The Top Things to Do in Skaneateles, NY: A Cozy Town at the Eastern Gateway to the Finger Lakes
Whether you’re looking to get out on the water on Skaneateles Lake in the summer, or slow down your pace for a cozy winter getaway, there are so many things to do in Skaneateles, NY no matter the time of year. This guide carefully walks you through everything you need to know about visiting this storybook town in New York State.
The Judge Ben Wiles boat on Skaneateles Lake.
I’ve been lucky to spend a lot of time in New York State. From New York City to Buffalo, its history, landscapes and people make it such a special state to visit in the United States. Chris and I have driven to all parts of the state for various reasons, whether they be part of a larger road trip, or simply for the means of getting to know this state a little better each time.
For those unfamiliar with the state, they might not picture New York for its sleepy lakeside towns, breathtaking waterfalls or “gorge-ous” hiking trails. But to those who know it well, they know this is hardly a surprise, but a mainstay. This is especially true for the region known as the Finger Lakes in New York State. With every trip Chris and I make there, we find another new pinch-me worthy place that feels like it’s something straight out of a storybook.
Just when I felt like I had a handle on the Finger Lakes and its adorable towns, Chris and I drove up along State Street and found ourselves in Skaneateles, and the rest was history. This beautiful town definitely needs to be on your radar when you plan a trip to the Finger Lakes region, so let’s get into all the details to help you plan your next trip here.
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How to Get to Skaneateles, New York
Chris and I visited Skaneateles (pronounced “skinny-atlas”, if you’re as curious as I was!) on a larger road trip through Upstate New York. Truthfully, every time we visit this part of the state, we always travel with a car. If you’re able to drive and rent or bring your own car, I’d say this is the best way to get in and around the Finger Lakes.
Skaneateles is known as the “Eastern Gateway to the Finger Lakes”. It’s very close to the city of Syracuse, and a hop, skip and a jump from Auburn, NY. If you’re travelling around the large cities of Upstate New York, then it’s only about 30 minutes from Syracuse and 1.25 hours from Rochester. We came with our own car, but you could easily rent a car from one of these cities when you plan to travel around the state and end up in Skaneateles.
It’s on the northern end of Skaneateles Lake, where Jordan Street meets Route 20. Once you’ve made it to town, you’re not going to need much in the way of transportation, since the town itself is so small and easily walkable.
Where to Stay in Skaneateles
As the quaint small town in Upstate New York that it is, there are a few different places to stay in Skaneateles, all of which are charming in their own right. There are several independently owned homes functioning as Airbnbs, boutique hotels, and bed and breakfasts.
The historic Sherwood Inn would be a lovely place to stay while you’re in town. It’s been an operational inn since 1807, and has had many different owners and purposes over the years. It’s undeniable that the building has a ton of charm, and it’s centrally located with views of Clift Park and Skaneateles Lake just across the road from its windows.
Chris and I weren’t able to stay in Skaneateles during our trip, since we stopped here on our way from Syracuse to Rochester, but I already have my eye on staying at the Sherwood Inn the next time I’m in town. Of course if you’re on the hunt for the best place to stay in Skaneateles during your visit, you can use this map to help you find the place that’s best for you.
A Few Notable Places to Grab a Bite in Town
Before I get into all of the things to do in Skaneateles, I should first highlight a few of the stops we visited while we were in town. Chris and I were road tripping along the Upstate Eats Trail, which connects the cities of Binghamton, Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo on an historic food trail.
Since we were working our way along this trail during this road trip, we didn’t have the opportunity to sit down for a formal dinner, so unfortunately I can’t offer recommendations for that portion of your trip. I did glimpse several menus and beautiful looking dining spaces that I’m sure would be a treat to visit, though. Instead, let me just share the few places we stopped at for a bite, and enjoyed.
Skaneateles Bakery
This bakery was a welcomed way to start the day when we arrived in town. It’s been a beloved, independently owned bakery in town since 1959. It has a warm and inviting atmosphere that you feel from the moment you walk inside, and it offers great choices for breakfast or lunch. They have more than a few sweet treats well worth tasting during your visit, too.
Note that depending on the time of year or day of the week, this bakery can get very busy. During our weekday visit in June, there was a line out the door. But it’s definitely worth the wait! They have a variety of melt-in-your-mouth cookie flavours to try, on top of their delicious donuts and inventive sandwiches.
Doug’s Fish Fry
Fish sandwich and fish dinner platter at Doug’s Fish Fry
Doug’s has been serving up fish sandwiches and more in Skaneateles since 1982. As soon as you walk in, it instantly feels like a familiar place you’ve been to before. Collages of family and friends are plastered all over the entrance area, and a giant mural paying homage to Skaneateles covers the far interior wall. On top of that, the whizz of the suspended toy train making its way across the ceiling of this spot just feels comforting.
They’re best known for their fried fish on a bun sandwich, but they have a lot of other fresh seafood platter options including shrimp, scallops, lobsters and more. They also serve cold beer and ice cream, making this a great place to come for lunch on a hot summer’s day.
Things to Do in Skaneateles, NY
It may be a small town, but there is no shortage of options when it comes to finding things to do in Skaneateles. Chris and I visited during the summer, but I can only imagine how beautiful the town is during the fall. I’ve also been told its setup for Christmas and the winter holidays is something special.
Hopefully I’ll have more details to share about fall and winter things to do here in the future, but for now here are a few things you can do in Skaneateles, and most of them are great to do year-round.
Walk Along the Lakefront
The Gazebo in Clift Park is a beautiful place to sit on a hot summer day
Skaneateles Lake is so clean and clear that you’ll want to prioritize taking a moment to walk along the shores of the lake. No matter the time of year, walking out on the Pier is a great way to get a better look at the shoreline of the lake and town. Clift Park and Thayer Park also have beautiful lakefront green spaces to enjoy.
Many of the restaurants on the southern side of Route 20 have patios and balconies overlooking the lake, making these spots some of the most coveted on a warm, sunny day. If it’s a really hot day, you can even think about going swimming in the lake from town.
Take a Cruise
From mid-May to late September every year, Mid-Lakes Navigation offers cruises of Skaneateles Lake on their historic vessels. The historic Judge Ben Wiles is their main ship, with an upper and lower deck for sightseeing cruises going on short or long loops to the full span of the lake.
You can even choose to take a lunch or dinner cruise around the lake. Meals are prepared by the expert chefs at the Sherwood Inn, with several different options available. These cruises would be beautiful to take in the early fall, with the changing leaves surrounding the lake.
It’s recommended to book tickets in advance, and tours depart from the dock near the village Gazebo and the Pier in Clift Park.
Picnic or relax in Clift Park
Clift Park is a lovely park in the heart of town. There are several public benches within the park and around town, making for the perfect place to sit and admire the lake.
Grabbing a bite to eat from the Skaneateles Bakery or another place in town and enjoying it here would be a relaxing way to spend a few hours.
Hit The Shops
I was really impressed with how many local shops are thriving here in Skaneateles. Specialty shops abound, with everything from beautifully curated clothes and accessories, to kitchen and home goods, to pet stores and book stores. There is no shortage of options when it comes to shopping in town.
Some shops that stood out to me on our trip to Skaneateles were:
The Local Branch - clothing and accessories store with all sorts of Finger Lakes-loving collegiate apparel
Rhubarb - gourmet grocery store
Nest 58 - home goods store
Sea Culture - clothing and cigar store
Skaneateles 300 - clothing store
The Local Branch in Skaneateles
Admire Its Historic Buildings
Whether you walk down its main streets or take a few turns into more residential areas near the centre of town, it’s clear the homes here in Skaneateles have been here for quite some time. It’s amazing how much work has been put into giving an historic distinction to the houses in town, and so many have had extensive restoration work to keep them looking impeccable.
If you’re visiting during the spring and summer months, you’ll find many of the homes around Skaneateles have beautifully landscaped yards and gardens, too, making the walk around town that much more special.
Get in the Festive, small Town Spirit at an Annual Festival
Like so many small towns scattered across North America, you’d be hardpressed to find one lacking in tradition, and Skaneateles is no exception. Some of its annual events give you that small-town feeling like you’re in a fictional town like Stars Hollow.
In the summer, you can check out events like the Antique & Classic Boat Show. This event has been running for nearly 50 years, and showcases boats from across the state, and parts of the East Coast, the Midwest and Canada. If you have a love for classic boats, definitely keep an eye on this festival taking place in late July every year.
In the winter you can experience the Dickens Christmas Festival, which takes place in late November every year. The town gets decked out for the holidays, with festive decorations, activities and events happening throughout the weekend.
A Worthy Stop on a Trip Through the Finger Lakes
Prominent homes and properties surround the lake.
Chris and I were smitten with Skaneateles from the moment we pulled into its historic downtown core. It has the perfect blend of history, nature, and small town community spirit that so many are looking for when they come to this region in New York.
If you’re planning to connect your trip to town with some other parts of the Finger Lakes region, don’t forget to check out places like Aurora, the Watkins Glen Gorge or the region’s famous breweries and wineries.
I want to thank the Upstate Eats Trail, Visit Syracuse and Visit Buffalo Niagara for hosting me as media on this trip. All opinions expressed are completely my own.