Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - As construction and development continues in-and-around Downtown Buffalo, especially at Canalside, the folks at Explore and More are ready to reopen doors to the public on Wednesday after a month-long process of maintenance and renovating.
"We are so excited," said Director of Institutional Advancement at Explore and More, JoAnna Jacob. "It's been nice to be able to get all of these renovations done, but it's also been very quiet, so we are opening with a bang. We have activities this coming weekend, as well as the week of Halloween, or leading into Halloween. And we can't wait to see everyone in their festive attire."
According to Jacob, this renovation process at the museum was an expansion of their footprint, essentially building out and expanding capacity rather than building up. While not every project has been completed at this time, Jacob says there is plenty for patrons to see and do with their family.
"When folks join us this Wednesday back in the museum, they can see a brand new celebration room. It's not complete yet, but it will be in the next couple of months. Those that have been here before know our moving water exhibit, we added the room right above that. It's not enclosing the space completely, but offering additional space for children and families," Jacob detailed. "Additionally, we are opening up our Gathering Hall. We do a lot of rentals, a lot of birthday parties, a lot of school groups, and we're essentially expanding the space, where we can accommodate them. And lastly, and very excitingly, we have two new exhibits that will be open to the public."
One of the new exhibits on-hand at the museum come Wednesday is the new Modern Disposal recycling truck in the Building Buffalo area. While that part of the museum is not so much new, it'll look a little different to folks that have been at the museum before.
"If you're familiar, you'll know the building blocks that kids loved to play all over, that is now a recycling truck on a road with recycling information, education, and it's fully interactive," Jacob said. "Kids can learn how to recycle, putting products in the right slot, understanding what goes where. They can even get in the truck and turn on the lights. It's ADA accessible, so we are so excited."
As for other renovation efforts ongoing at the museum, the atrium in the main entrance of the museum is expected to be completed sometime within the next six months. Other than that, Jacob anticipates construction going on behind the scenes for, at least, a year.
"It seems like a long time, but essentially, the visitor experience at the museum is not going to be affected," Jacob said. "We will have the museum wide-open for play, but the changes that will be happening throughout the next year or so will be behind closed doors and, ultimately, the best for the museum."
For those who have not been down to Canalside in a while, construction in-and-around Explore and More has roads and sidewalks blocked off, especially given the Heritage Point project that is starting to take shape. Jacob says the Explore and More website is the place to go to get a sketch of anything visitors may need to know before going downtown.
"We know it's, maybe, an unfamiliar place to some folks, especially with all of the development that's been happening. We do outline on the parking options that are available right nearby," she said. "We are an accessible museum, and inclusive museum, so if we do have guests that need special accommodations, we ask that you give us a call ahead of time to make sure we can best suit your needs. Certainly any patron from Western New York or beyond is welcome to join us, but if there is something special, we're happy to try and work with it."
So what fun and exciting events are in the works for patrons looking to enjoy a day at Explore and More in the coming days?
Family Fun Fall Fest: Saturday, Oct. 21 - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET
"It is only $13, it's the price of our regular admission, so no extra charge," Jacobs said. "There will be face painting, there will be a magic show, there will be candy apple making, 'scream cheese'. We have a lot going on just to make sure that everyone not only comes back to the museum, but also kicks off the fall season."
Haunts and Hops: Tuesday, Oct. 24 - 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET
"We hope that the grown ups here in Western New York will join us just for a happy hour, 4:30 p.m., but we are dressing up the museum in it spookiest, and offering a signature card cocktail as well as bar and appetizers."
Spooktacular Celebration: Oct. 25-29
"That is trick or treating throughout the museum, included in your regular admission price, which is $13. We'll have different spooky activities. It's not going to be scary, but it's going to be fun!"
Tickets for each of these events are available at ExploreAndMore.org, and folks at Explore and More are advising people to get your tickets ahead of time. Jacobs adds there are a limited amount of tickets remaining for "Haunts and Hops" event on the 24th.
In addition, Explore and More has announced its new hours for the winter season:
- Closed: Monday and Tuesday
- Members only: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday - 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. ET
- Open to the public: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday - 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET; Saturday - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET