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Plan a Relaxing Summertime Getaway to the Town of Skaneateles

posted by Teresa Farrell at 2022-05-02 20:33:00

As the weather gets warmer, spring and summer are great times to plan a visit to the Finger Lakes  town of Skaneateles  for a unique experience in shopping, dining, and entertainment. On the shores of its namesake, Skaneateles Lake, one of the 11 Finger Lakes, the town is home to plenty to see and do throughout the seasons, both in the town and on the lake itself.

In both the historic downtown area of Skaneateles and throughout the village itself you’ll find an abundance of unique shops, specialty stores and high-end boutiques, offering everything from clothing and souvenirs to antiques, arts and crafts, toys, pet products, and even artisan candies and other foods. There are plenty of places to enjoy a meal, running the gamut from delis and ice cream stands to pizzerias and pubs to family-friendly grills and more formal sit-down restaurants where top chefs serve up culinary creations. The Finger Lakes area is known for its wine and craft beer, and the Skaneateles area is no exception, offering several places to sip and sample both in town and just outside of the village limits.

No trip to Skaneateles would be complete without some time spent on the water. Starting in May each year, you can aboard a tour boat with Mid-Lakes Navigation  for an afternoon cruise down the lake complete with narration from the knowledgeable captain on local history, or enjoy a lunch or dinner cruise instead. There are even specialty cruises like stargazing or riding along aboard a mailboat on the lake. If you prefer to go out on your own, bring your boat and set out from the town boat launch, or rent one from a local marina—whether you’re looking for a motorized boat, a sailboat, or a canoe or kayak, you’ll find options here. As with much of this region, fishing is also popular  on the lake, which is known for having a good population of smallmouth bass and lake trout, among other species.

When the weather warms up, swimming is available at the town’s Clift Park, and other town parks offer playgrounds, sports fields and courts, and plenty of areas for picnics. Take a walk or a bike ride down the Charlie Major Nature Trail, which runs for 0.8 miles along a former railroad bed on the banks of the Skaneateles Creek; there’s a nice spot for a picnic at the end, and it’s fun to spot the remnants of the railroad that once was.
Skaneateles is also home to beloved events throughout the year. Summer farmers markets are held twice a week at Austin Park, starting in May, providing a great way to sample the local flavors and pick up local items from this agriculturally-rich area. July is a popular month here: it features the annual Curbstone Festival  sidewalk sale features great deals on many items, plus entertainment for kids and adults alike, and the Skaneateles Antique and Classic Boat Show, with a boat parade, demonstrations, entertainment, displays and more, is one of the most popular shows of its kind in the region.

Whether you plan a spring or summertime visit, make sure to get to Skaneateles  while the sun shines to enjoy all the seasonal fun this lakeside Upstate New York  village has to offer.

PHOTO CREDITS

Skaneateles lake photo credit MidLakes Navigation
Tour boats at dock photo credit MidLakes Navigation
Downtown Skaneateles photo credit beyondmyken
Antique boat photo credit Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce
Skaneateles pavilion photo credit Skaneateles Area Chamber of Commerce

 

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