Chautauqua County, New York has been a vacation destination for more than 140 years, a time when travelers would arrive by rail and steamship, as opposed to cars and airplanes. Several unique experiences coupled with the unrivaled natural beauty of the Chautauqua-Lake Erie Region have sustained an active flow of summer vacationers since 1874, the year Chautauqua Institution was founded. With the return of summer, longtime favorite Chautauqua County destinations are opening for the season and some are celebrating momentous anniversaries!
Chautauqua Institution Celebrates 150th Anniversary
Chautauqua Institution is a picturesque, lakeside National Historic District campus with a nine-week summer season with programming focusing on helping visitors find intellectual growth and renewal through music, dance, opera, theater, and visual arts. The 2024 season will mark the 150th anniversary of the first summer season and will run June 22nd through August 25th. While the entire season will be an extra special celebration of this milestone, week seven (August 3rd-10th) will be dedicated to celebrating Chautauqua’s sesquicentennial.
40TH Anniversary of the Roger Tory Peterson Institute and 90th Anniversary of the Peterson Field Guide
The Roger Tory Peterson Institute (RTPI) was founded 40 years ago in honor of Chautauqua County native Roger Tory Peterson, one of the most famed artist-naturalists in the world. Peterson is known for his Field Guide to the Birds, which is the best-selling field guide of all time and was first published 90 years ago. RTPI is a nature art museum that is home to the largest collection of Peterson’s original artwork and highlights the works of current, well-known nature artists. To mark both anniversaries, the museum is offering a suite of special anniversary programs and exhibitions.
Lily Dale Assembly
On the shores of Cassadaga Lakes sits Lily Dale Assembly, the world’s largest center for Spiritualism. Established in 1879, people have been visiting Lily Dale for private readings with mediums, seminars, workshops, public clairvoyance demonstrations, and healing seminars every summer since.
Midway State Park
Beloved Chautauqua County destination, Midway State Park, is one of the oldest continually operating amusement parks in the nation and was originally operated as a trolley park beginning in 1898. Midway is open on weekends in June and Wednesdays through Sundays in July and August.
Soar and Splash at Peek’n Peak Resort
Peek’n Peak Resort Mountain Adventures opens for the summer and fall. Guests can climb through the treetops and experience spectacular views on the Aerial Adventure Course which features 69 obstacles and 8 courses in varying difficulty levels including cargo nets, ladders, ziplines and more. Visitors can explore the course at their own pace during a 3-hour self-guided experience suitable for all ability levels. In addition to the Aerial Adventure Course, guests can cruise 2,000 feet on their Giant Zipline or fly over the Peak at 130ft up on a 1,400ft zipline for breathtaking views of the resort on their Soaring Eagle Zipline. Enjoy some relief from the heat at their outdoor Pool and Cabana Bar which also opens for the summer.
Round out your visit to the resort with a round of golf on their championship caliber Upper Course, a night of family fun at the Peek’n Putt mini golf course or relax and rejuvenate with when you visit their Spa.