Browncroft - Rochester, NY Area Guide

Development began in Browncroft in the 1880s. During this time it served as a nursery site. Browncroft Realty Company homes were built with the intention to keep the trees intact. The city of Rochester annexed Browncroft in 1914, but the community retains its historic, verdant feel to this day as many of the homes still have their original architecture.

The non-profit art space Artisan Works has over 40,000 square feet to showcase art, events and entertainment. Nearly half a million items are displayed here and many of them come from local artists. Some of the art services provided at Artisan Works include art restoration, lease-to-own art acquisition and art appraisal.

The vast majority of land in Browncroft is devoted to residences and community services such as schools and libraries. However, some American-style restaurants, bars and cafes lie on the outskirts of Browncroft.

Stop in for doughy, fluffy bagels smeared with generous portions of cream cheese or loaded with eggs at the locally owned Balsam Bagels. Specialty bagels include pesto, salsa jalapeno and French toast. They have over 20 types of cream cheese.

The Winfield Grill has been around since 1933. The restaurant serves up classic American cuisine in a bar and restaurant. Popular menu items include the Buffalo chicken sandwich and the Sicilian Calamari topped with banana peppers and Kalamata olives. Be sure to check out their Sunday Champagne brunch, which has become quite the hit with locals.

Bars and pubs make up the majority of nightlife options in Browncroft and the surrounding area. Classic neighborbood bar Wintonaire is an ideal place to watch your favorite sports game. The beer selection includes most typical domestic and imported beers, such as Yuengling and Guinness, and the Wintonaire makes its own chips, which make a great side to any one of the meaty sandwiches. Finally, it's the wings that make this place famous; take the opportunity to sample their accompanying variety of homemade sauces and rubs.

Driving provides the only convenient method of transportation in Browncroft. If you don't have your own vehicle, it's usually best to call ahead of time to arrange a cab or Uber. Rochester has public buses but they don't cover much distance and run just three times per hour, and Rochester's often-frigid temperatures mean you likely won't want to wait that long. Public transportation makes up for in price what it lacks in convenience, though; you can catch a one-way bus in the area for just $1 and an all-day pass for $3.

Browncroft lies conveniently close to major highways and expressways. For instance, Interstates 490 and 590 intersect at Browncroft's boundaries. New York State Route 286 also runs just north of Browncroft.

The abundance of green space and trees makes walking and cycling a pleasant experience in this area, and sidewalks line most streets for pedestrians. The streets in Browncroft are not particularly wide for bikers but they also do not generally have much traffic on them either. Thanks to its quiet residential nature, a relaxing bike ride through this neighborhood is certainly doable.

Walk to nearby Ellison Park to enjoy the nearly 500 acres of scenic woodlands. Residents enjoy taking canoes on the Irondequoit Creek, which runs through the park. The park has a number of fishing locations, softball diamonds and playground equipment. This free park also has one of the two off-leash dog parks in all of Monroe County. Finally, a number of trails run through the park for pedestrians, cyclists and joggers.

Browncroft's affluent community somewhat exceeds the average cost of living in Rochester. The median household income in Browncroft hovers over $50,000, notably higher than the city average of $33,000. Still, prices in Browncroft remain affordable and do not exceed home prices found elsewhere in the city. The average rental rate for a one-bedroom apartment in Browncroft lies around $702.

Having a beer at a local bar doesn't usually cost more than $5. Likewise, many main meals at mid-range restaurants in Browncroft cost no more than $10-$15.

The price of gas in Browncroft runs higher than the national average by 27 percent, which is in line with the average price of gas in Rochester generally.

Since it's primarily a residential area, Browncroft does not have a major shopping area. Instead, residents travel to the local specialty shops and boutiques located in nearby North Winton Village for their purchases.

Music lovers gravitate towards Record Archive. The store primarily sells music in the form of vinyl and CDs but the store also stocks accessories, DVDs, vintage clothing, toys and other odds and ends. The prices tend to be low, the atmosphere is laid-back and you'll find plenty of fellow music fans with whom to share your passion and compare tastes.

The local clothing and jewelry boutique Fahsye carries items for men and women. The shop has an Asian flair to it as the owner originally hails from Thailand. While the prices in many boutiques around this affluent area tend to run high, Fahsye keeps it affordable; many unique items can be bought for as little as $20.

Browncroft's gorgeous landscape makes cycling a real treat. Stop in to Tryon Bike for all your bike gear and advice. The shop offers an unique demo and rental option where you can pay a small amount to test out a bike for a few hours to a weekend before you buy it. They also have a Wrench Club which teaches bike owners how to service their own equipment.

Shop at Wegman's for all your grocery needs. Residents of Rochester pride themselves on this local grocery store that has grown into one of the premier grocery stores in the Northeast. A full range of organic products, freshly cooked meals, food staples and kitchen ware can be found at Wegman's for relatively low prices. The nearest Wegman's lies just a few miles from Browncroft.

If you're looking for an even wider variety of produce options, take a five-minute drive to the Rochester Public Market downtown. Residents shop here for fresh products, ethnic food, baked goods and cooked meals from local vendors. Established in 1905, this year-round market now has over 300 vendors on Saturdays. The market also opens on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.