Things to Do While Your Kids Enjoy Afterschool Classes at Great Lakes Gaming
Things to Do While Your Kids Enjoy Afterschool Classes at Great Lakes Gaming
At Great Lakes Gaming, we know how busy afternoons can be for parents. Between school pickups, activities, and planning dinner, your schedule doesn’t always leave much breathing room. That’s why we want to make things easier: while your kids are learning, creating, and gaming in our afterschool classes, you don’t have to just wait around.
Our lounge is located on the 22nd floor of Innovation Square, right in the heart of downtown Rochester. That means you’re surrounded by some of the city’s best spots to grab a bite, get work done, or just enjoy an hour or two to yourself. Rochester has grown so much in the last few years—just like us—and there are more options than ever to fill your afternoon.
Here are a few ideas:
1. Grab a Coffee and Recharge
Farmhouse Table Midtown 7AM-2PM / 7AM-8PM - Attached to the tower, a farm-to-table café in downtown Rochester serving breakfast, lunch with craft coffee, local eats, and an evening beer & wine bar vibe.
Ugly Duck Coffee 7am-5pm – A modern favorite just a short walk away, perfect for a high-quality latte and quiet work time.
Java’s Cafe 7am-11pm – A Rochester classic hip and bustling coffee haunt, serving locally roasted coffee, organic teas, pastries, soups and sandwiches. A great place to read a book!
2. Get Some Work Done
Bring your laptop and settle into nearby spots with great Wi-Fi:
Fuego Coffee Roasters 7am-5pm – A cozy spot with plenty of table space to plug in and knock out emails.
Rochester Public Library (Central Library) 9am-7pm – Only a few minutes away, the library offers quiet spaces and resources if you need a focused environment.
3. Treat Yourself to Food and Drinks
If you’d rather unwind than work, downtown has no shortage of great restaurants and bars:
Bar Bantam 10am-9pm - An all-day eatery and cocktail bar in downtown Rochester, located in The Metropolitan building, offering lunch, dinner, seasonal menus, and late-night drinks in a stylish, modern setting.
Unwine’d 3-9pm – an Interactive wine bar in the Midtown district, offering over 40 rotating self-pour wine varieties in a modern, welcoming space ideal for relaxing with friends or enjoying unique events.
Native Eatery & Bar 11am-9pm– Fresh, modern dishes in a sleek setting.
Tapas 177 4:30pm-2am – A Rochester staple if you want a small plate and cocktail vibe.
4. Explore
Use the time to explore Rochester’s downtown scene:
The YMCA at Innovation Square 5:30am-8:00pm - Hit the gym while your kids exercise their brain and build on their
RIT City Art Space – A Public downtown Rochester gallery run by RIT’s College of Art and Design, showcasing the creative work of students, faculty, alumni, and visiting artists through year-round exhibitions, events, and hands-on learning in its vibrant “Neighborhood of Play” location.
5. Simply Enjoy the View
Sometimes the best thing to do is stay right here. Our 22nd floor lounge has some of the best views of the city—bring a book, relax in our café area, and soak in the skyline while your kids are in class.
At Great Lakes Gaming, we believe afterschool time should be enjoyable for both kids and parents. While your children are having fun learning game design, coding, art, or competing in esports, you can use the opportunity to discover all the exciting new things happening in Rochester.
So next time you drop your kids off, don’t think of it as waiting time—think of it as your time.
