Skaneateles Lake Travel Guide in Central New York

Last week I traipsed off to Syracuse, New York. We initially ran into some bad luck as hotels were filled with students and parents returning to school. As it turns out the luck was in our favor! We changed our plans to stay in the adorable town of Skaneateles, one of New York’s Finger Lakes – just 30 minutes away. As it turns out, this Skaneateles Lake Travel Guide is far more entertaining than any other one I could have done!

The Finger Lakes weren’t originally on our itinerary, but I’m so glad our plans changed to the positively wonderful town on Skaneateles Lake. I’m now itching to head back to see all the lakes in the region, but in the meantime, here is all the fun, deliciousness, cuteness, and shopping of Skaneateles {pronounced Skanny-Atlas!}…

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Skaneateles Lake Travel Guide

If you look on a map, you’ll see the Finger Lakes are a series of lakes that are long and narrow – Skaneateles is on the east. The region offers beautiful scenery, a wine country, and towns dotted along the way!

We arrived in the midst of a rainstorm. Wearing shorts and sandals for the heat, I’m sure I was the laughing stock of the town. But a change in the weather and my shoes, we were good to go!

Town of Skaneateles

The first thing you’ll notice in Skaneateles, besides the lake of course, is the cute town. Old brick buildings and homes turned into restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries, and good shopping!

Rumor has it the town goes all out for Christmas. I’m sure it’s beyond amazing!! The architecture reminded me a bit of New York, a bit of New England, and a bit of a beach town somehow!

Where to Stay

We stayed at the Packwood House – across the street from the lake with a gorgeous view!! After waking up and checking in on the lake, head to Patisserie – a delicious bakery tucked behind the Sherwood Inn. We nibbled on their bran muffin, blueberry scone, and took some cookies for the road (they were only 50¢ each and quite tasty!).

They don’t offer much in the way of coffee, so you’ll want to wander over (less than two blocks) to Skaneateles Bakery for a full coffee selection (more below).

Don’t those scones look amazing??? The bakery is small, but they have this adorable patio seating that seems like the perfect little escape in the mornings of those hot summer days!

What to do in Skaneateles {Travel Guide}

Coffee and morsel in hand, wander Genesee Street – dotted with shops in old buildings and houses, you’ll fall in love. The tree-lined sidewalks are hard to beat and then there’s always a stunning view of the lake on the right!

Best Lunch on Skaneateles Lake

Be sure to make reservation for lunch at the Sherwood Inn Dining Room. The food is delicious and you can see the lake from the tables. Obviously this town knows how it’s done!

After lunch, take a boat tour of Skaneateles Lake. Mid-Lakes Navigation offers tours throughout the day and the boat leaves across the street from the hotel and lunch!

Tours are 50 minutes and provide beautiful views and you can go house-hunting for your (dream) lakeside home! I have a few picked out already!

After the boat tour, take the seven (yes, 7!) minute drive to the wineries. Anyela’s Vineyards is famous in the area. Their white wines are sweet and very easy to drink. Wander their beautiful grounds before or after your tasting and soak up the views of the lake. Fun fact. They bury their vines in the winters!

If you’re anything like me, you’ll need an afternoon pickmeup. We headed back to Skaneateles Bakery for a morsel and coffee! With your goodies in hand, you can wander the shops again, grab a bench by the lake, or head back to your room for an afternoon of reading by the window!

Skaneateles was such a dream and I can’t wait to go back (and visit the other lakes of course)! What kind of traveller would I be if I didn’t compare them all?!