The National Museum of Play
® offers a unique and memorable setting for meetings, receptions, and other special events. Whether you’re planning a business meeting for a dozen, a dinner for 25, or a reception for 250, the museum may have just the right space to meet your needs.
Strong spaces
Discover how the museum’s playful spaces can meet your facility rental needs:
Caterpillar Atrium
Located on the first floor in the heart of the museum’s exhibit galleries, the Caterpillar Atrium is a bright, spacious area ideally suited (during non-public hours) for:
- receptions
- dinner parties
- elegant events
Capacity
- Reception: 200
- Seated event: 150
Activity rooms
Located on the first floor, and at a distance from public spaces, activity rooms A, B, and C/D offer ample, flexible space for:
- off-site staff retreats
- corporate meetings
- dinners
- parties
Activity rooms feature:
- AV equipment for presentation needs
- LCD projectors
- pull-down projection screens
- retractable walls between rooms C and D to accommodate flexibility in set-up and capacity
Capacity for rooms A and B
- Conference: 40 per room
- Reception: 40 per room
- Seated event: 36 per room
- Theater-style: 40 per room
Capacity for rooms C and D
- Conference: 40 per room
- Reception: 60 per room (120 combined)
- Seated event: 48 per room (100 combined)
- Theater-style: 60 per room (120 combined)
Main lobby
This large, welcoming space on the museum’s first floor is available (during non-public hours) for:
- grazing receptions
- cocktail parties
The Main lobby features:
- a convenient location near the museum’s main entrance
- 3 saltwater aquariums to inspire conversation among guests
- an admissions desk which may be used as a guest registration area
Capacity
- Reception: 250
- Seated event: 100
Theater
Located on the first floor right off the main lobby, the theater is an ideal setting for:
- corporate meetings
- lectures
- large presentations
The theater features:
- stage with podium
- AV equipment for presentation needs
- large, comfortable chairs with plenty of foot room
- an admissions desk which may be used as a guest registration area
Capacity
Board room and lounge
Located on the third floor and accessible by both elevator and stairs, the board room and lounge can be used in tandem or separately for:
- presentations
- receptions
- corporate meetings
- off-site staff retreats
- dinners
The board room features:
- AV equipment for presentation needs
- ceiling-mounted LCD projector
- pull-down projection screen
Board room capacity
- Meeting: 24
- Reception: 60 (100 when combined with lounge)
- Seated event: 48 (72 when combined with lounge)
- Theater-style: 50
Lounge capacity
- Reception: 60 (100 when combined with board room)
- Seated event: 60 (72 when combined with board room)
- Theater-style: 50
Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden
A visit to the lush, indoor butterfly garden on the museum’s first floor can be added to a reception or special event (during non-public hours). Call 585-410-6332 for details.
Entire museum
Planning a larger event? The entire museum includes two floors of exhibit spaces for your guests to enjoy. Hosts will be available to assist with the exhibit experience. Call 585-410-6332 for details.
Corporate Partner benefits
Corporate Partner members may qualify for waived or discounted rental fees. For more information about the Corporate Partners program, please contact Audrey Blocchi at ablocchi@thestrong.org or 585-410-6346.
Catering
The museum’s preferred catering partner of more than 20 years is Tasteful Connections.
Additional information
For information on how the museum can serve your event needs, please fill out the Facility Rentals Inquiry Form. Additional questions may be directed to Debie Himmelsbach at dhimmelsbach@thestrong.org or 585-410-6332.
The museum is not available for commercial, political, or religious events, or fundraising events by other not-for-profit organizations.
