Did You Know the World Video Game Hall of Fame is Located in New York?

This Saturday, July 8th, was National Video Game Day (not to be mistaken with National Video Games Day, which is September 12th). With people sharing their video games on social media over the weekend, I discovered something: the World Video Game Hall of Fame is located in New York State!

Did You Know the World Video Game Hall of Fame is Located in New York?

If this doesn't sound like the perfect summer road trip, I don't know what does. Generations have been raised on video games, whether you started with Pac Man and Galaga or with The Last of Us and Call of Duty. Whether you play on Play Station, XBox, Nintendo, or PC, you are absolutely a gamer. Whether you are building blocks in Minecraft or breaking blocks with Mario, there is much to celebrate. Taking a trip to the World Video Game Hall of Fame is a great trip for the family or with your group of friends.

The World Video Game Hall of Fame recognizes electronic games of all types that have enjoyed popularity over a sustained period and have exerted influence on the video game industry or on popular culture and society in general. Two of this year's inductees are Wii Sports and The Last of Us.

You Can Explore the History of Video Games

The World Video Game Hall of Fame is located at The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York. There, you can discover the historical and cultural significance of video games and other electronic games through online exhibits produced by The Strong’s International Center for the History of Electronic Games. Explore the history of video games, understand how the industry began and evolved, and discover the impact that electronic games have had on how people play, learn, and connect with each other.

The Strong National Museum of Play

The Strong National Museum of Play is a highly interactive, collections-based museum devoted to the history and exploration of play. The Strong is a place to rediscover old memories and make new ones with a trip the family will remember for a lifetime.

The World Video Game Hall of Fame is not the only great exhibit there. The Strong also houses the Toy Hall of Fame, a Butterfly Garden, The Sky Climb, and a Carousel and Train.

The Strong National Museum of Play held a grand opening for its expansion on Friday, June 30th. The Strong’s expansion is the driving force behind the Neighborhood of Play—a new, vibrant, walkable neighborhood, revitalizing the downtown area that surrounds The Strong. With The Strong as its centerpiece, the new neighborhood will generate $130 million in annual tourism revenue for Rochester and includes:

• The Strong National Museum of Play’s pre-existing 285,000 sq. ft. of exhibits and educational, play-based experiences—plus a new 90,000 sq. ft. expansion housing innovative exhibits and experiences, including the World Video Game Hall of Fame
• A national, family-friendly hotel operated by Indus Hospitality Group
• Market-rent housing and a mix of retail businesses operated by Konar Properties
• A colorful parking garage with ample covered spaces for visitors.

To fund this transformational project, The Strong launched Powered by Play: A Campaign for The Strong in 2018. The campaign, which will conclude at the end of 2023, has raised more than $72 million to build a bigger and better museum, preserve the history of play, promote the educational power of play, and bring joy to millions of children and families.