

Skaneateles Lake is located in the quaint village of Skaneateles. The lake is very pristine and you get beautiful views when walking around the village. Lots of quaint shops and excellent restaurants in the area.

This lake was majestic, just not a lot of public access. Research before you go. Take a boat ride available from Mid Lakes.

Staying at the Sherwood Inn for the weekend with a lakefront room we were able to witness a beautiful sunrise across Skaneateles lake one morning.This lake is so pristine, I have never seen water so clear.Even walking out a few hundred yards on the town pier you can see clearly to the bottom.Peaceful and calm the lake looked like glass at times.It was nice to see some of opulent homes on the hills on the side of the lake including the former Roosevelt estate.

We try to make a breakfast date several times a year in Skaneateles. First go to the Skan Bakery and then go sit by the lake and have coffee and breakfast sandwich.

Enjoyed sitting on the bench by the lake, having a sandwich and observing the activity on the water and soaking up the warm autumn sun. Very relaxing afternoon.

Parked next to a lovely lakeside town park before walking to lunch along main street. Enjoyed wonderful lake views before, during and after lunch. Skaneateles is a classy town with lots to offer.

Relaxing lakeside experience.wonderful walking areas and very unique shopping. Stores ar located in a central part of tow so walking distance to all of them was very easy.

I grew up in Skaneateles, but had not been back in years. It is even more beautiful than I remembered.The town has turned into a tourist destination, but it has been done very well. This is truly a place worth visiting!

I fell in love with Skaneateles when I first visited the town and the lake is the crowning jewel. There's a small bathing area accessed from the small public park on the lakeside and people fish from the end of the boating ramp / pier. When the sun is out the whole place seems to sparkle. I'd love to live in Skaneateles and if I did I'd spend plenty of time relaxing by the lake. The town itself is lovely; well kept, neat and tidy with some nice shops and restaurants.

We were stunned by how clear the water is at the lake, and how deep the lake is at the south end. The view and parks surrounding the lake are perfect for relaxation. My husband hired a boat for fishing and had a wonderful trip. Three varieties of fish, small mouth bass, lake trout and perch and 21 total fish in a five hour trip. Also great scenery and one bald eagle sighting.

Beautiful scenery. While it won't compete with Bora Bora for any awards, it's a welcome oasis in northern NY.

We walked around downtown Skaneateles (it tries too hard to be hip, in my opinion) and sat in the park after lunch, just looking at the lake. Very serene and relaxing. Great antidote to all the tourists in town.

We love the area and to walk about and enjoy the area. Recommend for a stop to enjoy the area and hit one of the restaurants.

I am fortunate to live here. The Lake is a jewel of the Central New York area. One of the Finger Lakes, it is situated between Rochester and Syracuse. It is also one of the cleanest lakes in the world, as it is spring fed, and is also the water supply for Syracuse. That also means it is refreshing to swim in (translates to Brrrr-cold). At the North end of the lake is beautiful Village of Skaneateles. Restaurants, a Bakery and Patisserie, lots of shopping and several shops that carry hand made items from local artists. If you drive around the lake, there are many beautiful vistas and some walking trails. One of which will take you to Carpenter Falls. On the West side of the lake is Angela's winery, now host to the Skaneateles Festival, a venue for world renowned musicians. A lovely day trip for people from Buffalo, Utica, Rochester, Binghamton, Ithaca. People from all over the world have stopped to visit.

The lake is amazing, not only to look at it, but more so be on or in. I brought a friend and his family here, they were getting thirsty and asked to go in to get some water. I dipped there bottles into the lake and refilled them. They couldn't believe how clear the water was and the fact that you could actually drink the water straight without filtering it. How many lakes can you see down as far as there is light? I've seen up to 60 FEET deep before on calm days in full sunshine. Absolutely breathtaking. If you visit, find a way thru friends or family onto the lake for a few hours. You won't be disappointed.

We've visited all of them and they each have their good points. Skaneateles has it all. Amazingly clear water, and a charming town with lots of great places to eat and to stay. The historic Sherwood Inn and contemporary Packwood House are both good bets if you're staying in town. Mirbeau, just outside of town, looks like a little piece of France, where pampering and spa treatments abound. Take a ride on an actual working mailboat, or have dinner, drinks and learn about the lake on a cruise aboard the Judge Ben Wiles. It's a good 2 or 3 days of things to do and see.

Sitting on the benches near the boat area was very relaxing just watching the people. It was very beautiful and enjoyed it very much.

Enjoyed a beautiful cruise along Skaneateles lake. It was a beautiful day and the captain and crew wonderful. Very interesting and informative as well

Skaneateles is an absolutely beautiful lake. Unfortunately, other than a small public park in the village and a boat launch five miles south of the village there is no public access. If you enjoy driving around and look at scenery, there are many spectacular views from the roads that go around the lake.

It is a very charming place... The view from town is relaxing... It is peppered with all kinds of attractions and restaurants, and of course, lake houses dot it all over. There are parks especially in the village side.
The lake winds along its length, and bordered by high hills (or little mountains), very quaint. The village is alive with visitors and locals.

We live really close by, and Skaneateles is our favorite place. The lake is beautiful and one of the cleanest lakes in America.

The village of Skaneateles has to be one of the few villages in America that has retained it's charm and beauty throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. The choices of overnight accommodations, and dining facilities makes this the perfect destination spot. The beauty of the town, at the head of the lake, is unmatched; the lake providing hours of relaxation and recreation.
A dinner cruise on the "Judge Ben Wiles", or a trip around the lake on the vintage mail boat make for an unforgettable memory. The Sherwood Inn, at the head of the lake, provides a wonderful retreat for a drink, dinner, or an overnight stay.
Once you have experienced Skaneateles, you will forever be drawn back to the village on the lake.

Enjoyed the small shoppes while waiting to take the dinner cruise.
Great experience touring the lake.
Beautiful weather as well!

July 17th was a gorgeous day on the lake. Clean crisp waters, beautiful homes and a quaint village. Love this place!!

Good for just sitting, or to swim. We took a boat ride. All finger lakes are long, not very deep. This is intermediate size. Magnificent houses line the shores, as well as a golf club.

Quaint town, lots to do from beach, boating, food, boutiques, antiques....spend a day or weekend 20 miles from syracuse ny

Came here for a girls trip and had a lovely time. Note that there are no boat trips after 10-1 which is a shame because the lake is lovely in the fall. Lots of cute restaurants, shops, bakeries and things to see
We took a day trip to nearby Auburn and walked around that town as well. Cute shops and places to eat.
I would definitely return as the people are friendly and it's a lovely relaxing place to getaway.

My boyfriend ordered food from a burger place near by, grabbed some dessert from the bakery, and had a picnic right by the lake with our pet dog. It was romantic, clean, beautiful, and relaxing! During the winter the town also host a beautiful Christmas carol scenery with people dressed in costume, singing and walking around greeting you!

Park in town and you can’t miss the gorgeous lake. There is a pier and a few small parks to take a closer look. Beautiful homes surrounding the the lake. This is a great small town. Only 25 minutes from Syracuse but a world away.

Very pretty countryside, and we had a nice drive around the lake (about an hour). Not a lot to do on the lake, a quiet residential, farming community surrounding the Lake and the quaint village of Skaneateles. But there is a lavendar farm and winery on the west side (we did not stop, but heard very nice things). We did the boat tour for 50 mins, which was just enough time. I would not have done the 2 or three hour tour. Pretty country, now westward to the other Lakes!

We have an annual reunion of cousins on this lake every year - so serene, many beautiful homes and cottages, always boat activity on crystal clear waters in this lake.I swam in this lake and it was delightful, as was sailing and kayaking. Its the BEST lake.

we had a day trip here and the time just flew away
the scenery is beautiful with good choice of restaurants, some local products and of course shopping

Not an easy lake to access if you aren't staying in a house with a private lakefront. BUT...it is absolutely worth visiting. The public swimming area in town is adequate, the village is beyond charming, and the lake is second to none. Pristine, gorgeous, perfect.

Beautiful views and lots of opportunities to sit and enjoy some coffee. It was fun watching the ducks too. There is a pier to walk out on. Beautifully landscaped. It was nice to be able to visit the lake and the shops at once.

Took boat cruise. It was lovely. Beautiful homes along lake. Sunset was magnificent but blinding for a while.

This lake is awesome.......very beautiful. Some of the homes on this lake are gigantic and I can only imagine what one does in order to afford such places to live.......very nice to look at though.

A lovely lake with a number of places to walk out on the docks, pay for swimming areas, or boat rentals.

Took a dip, loved the views, 15 miles of pristine enjoyment. The homes, the people, the views are all killer!!!

The view on this lake is just beautiful!! There is a lovely park to sit and enjoy the scenery and a beach to swim at. We also recommend the boat tour.

One of the most beautiful places in the world. View from Thornton Park looking south. Skaneateles Lake is 16 miles long and very picturesque.

Well almost like Him and you won't get wet on the pier! Such a great view and the water is so clear like you've never seen water in NY!

This is a very wonderful to plan on spending the day. It is a step back in time. still looks like an old town with different little shops to visit. There is a seafood restaurant people line up you will see them standing on the street to get in for the fish fry.
In December people dress up as old time carolers, not sure if they sing.. I haven't been able to get back there in December but I want to so badly.

Absolutely one of the nicest spots in the northeast if not the country. Water is noted for its clarity and rated high nationally for its drinking. The town is bustling, but not overwhelming and the restaurant selection is upscale all the way to total casual. NO fast food chains or box stores here.

We took the boat tour of the lake. There are two tours. One is the mail boat in the summer. It goes around the whole lake, a three hour tour. The more popular one is about 45 minutes which hits the high points. One thing we learned is that this lake is home to several of the "rich and famous". Some really upscale homes on the shorefront.

This lake is really beautiful and the water is amazingly clear. Enjoy a nice walk out on the pier to take a look out at the huge houses on the lake. Definitely recommend taking the boat tour as well

Let's start with the lake. Beautiful view from Austin Park, crystal clear, one of the cleanest lakes in the world. The town has wonderful shops and restaurants and many events throughout the year (classic boat show, Dickens' Christmas, etc.) Great place for couples, families and friends.

Skaneateles Lake (aren't you glad you aren't a first grader who lives there and has to spell the name) is a beautiful, sometime very choppy lake in the Finger Lakes chain. At the north end of the lake is the beautiful town of Skaneateles that had its first heyday back in the days of hand-combing cotton bolls to get the fiber ready to be spun. They used, and grew, teasels - this spiny dried flower heads to comb. The town, because of the lake, has attracted wealthy folk to build magnificent homes around the north end of the lake. Today, preservation and re-use of buildings draws tourists year-round. For instance, a former bank is now a gift shop, including the vault. There is much to see, do, and eat in Skaneateles.

Stopped by during a finger lakes trip.
What a beautiful lake.
Take a walk on the street, stop for coffee or a meal, walk or drive by the lake.. whatever you do you will enjoy.

It is a very clean lake. We love to launch our boat and cruise around the lake and look at the houses. The lake has doom very good fishing for rainbow trout, lake trout and smallmouth bass. The only bad thing about the lake it only has 2 boat launches. One at the south end of the lake that is for very small boats and one on the northwest area of the lake. The northwest launch is very nice but it has limited space for parking. It fills up quickly on nice weekends. Oh, there is a private launch in mandana that you can use but it's not a docked launch so it is hard to use it.

Beautiful lake..great town at the North end with excellent shopping & dining!
Calm clean water & light boat traffic the weekend we were there for a wedding.

This is a beautiful lake and village. The colors are unbelievable. Shops are quaint and staff friendly. The area is clean and safe.

Great place to visit for a day or a week! Cute shops, great restaurants, and the lake! Great for the kids (Angel's Hevenly Hamburgers), swimming at the park, playing at the great playground in Austin Park, and a trip to the toy store). Fun for couples (Sherwood Inn, Rosalie's or the Kreb's for dinner), shopping, or a day at the spa (Mirbeau).

I've read many wonderful reviews about this beautiful serene Lake BUT... I'm really looking for that AND swimming in a Lake for our 2 day trip? Is that even an option here? Please let me know my best girlfriend and I are in need of a last minute getaway for tomorrow August 11th!!!!

I grew up in the Skaneateles area. I think most people do not take advantage of the many things available to them right near their home. Skaneateles is a beautiful village with so much to offer. The variety of shops and restaurants in the village will not disappoint. There is something for everyone. The crown jewel is Skaneateles Lake itself. Take advantage of the views of the crystal clear water, beautiful homes along the lake, the pier and the village park. Great place to visit for the day!

We commandeered two park benches on the north shore of the lake, near the mail/tourist boat dock, for a picnic. A variety of people passed by, including a wedding party. The mail boat sounded its horn and backed out with load of tourists. We wondered if the owners of the estates on the surrounding shores pay extra to have the post office deliver mail to their docks.

This a beautiful, clean and pristine Lake close to Syracuse and Auburn. So clean the city of Syracuse uses this lake for its daily water supply. Only one vineyard on this Finger Lake so not much in wine tasting tours. Most of the lake is in private hands. Great public park in the village of Skaneateles with free concerts in the summer. Visit the lavender farm. Many excellent restaurants in the village as well as beautiful historic homes and quaint shops. State boat launch on the west side of the lake. Not one of the Great Lakes however this is a great lake.

We just took the "Barbara S. Wyles" mailboat trip on Skaneateles Lake, in the Finger Lakes region in upstate NY. It was a real treat. The trip took 3 hours and the crew really does deliver the US mail as well as pick up outgoing mail from the residents who live on the lake whether seasonally or permanently. The lake is 17 miles long and one and a half miles wide at its widest point. We opted for the light lunch which was extra but worth the money. The boat holds approximately 40 people which makes it a little crowded but you can opt to sit on the bow or stern if you want to be outside. Skaneateles Lake is probably the cleanest lake in NY and supplies drinking water to the city of Syracuse. The staff of two were very informative and narrated the entire trip. They even let me drive on the way back to port. This is a must do if you are in the area.

This is a crystal clear lake surrounded by beautiful homes and a very quaint town. Well worth a trip to see. Try the boat tour. The entire area is just gorgeous.

The lake itself is incredibly clean and clear, but what people go there for is the atmosphere of the surrounding area. Immediately surrounding the lake are cute little shops, a couple wineries, and some really good restaurants overlooking the water. There is a dinner cruise that goes around the lake and has some nice views of all the mansions. There is also a small park at the edge of the lake where you can launch boats or sit on a park bench and relax.

We were so happy to discover this immaculate Lake and park area two hours away from our Buffalo home ! Skaneateles Lake offers safe, life guarded beach access with rope off area and rafts for swimming. The water is so clear you can see to the bottom of lake. The long pier is a great walk. We saw two antique boats offering lake tours every two hours. We stayed across the road at the charming Sherwood Inn. Lovely shopping and gorgeous lakefront homes. Will definitely return this Fall.

This quaint lake side town was a pleasant visit on a summers Sunday afternoon. The well kept gardens around the lake and the classic picket fenced houses along the high street enhances the appeal of the town.
There was a great band concert on the lawn of one of the houses.
Well worth a divert.

We visited Skaneateles with family here for the 4th. They were amazed at the beauty of this Finger Lake! Just a great place to go and spend some time.

My Grandparents had a summer home on the Lake from the 1940's through the early 1980's, so Skaneateles holds a special place in my heart. My wife and I make a trip to the Lake at least once a year just to see this most beautiful lake. Clearly there are changes to the village since I was young, but fortunately the feeling is very much the same as I walk through the village as I did years ago with my Grandmother. And as far as the lake goes it seems even clearer and more beautiful. What else to say, you need to see the Lake.........

Gorgeous lake, charming shops and nice restaurants. Took a boat ride past all the gorgeous estates and smaller homes. Want to go
back and explore some more.

The lake is really nice, don't miss a nice walk on the muelle and by the lake! The weather was perfect!

Beautiful lake, extremely clean and blue. We just missed the opportunity of a boat trip but enjoyed walking along the shore close to the beatiful down town Skaneateles.

Drive from Syracuse is very picturesque and scenic. The town is old with few modern buildings. The downtown is small and the lake is right there next to a good number of shops and restaurants. I could not take the Boat Tour; but I have heard it is very good. Will do so next time. There are some good restaurants nearby. People are friendly. On driving further down the road from the lake away from the town gets one to some good old style houses. I have to explore this town more next time. Highly recommended to active people.

Unfortunately the lake was closed to swimming since we came after Labor Day. However, hailing from Rochester, NY where the lakes are murky, it was refreshing to be able to see straight to the bottom of Skaneateles Lake!

This lake is so beautiful, but there is only one tiny public beach (and using the word beach is a stretch), and it has no sand, just steps into the water. The town is filled with rich people and their fancy houses line the shore. For us regular folks, all we can do is look at the houses! Sad that there is no there options to swim for us regular folks.

I came here with my boyfriend after walking the town on skaneatles. Beautiful view--although I do wish there was more lawn space for picnic benches or places to sit. The next time we go I would love to check out the boat cruise they offer.

My husband and I took one of the cruises around the lake with other seniors in our group. The weather was just beautiful. The lake serene. Lots of amazing pictures. Hope to come back and spend more time as there is so much more to see and photograph.

Water was crystal clear and was so beautiful to stand out on the pier and look at the amazing view. There is a gazebo you can sit on as well.

Skaneateles Lake is a beautiful place to visit no matter what your interests are. We love coming here during the December break to attend the Dickens Festival, where all the locals are in Victorian Era clothing. People use the lake for all kinds of water sports, and the entire area is attractive as well. It is worth a special trip during the warmer months.

very nice downtown area- full of unique shops- and a pleasant town green like area at the lake. Lots of restaurants as well- not a chain to be seen

One of the most beautiful lakes in the eastern United States. Crystal-clear waters, distant views of rolling hills and beautiful waterfront homes. The downtown area of Skaneateles which borders the lake is well thought out and cared for. Lots of unique shops and restaurants to explore.

Lake is beautiful. Cleanest lake in the country. Great boat launch. Quaint shops in town. Many restaurants to chose from, coffee shop, ice cream, etc. Very relaxing. Picturesque during the changing of the leaves.

We love visiting Skaneateles Lake and the entire village, though we usually go during the Dicken's Festival in December. We had a wonderful time strolling along the shops, especially the old antique stores and such. We loved the oil-and-vinegar store as well, which we'd never noticed before. There are great restaurants all along the main road, too, and countless great views of the lake from everywhere. I highly recommend this town and lake to anyone looking for a peaceful, fun place to spend a day.

What a beautiful CLEAN lake......it's a very active lake with boats ,fishing and plenty of of lakeside homes and summer camps. It's amazing that this all goes on and is also the drinking supply for Ithaca.....my husband swam in Lake and said it was fabulous...

Skaneateles Lake is beautiful with a stretch of green areas along the northern end to sit and enjoy the beautiful views. It's great to stroll along the lake. There is also a pier that you can walk out on. Grab an ice cream cone or treat from one of the bakeries and take in the beauty of the lake!

One of the prettiest lakes I've been to. Even the walk out onto the peer which is probably a couple hundred feet long was spectacular!!

Even in march, this region is well worth a visit. The day we visited, the wind was strong and the lake was whipped up, with whitecaps. Magnificent.

Have spent several years here with family and continue to be mesmerized by the beauty of this spot. This is such a beautiful town with lovely stores and great restaurants!

There's a nice park in town on the lake with plenty of bench is it aligns to enjoy the beautiful view. The countryside around the lake is absolutely beautiful rolling farmlands. Be sure to take some time to walk around the area to admire the beautiful old homes in town

OK - I am biases since this is my hometown but what a place it is! The village is like a little dollhouse and the lake is refreshing, clean and lovely to see. There isn't a prettier lake in NY State as far as I am concerned. There is a boating ramp about 3 miles up the west side of the lake so it's also accessible to boaters. The village has some lovely restaurants and shops so relax and enjoy! It is lovely in December during the holidays and the summer. Don't forget to try the new White Birch Tasting Room for some local NYS wine, craft beer and spirits. You will be so surprised by their offerings.

Beautiful Finger lake and great town for strolling and shopping. Actually I live in this town so anytime of year is great; but summer is best and also Thanksgiving til Christmas is wonderful on weekends because they have the Dickens Christmas

We've been here many times and it's always beautiful. Walk out on the peir and take in the breathtaking views. Sit on the park bench and just enjoy. And if you've never been here before you'll see just how clear the water is.

My husband and I enjoyed kayaking on this crystal clear, clean Finger Lake. The lake is spring fed and the bottom of the lake is visible even up to 10-15 feet.

The lake has been well maintained and has several wonderful places to sit and take in the view. Great place to take a picnic lunch. There are places where swimming is allowed and a nice pier to take a stroll. Well worth the visit!

Great place to spend the day walking shopping and great restaurants crystal clear lake awesome park and war memorial

Skaneateles Lake is a spring-fed lake whose color is ever-changing from blue to turquoise to silver gray--all depending on the sun and sky at any particular time. It's a wonderful boating lake with lovely views, especially at the south end of the lake.

We love visiting this lake and the picturesque town that shares the same name. It is pretty, small-town, and has lots of quaint shops and such located along the main street. The town serves as the host of the annual Dickens Festival in December, which draws tourists from around the state. There are lots of great places to enjoy lunch of diner here, and nice lodging as well. This place is great to visit any time of the year, or to stay over. Highly recommended!

This lake is beautiful. I love the pier that I walked out on. It was Christmas time, and there was a lit tree out there. The town is amazing as well, with all the little shops and restaurants.

Hard to find a prettier Lake anywhere in the world. I've sail on it, fish in it, swim in it, drink it, cross country ski on it.
The Lake is deep and beautiful and very carefully monitored for potential polluters. it is a water supply, surrounded by beautiful homes, camps and farms as well as a 2000+/- acre recreation area at the south end,

We stayed on Skaneateles lake for
two nights and visited the town for dinner. After dinner we took a walk on the pier and sat on a bench in the park area to look at the lake. It's a very nice area, plenty of dining, shopping, and bakeries with lake views all around. Definitely recommend walking out on the pier. It's an absolutely gorgeous view.

Picture perfect. Benches available to sit and relax. Walkable piers. Also a quaint gazebo. Traveled there in early January and Christmas decorations were still up. The gazebo had a Christmas tree in the center that was lite up at night.

This pristine lake often catches travelers by surprise. As you drive along Route 20 in Central NY the road passes very close to the water not once but twice. There are two public parks, one at each end of the shopping district, where you can sit and enjoy this spectacular view. If you have the time take one of several boat excursions so that you can see the village and shoreline from the water.

We spent a grey summer day exploring this historic town. Immaculately maintained Renaissance Revival homes line the streets off the main avenue, wonderful gardens, nice farmers market, enough shops, stores, casual restaurants and handmade ice cream parlors to keep anyone happily occupied for a day or a weekend. We enjoyed a covered boat tour from the main dock in town,an old-fashioned wooden boat that took us past so many beautiful, opulent summer homes. There's also a swimming beach off the same strip, which includes a public park. Also included a visit to Mirbeau Spa, Green Lakes Park and dinner in downtown Syracuse on the same weekend. All close driving distance through rolling farm country. Very enjoyable, a nice weekend destination from the NYC area.

Summer, Fall, Winter or Spring it takes your breath away. We come here all year long. There are sevral events during the year & many restaurants to choose from. You can even take a cruise starting at the foot of the lake in Skaneateles. They even have a dinner cruise which is very good. I've taken dinner cruises when it is just for a company event, or group event. Close to Auburn & Syracuse. Just a beautiful place.

Probably my favorite Finger Lake, the water is incredibly clear (and cold). We have enjoyed the public parks in the village that offer a great view, we have accessed it for boating either at the state boat launch or Mandana. There is a pier in the village that allows you to walk out and enjoy a great view.
We will go back again and again.

Lovely little town is on one of the prettiest of the Finger Lakes. Just perfect combination of small town charm, local wineries, farm to table, small shops. Lots of beautiful places to relax & beautiful views!

We had a family brunch at The Sherwood Inn and crossed the street to take a picture in front of the lake. It was a beautiful day and the pictures came out great! It's a great place to sit and relax!.

The town is quaint and beautiful, with neat, well preserved older homes and a small business district near the lake. There are a couple of small grassy, tree covered parks with benches along the north side of the lake, great to take in the view, but very little or no access to the water. The only stairs leading down to the water were locked, and there were no public facilities that we could find. We also drove around the lake in search of a public park to have a lunch picnic but could not find one. The water is crystal clear and plenty of nice people to talk to. Nice town to visit for an afternoon from Syracuse.

wonderful village to walk around with nice stores to visit and wonderful restaurants to choose from.

34 State Street is a beautifully restored 1840's residential exquisitely decorated with modern bathrooms, mechanicals, electronics, etc. Bed & pillows best ever, excellent self serve breakfasts. Last but not least, Katie & Jack are wonderful hosts. We did not want to leave!

Skaneateles is a beautiful small town with a wonderful lake that is clear and clean enough for swimming! We did not see any showers there. Public bathroom iare about 1 1/2-2 blocks away. If you want to stay dry, you can take the boat tour instead!
Dogs are not allowed on the grass, but I saw many locals bring their dogs anyway.

I don't think I've ever seen a freshwater lake so clear as this one! Well worth a visit! Nice little town and plenty to do.

A Great place to see a view all kinds of wonderful things .. Its a beautiful town to see all kinds of different things and eat at local shops.. People are plentiful.. a Local market, park and etc..

Chanced upon this town on our drive last 4th of July weekend and was pleasantly surprised by this lovely town. The downtown is just by the lake and we were lucky that day we visited there was an outdoor concert of sorts so it was thoroughly enjoyable. While I recognise it was a Sunday when we visited, the town seem to have that very laid-back charm (I guess having a lake beside the downtown does that!). It made me want to move there or find a similar place to move!

We recently visited Skaneateles in the Finger Lakes and were so pleased with what we found there. There are several Finger Lakes but what we found was there are none quite like Skaneateles. The lake is one of the cleanest in the country and this quaint walkable village is just lovely. The shops are all so unique and full of an array of items and not touristy or tacky in any way at all. The restaurants are excellent and a great variety of choices. We looked at going to many different locations in the finger lakes but landed on Skaneateles and are so pleased that we did! Our only disappointment was we wish we had chosen a better place to stay as we were quite disappointed with our lodging at the Sherwood. We will definitely go back but choose another place to stay next time.

Skaneateles Lake is breath takingly beautiful! The spring fed lake is cold year round and swimming is allowed at the park at the foot of the lake in the center of town! Take a ride on either East lake or West lake Road to see a combination of cozy camps, palatial estates & year round homes. The village has great restaurants, quaint shops..& lots of places for long walks or great bike rides. Boat rides on the 'mail boat' are available at the foot of the lake in town.

We decided to take the boat ride for a day cruise on Skaneateles Lake and were not disappointed. The captain took us five miles into the lake and we got to see all the million dollar homes on the water. You can also see the wineries from a distance. The water is so clear too.

Love the long pier & the benches on the shoreline. This is a beautiful, clear, clean lake and a treasure for the area.

If in the Central NY area, it is definitely worth a visit to Skaneateles Lake. The water is clear. The views are amazing. A wide variety of cute shops to browse as well as restaurants to eat at.

Lounging along the lake is a great way to spend an hour. Saw a number of people eating lunch while gazing out on the peaceful view. Blue water, beautiful homes on the lakes and frequent sail boat races to watch. Great place to spend a few minutes.

My BAE has wanted to visit Skaneateles for many years, but didn't tell me until recently. So, on a visit to Cooperstown, we took a leisurely drive over. The trip along one of the country's oldest divided highways, US 20, was a trip back in time. If I closed my eyes, I could imagine being back 80 years touring in my '36 Packard on the way to one of the many spas and resorts built on the mineral springs the area was known for. But I didn't, because we would have gotten into an accident. The area is reminiscent of the european alpine lakes with stunning blue water and towering trees or well kept lake homes surrounding the shore.

We come here often as it is so relaxing to just sit and relax. It is not like some lakes where there are just so many motor boats and sea doo's making so much noise. There are beautiful well kept grassy areas (park) with lots of benches to enjoy the beauty of it all.

This lake is excellent for boating, swimming, even fishing. The setting is so pretty with trees, gazebos, grills, and a bridge you walk over from the parking lot to the lake area. There is a play ground for kids. There is a lot of parking space too. You would love this place. I go whenever I can.

We found spring-fed Skaneateles Lake and the town to be one of our favorite stops on our summer tour of the finger lakes. Stay right in town for the best walkable tour of the town of Skaneateles, take the Boat Tour to see something of the lake and get a good talk on lake history. Enjoy dinner at one of several good restaurants and life is good.

Beautiful upstate New york Finger Lakes town unspoiled as the Thruway bypassed it in 1953. One of a few towns left intact with the classic late 1940s, early 1950s upstate New York atmosphere. Quaint shops on a beautiful lake. If it was only 74 degrees year round, I wouldn't have to bounce back and forth between Florida and new york every year.

Four of us walked down to the park and sat and enjoyed the peaceful offerings of the lake. It is such a nice area with a fountain and memorials and seating under lovely mature trees. We just enjoyed the beauty and the quiet. The sun was shining off the water like diamonds and we just kept taking picture after picture. This is a great place to visit.

I've been going to this lake every summer since was born. The water is crystal clear even way out. The town has become very upscale over the past couple decades but it still has some of the old charm when you look past the pricey newer shops. Very peaceful lake and wonderful for swimming and boating. Wine country and outlets not far and always lots to do. This place is a slice of heaven for sure.

What a lovely little Village! We had only a few hours there but would have liked to spend more time (next time). We easily found street metered parking and explored the very clean, very pretty lakefront park area - well manicured, public seating, pier, etc. Really attractive! The village has quite a bit of history along with some incredibly beautiful homes. There is much browsing and shopping to be done right right near the lake - along with plenty of places to eat and drink. If we were to spend an extended period of time in the area (vs. the drive-by we were doing), I'd seriously consider making Skaneateles our "base camp". Of the other towns we visited on our Finger Lakes road trip (Canandaigua, Geneva, Watkins Glen, Ithaca, Auburn), I liked Skaneateles best. Man, how I'd love to own one of those stunning lakefront homes!

Wonderful, quaint and just lovely. Restaurants are very nice, the lake is so clean. We even lightly discussed retiring here!

The boat ride is worth it, especially on a beautiful weather day where the water is clam and tranquil The staff were great, and the story lines were fascinating, in regards to the homes that were built around the lake and the history of the region. great for family's. They also serve food on board an drinks.

Again, full disclose... I love this place so much my wife and I got married at the Sherwood Inn. A lovely town... scenic, unique stores and places to eat, a nice public beach and of course the famous Dickens Christmas festival on the weekends in December... Summer or winter, you will not regret going to the Skinny!

I am always astonished how clear the water is in Skaneateles Lake. The whole community and area reflect the fact that, as a major water supply, there is more care given to the area. Prosperous and friendly, laid back with a plethora of great restaurants, you can go wrong. Put dad at the pub and mom can peruse all the cool shops. Everything is there, jewelry, clothing, knick knacks, great antiques, and there's even a Talbot's! You can't go wrong go for a boat tour and enjoy one of the treasures of the Finger Lakes.

A picturesque view, so serene an atmosphere. Very Clean and Clear Waters amid this lake in Skaneateles, NY. The Village has plenty to offer travelers who enjoy shopping, relaxing, walking, and eating. There's plenty of quaint little shops here, and a variety of food choices, too. An Enjoyable Experience!!

The lake is one of the cleanest in the US and offers beautiful scenery, both by foot or driving along it in a car. Hope we got to re-visit during the summer so we can have a swim.

Sightseeing cruise out of Skaneateles was informative and pretty. Not to long at 1 1/2 hrs , it was just long enough. Dinner afterward next door was yummy. Dinner the second night at Sherwood Inn enjoyable. I had swordfish that was cooked amazingly!

The town of Skaneateles takes you back to what life by the lake must have like in the thirties and forties. There are many resturants located in the old main street buildings as well as many shopping oppertunities. Taking a tour boat ride on the lake reveals the many old style mansions from the past still thriving today.This is a destination worth visiting. Plan on spending a full day taking it all in.

Lake beautiful and clean! Picture perfect!
Nice village to walk around with many little private owned shops & businesses to enjoy and eat at.

This is one of the gem lakes of the finger lakes. With no real industry the town at the end of the lake is picture perfect and water is unbelievably clean. Highly recommend a visit.

A very beautiful lake and park. Lots of green space and fantastic water views. It's a pleasant area and clean too.

We were only here for a day, but enjoyed walking around town, having some lunch/dinner at local restaurants. We met so many great people who were residents and very proud of their town. WE know why - It is clean, beautiful, and friendly.

This lake is one you can see thru and according to the signs they don't even filter it for the locals because of how clean it is. It's also super calm and amongst a really cute and charming town to go shopping in. They have a boat cruise if I'm not mistaken as well that you can take out. This is still considered the finger lakes but one of the further lakes away from Seneka. I'd def go back.

Skaneateles has changed little over the past 50 years, Yes, there a million dollar homes and some new vineyards, but much of the essential qualities of the lake have been retained. From the Village (yes that is what it is called) to the Sherwood Inn and the recently reopened Krebs, you can feel like you are in a movie. It is simply charming, although crowded in peak season. The lake itself is pristine, and pretty cold for swimming, and beautiful. It is well worth it to rent a boat or take the "Mailboat" for a cruise along the shore.
Skaneateles is close to many wineries and other tour sites in the Finger Lakes, but is my all time favorite lake vacation.

I enjoyed swimming in the clear water at the town park. The parks were nice and offered great views of the lake. The town was full of interesting shops and restaurants.

Walked out on the boat ramp. Water is clear that you can see the bottom. I heard it is their drinking water. There is a roped off area where you can swim and there is a life guard. Many boats are docked along the board walk. Very peaceful. Very pretty.

The park bordering the lake is simply wonderful on a sunny day.Great place to picnic, relax or read a book. Just a very short distance from the shops on main street it is a wonderful area to "slow down".
Boat tours are available and a great way to see the wonderful homes bordering the lake and take in the scenery.

This lake is beautiful! The homes situated around it make it an even better site. Be sure to take a boat ride if you visit.

My husband and I walked around Skaneateles after we had dinner. It is a delightful area and I enjoyed stopping in the stores as well as walking by the lake.

Take the time to drive around this lake. It is a lovely drive with outstanding views. You can stop at a winery on your way around & then pop into the quaint town.

This was my first visit to Skaneateles and it did not disappoint! The lake was beautiful and as an added bonus the weather was perfect. We took the dinner cruise to really enjoy the lake and sights. I would definitely return again.

A very beautiful and clean Fingerlake! Town was nice and quaint! Went on a dinner boat cruise for our anniversary.

Took a walk on the pier during sunset and the view was wonderful! Take your time and enjoy the view around you.

My wife and I spent the day in Skaneateles on Memorial Day weekend and what a wonderful village with a centerpiece of a wonderful natural resource. You can count on an enriching and enjoyable experience if you choose to visit this picturesque village and lake.

Beautiful lake right in town with a nice park. We went to the Bakery in town and then over to the lake to enjoy our fresh baked goods and tea. It was just wonderful!

Took a relaxing cruise on this beautiful lake. So clean, interesting. Swimming area. Just sitting on the benches is nice and peaceful

Quaint little town in central NY. Nice place to spend a day shopping and eating in their nice restaurants. Great place to go boating on the lake.

So beautiful and peaceful. Great place to spend the day. Bring a blanket and swimwear. Sneakers to enjoy the tiwn. It's a lovely place for couples. We enjoyed it very much and plan on returning.

The homes around the northern part of the lake are amazing. The lake is full of waterfowl species and has excellent fishing as well. People were scub diving when we went there!

Skaneateles lake is a wonderful place to visit, regardless of the season. We love coming here during the Dicken's Days Festival, right after Christmas. It's fun to stroll the town and shop/dine at the various establishments. You really can't go wrong (unless the weather is bad and you don't dress for the elements). Lots of fun, and the lake is beautiful. Try ot!

Only visited the lake in town. The park along the north shore is nice, had benches to sit on. There is a nice pier to walk out on that is lit at night making it very romantic. Anywhere you look in the water you can see straight to the bottom. Definitely a lovely lake to hang out around or if you have boat, get out on.

Stopping here for a few hours is like visiting a movie set. The lake and the park on the lake are just delightful. As you stroll around town there are really cute shops to stop in and lots of quant eateries. Worth going out of your way to visit.

All the Finger Lakes are beautiful. Skaneateles locals were surprisingly friendly asking where we were from, what we were celebrating and offering recommendations for places to eat and drink. Very welcoming.

2 friends and I went here yesterday. Beautiful day, beautiful lake, beautiful town. I think we hit every shop - one more enticing than the other. Great pier to walk out to view the lake. I understand they have boat tours, but did not take one. I'm looking forward to returning to do that. I also understand they have a wonderful Christmas festival - Charles Dickens. Definitely want to go (IF we don't get 6ft of snow, that is)

The park, docks and swimming area, like the town, seemed a bit over regulated/ regimented if you know what I mean. Beautiful though.

just perfect for anytime viewing. Some boats and docks for scenic boat tours too. Small beach area that has admission cost for non residents.

Finally can say I have visited all the finger lakes.
Beautiful Area, Great Resturants and shops. Beautiful.

This lake is called the gem of the Finger Lakes and one look into the water will tell you why the city of Syracuse uses this lake for their water supply. It is outrageuosly beautiful, and a God given wonder.

This is a great place to visit. Very clean with a public swimming area. The town is a cute place and very clean with great views. Next time we stay we will stay at a place closer to the water.

This 17-mile long lake, one of New York's famous 'Finger Lakes', has very limited public access and has been protected for over 100 years as the source of water for Syracuse (nearby), so the water is incredibly clean. The lake is over 400 feet deep at points. No, you can't see the bottom. I was lucky enough to have friends with a boat and access to the lake. Much of the lake is only accessible through the multi-million dollar homes that surround it. Motivation to 'become friends' with some rich folk!!

The weather was not extraordinary the day we visited, but the Lake was still amazing. Clear water that you can see through to the bottom. A nice pier to walk out and get some extended views exists from the town of the same name on the North Shore. The town has numerous eateries of different cuisines, price points and décor. There are plentiful small shops with local wares, antiques and art, as well as, attire and collectibles. A nice town to take a stroll and enjoy shopping the way we did before Malls. We would love to return and spend more time during an extended weekend with nicer weather. Recommended.

I could sit there for hours, just enjoying the view!! Pack a blanket or chairs, grab an ice-cream or dinner to go from one of several local restaurants and enjoy the view! If you go during the day with kids and it is hot -pack a swim suit and enjoy the cool but very clean lake! I do wish there was a place to rent kayaks or paddle boats though......if there is such a place, I haven't been able to find it!

Enjoyed looking at the lake! I liked watching the boats. One little store had a beautiful window to see out and we walked the dock.

Taking advantage of a beautiful warm November Day!! Lunch, then a stroll along
the water front at the park. Clear, deep blue calm water with autumn reflections.
Nature in all its majestic glory. Lovely benches positioned to take in the view.
Special thank you to the village maintaining this park as well as it's visitors. Just one
of our majestic 'Finger Lakes'...

This remains a great destination for a beautiful day or weekend trip. Very quaint, very special little village of shops and restaurants, but very relaxing sitting on a bench and watching boats and the lake view that is present. It an easy ride from Syracuse, and worth it. No dogs on the lake front or food says the signs, but I saw both while there. Pretty upstate New York attraction imo.

I stopped by why driving through the area, and the town and lake were just beautiful. There was a large public parking lot with cheap parking just a block away from the lake. There is a nice pier to walk out on, and there is a boat tour you can catch right there. The water was exceptionally clear.

We were here on a bus tour. We took the Judge Ben Wiles boat tour of the lake. The captain was very knowlegeable, humorous and pointed out several areas of interest. This lake is crystal clear and is the water supply for Syracuse. The town is quaint with several shops and places to eat. We eats at Doug's Fish. Most everything here is fried including the scallops. The lobster roll ($18.95) is just lobster on a toasted bun with nothing else (no dressing, cole slaw or fries). The fish dinner (cat fish) was 2 large pieces of fish and fries. When the employees were asked questions, they we curt as if we should know how to order and what was included. Doug's fish was nothing to write home about--eat somewhere else.

Up scale and up-state are not generally synonymous :) but Skaneateles is just that. Beautiful lake, good food, and a cute little town. Nice and relaxing spot for a vacation whether for shopping or boating or visiting wineries, Skaneateles is worth a visit.

Spent the day here walking around, eating, and swimming. For non residents it is 5.00 to swim. Nice large swimming area with floating docks. Kids have to take a swimming test before being able to go into the deep areas. Lots of life guards. Beautiful clear water. Had a great day.

Pretty - lots of lakes in the Finger lake region and they all are quite similar. Some smaller, some larger. This lake is medium in size with a nice city at one end to do things. Lake cruises, park at the end to watch the lake.

Gorgeous lake, lots to do in the town, many great eating places. Bring a picnic and sit on a park bench in the fall when the leaves are changing; not so crowded at this time of year. Just a beautiful place to visit

Skaneateles Lake is a wonderful spot for shopping, walking, lunch and having fun on a summer afternoon.
Today was a boat ride on the lake and lunch at Doug's Fish Fry. LOTS of
shopping.
Overall, a great place to spend a summer afternoon.

The lake was positively gorgeous, as always. We visited the lakeside park for quite some time for reading and chatting. The activity, the proximity to dining and shopping, the tranquility, are all top notch!

I took my group on the lunch Skaneateles Lake Cruise recently. I must say that the lady I dealt with making the reservations was nice. The only problem was that and I will admit it was partially my fault because I assumed the drinks were included in the price of the lunch.
The drinks that were included in the price of the lunch were coffee, lemonade and hot tea. A few of my group ordered iced tea and was charged. Paying for the soft drinks I understand. But the iced tea not so much. They
could have gotten hot tea and put a couple of ice cubes in it. I contacted them after the trip and of course, it is
policy. Okay, when the waitress takes the drink order they usually say what is or is not included. Didn't
happen. As per normal I was put off. I guess I didn't expect anything else. I normally, do not complain, but
something is wrong, it is wrong. Then what really frosted me is that if those that paid for their sodas wanted a
refill it was another $1.50. I brought over 30+ people on that cruise. A lesson learned.
As the saying goes, this is not my first rodeo.

Such a pristine lake 365 days out of the year! There is no questioning why Skaneateles Lake was named the cleanest lake of all the Finger Lakes. Beautiful place to stop and have a picnic lunch, some coffee, or just to sit down and relax. There is metered parking along the road but beware it can get crowded on the weekends. Lovely place to spend your day!

Be sure to take a boat ride and get the waterside perspective. Sweet smelling, clean spring fed waters and rolling hills with vineyards and farms.

popular place yet still relaxing at the same time. There's a gazebo where I understand they have entertainment scheduled at certain times, and a very long pier we can walk out on for picture taking or just to enjoy the views. Also a good starting or ending point for your exploration of this quaint little town.

Quick trip to the lake. Great spot to see the fish swimming by in a quaint and picturesque town. Just make sure to bring some bug spray as it got a little buggy later on in the evening

Visually beautiful. The drive around the Lake (Hwy 41a going down and Hwy 41 coming back into town) is a 42 mile eye candy filled adventure - some truly awe inspiring views of the Lake from different heights and locations. The town itself is a lovely stop - super clean, filled with shops of all kinds and at all price ranges. We saw a small wine shop that had bottles for $7.99 and $5,000 each!
Restaurants galore - again at all types of price offerings and types of food - GREAT fried fish at Doug's - a wonderful lunch offering at Blue Water Cafe - an ELEGANT dining experience at Mirbeau! And there is always the absolute beauty of the Lake with some of the CLEANEST water anywhere.....
This tiny destination in the Finger Lake region of New York State really warrants your consideration for a stop over and a look around.

Whether you want to hike, shop, eat, boat, fish or just sit by the side of crystal clear lake, this place is for you! There is something for everyone. There is free parking available, but it fills up fast. So does the $2 a day public pay parking. If you have never been, it is definitely worth checking out! It is beautiful!

Quick stop to enjoy a lovely town and very accessible lake front. The ride to this area is so pretty and this was a delight to visit.

One of the smaller of the New York finger Lakes, this one has some of the best upscale class. Several good eateries in Skaneatles town and a very nice town pier and park.

What a beautiful lake, certainly one of the top Finger Lakes. While visiting recently my wife and I walked down by the lake and onto the pier. We sat and people watched, wildlife watched, and just relaxed listening to the water. There was certainly plenty of activity on the water and shopping is within walking distance.

Beautiful lake surrounded by rolling hills. Enjoy a day of fishing, swimming or touring. It is well worth the stop.

Lovely town. Beautiful lake. We enjoyed our visit. Lots to do. Worth the trip. I highly recommend it.

Skaneateles is a beautiful lake in the heart of the Finger Lakes. It is exceptionally clean, too. The boat tours run from half way down the lake to a full circumferential tour. I highly recommend just taking a walk or ride or a wander to many hidden treasures.

I recently went to Skaneateles Lake for a visit. Although it is early March I must say the weather was on my side! 72 degrees the day I went and believe me it was worth it! The lake is crystal clear, massive and so relaxing! I loved just sitting by the lake and enjoying the sounds of peace and quiet. This lake is a beauty and some thing everyone should enjoy.
The lake is beautiful. So clear and serene. The house's sitting on the lake are grand and quite stunning. A relaxing place to come and sit or have a picnic. The pier was nice to walk out on to view the lake.