Skaneateles

Neighborhood vibes

Nestled on the shores of Skaneateles Lake (one of the cleanest lakes in the country) and considered the Jewel of the Finger Lakes region, the village of Skaneateles, Iroquois for "long lake," is the place to experience the beauty, luxury and hospitality of the Finger Lakes. Taking the number one spot on The Oprah Magazine's Charming American Towns You Haven't Heard of But Should Visit ASAP list, you'll find quaint but affluent shops, stunning restaurants, charming bed and breakfasts, pristine colonial residences and the occasional celebrity sighting. 

Escape for the weekend or stay for the season and experience the historic downtown district for unique foods, distinctive fashions, original art, home accessories or a special antiques. Home to a thriving residential and business community, and host to thousands of visitors and vacationers every year, each Central New York season is unique and pronounced in Skaneateles. Scroll through some of our top suggestions below or visit the Skaneateles Chamber for a full list of things to do!

• Enjoy wine tasting, leaf peeping and apple picking in autumn.
• Plan a winter weekend trip to experience the much loved Dickens Christmas celebration — an annual tradition running every weekend from Thanksgiving through Christmas.
• Salute spring with a 32-mile bicycle excursion around the lake or with a day of exclusive pampering at Mirbeau Inn & Spa.
• And celebrate summer with swimming, boating and all that lake life has to offer. Enjoy free live music by the lake with the family in Clift Park every Friday in July. Savor the season aboard a Mid-Lakes Navigation vessel for sunset cruises and cocktails.

Eat

Best breakfasts + brunch spots

• Savor the simple pleasures at Skaneateles Bakery in the heart of this scenic lake town. With all their bakery items made from scratch daily, enjoy dozens of baked goods like scones, muffins, and donuts with a hot cup of coffee or cocoa.
• Enjoy a classic diner breakfast at Clover's. Their menu includes omelets, blueberry pancakes, egg sandwiches and more. 
• Get your fill of classic family-friendly, American diner food at the Willow Glen Diner, a small-town joint serving breakfast, burgers and other diner favorites.

Best afternoon eats

• Grab lunch lakeside at the Bluewater Grill and try the poké bowl or a smoked turkey baguette sandwich. 
• Sample some surf at Doug's Fish Fry on Jordan Street, voted Best Fish Fry by Syracuse.com's Best Of CNY.
• Enjoy fresh, healthy and local ingredients at Good Eats and Sips. Serving up bagels, bowls, coffee and smoothies all day long.

Best place for bites + beverages

• A true taste of the Finger Lakes wine region, enjoy world-class wines by the glass and apps to pass on the beautiful grounds of Anyela's Vineyards. This hillside gem overlooking the western shore of Skaneateles Lake not only boasts full-bodied wines but is also home to beautiful views and well-groomed grounds for all to enjoy.
• Pop into the long-established Sherwood Inn for drinks and a bite while overlooking the north shore of Skaneateles Lake. Join locals and visitors at the tavern or dining areas and experience a warm and cozy evening in a historic setting.

Best place for pizza + pints

• Head to Valentine's for the freshest dough in the Finger Lakes, fresh salads, calzones, appetizers and sandwiches.
• Enjoy craft pizza and craft beers at Gilda's — a charming restaurant sourcing local ingredients for their creative and appetizing menu — a true must-try when visiting Skaneateles.
• Next to the Charlie Major Trail, Skaneateles Brewery offers a cozy place to catch up with friends and try their locally sourced beer. Try their award-winning Major Trail Brown Ale or 
  Shortline Stout.

Best dinner spots

• The Elephant and the Dove dishes out authentic Mexican food in a contemporary and stunning setting. Enjoy an intimate evening at this charming date night spot or swing by to sample one of their original craft cocktails.
• In the evening, stop by Moro's Kitchen, a modern Italian restaurant with daily specials, Neapolitan-style pizza, house-made pasta, and classic favorites.
• A local favorite, Rosalie's Cucina is a quaint Italian kitchen and bakery serving up authentic Tuscan dining options and quality ingredients, including house-made pastas and fresh baked goods. 

Best late night lounge

• The Lakehouse Pub is a great place to cap off your night in Skaneateles. Grab a late-night bite or wind down with a drink or two.
•  Founded in 1899, The Krebs offers farm-to-fork American cuisine and a delightful bar fit for an enchanting evening on the lake. Join them on Friday nights for late nights at the bar! They're open until midnight.

Shop

Best boutiques

• Skaneateles is loaded with lots of cute boutiques, and Pride + Joy is the ultimate when it comes to adorable. This baby boutique features loads of cute gifts and local-themed items for the little cutie pies in your life. Be the unique gift giver with items like a Skaneateles Lake receiving blanket or Upstate sweatshirt to dress up your favorite little humans.
• Bring home a taste of the Finger Lakes when you stop by the Patisserie at the Sherwood Inn. This pastry shop offers a rotation of divine delights — have a taste while strolling through the village or pack up a box to bring on the road.
• Shop gorgeous designer digs at Emma + James, a brand new women's and men's clothing boutique on Jordan Street.
• Check out the all-American artisan goods offered at The Local Branch in the heart of Skaneateles. Leather, wool, apothecary and more, this store is a great stop for one-of-a-kind Americana gifts.
• Modern day general store Drooz and Company is a cute storefront to shop for everything from kitchenware to kids and babies, home goods, gifts and more. 
• Fill your bag with one-of-a-kind home accessories at Nest 58. Pillows, candles, furniture, wall art, lighting and more, you'll find something unique and Skaneateles-themed to compliment your home for years to come.

Play

Best way to get outdoors

• Live your best lake life aboard a Mid-Lakes Navigation cruise — take in stunning shoreline views from the deck of a sightseeing cruise or end the day with a summer cocktail aboard a charming dinner and sunset cruise. 
• Enjoy the lake views and picturesque gazebo at Clift Park in the town center. A charming green space with lush lawn and crystal blue shorelines, this park is picture-perfect for photo ops.

Best places for family fun

• Take the kids on a walk through the historic village and enjoy the fantastic Skaneateles Pier in the center of town. A great way to grab a view of this beautiful, clear lake and the village itself, the Pier is also the perfect place to bring your tackle box and try your luck at fishing. 
• Every Thursday and Saturday afternoon from May through October, bring the family to the Skaneateles Farmer's Market. A great way to support local farmers and vendors, you can pick up special finds, artisan items and a variety of home-grown goods.

Best spas

• The exquisite Mirbeau Inn & Spa offers an elegant and relaxing spa experience surrounded by the beauty of Skaneateles. Set in gardens inspired by Claude Monet's paintings, Mirbeau is an enchanting retreat where you can indulge in full day spa treatments, yoga, wine and cheese, dining, and whatever else you're searching for to relax and unwind.