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, paddlesports, 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.
Looking for a new way to get out on the water? Peddle your way down the Chadakoin River Outlet where an abundance of native wildlife and plant life thrives when you rent single and tandem water bikes! 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.
Attractions and Museums
Get some relief from the heat when you tour the museums and attractions around the Chautauqua-Lake Erie region. 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.
Relax and Unwind
Summer vacationers have been choosing Chautauqua for decades, not just for the amazing attractions, entertainment, and recreation opportunities, but for the quality of shopping, dining, and craft breweries throughout Chautauqua County’s Victorian villages, charming lakeside towns, and stunning Lake Erie Wine Country. Learn about the history of growing grapes in the Lake Erie Grape Belt when you visit the Grape Discovery Center. Communities like Bemus Point, Mayville, Westfield, Fredonia, and Findley Lake are centers for summer fun, where people go in search of that relaxed, lakeside atmosphere.
Visit Chautauqua Institution this summer and partake in a long standing tradition of leisure learning. Take your visit to the next level by attending a thought provoking lecture or one of the popular entertainment events scheduled at the Amphitheatre. 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.
Don’t Let Summer Pass You By
No matter if you have been to Chautauqua County, New York before, or are considering visiting for the first time, know that the Chautauqua-Lake Erie Region is a perfect road trip destination for your family. Start planning your adventure today! Be sure to check out Packages, Offers, and Special Promotions to add value to your upcoming vacation via the Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau.
For Personalized Travel Information or to request a FREE Chautauqua County Travel Guide & Map, please contact the Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau. Call 866.908.4569 or click here.