If you’re a gamer, or just a nostalgic millennial, you’ve likely been all over the news of the world’s largest, playable Donkey Kong arcade game arriving at Rochester’s Strong National Museum of Play, but this ultimate gaming and play haven is now offering even more fun!
That’s because the museum has officially unveiled its highly anticipated 90,000-square-foot-expansion–and the larger than life Donkey Kong game (which stands nearly 20-feet tall and is 370% bigger than the arcade game’s original version) isn’t even half of it.
The new expansion includes one-of-a-kind exhibits dedicated to electronic games, a World Video Game Hall of Fame, a larger-than-life board game themed outdoor park, and more! Highlights include:
- ESL Digital Worlds – a 24,000-square-foot exhibit dedicated to the history and artistry of electronic games
- Hasbro Game Place – a 17,000-square-foot exhibit featuring larger-than-life landscapes inspired by classic Hasbro board games, including an 18-foot fire breathing dragon from Dungeons & Dragons, giant Scrabble tiles, Candy Land’s Forrest of Candy Canes, and more
- Hasbro Game Park – a 1,000-square-foot interactive indoor exhibit celebrating gameplay and the social impact of board games
In addition to the new exhibits, The Strong’s expansion also features a welcome atrium and gift shop, so you can take a piece of the fun home with you.
The museum is the only collections-based museum in the world devoted solely to play, blending the best of history museums and children’s museums to explore the ways in which play encourages learning, creativity, and discovery.
With the newly opened exhibits, the museum expects to welcome nearly one million visitors by 2026.
“We are thrilled to commemorate the successful grand opening of The Strong’s new expansion,” said Steve Dubnik, president & CEO of The Strong. “With the introduction of our interactive exhibits and unique experiences…we hope to continue to inspire and educate through the rich tapestry of play’s history and exploration.”
The museum is located at 1 Manhattan Square Drive in Rochester–just under a 6 hour drive from NYC. It’s open open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and until 8 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
Learn more on their website here.