The Best Small Town In New York For Seniors
Often called the Jewel of the Finger Lakes, Skaneateles is a key gateway to the region, with Skaneateles Lake ranked among the cleanest in the United States. The town is renowned for its history, small-town charm, and a vibrant, walkable downtown. Its location in the Finger Lakes region of New York, set on Skaneateles Lake, makes it not only a prime tourist destination but also a popular place for retirees. Active seniors will appreciate the outdoor life, boating on the lake, numerous hiking trails, such as the Charlie Major Nature Trail, and several golfing options, from private clubs to public courses.
Skaneateles is also a perfect base to explore the Finger Lakes wine region, with access to the Cayuga Lake wine trails. The local dining scene is celebrated, and historic Skaneateles Village is a great place for unique shopping. For retirees seeking a quiet place to settle, Skaneateles, as a small town, offers a slower pace of life and a friendly, close-knit community. The town and the surrounding region are considered one of the safest locations in the state, and the proximity to Syracuse provides many medical and other urban amenities.
History Of Skaneateles And The Finger Lakes Region
The history of the town of Skaneateles is tied to the location on its namesake lake, a word derived from the Haudenosaunee word for “long lake”. Land in the area was granted to Revolutionary War soldiers, with regular European American settlement beginning around 1794. An independent Skaneateles was founded in 1830, with the Village of Skaneateles incorporated in 1833. A utopian Fourierist commune, known as the Skaneateles Community, settled in the area, but the group disbanded after three years. Their building, known as Community Place, was built in 1830 and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, although it now has a different name.
The town was a hub for social reform movements, especially the Abolitionist Movement, and Skaneateles was part of the Underground Railroad. The James and Lydia Canning Fuller House was built by James Canning Fuller, who was the secretary of the Skaneateles Anti-Slavery Society in 1838. Fuller was also a delegate to the World's Anti-Slavery Convention in 1840 in London. He and his wife, Lydia Charleton, provided shelter for runaway enslaved people in their home in Skaneateles, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. With the arrival of the railroad and steamships, the Finger Lakes became a popular tourist destination by the turn of the century, with Skaneateles becoming an important summer destination and a gateway to the region.
Downtown Skaneateles
The original village of Skaneateles comprises what is now the town's downtown historic district. Centered on Genesee Street, Jordan Street, and Fennell Street, the Village of Skaneateles is the central commercial district, with access to the waterfront, and historic buildings utilized as locally-owned shops and restaurants. The 19th-century brick buildings on the treelined streets of the downtown core were built in the Greek Revival, Federal, Italianate, and Romanesque Revival styles. Notable architects are represented in the town’s architectural history, including Stanford White, whose building, The Boulders (1881), is a lakeshore landmark, and Horatio Nelson White, who designed the St. James' Episcopal Church on East Genesee Street, which was completed in 1874.
The Sherwood Inn was built in 1807 as a stagecoach stop and is located on West Genesee Street. Now a boutique hotel, the Sherwood Inn also has a restaurant offering American cuisine and views of the lake. Also on the lake is Blue Water Grill, featuring seafood. The venerable eatery The Krebs, founded in 1899, was family-owned for over a century. New owners have been continuing the tradition since 2010. For waterfront activities, sightseeing cruises depart from the town during the warmer months. For four weeks in August, Skaneateles hosts the annual Skaneateles Music Festival, featuring outdoor and indoor performances. The programs center around classical, chamber, and orchestral music, and also feature jazz, bluegrass, and traditional music. On weekends throughout December, the town hosts Dickens Christmas, a street theater production of A Christmas Carol.
Amenities And Lifestyle Services For Seniors
The small-town atmosphere is one of the most inviting aspects of Skaneateles. The town is walkable, with access to gorgeous Skaneateles Lake, plenty of parks, and locally owned businesses throughout downtown. A sense of community is a big part of the appeal of Skaneateles, for retirees seeking an active lifestyle, or for those who want to take it easy. That pace of living is found in the community services available in town.
Skaneateles Library is a center of community activity, and other organizations offer programs for seniors, particularly at the Skaneateles YMCA and Community Center (SCC), which features the Mary H. Soderberg Aquatic Center. There you will find multiple pools, including a zero-entry pool with a sloped access into the water. The SCC offers fitness and community programs as well. Access to medical care is vital, and in town, there is Urgent Medical Care of Skaneateles on Genesee Street, which is affiliated with nearby Auburn Community Hospital. For more medical services, Skaneateles is also served by Syracuse, including St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center and Crouse Hospital.
Wineries, Distilleries, And Wine Roads
As the gateway to the Finger Lakes, Skaneateles also makes a great base for wine tours in Finger Lakes wine country. In Skaneateles itself, Anyela's Vineyards has been open since 2001, and has three vintages in development. Located on the hills overlooking Skaneateles, they offer over 18 types of wine. They are also known for a unique practice in the area, burying vines each winter to protect them from the cold temperatures. Skaneateles is also home to several craft beverage producers. Last Shot Distillery produces spirits like bourbon, gin, and whiskey. Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards, just outside of Skaneateles, is known for wines, spirits, and hard ciders. Located about a 40-minute drive from downtown is the start of the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail, while the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, the largest in the Finger Lakes with 28 member wineries, is an hour away from Skaneateles
Dining In Skaneateles
The town is home to a diverse dining community. Best known for its eateries along the lake, Skaneateles offers a range of choices from casual and home-style cooking to upscale and trendy. The Elephant and the Dove is a Mexican restaurant on East Genesee Street, right in the village. They offer a blend of traditional Mexican cuisine and newer styles, and are known for their margaritas and for using local ingredients. LakeHouse Pub is a laid-back establishment in the village, with craft beers and pub food. Rosalie’s Cucina on West Genesse Street is Tuscan-style with a bakery serving pastries. For French cuisine, Joelle’s French Bistro on Jordan Street is highly rated.
Outdoor Activities
With its access to the clean waters of Skaneateles Lake, the town has plenty of outdoor options. The lake is well-known for its kayaking and boating, as well as being a prime fishing location. Renowned for its trout fishing, the lake is also known for perch, smallmouth bass, rock bass, and panfish. The Skaneateles Lake Launch provides the best access to the water. Located in the village, Clift Park has a swimming area, pier, and a gazebo. Right next to Clift Park is Shotwell Memorial Park, situated on the lake, and featuring terraced grounds, paths, and a monument wall with the names of local soldiers who died in all the US conflicts since the First World War. Further along the lake is Thayer Park, a quiet spot with great views.
The Charlie Major Nature Trail is a mile-long hiking trail that follows an abandoned railroad between Mill Road and Crow Hill Road in Mottville, a hamlet within the town of Skaneateles. The trail crosses the Skaneateles Creek over three wooden bridges and winds through a forested corridor. There are the remains of millworks buildings, railroads, and dams along the trail.
Nearby Towns
With its location on the Finger Lakes, Skaneateles provides access to many communities, including the large cities of Syracuse, Geneva, and Ithaca. Closer to the town is Auburn, about 6 miles away. Located on Owasco Lake, Auburn is the location of the Harriet Tubman House, the 19th-century residence of the abolitionist who aided in rescuing enslaved people on the Underground Railroad. Although the museum is currently closed, it will reopen in March 2026. Prison City Pub and Brewery is a brewpub featuring craft brews and pub food in a reclaimed industrial space. For Mexican cuisine, try Casa Azteca Restaurante Mexicano & Cantina. The historic downtown district has plenty of shopping options from locally-owned businesses. The town of Marcellus is six miles away from Skaneateles and is known as an agricultural center. The town makes for a quiet country drive, and you can stop at Milkhouse Diner, a well-regarded place for breakfast and lunch
Enjoy The Peace And Beauty Of The Finger Lakes
Skaneateles is a well-appointed town, famed for its position on Skaneateles Lake, for its historic and walkable downtown, and for its community spirit and safety. Skaneateles serves as a key gateway to the Finger Lakes, and for retirees seeking small-town living but with world-class amenities, Skaneateles is a wonderful choice. With its mix of natural beauty and classic American small-town atmosphere, Skaneateles is a great place to relocate for the active retiree.
