Lyell-Otis - Rochester, NY Area Guide

The city of Rochester was founded in the early 1800s and soon became one of America's first boomtowns thanks to the construction of the Erie Canal through the city as well as the rise of flour mills. Later in the 19th and early 20th centuries, Rochester became a focal point for progressive politics, providing a home for abolitionist Frederick Douglass and his anti-slavery newspaper, women's rights advocate Susan B. Anthony, and anarchist and labor advocate Emma Goldman. A wave of industry brought Eastman Kodak, Bausch & Lomb, and many garment manufacturers to the area.

Just to the east of Lyell-Otis sits Rochester's Neighborhood of the Arts, where you'll find cultural mainstays such as the Memorial Art Museum with its displays of early American art and regular tapas nights; the Rochester Auditorium, home to traveling Broadway shows; and the yearly Clothesline Festival filled with high-end arts, crafts and live entertainment.

Dining out in Lyell-Otis typically means stopping at a casual Italian, American or Vietnamese eatery for a quick bite. Most of the neighborhood's restaurants cluster together on Lyell Avenue.

Saigon Pho wins raves from locals for some of the best Vietnamese food in town. You might not even notice the tiny storefront, but you'll pay attention once you've heard your neighbors talking about the huge, sweet spring rolls. The intensely flavorful broth in the pho gets you coming back again and again. Order a strong Vietnamese coffee mixed with condensed milk to complete your meal.

The Forklift Cafe on Lexington Avenue at the north end of the Lyell-Otis neighborhood serves up good, old-fashioned American food, with everything made from scratch, all the way down to the potato chips, soups and cookies. If you're hungry, the 18-Wheeler plate should satisfy any appetite for breakfast, and don't forget to ask for some of the hot meat sauce on the side.

Better Choice Jamaican Restaurant on Dewey Avenue serves up Jamaican specialties all day long. Order up some callaloo or liver and kidneys for breakfast, or drop in at lunch or dinner for oxtails, pepper steak or jerk chicken. Meals are traditionally served with cabbage, rice and fried plantains, and you can find a huge array of hot sauces to bring the heat when you want it. Keep your eye on the daily specials so you don't miss the red pea and cow foot soup.

Nightlife in Lyell-Otis revolves around a handful of dive bars and lounges where neighbors gather to watch the game and enjoy a cold beer. Stop in at Smokin' Joes Bar & Grill on Lyell Street to enjoy live blues in a funky setting.

While most residents of Lyell-Otis use their cars to get to work and run errands, Rochester's RTS system runs several bus lines through the neighborhood to connect locals to downtown Rochester and outlying neighborhoods. If you need a taxi, you'll have to call one, since they don't roam the street, but you have your pick of several highly recommended cab and airport shuttle companies in the area.

Lyell-Otis' convenient location allows residents to take advantage of nearby highways including Interstates 390 and 490, connecting the neighborhood to destinations in Genesee and Monroe Counties as well as Lake Ontario. While you'll find plenty of free residential parking, the city of Rochester also operates several paid parking garages around the downtown area.

Although you'll find it easy to walk around downtown Rochester, Lyell-Otis is one of the least walkable neighborhoods in the city. Most of the major thoroughfares are bicycle friendly, even though the neighborhood contains no dedicated bike lanes.

While Lyell-Otis only holds one small pocket park, the Junior Wilson Park, which has a playground and large field, several other parks scattered around Rochester are within an easy drive of the neighborhood.

Lower Falls Park on the Genesee River gives Rochester residents a touch of beauty in the middle of the city. Come to walk by the waterfalls and river, enjoying the serenity and ancient rocks. Lunsford Park in the nearby Corn Hill neighborhood features free concerts every August, bringing locals world music in a relaxing setting.

The Seneca Park Zoo hosts a variety of events, including regular ZooBrew evenings which turn the zoo into a giant happy hour filled with local beers and wines. Other events include ZooBoo at Halloween, Zoobilation during the summer and Breakfast with Santa at Christmas.

The cost of living in the Lyell-Otis neighborhood runs only 1 percent lower than that of the city of Rochester overall. Your one-bedroom apartment comes in at a wallet-friendly $670 per month, and when you want to stop for a beer at a local bar, expect to pay $3 to $5.

Gasoline tends to be a bit pricey in the Rochester area, so expect to pay about 21 percent more at the pump than the national average. However, hopping on the bus to get downtown only costs you $1.

When residents of Lyell-Otis need to go on significant shopping expeditions, they tend to head northwest to the Mall at Greece Ridge. With Macy's, JCPenney, Dick's Sporting Goods, Sears and Target serving as anchors, the mall also houses Barnes & Noble, Bath and Body Works, Hot Topic, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Foot Locker, as well as many other stores.

While Lyell-Otis itself doesn't serve as one of Rochester's primary commercial districts, just outside the borders of the neighborhood, you can find several interesting specialty shops that make life just a bit more convenient and pleasant. Head to Rochester Art Supply for discounted markers, paintbrushes, paints and other art supplies for every medium. The knowledgeable staff helps you find what you need and will even track it down throughout the city if necessary.

The Garden Factory wins repeat customers from Lyell-Otis not so much for low prices as for its astonishing selection of flowers, plants and lawn decor. Gardeners consider this nursery their own version of paradise, and you can even bring your kids to enjoy the holiday-themed decorations that change throughout the year, including the legendary train setup at Christmas.

Wegman's, just west of Lyell-Otis, remains the grocery store of choice for the neighborhood. You can also pick up halal meats at Almadenah Halal Meat Market and Italian ingredients at Olindo's Food Service, both on Lyell Avenue. The Rochester Public Market, South Wedge Farmers Market and Greece Ridge Farmers Markets all operate weekly within a quick drive from Lyell-Otis.