View of Skaneateles with a shimmering surface, surrounded by trees with green leaves. There is a dock extending into the water and a small building with a sign that reads 'Blue Water'. Cars are parked in the foreground. 
Insider scoop

We love sharing our favorites around town to help visitors curate memories to last a lifetime. Our blog is continually updated with insider recommendations and news from around town.

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Four women standing together outside a building, smiling at the camera. These women are together for a girls weekend in Skaneateles, NY. They are getting coffee at Rosalie's restaurant.

Girls weekends in Skaneateles, New York

Skaneateles is the perfect spot for a girls’ weekend. We recommend hotel accommodations at Mirbeau Inn & Spa, the Sherwood Inn or one of the many AirBnB options just outside of the village (if you have car transportation available). Favorite dining options include the Krebs, Rosalie’s or the Sherwood Inn for elevated fare. Casual dining is available at the Elephant and Dove (Mexican), Hidden Fish (Japanese), Gilda’s (Italian) or Blue Water Grill (American). Grab breakfast at Good Eats, the Bakery or Clover’s diner. Shopping abounds along Genesee St. and Jordan St. Drive down the West Side of the lake to Anyela’s for a winery adventure or book spa treatments at Mirbeau just outside of the village.

People sitting on a boat enjoying a scenic water view under a blue sky with wispy clouds, a flag flying from the boat's mast in the background. They are on the Judge Ben boat in Skaneateles, NY.

How can you get onto Skaneateles Lake?

How do you get out on the beautiful waters of Skaneateles Lake as a guest in town? Mid-Lakes Navigation (www.midlakesnavigation.com) offers sight-seeing and dining cruises all summer long. You can also launch personal watercraft at two public launch sites, one on NY-41A about 2.5 miles from the village and the other located at 1938 West Lake Road about 6 miles from the village next to the Mandana Marina. A public pier is also available in the heart of Skaneateles Village along with public swimming during summer months (with a lifeguard on duty) for a nominal fee.

A stone and brick building with a green door, arched windows, and a sign that reads "City of Syracuse Water Supply." There is a sidewalk leading to the entrance, a grassy area with tulips and other flowers, and an American flag on a pole in front of the building.

Keeping Skaneateles Lake clean

Did you know that Skaneateles Lake is the unfiltered drinking water source for more than 220,000 people in Central New York, including residents in and around the City of Syracuse and the Town of Skaneateles? This is why residents are passionate about keeping the lake clean. The primary non-profit dedicated to protecting Skaneateles Lake and its watershed is called the Skaneateles Lake Association (SLA). Their efforts focus on preventing invasive aquatic species, addressing harmful algal blooms and protecting the watershed via lake-friendly landscaping practices to mitigate harmful runoff and erosion.

Close-up of fresh green spring onions with purple stems and roots, laid on a white surface, with a yellow note attached. These vegetables were purchased at the Skaneateles Farmer's Market.

Skaneateles Farmer’s Market

Did you know that Skaneateles has a seasonal farmer’s market at Austin Park (1 E. Austin Street in Skaneateles)? The market is open on Thursdays (3-6pm) and Saturdays (9:30am-12:30pm) from mid-May until mid-October. Support local farmers and find everything from locally made soap to fresh produce, eggs, baked goods and beyond.

Food truck with open service window, signboard displaying menu, and two small stools outside, parked on street with houses and trees in the background in the village of Skaneateles, New York.

John’s Seafood Truck

A true “local only” find, John’s Seafood Truck is a must-shop gem of the village. John’s truck arrives adjacent to the Old Stone Mill from 9-10am on Saturdays (during spring and summer months) — or until the fish runs out. The fish is fresh and John is always eager to explain his favorite finds of the day. Cash or Venmo.

Young tomato plants growing in black trays on a wooden farm stand with plant information signs and images of different types of tomatoes hanging above at Tap Root Farm in Skaneateles, NY.

Tap Root Farm

Swing by this seasonal farm stand to find plants for your garden and fresh harvests from the Tap Root team. Passionate about regenerative farming, there’s always something to learn from this crew. Find them at 4274 Jordan St. in Skaneateles or learn more at: https://taprootfields.com/.

A serene outdoor scene with a small pond covered in water lilies in front of a yellow residential building with multiple windows and balconies. This is Mirbeau Inn and Spa in Skaneateles, NY. It is inspired by Monet's gardens.

Can I find a short-term rental in Skaneateles?

Did you know that Airbnb is not allowed in the village of Skaneateles? You can find short-term rentals in the town of Skaneateles but the village banned them in 2015. Only hotels are allowed to operate within the village boundaries. Fear not! There are still many wonderful places to stay in the village including the Sherwood Inn and the Packwood House. Mirbeau is another gem walkable from the village.

A young boy wearing red sneakers, sunglasses, a blue and white sports shirt, and blue shorts holding a shopping bag standing on a sidewalk. In the background, a woman in a hat and pink shirt is sitting on a park bench, looking at her phone, with a large backpack next to her. The building behind them has many windows and a sign reading 'SKANEATELES 300'.

Local Skaneateles shops & restaurants

Skaneateles is a small town of about 7,000 residents and the vast majority of businesses in town are locally owned with two notable exceptions, private equity owned Talbots and J. Mclaughlin. When you visit Skaneateles, shop in our boutiques and eat in our restaurants, you are supporting families who have often lived locally for generations.

Children playing a balloon game at a fair or carnival, with various large plush toys hanging overhead. The game involves popping balloons, and an adult is assisting the children. They are at the Skaneateles Field Days in New York.

Skaneateles Field Days

Every Labor Day weekend, Austin Park in Skaneateles is host to the Skaneateles Field Days, a small-town carnival that benefits the local fire department. Children enjoy a variety of amusement rides, boardwalk games and fair food. Local tip: The first day of the fair features an “all you can ride” ticket, which is a great deal for kids who can’t get enough of the tilt-a-whirl.

Yellow sports car parked on the street in front of a blue house with a porch, multiple windows, and American flags, with a tree and a lamp post in the scene, under a partly cloudy sky. This is the Sherwood Inn in Skaneateles, NY.

Skaneateles weddings

Skaneateles is a popular wedding destination, especially in the summer and fall. Top venues include the historic Sherwood Inn, the Lodge (which was built by Welch Allyn in 1999) and the Skaneateles Country Club (a private club on the lake founded in 1915). Additional venues include the Sinclair, Mandana Barn, Mirbeau, Anyela’s Vineyard and Aster Estates.

Storefront of Skaneateles Bakery with yellow exterior, blue shutters on upper windows, striped blue and white awning, and two benches outside. Two people are sitting on the bench near the entrance, conversing with each other.

The Skaneateles Bakery

Much has been said and written about the famous Skaneateles Bakery. It contends with Doug’s Fish Fry for the longest lines in town on summer days. We’d particularly recommend their doughnuts, which are made daily and ride along a doughnut-making conveyer before your eyes. The sandwiches are a fan favorite as well as the salads. Local tip: Order online and pick-up in the window cubbies to avoid the wait.

A woman with long hair smiling and bending down in a green grassy field surrounded by trees on a sunny day.

Nearby Finger Lakes hikes

If you’re looking for a change of pace from lake life, try one of the local nature walks. The Charlie Major Trail runs for about a mile between Mill Road just north of Old Seneca Turnpike and Crow Hill Road in Mottville. Baltimore Woods in Marcellus (4007 Bishop Hill Rd.) is another well-maintained nature preserve with a mix of hiking trails by level. The Finger Lakes Land Trust is also working to establish more extensive trails in Skaneateles. Coming soon!

Did you know that Skaneateles was an ocean?

Skaneateles, New York was covered by a tropical sea several times over the course of Earth’s history. These ancient seas deposited the limestone, shale, sandstone and fossil-bearing rocks found throughout the Finger Lakes region. This image was taken on the east side of the lake in Skaneateles after rocks were split into pieces during a garden excavation. If you like fossils, you should also know about the Staghorn Cliffs, one of the most remarkable natural landmarks on Skaneateles Lake. Located along the eastern shoreline near the south end of the lake, these cliffs contain one of New York's best exposures of fossilized Devonian coral reefs from 350-400 million years ago.

New York State boater license rules change

New York State has officially implemented "Brianna's Law" as of January 1st, 2025. Going forward, every person operating a motorized boat in New York State must have a boating safety certificate. Courses are available in-person and online for a nominal fee and certification is only required once (with no renewal needed). In New York State, you must be at least 10 years old to take the course and operate a motorized boat. The minimum age is 14 years old to operate a jet ski. You can, however, rent a boat if you are 18 or older without obtaining a boating certificate. More than 40 U.S. states now require some form of mandatory boating safety education or certification.

What grows well in upstate New York?

Upstate New York isn’t known for its tropical weather. That said, many crops grow well in the region including apples, rhubarb, salt potatoes, grapes for certain wine varietals, corn, soybeans, hops for brewing beer, pumpkins, Christmas trees, lavender and blueberries. The growing season is short, running from June until the fall for some crops. Farm stands abound as the season begins and are well worth the stop. Make sure you have cash handy although some stands also take Venmo. Our local Skaneateles area favorites include Brock’s (towards Auburn), Brock’s (in Marcellus), Tap Room Farm (in Skaneateles) and the twice weekly Skaneateles Farmer’s Market at Austin Park.