch a game during their season running from June through August.

It’s easy to spend an entire day at Minnehan’s Fun Center in Lakeville and never even realize where the time has gone. There’s so much fun to be had. Mini golfing, go-karting, arcade games, batting cages, a soft play area for the smallest members of your crew — the list goes on and on. And when you’re hungry, Minnehan’s has your fam covered, with kid-approved bites like pizza, hot dogs, burgers, and ice cream.

Every family loves a movie night, but why not upgrade your movie experience with an old-fashioned trip to the drive-in? At the East Avon Vintage Drive-In, you’ll get your pick from three screens, and double features showing seven nights a week. Grab your favorite movie snacks from the concessions stand and settle in.

Go on a whimsical walk as you follow Fairy Doors of Dansville. This is a fully accessible trail that features tiny folk art depicting fairy-size doors, all along the way. There are more than 30 doors to find in total, within the Dansville business district, plus a few extra lurking in Pioneer Park. Use the free map available at dansvilleartworks.com to hunt down each and every door, then be sure to stop by Dogwood Trading Company or the Dansville Public Library for a surprise, as well as by the human-sized fairy sculpture for photo ops outside 178 Main Street.

Letchworth State Park is a must-visit for any outdoorsy family. While visiting, everyone will appreciate one of the park’s most unique experiences, the Autism Nature Trail. Designed for a range of abilities, the trail covers a one-mile loop with several educational and experiential stations along the way.

Whether you’re just a spectator or want to get in on the action, Limerock Speedway in Caledonia is LivCo’s destination for dirt track racing. The track welcomes cars from anywhere to join, and, through the Tri-County Racing Club, aims to develop racing as a family pastime.

The National Warplane Museum restores, preserves, and displays World War II and Korean War aircraft and hosts an Annual Airshow, with a jaw-dropping display of aerobatics. However, you can also take a ride in one of the museum’s vintage aircraft almost any day during the summer. From May to October, just go to the museum’s website and book a ride in the aircraft of your choice, for a vacation memory your kiddos will be talking about for a long, long time!

Backyard Barnyard in Mount Morris is open on the weekends, June through October, and is a steal of a deal for families looking for budget-friendly activities. The kiddos can pet animals and then check out the other fun on the farm, including axe throwing, climbing walls, and — every kid’s favorite — inflatables.

Does your family love go-karting, but wish it could be even more exciting? The Genesee Valley Kart Club in Avon is a long-running asphalt track that hosts races and racing classes to take your karting experience to the next level. Classes are available for kids as young as five. Just want to watch the high-speed thrills? Entrance is free for spectators.

No matter where in LivCo you’re exploring, no matter what your favorite music genres, you can likely find some live music to enjoy just about any day of the week. Spots around the county hosting family-friendly music in the summertime including little Lake Brewing, the Avon Park Theater, and the Geneseo Riviera Theater. Be sure to check out the Wadsworth Homestead Summer Concert Series, with outdoor concerts held every first and third Thursday throughout the summer, starting in May, or visit Vitale Park in Livonia, the Village of Leicester, or the Town of West Sparta for their weekly concerts in the park.

No matter how you end up spending time with the fam in LivCo, end your day in the perfect way: with an ice cream cone, of course! Favorite spots for frozen treats include Kish-a-wa Creamery in Nunda, Zeppo’s Creekside Creamery in Mount Morris, Twister’s Ice Cream in Livonia, and Moonie’s Two Scoops in Leicester.