Located in Western New York, Chautauqua is the destination of choice for those who are looking for entertainment, adventure and to discover history. Most visitors come here to experience its natural beauty which is highlighted by the five lakes including Chautauqua Lake and Lake Erie. These lakes are the perfect destination to enjoy boating and fishing. Other activities you can indulge in while you are here include skiing, snowmobiling and other winter recreational activities or discovering the National Comedy Centre and Chautauqua Institution. It is a 6 hours 30 minutes’ drive through I-83 N, covering a distance of 556.5 kilometers (345.8 miles).
The Chautauqua-Lake Erie Region is close to home, but you will feel a world away as you settle in for a relaxing, lakeside vacation. Chautauqua County, New York offers guests both charm and adventure in one gorgeous, easy-to-get-to destination with multiple exits off I-90 and I-86/NY-17.
Lake Recreation
Chautauqua’s unrivaled natural beauty is highlighted by five lakes including Lake Erie, Chautauqua Lake, and Findley Lake. People come here to experience lake vacation pastimes such as boating, fishing, paddle sports, and swimming beaches. Boat, kayak, canoe, and standup paddleboard rentals are available at most marinas, as well as tubes and lily pads to increase the fun factor, especially if you are boating with kids.
New this year, Lawson Boat and Motor Co. is offering both single and tandem water bike rentals! Peddle your way down the Chadakoin River Outlet where an abundance of native wildlife and plant life thrives. Peddle from the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel and Lucille Ball Memorial Park, all the way down to Jamestown’s Comedy Park at the National Comedy Center!
Outdoor Adventure
Delight in a variety of outdoor recreation including hiking, cycling and mountain biking, horseback riding, golfing, and more. Vast multi-use trail systems are woven throughout Chautauqua County plus several New York State Parks including Lake Erie State Park and Long Point State Park on Chautauqua Lake.
Panama Rocks Scenic Park is a popular tour stop; climb around, above, and through rocks reaching up to 60-feet in height while you learn about native tree species and help Panama Pete recover his stolen gold… that he might have stolen in the first place.
Peek’n Peak Resort has a lot to offer summer adventurers, with a variety of fun things to do located directly on the resort property. Guests can choose to book an overnight Stay & Play Package at the Inn, a condo big enough for the whole family, or visit for one day of fun. Book a tee time at the challenging Upper Course championship golf course or embark on a Mountain Adventure; explore the treetops on the Ropes Course, race down the mountain via the Giant Dual Ziplines, capture a sweeping view of the valley below on a Chairlift Ride, take a memorable Segway Tour of the resort, or challenge friends to Mini Golf before lunch. When it’s time to cool off, swim, splash, and play at the Pool & Play Zone which features an indoor pool, indoor/outdoor hot tub, and an outdoor pool with a waterslide, splash pad, and cabana bar.
Open Attractions and Museums
There’s plenty to do indoors this summer, just keep in mind that advance registration for all museums and attractions is recommended due to occupancy reductions. The National Comedy Center is a can’t miss stop for anyone who loves to laugh. From slapstick to sitcoms, radio to roasts, and vaudeville to the world wide web, the National Comedy Center tells the complete history of comedy in America. Voted the “Best New Museum” in the country by USA Today Reader’s in 2019, the National Comedy Center began as a vision of hometown gal, Lucille Ball. While in Jamestown, be sure to visit the Lucy-Desi Museum; dual admission is available.
There are also plenty of reasons to visit Chautauqua Institution this summer even though all traditional summer assembly season programming has been made free online via their new CHQ Assembly platform. Spend a day walking around this National Historic District Campus, appreciating nearly every expression of American architecture dating back to the late 1800s, summer gardens, and Chautauqua Lake. Rent a bicycle to cover the most ground. Enjoy lunch and visit shops in Bestor Plaza, or dine on the grand porch at the Athenaeum Hotel’s Heirloom Restaurant.”
– From https://www.tourchautauqua.com
