9 Best Things to Do in Skaneateles, NY

© Jon/stock.adobe.com

The green-blue waters of the scenic Skaneateles Lake is a gem and perhaps the highlight attraction of Skaneateles. Set among forested ridges, the serene and beautiful lake is the sixth largest of New York’s Finger Lakes. At around sixteen miles long and three-fourths miles wide, Skaneateles Lake, which means “long lake” in Iroquois, stretches across three different counties. Bicycling and boating are both very popular outdoor recreation activities at the lake. While there aren’t any marked bike trails, there is a 32-mile road circuit. Skaneateles Lake is also used as a water source, so there are relatively strong environmental controls.

© Anyela's Vineyards

Anyela's Vineyards is a unique vineyard in the Finger Lakes Wine Country of New York as they protect their vines from the colder weather after the harvest in the fall. The vines are carefully removed one-by-one from the trellises, then buried in the property’s rich earth in order to insulate their sensitive primary buds. During the spring, the vines are re-trellised for maximum exposure to the sun. Visitors can stop by Anyela's Vineyards for a wine tasting from noon until 5:00pm on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Tastings are first-come, first-served and include Signature and Select Tastings, as well as flights.

2433 West Lake Rd, Skaneateles, NY 13152, Phone: 315-685-3797

© Akeel/stock.adobe.com

Carpenter Falls is a loop trail a little more than a mile in length and offers a moderate hike and three waterfalls for hikers to explore. This trail is used primarily for nature trips, walking, and hiking, and is best visited between the month of March through the month of October. Dogs are allowed on the Carpenter Falls trail as well. The Carpenter Falls itself is the main highlight of the hike, reaching ninety feet tall and powerfully falling through the massive limestone caprock overhang into the deep pool of water below. The views here are amazing, however, the climbing is dangerous.

© Last Shot Distillery

First opening its doors in December of 2015, the Last Shot Distillery is situated adjacent to the area’s Charlie Major Nature Trail, just two miles away from downtown Skaneateles, New York. The mission of the distillery is to bring new perspectives to the “art of distilling,” as well as creating a family business that’s centered around the community and historic traditions they love. Open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, the tasting room of the Last Shot Distillery offers samples of their small-batch spirits, as well as craft cocktails. Guests can also take a tour or purchase bottles and other merchandise.

4022 Mill Road, Skaneateles, NY, 13152, Phone: 315-554-8241

© Lockwood Lavender Farm

The Lockwood Lavender Farm is the charming area of Skaneateles in New York’s picturesque Finger Lakes district is a fiber and flower farm that spans across approximately 120 acres. Tucked within a hillside overlooking the region’s beautiful Skaneateles Lake, the lavender farm was established back in the year 1854 and has been owned and operated by five generations of the Lockwood Family. The Lockwood Lavender Farm is open to visitors on Saturdays and Sundays in July, from 10:00am until 5:00pm. Operating as a working farm, the lavender farm is accessible, but has unpaved pathways and uneven terrain.

1682 W Lake Rd, Skaneateles, NY 13152, Phone: 315-685-5369

© Skaneateles Historical Society at the Creamery

Skaneateles Historical Society Museum at the Creamery showcases a collection of artifacts consisting of hundreds of different items associated with farming, commerce, the press, architecture, art, transportation, recreation, and manufacturing. Opened in 1899, the Skaneateles Creamery Company was a place where local farmers could sell milk and other dairy products to the residents of the area. The Creamery today is used as a museum that highlights local history and locally made items, such as boats, chairs, wooden toys, and carriages. Among the exhibits at the museum is one devoted to the Skaneateles Creamery Company and the dairy farming industry.

28 Hannum St, Skaneateles, NY 13152, Phone: 315-685-1360

© Sherwood Inn

The Sherwood Inn is situated along the northern shore of the scenic Skaneateles Lake, right in the middle of the historic Skaneateles village, the “Eastern Gateway” of New York’s Finger Lakes, with all of its charming old homes, galleries, and quaint shops. Along with the numerous dining establishments with a superb reputation in the area, the inn offers several dining options as well, including the Dining Room, the Sherwood Tavern, and the Bluewater Grill, which provides lakeview dining. The Sherwood Inn has been a popular vacation destination for families for many generations, including the country’s former First Family.

26 W Genesee St, Skaneateles, NY 13152, Phone: 315-685-3405

© The Krebs

Established back in the year 1899, The Krebs in the idyllic lakeside village of Skaneateles, New York is a fine dining, historic restaurant. The restaurant focuses on a modern approach to the classic cooking techniques, with a result of American cuisine that is both exciting and familiar. The Krebs prides itself on making every effort to create a memorable dining experience for its guests, from its meticulously sourced wines to its expert execution of American fare to its excellent service. Much of the restaurant's menu is sourced locally, showing support for both local Finger Lakes wineries and local farmers.

53 West Genesee St, Skaneateles, NY 13152, Phone: 315-685-1800

© Valentine's Delicatessen

Valentine's Delicatessen specializes in high quality pizzas made with dough that’s made fresh every day. The restaurant always uses quality, fresh ingredients, offering a wide variety of toppings. In addition to pizza, the delicatessen also serves an array of deli sandwiches, subs, and wraps with a range of breads and ingredients. The menu also features salads, numerous appetizers, gyros, calzones, and wings with an option of around twenty different sauces. Valentine's Delicatessen is open Monday to Thursday from 9:00am until 9:00pm, Fridays and Saturdays from 9:00am until 10:00pm, and Sundays from 10:00am until 9:00pm.

18 W Genesee St, Skaneateles, NY 13152, Phone: 315-685-8804