Butterflies

One of the great natural history museums in the US and a full day if you let it be. The Morian Hall of Paleontology mounts its dinosaur skeletons mid-action rather than standing still, which changes how kids react to them. The Cockrell Butterfly Center is a three-story glass rainforest where butterflies land on you. Add the Burke Baker Planetarium, a giant-screen theater, a gems and minerals hall that genuinely dazzles, and an Egypt hall with real mummies. Several attractions are ticketed on top of general admission, so plan which ones you actually want.

The best indoor family destination in upstate New York, full stop, and worth a drive from anywhere in the state. It is enormous: a walk-through Sesame Street set, a full arcade with classic cabinets, a butterfly garden, a working carousel, a Berenstain Bears house and the National Toy Hall of Fame. The 2023 expansion added a whole neighbourhood of new play worlds and an indoor skyline bridge. Older kids and teens stay engaged through the video game history halls while toddlers have their own zones. Budget a full day and expect to still miss things.