Five days of hands-on STEAM fun, interactive demonstrations, and winter break adventures for families in Central New York

SYRACUSE, New York – (February 11, 2026) – Fun is in full swing at WonderWorks Destiny as the team gears up for their annual Science Week event, from February 16-20, 2026. Winter break is right around the corner for CNY schools, making it a great time for families and locals to check out WonderWorks and all it has to offer. The upside-down house helps keep the fun and learning going all throughout winter break and beyond. From interactive science demonstrations to a 50% off ropes course ticket deal on select days, WonderWorks has everything you need to make the most out of a Syracuse stay-cation.

“Take your family’s February break to the next level with a visit to WonderWorks!” said Jon Cascella, general manager at WonderWorks Destiny. “Our entire team looks forward to this special week every year, and we’re ready to have a blast with guests at both our regular attractions and our exciting science sessions throughout the week.”

Guests will not want to miss all the fun offered during Science Week. Young explorers can unleash their inner scientist with five exciting days of interactive STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) sessions, demonstrations and activities. This annual event offers students and families the opportunity to engage their mind and spark creativity during the school break, in a fun affordable way.

The schedule of events for the week includes:

• Meteorology Monday on February 16, 2026 – Get blown away on Meteorology Monday from 1 pm to 3 pm to kick off Science Week. This day will be dedicated to learning more about wintery weather facts, trying DIY weather experiments, exploring natural phenomena and more.
• Egg Drop on February 17, 2026 – Watch out below! Take part in WonderWorks’ annual Egg Drop Contest from noon until 2 pm to see if you’ve got what it takes. Participants will put their engineering skills to the test and attempt to prevent their egg from breaking as it hits the ground. Supplies will be provided and participation is free.
• Destiny USA’s Winter Break Bash on February 18, 2026 – Swing by the WonderWorks table at Destiny USA’s Winter Break Bash, taking place from noon until 2 pm in the Canyon area of the mall (right below the Canyon Climb Ropes Course). The WonderWorks team will be helping attendees create dancing art through an electrifying science experiment, handing out Professor Wonder activity sheets, giving away special coupon offers, and more. This is a free event hosted by the mall and will feature lots more fun activities from other stores.
• Color Me Curious on February 19, 2026 – The Science Week fun heads back inside WonderWorks on Thursday from 1 pm to 3 pm. With a stroke of genius, put the “A” back in STEAM! Guests can try their hand at creating pop art, watch a mesmerizing, colorful elephant toothpaste explosion, and more on this creative, hands-on day.
• Animal Wonders with Rosamond Gifford Zoo on Feb 20, 2026 – Science Week will conclude with a special guest session from 1 pm to 3 pm that participants will not want to miss! Guaranteed to get guests up close and personal with animal biofacts, this event will examine animal tracks, pelts, skulls, teeth, and more. This session is held in partnership with Rosamond Gifford Zoo.

Monday, Thursday, and Friday’s Science Week sessions begin at 1 pm and cost only $5 to participate in, while Tuesday and Wednesday’s sessions begin at 12 pm and are free for all. WonderWorks Destiny Annual Passholders can experience all five sessions for free as a perk of their pass. Guests can pre-register to reserve their spot online: https://www.wonderworksonline.com/destiny/science-week/.

“It may be cold outside, but it’s always warm in the mall! Winter is one of the best times to experience WonderWorks, with special events like Science Week, great ways to save on tickets, and more,” said Jon Cascella, general manager at WonderWorks Destiny.

Mark the family calendars now for your next WonderWorks visit! With winter being one of the best times to visit the upside-down house, locals and visitors alike will want to check out the best indoor amusement park in Central New York. The indoor attraction provides a place to stay warm, stay active, and explore.

Be sure to take full advantage of the exclusive Wonder Wednesdays deal, running through the end of February 2026. Wonder Wednesdays provides guests with the opportunity to score 50% off tickets to the Canyon Climb Ropes Course at the door, every Wednesday through February 25, 2026. Guests will not want to miss this chance to check out the Canyon Climb at a great rate The Canyon Climb ropes course is the world’s largest suspended indoor ropes course, standing 70 feet tall. Climbers will get to explore three levels of ropes as they take on over 81 different obstacles. Closed-toed shoes and proper dress is required to go on the ropes course, and there are height and weight restrictions in place. To get more information, visit the site online: https://www.wonderworksonline.com/destiny/the-experience/canyon-climb/.

WonderWorks Destiny offers a variety of educational programs and promotions throughout the year for local students and families to enjoy. They provide group rates, birthday parties, homeschool days, corporate event packages, and an annual pass. They have over 100 interactive exhibits covering topics such as extreme weather, space exploration, light and sound, and more. The upside-down laboratory is also home to a thrilling laser tag arena, an imagination lab, a youth art gallery, and a physical challenge zone, including the 4D XD Motion Theater, the Astronaut Training Challenge, and more. For more information and current hours of operation, visit the site at: https://www.wonderworksonline.com/destiny.

About WonderWorks

WonderWorks, a science-focused indoor amusement park, combines education and entertainment into one venue. With over 100 hands-on exhibits, there is something unique and challenging for all ages. Feel the power of 71 mph hurricane-force winds in the Hurricane Shack. Make life-sized bubbles in the Bubble Lab. Get the NASA treatment and experience zero gravity in the Astronaut Training Gyro. Nail it by lying on the death-defying Bed of Nails. WonderWorks is in Orlando, Pigeon Forge, Panama City Beach, Myrtle Beach, Syracuse, and Branson. For more information, visit WonderWorksDestiny.com, and follow @WonderWorksDestiny on Facebook, @WonderWorksDUSA on X (Twitter), @WonderWorks_dusa on Instagram, and @WonderWorksOfficial on TikTok.

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Destiny USA is a new 2.4 million square foot destination that includes Carousel Center, a dominant super regional shopping center already attracting 20 million annual visits.

The brand new expansion will mix all types of retail including; luxury outlet tenants, restaurants and entertainment. A stunning three-story glass atrium will provide perfect weather year round. This exciting destination is designed to attract tourists, Canadians, destination shoppers and extend the draw of regional visitors well beyond a typical trade area. This is a great opportunity to be a part of a unique LEED® Gold Certified green project. Oxford Economics has projected an annual visitation of over 29 million.

The post Destiny USA appeared first on Good News!.

FINGER LAKES 

TPA CONTACT: Monroe County

Claire Wysokowski

Office: 585-279-8325

11:30am
Tour Rochester Museum and Science Center
657 East Ave,
Rochester, NY 14607
P: 585-271-4320
www.rmsc.org

The Rochester Museum and Science Center, or RMSC, is a museum in Rochester, New York that features many hands-on exhibits, planetarium shows, and more.

12:30pm – 1:45pm

Wegmans Super Store

3195 Monroe Avenue

Pittsford, N.Y. 14534

www.wegmans.com

Rochester-based, Wegmans Food Market has more than 70 stores in NY, NJ, PA, MD, OH, VA & soon MA.  Wegmans is the #1 tourist attraction in the area.  It’s a must see.  It won the first-ever Food Channel award for the grocery store that most changed the way we shop and has been named to Forbes Top 10 Places to Work for more than 10 years.

2:00pm-2:45pm

Tour Strong – National Museum of Play

1 Manhattan Square,

Rochester, NY 14607

P: 585-263-2700

www.museumofplay.org

2^nd largest museum for children in the country.  Largest collection of toys, dolls and play-related objects in the world; also home to National Toy Hall of Fame

3:00pm – 4:00pm

Tour George Eastman House

900 East Ave,

Rochester, NY 14607

P: 585-271-3361

www.eastmanhouse.org

The George Eastman House is the world’s oldest museum dedicated to photography and one of the world’s oldest film archives, opened to the public in 1949.

4:15pm – 5:00pm

Tasting and Tour at Casa Larga Vineyards

2287 Turk Hill Rd.

Fairport, NY 14450

P: 585-223-4210

www.casalarga.com

Contact: Andrea O’Neill

Casa Larga Vineyards is one of New York’s premier wine producers, highly regarded for its production of award-winning, world-class Ice Wines.

5:15 pm

Check into Woodcliff Hotel and Spa for overnight

199 Woodcliff Dr,

Fairport, NY 14450

P: 585-381-4000

www.woodcliffhotelspa.com

Located atop wooded hills in Fairport, just off I-90, Woodcliff Hotel and Spa is only 20 minutes from downtown Rochester, and offers spectacular views of the Rochester Skyline, Rochester Bristol Hills and Finger Lakes region.

6:30 pm

Pick up for Dinner at Black & Blue Steak and Crab

3349 Monroe Ave,

Rochester, NY 14618
(585) 421-8111

blackandbluesteakandcrab.com/

A “new” style of American steakhouse, a twist on the old classic. It’s not just about our great steaks at b&b, something we obsess about. What also sets us apart is our family owned fish & seafood company in St Petersburg Fla, where we are able to hand pick and ship the freshest gulf seafood available.  It touches no purveyors, and no middle-men on the way to you; from the boat to black & blue.

Friday, Feb. 28

8:30am-9:00am

Breakfast at Woodcliff and depart for Ontario County

Arrive 9:45am: Ontario (Pick up at Woodcliff Hotel and Spa)

www.bristolmountain.com

TPA CONTACT: Ontario County

Valerie Knoblauch

Email: valerie@visitfingerlakes.com

10:00am – 1:00pm

Lessons and skiing at Bristol Mountain

5662 New York 64,

Canandaigua, NY 14424

P: 585-374-6000

www.bristolmountain.com

Bristol Mountain is the premier resort located in the Western Finger Lakes Region of Upstate New York. The resort sits on a base elevation of 1000 feet.

1:00pm

Lunch and Winetasting in the Naples Area

Naples, NY

Back to Downtown Canandaigua

www.BrewandBrats.com

5:15pm

Check-in to the Inn on the Lake (to be confirmed)

770 S. Main St,

Canandaigua, NY 14424

P: 585-394-7800

www.theinnonthelake.com

The Inn on the Lake Resort & Conference Center has distinguished itself as a unique year-round getaway for business events and personal relaxation.

6:30pm

Dinner and Winetasting at the New York Wine and Culinary Center

800 S Main St,

Canandaigua, NY 14424

P: 585-394-7070

www.nywcc.com

Our mission at The New York Wine & Culinary Center is to educate, engage and excite our visitors by celebrating and showcasing New York’s finest in wine.

nywcc.com

8:00pm

Check into Hotel for the night

Saturday, March 1

8:00am – 8:30am

www.theinnonthelake.com

Breakfast at Inn on the Lake and depart for Cortland County

Arrive 10:30am: Cortland County (meet Jim)

TPA CONTACT: Cortland County

Jim Dempsey

Phone: 607-753-8463

Email: jim@experiencecortland.com

10:30am – 3:30pm

Tour and Ski at Greek Peak Mountain Resort (Lunch at the Resort)

2000 New York 392,

Cortland, NY 13045

P: 800-955-2754

Greek Peak Mountain Resort is a ski resort, with a vertical drop of 952 feet, located near Cortland, New York. Greek Peak offers day and night skiing 7 days a week from late December until mid March.

 www.greekpeakmtnresort.com

4:00 – 5:00pm

Tour Toggenburg Mountain – Pass to Onondaga County

1135 Toggenburg Rd,

Fabius, NY 13063

P: 315-683-5842

Toggenburg Mountain Winter Sports Center is family owned and operated. Located on Toggenburg Road just off NY Rt. 80, it is one mile east of the Village of Fabius. Toggenburg has 21 trails, including two terrain parks, serviced by five lifts. Check this Web site for our many services, such as equipment rentals and childcare. The Foggy Goggle Restaurant and Sports Bar is acclaimed as one of Central New York’s finest eateries!

www.skitog.com

TPA CONTACT: Onondaga County

Nikita Jankowski

Phone: 315-470-1903

NJankowski@visitsyracuse.org

5:30pm – 8:00pm

Dinner and shopping in Armory Square

5:30-6:30pm

Shopping

Armory Square of Downtown Syracuse,

241 W Fayette St,

Syracuse, NY 13202

http://www.armorysquareofsyracuse.com/

6:30pm – 8:00pm

Empire Brewing Company

120 Walton St.

Syracuse, NY 13202

P: 315-475-2337

empirebrew.com

Empire Brewing is an award-winning brewer of handcrafted ales and lagers. They provide customers with the finest all-natural ingredients available by utilizing fresh locally sourced products from over sixty Central New York farmers. Empire Brewing’s motto is “Eat Where You Live” and their menu consists of food from within 200 miles. Craft brewery on sight.

8:30pm

Jefferson Clinton Hotel at Armory Square

Sunday, March 2

8:30am – 9:00am

Breakfast at Hotel

9:00 – 10:30

Tour Village of Skaneateles

Skaneateles, NY

www.villageofskaneateles.com

Located on the north shore of pristine Skaneateles Lake, one of Central New York’s long, narrow and deep glacier-formed Finger Lakes, Skaneateles is a scenic village with quaint tree-lined streets and 19^th Century homes reminiscent of a Norman Rockwell painting.  The magnificent scenery provides an unparalleled setting for peaceful strolls through the charming village to visit the area’s restaurants, antique shops, boutiques, art galleries and parks.

www.syracuse.ny.us/parks/clintonsquareevents.html

11:00am – 12:00pm

Ice Skating in Clinton Square

12:15am – 3:30pm

Tour and Shop at Destiny USA

9090 Destiny USA Dr.

Syracuse, NY

www.destinyusa.com

LUNCH AT DESTINY

Destiny USA is a 2.4 million square foot tourist destination in Syracuse, NY that includes a strong mix of luxury outlet tenants, restaurants and entertainment.  New brands continue to open to create a unique and dynamic consumer shopping experience. A stunning three-story glass atrium provides perfect weather year round.  Oxford Economics has projected an annual visitation rate of over 29 million visitors from throughout the U.S. and Canada.  Destiny USA is expected to be the second most visited shopping center in the country, according to Travel and Leisure magazine. It is the largest LEED^® Gold certified retail commercial building in the world.

4:00pm

Arrive at Syracuse Hancock International Airport

1000 Col Eileen Collins Blvd,

Syracuse, NY 13212

FLIGHT:

Delta Airlines Flight # 3813

Departure SYR 5:28pm

Arrive LGA 6:50pm

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