Whether you're up for a road trip or planning a "staycation", there's plenty of family fun to be had this spring break in Chautauqua County which is just a short drive away!
- Four Hours or Less: Columbus, OH; Syracuse, NY
- Three Hours or Less: Cleveland, OH; Pittsburgh, PA; Toronto, ON, Canada; Rochester, NY
- About One Hour: Buffalo, NY; Erie, PA
National Comedy Center: Take your resident comedian(s), aka children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, to the National Comedy Center. The intuitive technology powering this museum, which takes guests on a journey through comedy’s history, will captivate their interest for hours. Learn about the important roll props play in comedic bits, including the kid-favorite whoopee cushion, try your hand at cartooning, write a skit, Make A Meme, perform Comedy Karaoke, or challenge friends to a Laugh Battle. Plenty of kid-friendly laughs await!
Chautauqua Institution Grounds and Bookstore: Spend an afternoon strolling the grounds at Chautauqua Institution. Have fun on playgrounds, spot early-spring flowers and observe migratory waterfowl on Chautauqua Lake. Utilize resources from the Chautauqua Bird, Tree & Garden Club to help identify what you see during your visit. Stop at the Chautauqua Bookstore, which is much more than a bookstore, the grand Post Office and Smith Memorial Library. The adventurous might want to ride bicycles or even bring your four-legged family members for a walk. The summer program season begins in late June, until then there is no gate/parking fee to access the grounds.
Grape Discovery Center: The grape industry took roots in Chautauqua County 150 years ago and in 2006 the Lake Erie Concord Grape Belt was designated a New York State Heritage Area. Learn about our grape growing heritage at the Grape Discovery Center, where interactive exhibits and samples of local grape products educate and inform guests about all things grape.
Double D.A.B. Riding Stables: Located in Ripley, Double D.A.B. offers equestrian trail rides, pony rides, lessons and even summer day camps. Miles of scenic trails and beautiful vistas of Lake Erie will have everyone smiling. No prior horseback riding experience is necessary!
Audubon Community Nature Center: Five miles of paved and easy-grade trails at the Audubon Community Nature Center in Jamestown are a great way to burn some energy. Tour the wetlands from walking bridges, a native tree arboretum, nature play space, and educational gardens. The indoor Nature Center offers three floors of live reptiles and interactive exhibits.
Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History: Roger Tory Peterson was the pre-eminent American naturalist who illustrated and chronicled the natural world to the public in the 20th century. Over a long career that began with nature study in the seventh grade in Jamestown, New York, he observed, recorded and published for lay audiences the incredible beauty and diversity of plants and animals from North America and around the world. Visit the museum to see the work of Roger Tory Peterson as well as other world renowned natural artists. After enjoying the exhibits, step outside and stroll the wooded trails to see some of the landscape that inspired the young naturalist.
Fenton History Center: Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Fenton Mansion, located at 67 Washington Street in Jamestown, New York, is a landmark, lending distinction and elegance to the passing scene. In its continuing mission as the center for education and preservation of a unique local heritage, it is a valuable cultural institution in the city of Jamestown, New York. Current exhibitions include “The Civil War Museum,” “Lucille Ball: Not the Girl Next Door,” and “Intersections: The Underground Rail Road in Chautauqua County.”
Pearl City Clayhouse: Get creative at Pearl City Clayhouse in Jamestown. Sign up the whole family for class in different mediums of art to learn a new skill or head straight to their clay studio and create your own masterpiece to take home with you.
Lucy-Desi Museum: Lucille Ball was born in Jamestown in 1911. She's a world-wide comedic icon! Share her legacy with the next generation at the Lucy-Desi Museum. The museum features replica sets, Lucille Ball’s Emmy awards, costumes, rare memorabilia, and much more. Dual admission to the National Comedy Center is available.
Mulligan's on Fairmount: Mulligan's on Fairmount is your one-stop-shop for family fun and indoor entertainment on those days of spring showers. Mulligan's offers a self-service, immersive experience with private rooms featuring cutting-edge technology. Choose from digital golf played on hundreds of famous courses around the globe, digital sports for some friendly competition and virtual reality and arcade games perfect for all ages.