Day Trippin'...Skaneateles

A couple of weeks ago, my friend Pam and I took another day-trip. This time our destination was the beautiful town of Skaneateles, N.Y. to do a little browsing at a small occasional Flea Market and the great boutique shops in town and to have a little lunch. Skaneateles is only about a half hour (or so) drive from here, west on Rte. 20 and about the same distance, southwest of Syracuse.

Skaneateles Lake is one of the Finger Lakes. The city of Syracuse and several near-by towns pipe in water from Skaneateles Lake. The cleanest of the Finger Lakes, its water is so pure that the city of Syracuse and other municipalities use it unfiltered. The City of Syracuse spends about 2.3 million dollars a year to protect lake quality, sixteen people inspecting (usually twice a year) each of the 2600 properties in the watershed, which is relatively small, compared to other Finger Lakes. William Henry Seward called it "The most beautiful body of water in the world." (italicized quoted from Wikipedia)

Docks in town...and...

...more Docks in town...

The town and lake area are deeply steeped in history and played a major role in the Underground Railroad. Harriet Tubman, who was instrumental in helping freed slaves get to safety and was also involved in the women's suffrage movement after the war, settled her family in near-by Auburn, N.Y.

Harriet Tubman (photo H. B. Lindsley), c.1870.

A worker on the Underground Railroad, Tubman made 13 trips to the South,
helping to free approximately 70 people.

Underground Railroad sites have been documented in the town of Skaneateles. Although the larger city of Syracuse nearby was known nationally as center of abolition and Underground Railroad activity, Skaneateles was said (by Beauchamp, an early historian) to have "eclipsed Syracuse as an anti-slavery town." (italicized quoted from Wikipedia.)



All year long, there is something happening in town. In the summer, it's outdoor antique shows, live music in the park on Friday evenings, antique boat shows. During the Holiday season, it's 'Dickins Christmas' where a cast of characters (dressed in period clothing) from Scrooge to Tiny Tim, roam the streets while they interact and entertain the public on the weekends between Thanksgiving and Christmas.



During the summer months there is a mail boat that delivers the mail to some of the homes that are situated on the lake shore. Mid-Lakes Navigation offers a dinner boat that is staffed by college students who will give you an informative and exciting tour of the lake and includes a lot of the history as well.

Off and on we hear of famous folks that have visited including the former President Clinton 's family, who spent a vacation on the lake about nine years ago. Former NFL football player (Atlanta Falcons) and best selling suspense writer Tim Green , is usually in residence high atop the cliff that overlooks part of the west shore of the lake.

We had a late lunch here, at the"Bluewater Grill". I've never had a bad meal here. In the summer months you can be seated on the porch, which is almost at roof level and gives a wonderful view of the lake.

Shotwell Memorial Park

Shotwell Park, once acclaimed as "one of the most beautiful war memorials in the country," has a rich history behind it. The property where the Park is located was originally owned by John Briggs, a Revolutionary War soldier who moved to Skaneateles in 1800 and built a tavern on the site in 1806. (as quoted from Skaneateles.com)

The Sherwood Inn is an inn and tavern/restaurant that has windows that

face the lake for beautiful views at any time.

Downtown...


The local bank branch...

Streetscape...

Shops...

Shops...

and more shops...

Did you have fun on our day-trip? You never know what's around the corner until you decide to take the turn...

Thanks for coming along...