7 Fun Things to Do on Skaneateles Lake

7 Fun Things to Do on Skaneateles Lake

  • Ellen O'Connor
  • 04/11/23

Skaneateles Lake is one of the Finger Lakes located in upstate New York. Skaneateles Lake is unique because of its higher elevation than other lakes. Many people visit Skaneateles to enjoy the area’s wineries or explore the beautiful natural areas around the lake. If you’re considering a trip to Skaneateles or if you’re thinking about shopping for Skaneateles luxury homes, you’ll want to set aside some time while you’re in town to check out some of the activities that you’ll read about on this list. 

Midlakes Navigation


Midlakes Navigation provides seasonal cruises and guided tours on Skaneateles Lake. They regularly host special events such as weddings, reunions, banquets, and business meetings aboard their ships. You can book a sightseeing cruise on Judge Ben Wiles that lasts 45 minutes. The boat holds up to 100 people at one time. You can also reserve your spot on a dinner cruise that lasts two and a half hours. You’ll enjoy an experience similar to the guided tour, but you’ll also have your choice of several delicious plates, such as the prime rib of beef or the chicken marsala. Each meal also includes a bowl of New England clam chowder, a baked potato, bread for the table, a seasonal vegetable, and a dessert chosen by the chef. Most cruises began sailing in the spring, and you can get schedule updates by visiting their website.

Sherwood Inn

The Sherwood Inn has hosted guests in Skaneateles for over 200 years. There are only 25 rooms, so it’s a privilege to stay at the hotel. Each room was restored and decorated with care to preserve the inn’s original charm. Many rooms provide views of the lake, and their friendly staff works hard to make sure you’re comfortable throughout your entire stay. The inn sits directly across the street from the lake, and guests rave about the hotel’s high standards for cleanliness and comfort. There are multiple restaurants on-site as well, so you can enjoy a visit to the Sherwood Inn without booking a room or staying overnight. 

Bluewater Grill


Bluewater Grill is one of the top restaurants located on Skaneateles Lake. You’ll enjoy beautiful views of the water as you sit and enjoy their seafood, sushi, and new American fare. Their full-service bar offers a wide range of beer and cocktails and stays open late even after the kitchen has closed down. Their appetizer menu includes popular plates such as the shrimp cocktail and the bluewater nachos. The Bluewater-style chicken wings are also a top choice. For the main course, you can order one of their handmade sushi rolls, or you can opt for one of their craft burgers or seafood plates. They are open seven days a week from 11:30 a.m. until 9 p.m.

Thayer Park

You’ll find Thayer Park, not far from Bluewater Grill. It’s not a large park, but many people in Skaneateles enjoy bringing a picnic lunch and a blanket and setting up near the water. It’s easy to access right off Route 20. The park stays lit after dark, and there are several benches in the area if you forget to bring a blanket or a lawn chair of your own.

Clift Park

Clift Park is located near downtown Skaneateles by the waterfront. It sits directly across from the Sherwood Inn, and you can often find metered parking nearby. The pier stretches out over the lake and allows guests to experience some of the most beautiful waterfront views they can find anywhere in town. Visiting the park won’t take much time, but it’s definitely worth a trip. Make sure you snap a few photos while you’re on the pier, so you don’t forget what the incredible view was like. You can also take a dip in the water if you would like. The swimming area isn’t large, and you’ll have to pay a small fee, but many people enjoy splashing around in the beautiful clear water. Keep in mind that dogs are not allowed in the park.

Anyela’s Vineyards


Anyela’s Vineyards is located on a hill not far from Skaneateles Lake. It’s open year-round, and it’s a huge draw for people across the region. You’ll enjoy fine wines and expertly-crafted spirits served by the warm and hospitable staff. The winery’s history dates back to Eastern Europe when the Nocek family first started experimenting with various climate patterns. The fertile soil allowed them to grow their own grapes to use in their wines. They planted their first vineyard in Skaneateles in 2001, and they have built a reputation as one of the top wineries in the area. 

They work hard to protect their vines from the harsher temperatures in the winter. Each year they remove the vines one by one and bury them back in the earth. This helps to insulate the primary buds, which improves the taste and quality of the fruits that are harvested in the spring. The winery opens daily at 12 p.m. Closing time varies depending on the day. They regularly offer tastings and special events, and they even have a wine club that you can join if you’re local. You’ll enjoy discounts on bottles along with a complimentary glass of wine each time you visit. 

Barrow Art Gallery


Barrow Art Gallery sits across the street from Thayer Park. They opened their doors in 1900 and continue to impress visitors with their handmade oil paintings. They display over 400 original masterpieces created by John D. Barrow himself. They usually open for the season in April, and you can come by between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.

Interested in moving to Skaneateles? Work with Ellen O’Connor

Perhaps you enjoy your day on Skaneateles Lake so much that you start thinking about shopping for Skaneateles luxury homes. If you get that urge, Ellen O'Connor would love to help. Ellen offers impeccable service to each of her clients. She has spent nearly 20 years helping clients navigate the market for Skaneateles homes, and she would love it if you were the next person she served.


Skaneateles real estate agent

Ellen O'Connor

Associate Real Estate Broker

About The Author

Ellen O'Connor ABR, CLHMS, GRI, SRES, 
Licensed Associate Broker
Uniting Extraordinary People with Exceptional Places
 

Impeccable service, top-tier area expertise, and a keen eye for potential. These are just some of the many qualities you can expect when working with Ellen O’Connor, realtor and real estate broker. Primarily serving the greater Syracuse area, Ellen has 18+ years of industry experience, and prides herself on matching her clients to their dream homes. 

Born and raised in Central New York, Ellen is a lifelong resident of the area and is one of Skaneateles’ leading industry experts. Her real estate career began in 2004 when she decided to combine her love of historic properties and helping others. Through many years of hard work and dedication to her clients, Ellen has become one of the area’s most renowned real estate experts. She has also painstakingly renovated over 19 properties, some dating back to the 19th Century, giving her unique insight on real estate investment in the area. Ellen is a licensed Associate Real Estate Broker, a Member of the National Association of Realtors, and holds numerous industry designations, including Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI), Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR), Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist (CLHMS), and Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES). In addition to her industry awards and accolades, she holds a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Lawrence University. 

Ellen is well-versed in many different facets of a real estate transaction. From her first-hand experience of property restoration to her many years of brokering deals, she has built an exemplary reputation as a top-tier agent. Ellen understands the nuances of lakefront properties and the hidden potential of under-appreciated assets, which give her a distinctive edge over the competition. She guides her clients through every aspect of a real estate transaction, from the first meeting to the closing table. Ellen works with buyers, sellers, and investors throughout the Central New York Region, specializing in lakefront homes, historic houses, investment properties, and vacation homes.

Along with building a successful real estate career, Ellen has made a wonderful life for herself beyond her work. She is the proud mother of two grown sons. She currently lives in Manlius and on Skaneateles Lake with her rescue dog, Beauregard, a Jack Russell/ Australian Cattle Dog mix who definitely runs the show. Her passions include historic property restoration, gardening, cooking, decorating, and design, as well as perusing vintage shops and estate sales for antiques.

Work With Ellen

Ellen O'Connor offers impeccable service to real estate clients in the Central New York region, with a specialized focus on waterfront and distinctive properties.

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