Phelps - Downtown Shopping District

Pedestrian-friendly downtown Phelps with its tree-lined streets, stunning architecture and Flint Creek and the Canandaigua Outlet running through it features several locally owned unique businesses to explore along the mile long Main Street and side streets.

Make a stop at the Phelps Art Center, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  The Art Center hosts artists from throughout the Finger Lakes and their gift shop is a great place to find unique locally created arts and crafts. Follow this with a visit to the Howe House for a glimpse into 19th century life in Phelps and see the unusual two-story privy on the property.

The small village of Phelps has an amazingly unique variety of places to eat and drink. The Waterside Wine Bar, housed in the former Old Mill Liquor building, a destination for Finger Lakes wine and beer lovers, serves light fare with a view of the Flint Creek waterfall.  Crafty Ales & Lagers is a nano-brewery located in one of Phelps’ oldest stone buildings and pours a wide variety of seasonal beers.  Smokin’ Tails Distillery is a locally owned small craft distillery, focusing on small batch high quality spirits.  They also feature a bourbon-aged maple syrup, made from local syrup,of course!  For the kids, stop at one of the homestyle cafes or grab a cone from one of several ice cream parlors.

Families love Phelps for its many parks. Redfield Park, on Church Street, is a community park with a gazebo, concession building, a baseball field and playground where outdoor summer concerts are held. The Methodist Memorial Park on Main Street is a great spot for a picnic under its majestic trees. The Phelps Community Center boasts a full playground & sports fields. The Crooked Bridge Park, on Williams Street is a great place to splash in the creek on a warm summer day. All of the village parks are dog-friendly!

If you are lucky enough to be in Phelps the first weekend in August, you will be able to experience the Phelps Sauerkraut Weekend, a four day festival that commemorates when Phelps was the largest producer of sauerkraut in world.  The festival includes a parade, recipe contest, rides, and a free piece of their famous sauerkraut cake for everyone!

As you head out of town on Route 96, hike or bike along Ontario Pathways, a trail that connects Phelps to Canandaigua.  Enjoy the scenic views along the way any time of year.