Skaneateles Lake is a good place to start in the Finger lakes region. On the northern edge is the village of Skaneateles. The lake offers dozens of scenic viewpoints and amazing activities to enjoy.
Skaneateles is 16 miles long and 1-2 miles narrow which makes it a “long lake”. A trip to Syracuse is only 18 miles away from its northern end.
Visiting Downtown Skaneateles
Downtown you will find plenty to keep you busy including boutiques, galleries and café’s. There are three parks along the lake- Clift, Thayer, and Shotwell . Clift Park is a good place to catch a cruise from Mid-Lakes Navigation.
They offer a 50 min daytime cruise and an occasional moonlight 50 min cruise as well. Each one is $18/adult. There is also a three hour mail delivery cruise that runs $30 and you can bring your own lunch. 11 West Genesee St.
Clift Park also offers swimming to non-residents for $5 starting in mid-June for the summer.
Skaneateles Art Galleries
A nice art gallery stop in town is the Barrow Gallery. John Barrow (1824-1906) is an artist who is well known for both portraits and landscapes. Barrow moved to Skaneateles when he was 15. The majority of his paintings are of people and places located in or near this area. 400 of barrow’s works are on display in the gallery.
Barrow is best known for sketching Abraham Lincoln when he spoke at Cooper Union in 1860. It is currently owned and displayed by the Chicago Historical Society. Barrow would be classified as a “second generation” Hudson River School artist.
$2 admission. 49 East Genesee St.
www.barrowgallery.org
If shopping is your thing, try the Skaneateles Artisans Gallery Under the Stone. It is a gallery located in the historic Old Stone Mill in town. Be sure to take your time and browse all of the local gallaries, remember, you are on a slow travel vacation.
They carry high-quality art from more than 100 Finger Lakes and New England artists. When you shop, you will find fiber art, faux-painting, furniture, glass, jewelry, paintings, photography, pottery and sculpture.
You can meet the artists on the first Friday of each month. Check the schedule prior to going there. 3 Fennell St- Lower Level.
Dining In Skaneateles Finger Lakes
The Krebs is a fine dining restaurant located in town and dates back to 1899. It sources much of its menu locally, supporting both local farmers and Finger Lakes wineries. We recommend it for brunch since it has a pricey dinner menu. 53 West Genesee St.
Located across from Skaneateles Lake, the Mandana Inn provides casual fine dining. It is open Wed thru Sunday. 1937 West Lake Road.
If you are looking for a good burger you will find an extensive menu at Johnny Angel’s Heavenly Burgers. This restaurant is also kid friendly, making it an excellent choice if you are on a family vacation.
The restaurant at Elderberry farm is overlooking the orchards, vineyards and seasonal vegetable plantings. The menu features fresh produce, pasture raised meats from their farm and other organic or sustainable farms. On the farm there they produce a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, herbs and cut flowers on 36 acres.They also grow over 100 varieties of apples including some specifically for baking and others for sweet and hard cider production.
Open Wed through Sun (Mid Mar – Dec). They have a main dining room that seats approximately 40, and a sunroom that seats 20. Good choice for lunch since pricey for dinner. 3728 Center Street Rd, Auburn
The story of Anyela’s Vineyards began in Eastern Europe and continues today on the hillside high above the lake. They combine experience with the cooler climate patterns and soil to grow their select grapes.
Tastings are first come first served since they do not take reservations. You can also stroll through the vineyards and enjoy the view. They offer two types of tastings. $ 5 feature five wines they choose. $10 to choose five wines from their offering. 2433 West Lake Rd,
Additional Skaneateles Finger Lakes Outdoor Activities
When visiting the Skaneateles Finger Lakes, there are several additional outdoor activities to partake in. If you are a fan of hiking, be sure to check out Charlie Major Nature Trail and other pet-friendly travel destinations. At the same time, be sure to check out the Baltimore Woods Nature Center for excellent hiking, art, and additional outdoor recreation. This can be a great place for solo travel experiences. Be sure to additionally check out Sycamore Hill Gardens for breathtaking sculptures, gardens, and scenery.
Visit Skaneateles Lake
Of course, you should spend some time checking out Skaneateles Lake during your trip. This is one of New York’s biggest finger lakes, spanning 16 miles. In fact, “Skaneateles” translates to “long lake” in Native American languages. If you’re into bicking, hiking or boating, make this one of your must-do activities during your getaway. Take in the waters, fresh air and greenery that NY has to offer!
Admire The Lavender Farms
Lavender Farms are one of the premier attractions when traveling to Skaneateles Finger Lakes. As you plan your visit, one of the most popular destinations is the Lockwood Lavender Farm. The farm features over one-hundred acres of lavender that create spectacular views surrounding the Skaneateles Lake. Every year in mid-July, the Lockwood Farm hosts the Finger Lakes Lavender Festival. As you plan your visit to Skaneateles Lake, be sure to plan activities at the famous New York Lavender farms. Of course, come prepared with environmentally friendly travel accessories to leave the farm as it was when you came.
Indoor Skaneateles Activities For Rainy Days
On the unfortunate event that it rains during your Skaneateles Finger Lakes vacation, there are several indoor activities to make the most of rainy days. With an abundance of indoor and outdoor activities, you never have to stress about travel plans when visiting the Finger Lakes. For food and drink, be sure to check out Angela’s Vineyard or the Last Shot Distillery. At the same time, you should check out the John D Barrow Art Gallery for an exciting activity for the entire family. For something simpler, you can look to indoor mini golf, laser maze challenges, cinemas, or family fun centers in the nearby area. As you plan your visit to Skaneateles Finger Lakes, be sure to plan some outdoor activities in the event of rainy days.
During The Winter Seasons
Unfortunately, not every month brings warm weather and sunshine for enjoying the Finger Lakes water. Fortunately, there are dozens of fun travel activities to do during the winter season. Generally speaking, the winter season runs from December through March. During this time, travelers can experience some of the best cross-country and downhill skiing or snowboarding in the country. In fact, it is a great vacation idea for families with teenagers. Of course, there are dozens of places to additionally experience snowshoeing and tubing. For winter accommodations, most vacationers choose to stay at the two largest year-round resorts: Greek Peak and Bristol Mountain. Here, you can experiences all the activities mentioned above and many other exciting outdoor adventures you need to try.
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