Skaneateles: Attracting Celebrities to This Quaintly Charming Town

Tucked into the Central New York region known as the Finger Lakes, Skaneateles is a quaint little village that grew up on the shore of Skaneateles Lake. Only a half-hour drive, through some of the region's most beautiful scenery, from Syracuse, Skaneateles offers a unique blend of seclusion and access to the benefits of a good-sized city. Tobias Wolff notes in Architectural Digest that Skaneateles is "…a gracious old village of Greek Revival and Victorian houses." But there is much more to the little town than this.

Homes on the lake have long been beautiful and large. However, an influx of people from Long Island is prompting the name "The new Hamptons." Travel and Leisure magazine reports that one Skaneateles real estate agent had three clients who sold their places in the Hamptons to buy property in Skaneatleles. The old Hamptons is becoming cramped and crowded, filled with people, cars and deteriorating views. Skaneateles offers all of the benefits once thought of as restricted to the Hamptons: lush gold courses, breathtaking views, waterside mansions, and exclusive location. Celebrities are taking notice, and sightings of the rich and the powerful are becoming more frequent.

The name of the lake itself comes from the Iroquois word for "long lake." And the lake is indeed long. It spans 14 miles of clear, well-oxygenated water that reaches to 300-foot depths. William Henry Seward, President Lincoln's secretary of state, referred to Skaneateles Lake as "the most beautiful body of water in the world." And this was at the conclusion of a trip around the world. Because of its ideal conditions and beautiful location, the lake hosts major sailing events, including two national regattas and one international regatta. Sailing has long been recognized as a sport for the rich and famous, and the marina at Skaneateles has a large number of yachts in addition to the smaller fishing boats still used by permanent residents to make a living.

Former President Bill Clinton and his wife Hilary own property in Skaneateles. Clinton became the first sitting president to visit the village (others have visited, but not during their presidencies), and they fell so much in love with the charming quaintness and the escape from constant pandering that it is now a place they frequent. And, if that weren't enough, now that Hilary Clinton is a Senator, they attend the State Fair in Syracuse every year as part of their vacation to the Finger Lakes.

And Skaneateles raised eyebrows last summer when the celebrity rumor mill purported that Tom Cruise was planning to marry Katie Holmes at the luxurious Mirbeau Spa in Skaneateles. While it is true that the couple was spotted in the small town, which is Cruise's birthplace, Cruise's spokespeople denied any plans in that direction. However, it is true that the couple visited the spa for relaxing treatments, as do many other celebrities who visit the small town.

One of the more noted celebrities who lives in Skaneateles, however, is Tim Green, the host of televisions A Current Affair. He is a former football player for the Atlanta Falcons and is an author and NPR contributor. Green is the only author listed on People's annual "The 50 Most Beautiful People" list. He grew up in nearby Syracuse, but fell in love with affluent Skaneateles community, with its pristine views and good schools for his children. When he was offered the A Current Affair job, he made it clear that he would never give up his Skaneateles lifestyle for New Jersey (the filming location of the show). Because Skaneateles has a nearby airstrip, it is possible for Green to commute by plane in such a way that he is usually home for breakfast or for dinner.

Skaneateles definitely lacks in high-end shopping, and restaurants are somewhat limited, but it does have its charms. It is situated near some of the Finger Lakes famous wine trails, providing fine local varietals and tastings throughout the summer. Additionally, there are plenty of roadside stands that offer fruits of the season and homemade ice cream. There are some shops in downtown Skaneateles that offer original artwork and handcrafted jewelry. Downtown features boutiques and galleries as well, offering celebrities a chance to slow down and really live life. Most of the better restaurants are located in the luxury hotels, like the Sherwood Inn (once a stagecoach stop) and the resort spa Mirbeau. Restaurants like the Kubuki are beginning to add dining flair to the town, however. The sushi is beautifully arranged, and the restaurant serves a lobster and goat cheese salad that provides one of the reasons that a table can be hard to find on the weekends. The Krebs, a local tradition, offers delicious food in a down-home atmosphere, offering a taste of "Sunday dinner" that is popular with tourists and locals alike.

Going to Skaneateles is truly a chance to live the idyllic life. The real estate has become expensive enough in the past few years to limit residents to long-timers and the rich who want to be left alone. But in the midst of the local flavor there is also a bit of sophistication. Visitors and residents alike know that with the local spas, wine trails, hotels, and restaurants, this quaint little town also offers the more relaxing refinements of civilization.