I have lived in Rochester my whole life, and have never made the short drive to Skaneateles. When looking for a family-friendly day trip, I usually think Buffalo or Syracuse, and not all the cute little towns that exist in between. But on a rainy Saturday in May, my husband and I packed up our toddler and preschooler and headed just over an hour east to Skaneateles. The forecast was less than ideal. Rain. Wind. More rain. I considered postponing the trip, but I’m so glad we didn’t. We discovered beautiful scenery, fascinating local history, delicious treats, and a charming village that instantly made me start planning a return visit.
Here’s everything we did — and a few extra ideas depending on weather and what family adventures you want to have.
Harriet Tubman’s Home in Auburn
Before heading into Skaneateles, we made a stop at the Harriet Tubman Home that is on the way.
Tours are offered Tuesday through Saturday at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and it is recommended you book at least 24 hours in advance. If your family is anything like ours, feeding our kids breakfast, picnic lunch packed, dressed, and out the door by 8:45 a.m. didn’t happen, so we joined the end of the tour when we arrived at 11 a.m.
We were able to tour the Home for the Aged. Walking through the property and hearing the stories of Tubman’s work after the Underground Railroad was fascinating and humbling.
As parents, one of the things we loved most was the opportunity to talk to our 4 year old about history and the extraordinary woman Tubman was as the “Moses of Her People,” leaving a profound legacy for generations.
Picnic Lunch Stop
I had envisioned a picturesque picnic overlooking the lake, but Mother Nature had other plans and we opted for a car picnic. Honestly? The kids thought it was an adventure and we brought a variety of foods our whole family loves — fresh baked sourdough, roast beef, raspberries, and a couple of fun cheeses to try.
If you happen to visit on a sunny day, here’s two spots I’d recommend for a picnic:
Clift Park
Located right in the heart of the village of Skaneateles, Clift Park offers beautiful views of Skaneateles Lake while you boat watch. There are nearby public restrooms, benches, green space for the kids, and one of the best waterfront views in town.
Sennett Park
Need to burn off some energy after the drive? Sennett Park has a playground, picnic pavilion, walking path, and dog park. It is conveniently located between Auburn and Skaneateles, making it an easy lunch stop before heading into town.
Carpenter Falls
We then headed to Carpenter Falls. Since the rain and wind were picking up, we opted to do the short walk on the elevated wooden boardwalk which leads directly to Carpenter Falls.
This beautiful 90-foot waterfall is located in the Bahar Nature Preserve offers a variety of trails that have different difficulty levels. So learn more here and identify what kind of adventure you want to have ahead of time.
Skaneateles Bakery
One thing I completely underestimated was how charming the village would be. It was full of eateries, bakeries, and small shops to explore. You can easily spend an entire afternoon wandering through town into all of the different shops.
We landed at Skaneateles Bakery on Jordan Street and immediately knew we made a good choice when we saw the long line. After we selected a variety of baked goods and treats, we settled in to enjoy them.
If we had more time to check out other village staples, we would go to Patisserie and Heart ‘n Hand. These are on my “must-go-to” list next time we make it to Skaneateles.
Skaneateles Brewery
When we travel as a family, we have found that local breweries are often the most family-friendly restaurants and pit-stops. They usually have a kid-friendly food menu, a more relaxed space, outdoor seating options, and oftentimes green space with lawn games. Skaneateles Brewery shares a space with Last Shot Distillery and has a large outdoor seating area that makes it easy to enjoy some bites and local beer. They also host events if you’re looking for food trucks or live music. This brewery also sits right along the Charlie Major Nature Trail if you’re hoping to take a light hike after.
Ice Cream Send-Off
We didn’t quite make it to our last stop, as our toddler still takes an afternoon nap, but if your crew has a little more stamina than ours, ending a fun-packed day trip with ice cream feels mandatory.
Open seasonally beginning in April, Skan-Ellus feels like stepping back in time. You can grab comfort-food favorites for lunch or dinner, or stop in for soft serve, hard ice cream, sundaes, and flurries. Many of their items can be made dairy-free.
Mr. Pudder’s Mini Golf & Ice Cream
For families whose kids still have energy to burn, Mr. Pudder’s combines mini golf, ice cream, snow cones, and a full food menu. It seems like the perfect final stop before the drive home.
More Ways to Spend a Day in Skaneateles
Although we packed quite a bit into our rainy-day adventure, there are several attractions that are already on our list for next time.
Mid-Lakes Navigation offers cruises on Skaneateles Lake, including a 50-minute sightseeing tour as well as brunch, lunch, and dinner cruises aboard the Judge Ben Wiles.
Walk the Charlie Major Nature Trail
This trail runs just over 1 mile long and runs along Skaneateles Creek. This used to be a railroad line, and is now an easy hiking trail that includes a picnic area, playground, and brewery along the path.
If you want to plan a trip around one of the town’s annual festivals, here are a few to consider:
- Skaneateles Burstone Festival and Sidewalk Sale (They have a tradition called the Duck Dash when thousands of rubber ducks are released into Skaneateles Creek)
- The Finger Lakes Lavender Festival happens every year at Lockwood Farm and invites local artists and crafters
- The Skaneateles Antique and Classic Boat Show features a boat parade, children’s activities, and boats that are displayed on both land and water
Parking
Parking throughout the village was surprisingly easy. We found street parking without any difficulty and at each stop. If you’re visiting during a festival or peak summer season, it may be worth checking local parking information before you arrive.
We’ll Definitely Be Back
By the end of the day, our shoes were damp, our bakery box was empty, and our kids were sleepy from the fun adventures we had. It was the perfect day trip for our family of four. Skaneateles proved that a great day trip doesn’t require perfect weather. Between history, nature, and the charming village stop, we found everything to be family-friendly with plenty to do, rain or shine.
Our family will definitely be back.
