Strong National Museum of Play

An enormous, exuberant celebration of play in all its forms — toys, games, puzzles, dolls, video games, pinball machines, and interactive exhibits spread across 285,000 square feet. The museum houses the National Toy Hall of Fame (inducting a handful of classic toys each year — LEGO, Barbie, the cardboard box), the World Video Game Hall of Fame, and the International Center for the History of Electronic Games, which holds one of the most significant collections of gaming hardware and software in the world. There's a full-sized carousel inside, a butterfly garden, and a recreated 1950s street scene. Adults without children sometimes feel self-conscious coming here; they shouldn't.

1 Manhattan Square Drive. Open daily.

things to do museum
A story
The Strong houses the World Video Game Hall of Fame, which inducts games annually. Past inductees include Pong, Pac-Man, Tetris, and Minecraft — but also Dungeons & Dragons and chess, reflecting an expansive view of what counts as a game.