Do you know the history of the Erie Canal? Well, if not, no worries! Here’s a quick recap:

The Erie Canal literally opened up the western United States to expansion in 1825 when the canal was built and Rochester became the country's first "boomtown." The Erie Canal is credited for creating New York City as a major port and thus, one of the world’s foremost cities. Today, the Canal presents a fascinating story of an almost forgotten commercial waterway emerging as a major tourist destination and recreational resource.

 

Here’s how you can have an educational and leisurely experience throughout Rochester’s canalside villages and hamlets, including Pittsford, Fairport, Bushnell’s Basin, Spencerport and Brockport:

 

Pittsford

Colonel Caleb Hopkins, who was a leading citizen who had been supervisor and a hero of the War of 1812, named Pittsford after his hometown of Pittsford, Vermont. When the Erie Canal opened in 1825, the village became a busy shipping port with produce being sent to the eastern markets. The arrival of the Auburn and Rochester railroad in 1842 also contributed to the village’s growth.
 

 

Fairport

The Village of Fairport is located within the Town of Perinton. From its earliest days, the presence of the waterway helped transform what had once been known as Perrinsville into a very "fair port” for an overnight stay by passing travelers. Fairport also benefitted from the railroad’s arrival in 1853, making this growing community one of the leading centers of transportation and industry of its time in all of Upstate New York.

 

  • Get on the water: Hop aboard the Colonial Belle for a cruise along the Erie Canal.
  • Fun things to do: Shop and dine at Fairport Village Landing, and mark your calendar for Fairport’s Canal Days in June. Need a way to get around? Stop into RV&E for bikes, gear and more.
  • Restaurants: There’s something for everybody in Fairport: Lulu when a taqueria’s where you want to go, The Porterhouse when you’re craving a good cut of meat, Iron Smoke Distillery for a bourbon or craft cocktail, and Branca when you’re in the mood for an Italian masterpiece.
  • Lodging: The Woodcliff Hotel & Spa is the perfect place to rest your head after an adventurous day in Fairport.

 

Bushnell's Basin

Also located in Perinton is Bushnell’s Basin. The surrounding neighborhoods are almost evenly split between Fairport and Pittsford. The Basin is within close proximity to various businesses and eateries, as well as outdoor activities such as Kreag Road Park and a public boat dock area on the Erie Canal.
 

 

Spencerport

Originally called “Spencer’s Basin,” Spencerport started out as a farm that thrived as commerce on the Erie Canal prospered. The town became bustling canal center with warehouses, hotels, various stores and shops that encompassed every trade.
 

 

Brockport

Brockport – “The Victorian Village on the Erie Canal" – was incorporated in 1829, four years after the completion of the Erie Canal. Its name derives from one of its founders, Heil Brockway, who operated a packet line between Rochester and Buffalo and had a boatyard that, at one time, built more canal packet boats than any other in the world. Fun fact: Brockport celebrates its 193rd birthday this year!