Skaneateles

Skaneateles is in the Finger Lakes region of New York.

Understand
Pronounced "skinny atlas", the name means "Long Beautiful Lake" in Iroquois. It is the primary source of drinking water for nearby Syracuse.

Get in
Skaneateles is a "drive to" destination in the Finger Lakes region of Central New York.

Auburn, New York is a small city just West of the Village and has a remarkable offering of history, theater and dining.

Get around
Although you will need a car to get here, after you are in the Village, everything is an easy walk to everything else. There is also a local airport located on Benson Road. Skaneateles is on the north shore of Skaneteles Lake. It is a storybook village with beautiful houses, a quaint downtown, and one of the cleanest lakes in the world.

See
The most obvious thing to see is the Lake, and fortunately it is impossible to NOT see it. The Village, population 2500, is on the Northern edge of the lake. Two public parks bookcase the very small central business block.

If you choose to drive around the lake, expect spectacular views especially if you travel South on West Lake Road (Route 41A) and return by East Lake (Route 41). It is fairly easy to seem lost at the extreme south end, just remember you are in a distinct valley. Keep your eyes on the horizon and keep going in that direction.

Mid-Lakes Navigation Company offer seasonal boat rides to see the lake. One is the morning Mail Boat Cruise which actually delivers the U.S. Mail to lakeside cottages (July 1-Tuesday after Labor Day). This is a tradition on Skaneateles Lake for over 100 years. Evenings is a fabulous Dinner Cruise, tel: 315-685-8500 or 800-545-4318 for more info on their lake and Erie Canal Cruises or vacations (ask for Aimee or Gail). Visit Mid-Lakes Navigation at

Do
Be sure to come back this summer for the Skaneateles Antique and Classic Boat Show. Over 80 beautiful boats grace the shore of Skaneateles Lake. This event is free and open to the public.



Buy
Skaneateles has over 40 unique shops and boutiques. Make sure you get off the main street (Genesee Street) and check out the shops on Jordan and Fennell Streets.



Drink
You can get a great coffee drink at Vermont Green Mountain. The Sherwood Inn tavern offers a great fireplace to enjoy a glass of Finger Lakes wine. The Bluewater Grill has great margaritas!