Monroe County Executive Adam Bello opens expanded Strong Museum of Play area at Rochester airport

Monroe County, New York – Monroe County Executive Adam Bello and Strong Museum of Play President and CEO Steve Dubnik have officially opened an expanded play area at the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport, giving families and travelers a new place to explore while waiting for their flights.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the completion of the expanded Strong Museum of Play space in Concourse A. The updated area now covers more than 1,000 square feet and combines hands-on exhibits, digital games and displays connected to both aviation and the museum’s well-known collection of toys and games.

The expansion is designed to offer more than a place for children to pass the time. County officials and museum leaders say it also gives visitors an introduction to Rochester and one of the region’s best-known attractions before they even leave the airport.

“The Strong Museum of Play is a local treasure and a globally recognized must-see for tourists and visitors to our area,” said County Executive Bello. “The expanded exhibit in Concourse A, along with the existing Strong Museum area in Concourse B, is the perfect way to both welcome travelers and visitors to our community and to give families something to enjoy while waiting for a flight. Thank you to Steve Dubnik and the Strong Museum for this investment in ROC. It’s one reason the USA Today Readers’ Choice poll voted ROC a top ten small airport nationally for three consecutive years.”

The new space includes several improvements intended to make the experience more interactive and visually engaging. Among them are new glass barriers, flight-themed decorations, additional cases displaying artifacts, photo opportunities and updated seating.

A major attraction for visitors will be a larger-than-life sculpture of Mr. Potato Head. The familiar toy character is shown arriving at the airport with a suitcase and spare parts, creating a playful photo opportunity for travelers and their families.

Strong Museum President and CEO Steve Dubnik said the expanded space provides travelers with a chance to discover Rochester through play while highlighting the museum’s broader appeal.

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“This expanded play space offers travelers a fun and welcoming introduction to Rochester while showcasing what makes The Strong National Museum of Play an international tourist destination,” said Strong president and CEO Steve Dubnik. “We’re grateful to Monroe County and the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport for helping bring more play to families and travelers passing through Concourse A.”

Two new digital experiences are among the most prominent additions. One is called Paper Race, an interactive game that allows players to compete against another person or try to beat the clock. The game uses a paper airplane-themed controller and a large display.

The second attraction, SkyCrafter, gives players an opportunity to design their own virtual flyer. Participants can choose colors, patterns, stickers and aerial tricks before sending their creation into a large overhead airspace measuring 16 feet by 7 feet.

The expanded area also includes a large toy dump truck, toy trivia and memory games, as well as a floor game inspired by Twister. The flight theme continues through two new display cases featuring toys associated with aviation, including the familiar paper airplane.

The new Concourse A space is not the airport’s only connection to The Strong Museum of Play. A separate Strong Museum area remains in Concourse B, where travelers can find classic arcade games, a table tennis console game, an information kiosk and cases featuring artifacts from iconic games.

Together, the two airport installations extend the museum’s presence beyond its main Rochester location and bring its focus on play directly into the travel experience. For families with time to spare before boarding, the expanded Concourse A area provides another way to stay entertained.

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For Rochester, the project also serves a broader purpose. By placing interactive exhibits inside the airport, Monroe County and The Strong Museum are offering arriving passengers an immediate glimpse of a major local attraction. At the same time, departing travelers have another family-friendly activity available before their flights.

The expanded play area adds a distinctly Rochester touch to the airport while making the waiting experience more enjoyable for children and adults alike.