Explore Brockport

Stroll through this “Victorian Village on the Erie Canal.” Brockport has one of the best canal village main streets, plenty of Historic Landmark homes, and lots of charm. Start at the Brockport Canalfront Welcome Center, 11 Water Street, which includes parking and accessible public restrooms along the Erie Canal in Harvester Park. Request or download a map and follow one of the recommended tour routes to see how the canal influenced the architecture and growth of this canal village. Java Junction at 56 Main Street is a great stop for coffee and baked goods.

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Your Choice: Cycling or Kayaking

Start the morning either cycling or kayaking. Bring your own equipment or arrange delivery of an adaptive bike or kayak from Erie Canal Boat Company. The Brockport Welcome Center also provides free standard bikes.

Cycling- Pick a distance you can comfortably handle out and back, knowing you can turn around at any point.

• 3 miles round trip: Ride west along the Canalway Trail to the Rte 31 bridge at Redman Road and return.
• 10 miles round trip: Ride west on the trail to Holley Canal Park and Holley Falls. The park offers a playground, picnic tables, and restrooms, as well as a pond and waterfall. Relax before returning.

Kayaking- Use the free, accessible public kayak launch at the Brockport Welcome Center. Spend a few peaceful hours exploring in either direction along the Erie Canal, then return to Brockport. Note the current runs west to east, so first paddling west makes for an easier return trip with the current.

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Sample Local Flavor

Here are a few suggestions to refuel after your ride or paddle:

• 58 Main BBQ & Brew: Three blocks from the Welcome Center, the rear entryway offers greater accessibility.
• Stoneyard Brew & Pub: Canalside microbrewery at 48 Merchants St.
• Custom House Bar and Grille: Waterfront dining with an accessible outdoor patio, adjacent to the Welcome Center.
• Jimmy Z's Plates and Shakes: Located at 53 Main St., order takeout for a picnic at Harvester Park. Don’t miss their version of the famous Rochester "plate." The wings and milkshakes are also favorites.

Drive to Spencerport.

Explore Spencerport

On your way back to Rochester, make a stop in the quintessential canal village of Spencerport. Visit the Spencerport Depot and Canal Museum, located right on the canal just east of the lift bridge. The museum is housed in a 1908 Trolley Depot that was restored by volunteers. Restrooms and showers are available on the lower level; an accessible entrance to the museum is on the upper canalside level. Stroll through the village or along the canal front Heritage Trail.

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Visit Fairport's Canal Front Promenade

Fairport is a busy, historic village, offering visitors many shops and restaurants and a lively waterfront full of boats and activities. On Saturdays, check out the public market right in town. Famed for its unusual configuration, the Fairport lift bridge was built in 1914 to carry Main Street across the canal. Sloping southwest to northeast at a 32-degree angle, the bridge is an irregular decagon, meaning no two angles are the same and no corners are square. Cross the bridge via a pedestrian-only lane to explore Main Street.

Walk, Stroll, Cycle, or Kayak

Cycle the Towpath: Use your own or rent adaptive and standard bikes from Erie Canal Boat Company's Fairport hub at 7 Liftbridge Lane West. Choose from several out-and-back options:

• 5.5 Miles Round Trip: For a short trip, ride alongside the canal to Palmyra Road (Rte. 31) and return.
• 8 Miles Round Trip: Ride west to Bushnell’s Basin to enjoy frozen custard, a local favorite, at Abbott’s or a craft beer in the outdoor seating at Seven Story Brewing. Bushnell's Basin is located on the south side of the canal and requires crossing a short bridge with traffic.
• 11 Miles Round Trip: Ride west to Schoen Place in Pittsford to enjoy the many shops, galleries and restaurants there.

Kayak the Canal: Rent adaptive and standard kayaks at Erie Canal Boat Company’s Fairport hub for an accessible launch on the canal. Choose a comfortable distance east or west. Turn around at Perinton Park for a one mile round-trip paddle.

Stroll the Canal Path or Drive to Perinton Park: Pack a lunch and take a hike. Perinton Park offers tennis courts, a fishing pier, and playground along a beautiful stretch of the canal path.

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Take a Canal Cruise

Cruise the canal on board the Colonial Belle. The narrated tour explores the rich history and many landmarks along this scenic stretch of Erie Canal, traveling west between Fairport and Pittsford.

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Visit a Local Craft Beverage Maker

With more than 200 in operation, the Finger Lakes Region has the most craft beverage manufacturers in New York State. Try one of these local favorites:

• Iron Smoke Distillery
• Faircraft Brauhaus
• Fairport Brewing

Rochester Public Market

Spend a morning at the Rochester Public Market (Tues/Thurs/Sat, in season), 280 North Union Street. Try a Zimmerman's bologna and egg sandwich with local hot meat sauce, a breakfast empanada at Juan and Maria's, or coffee and a pastry at Best Coffee at the Market or Java's Cafe. Browse and buy local fruit, vegetables, wine, clothes, art, and more.

Museum Time

Rochester offers so many museums and historic sites, choosing just one may be a challenge. Favorites include:

• George Eastman House: Museum of photography and former home of George Eastman, inventor of the hand-held camera.

• Memorial Art Gallery: With 12,000 works of art representing cultures from around the world and across millennia. The Gallery offers ASL interpreters upon request, as well as touch tours.
• Rochester Museum and Science Center: Explore science and technology and its impact on our lives. Don’t miss the planetarium!

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Visit High Falls and Genesee Brewery

The High Falls Heritage District is the centerpiece of Rochester, from which commerce, art and the city’s charm all flow. There is parking around the falls, some for a fee. Walk across the bridge behind the Genesee Brewery to see high falls crashing to the Genesee River. Head inside the Genesee Brewery for a tour and meal. Call ahead to book a weekday tour. Tours are offered every hour Friday and Saturday, 12pm - 7pm; Sunday, 12pm - 5pm.

**Note: If you plan to eat at the Genesee Brewery, you can park in their lot. Then, cross the bridge to view the falls and visit the High Falls District.

Discover the Workings of a Canal Lock

Drive east on Route 31 to the Macedon Canal Park at Lock 30 for the perfect view of a working lock. Stay awhile and you might see it in action (from mid-May through October). The park is a nice option for picnics, strolling the Butterfly Nature Trail, or launching a paddling or cycling trip. Arrange rental delivery from Erie Canal Boat Company to explore the nearby trail or waterway. Paddling access includes a car top launch and kayak dock, equipped with an overhead stability bar.

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See a Historic Canal Change Bridge and Aqueduct

Continue east on Route 31 toward Palmyra. Just before the village, visit the Palmyra-Macedon Aqueduct Park (“Pal-Mac Park” per the locals). It includes the remains of the Palmyra Aqueduct, built in 1857, as well as the Aldrich Change Bridge, a unique towpath-era remnant, first erected at the Rochester Weighlock in the 1850s. Sharp eyes may catch a glimpse of a great blue heron wading in the creek.

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Visit Palmyra

Find artifacts and archives dating back to 1781 in this “Queen of Canal Towns.” Explore the impact of the Erie Canal on the Village of Palmyra at Historic Palmyra’s five museum sites: William Phelps General Store, Palmyra Historic Museum, Palmyra Print Shop, Erie Canal Depot, and Alling Coverlet Museum. Museums are within walking distance of each other.

Palmyra also played an important role in the formation of the Morman Church (Church of Jesus Christ and the Latter Day Saints). Visit noted historic sites including John Smith’s Farm, Hill Cumorah, Temple, and E.B. Grandin’s Print Shop, where the Book of Morman was printed.

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Time for Ice Cream or a Meal

With several pubs and local restaurants nearby, options include:

Muddy Waters Café: Overlooking the Erie Canal at the Port of Palmyra, enjoy breakfast or lunch. Open Tues-Sat. Outdoor seating is accessible.

Chill & Grill, 616 E Main St, Palmyra: Serving burgers, fries, and heaping ice cream cones.

Twisted Rail Brewing, 108 Main St, Macedon: Offering craft beverages, salads, wraps, burgers, and pizza.