Discover Phelps

Phelps offers several ways to shape your travel plans: historic buildings and exhibits, trails and parks, and the annual Phelps Sauerkraut Weekend. If you’re looking for a hotel for a stay in Phelps, you can consider whether you’d like to focus on local history, spend time outdoors, or plan your visit around an event date. The landscape of the Town of Phelps and the attractions in the Village of Phelps add different perspectives on the area to these themes.

Landscape and Townscape

The terrain within the Town of Phelps varies from north to south. North of the Thruway, drumlins and wetlands shape the landscape; the south is relatively flat to gently rolling. Different types of terrain therefore coexist within the area, rather than a single landform defining the entire town.

In the Village of Phelps, a walk along Main Street offers views of Flint Creek Falls and the sound of the falls. Here, a walk through town combines with a distinctive natural feature. The waterfalls also feature along Ontario Pathways: the first few miles of the multi-use trail pass several falls on Flint Creek.

Architectural History and Culture

Cobblestone houses are especially common in Phelps. These houses were built in western New York from the 1830s through the Civil War. Phelps Town Hall offers another historic point of interest: it was built around 1849 and is listed on the state and national registers of historic places. Here, you can see both a building style common in Phelps and a particular building with an approximate construction date.

You can visit the Country Lawyer’s Office in the historic town center. A guided tour is also offered there.

The Phelps Community Historical Society uses its archives and collections for exhibits, programs, and events about Phelps. The society operates a museum in the Howe House, with permanent and rotating exhibits. These include 19th-century household and farming equipment. The Howe House also includes a rare, two-story brick cottage. Together, the collections, historic objects, and a distinctive architectural detail take center stage here.

Parks and Ontario Pathways

Redfield Park has a pavilion, a concession building, a baseball field, and a playground. At Crooked Bridge Park, visitors can splash in the creek or have a picnic.

Ontario Pathways is a multi-use trail that runs from Canandaigua to Phelps. Activities include hiking, biking, running, horseback riding, birdwatching, geocaching, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.

Phelps Sauerkraut Weekend

Phelps Sauerkraut Weekend takes place every year on the first weekend in August. The program includes a parade, a recipe contest, and rides; there’s also a free piece of sauerkraut pie for everyone. If you’d like to plan your trip around the festival, check the event dates in advance to make sure they fit your planned stay.

Explore more destinations: Victor, Shortsville, Canandaigua

For the broader travel overview: Ontario County.