Palmyra is a small town on the Erie Canal with lots of historic charm
Palmyra experienced much of its initial growth in the early 19th century as a waterfront hub on the Erie Canal. Many historic buildings from this era have been preserved, including some pertaining to Joseph Smith, who founded the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while living in Palmyra. The historical significance and vintage charm draw some tourists to the community, along with many full-time residents seeking easy access to waterfront activities like boating and fishing. “There’s actually a public marina right in the village,” says Robert Sloan, a Palmyra resident and Realtor at Howard Hanna Real Estate Services. “A host of people have worked very hard to make the canal pass a vibrant and useful community commodity.”
A mix of older and newer homes, some agricultural properties
Though Palmyra is partially known for its Victorian-era homes, there’s a broad range of housing styles available. “It’s an old canal town that has a lot of the old vintage canal town homes. It’s also agrarian, so there’s lots of little farms out in the country, but then there’s also a lot of farmers who've sold out and had their parcels developed for newer builds,” Sloan says. “All inventory segments are well-represented.” Many of the community’s oldest properties feature Federal-style and Colonial Revival-style architecture, while mid- to late-20th-century builds include ranch-style and bi-level homes. Tree-lined streets throughout the village center are lined with uniformly manicured lawns and wide sidewalks, while more rural properties on the outskirts often offer sprawling full-acre lots. Prices depend on the home’s size and condition, typically ranging from $130,000 to $600,000.
Historic downtown area with museums, shops and cafes
Palmyra’s historic downtown area is marked by several landmarks, like the Grandin Printshop, where the first copies of the Book of Mormon were printed in 1829. There are five total museums throughout the town, mainly including Victorian-era buildings and shops that have been preserved to display a variety of artifacts. Some older homes have been converted into bed-and-breakfast inns for visitors. Other businesses within the downtown district include a flea market, antique store and other boutiques. The Hog & Hen, a small café on Main Street, is a staple for upscale American fare and cocktails. The locally owned Muddy Waters Café is located right on the canal with views of the water from its outdoor patio. There’s a Walmart and a Wegmans less than 10 miles away in Newark.
A diverse array of after-school clubs at local schools
The majority of the community is zoned for Palmyra-Macedon Central School District. Palmyra-Macedon Primary School earns a B-minus and serves students from pre-kindergarten through second grade, while the C-plus-rated Palmyra-Macedon Intermediate School serves students from third through fifth grade. The C-plus-rated Palmyra-Macedon Middle has a Snow Sports Club that takes weekly trips to Bristol Mountain in the winter for skiing and snowboarding. Other extracurriculars include a school musical and a Photography Club. The B-plus-rated Palmyra-Macedon Senior High offers a Robotics Club that competes in regional competitions and a Tech Club that builds small engineering projects. Vocational programs are available through the Wayne Technical and Career Center, including animal science, automotive technology and carpentry.
Fishing and boating on the Erie Canal and other public parks
The Erie Canal is central to Palmyra’s community lifestyle, with boating facilities at the Port of Palmyra Marina. The Palmyra-Macedon Aqueduct Park features lots of fishing spots, picnic tables and scenic walking trails that overlook waterfalls. In the downtown corridor, the Village of Palmyra Park is a central gathering space with a gazebo and several picnic tables, next to four different churches. Outside of town, Swift’s Landing has a playground and pedestrian bridge over Ganargua Creek, and the Palmyra Racing Association hosts off-road motocross events.
The annual Wayne County Fair is held in August
Folks from around the region come to Palmyra for the annual Wayne County Fair every August. The week-long festival features a packed schedule with agricultural competitions, livestock showcases and carnival rides. In September, Palmyra’s Harvest of the Canal festival spans three days with live music, horse-drawn carriages and craft vendors.
Traveling the greater Rochester area on state Route 31
Rochester is less than 25 miles west on state Route 31, also accessible via the Regional Transit Service’s Route 91 bus line. Newark is about 10 miles away, along with the Newark-Wayne Community Hospital, and the Fredrick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport is about 30 miles away.
