Phelps is a piece of preserved small-town living outside Rochester
From its quaint Main Street, lined with locally owned restaurants and an old-fashioned pharmacy, to its rustic residential properties on multiple acres, Phelps offers a life at a slower pace than Rochester, the city that anchors this region. Residents have an assortment of amenities close to home, in a location that still affords them access to what the rest of the Rochester metro has to offer. “It’s close to everything,” says local Realtor Tamarah DeWolf, who’s with Empire Realty Group and has lived in the region for about 40 years. “It’s close to several different lakes and the Canandaigua area. Right there in Phelps there’s a brewery, there’s a winery, there’s a distillery. It’s a small town, but there’s several little restaurants to get food.”
Established inventory offers a plethora of options
Phelps encompasses a village by the same name, at the center of this community, and that’s where some of the area’s oldest houses are concentrated. Some of the colonial-style homes in the village date back to the mid-1800s, and lots here typically start around one-fifth of an acre. Homebuyers have the opportunity to find lots over an acre as Phelps expands outward from the heart of the village. Some of the homes on those lots were built within the last 10 years, too, including ranch-style options. Single-family houses around this area in need of work can go for $70,000 to $80,000, while those in better condition fetch $150,000 to $430,000. Manufactured homes sell for anywhere from $40,000 to $180,000.
Schools allow students to get involved outside the classroom early
The Phelps-Clifton Springs Central School District, also known as Midlakes schools, gets a C rating from Niche. Midlakes Elementary carries a C-minus and offers its own intramural sports teams and student council. The C-plus-rated Midlakes Middle/High School has a theatre club that produces a fall play and a spring musical each year.
Surrounding communities feature medical care, air travel
Locals can use New York state Route 96 to head into the neighboring community of Clifton Springs, 4 miles away. “If you live in Phelps you probably go to Clifton Springs a lot, or if you live in Clifton Springs you probably go to Phelps a lot,” DeWolf says. The Clifton Springs Hospital & Clinic is the closest medical center and has an emergency department. People traveling farther out of town can head northwest to Rochester, and its Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport, just over 40 miles away. The airport has direct flights to over 20 cities.
Dining scene features drinks, pizza and sweets
Main Street is the hub of the area’s dining scene, where it runs through the center of the village. This stretch is lined with brick, Italianate-style buildings and businesses, such as The Pizza Coop, where the hot honey pizza is a hit. Otis & Lisa's Pizza has an arcade inside. Smokin' Tails Distillery, around the corner, specializes in moonshine and has a tasting room. The Crafty Ales & Lagers brewery hosts live music on Wednesdays. Waterside Wine Bar, by Flint Creek Falls, offers both wine and beer, as well as a food menu.
The village is also home to houses of worship like St. Francis Church, which was built in 1931. Grocery shopping is available in Clifton Springs, where there’s a Tops Friendly Markets location. The Finger Lakes Premium Outlets in Waterloo, 8 miles away, is a spot for more shopping. The mall has stores from Banana Republic to Yankee Candle.
Outdoor enthusiasts have their pick of lakes
Phelps is part of the Finger Lakes region. The Finger Lakes are a series of 11 slenderly shaped bodies of water. Canandaigua Lake is one of the closest, about 17 miles away. The Canandaigua City Pier is a place to fish, and the adjacent Kershaw Park offers direct swimming access. Seneca Lake is also just outside Phelps, and Sampson State Park has an over 3-mile trail by its shore. Closer to home, Phelps residents have spots like Crooked Bridge Park, which provides access to Flint Creek. Redfield Park features a playground and a baseball field. The Phelps Community Center is an option for indoor recreation for a fee, with a gymnasium and a fitness center inside.
Annual bash celebrates Phelps’ agricultural heritage
At one time, Phelps was the largest producer of sauerkraut in the world. That history is recognized every year with Phelps Sauerkraut Weekend, held around late July and early August. The four-day festivity includes carnival rides, live music, a parade, and 5K and 20K races. “I still go to that every year, and I live in a different town,” DeWolf says. “But my family always goes back for Sauerkraut Weekend. We go over there and meet and watch the parade, and then we go over to the grounds afterward and let the kids ride. In the evening they have one of the biggest fireworks displays around. So, everybody comes out for the Sauerkraut fireworks.”
![Wayne Epps Jr.]()
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Wayne Epps Jr.
