FAQs

Chautauqua Lake is 17 miles long and up to 2 miles wide at its widest point. The max depth of the north basin is 75 feet, and the max depth of the south basin is 19 feet. Chautauqua Lake is more than 13,000 acres in size. 

Several marinas offering boat rentals are located on Chautauqua Lake, including Holiday Harbor Marina in Celoron, Chautauqua Marina in Mayville, We Wan Chu Cottages Boat Rentals, Smith Boys of Chautauqua in Ashville, Chautauqua Institution during the nine-week summer season, and several others. Learn more about boating on Chautauqua Lake.

Chautauqua Lake has numerous boat launches. New York State runs several launches, including at Long Point State Park, Prendergast Point and Bemus Point. Other notable public boat launches are located in Celoron, Lakewood, Mayville, and McCrea Point Park in Jamestown, as well as several marinas that also offer rentals.

Chautauqua Lake features several lifeguarded beaches, including at Chautauqua Institution, Lakewood Beach, Long Point State Park, and Mayville Lakeside Park. The Chautauqua County Health Department monitors water quality at the beaches. Learn more about beaches on Chautauqua Lake and elsewhere in Chautauqua County.

Chautauqua Lake, ranked #21 Best Bass Lake in the Northeast by Bassmaster (June 2023), offers exceptional fishing for walleye, bass, muskellunge and several species of panfish.

Chautauqua Lake fishing guides and charters offer guided fishing trips for musky, walleye, bass, and panfish. Read more about fishing guides and charters on Chautauqua Lake.

Some popular shore fishing locations on Chautauqua Lake include Prendergast Point, Midway State Park, Long Point State Park, Lucille Ball Memorial Park in Celoron, Lakewood Community Park, Bemus Point Lakeside Park, and McCrea Point Park on the Chautauqua Lake outlet. Learn more about fishing on Chautauqua Lake.

The Chautauqua Belle offers historic tours on Chautauqua Lake from May-October on a steam-powered stern-wheeler. One Fine Day Boat Charter provides a private antique charter vessel with a flexible schedule and custom itinerary. You can also travel across Chautauqua Lake on the historic Bemus Point-Stow Ferry, although this cable ferry trip does not feature a tour.

Events are posted year-round on the Chautauqua County events calendar. Find events happening in Chautauqua Institution, in Jamestown, in Lake Erie Wine Country, and beyond.

Some of Chautauqua County's top annual festivals and events include:

• The Chautauqua Institution nine-week summer season, which features hundreds of individual events, from popular entertainment, to lectures, theater, opera, and much more.
• The Lily Dale Assembly season also takes place during the summer with a full schedule of workshops and seminars highlighted by special events featuring some of the leading names in spirituality.
• The Lucille Ball Comedy Festival in Jamestown boasts over 50 live events and attracts more than 15,000 attendees each August.
• More summer festival and event highlights are the Art Trail Hub Crawl Weekends, Merritt Winery's Strawberry Festival, Dunkirk's Music on the Pier, the Great Blue Heron Music Festival, Wild America Nature Festival at Panama Rocks, the Gerry Rodeo, Chautauqua County Fair, Findley Lake Harvest Festival, and numerous others.
• The Peek'n Peak Fall Festival takes place over two weekends in October and headlines the fall lineup. Other top fall events include the Festival of Grapes in Silver Creek, Red White & Blues Festival in Fredonia, Bemus Point Fall Festival, Busti Apple Festival, Panama Rocks Foliage Festival, and Lake Erie Wine Country Harvest Weekends.
• Top winter festivals include the Mayville Winterfest featuring the famous Chautauqua Lake Ice Castle, the Fire and Ice Celebration at the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel, Wine & Chocolate Weekends in Lake Erie Wine Country, and many others. Regular winter events such as public skating and ice bumper cars at Northwest Arena, and Sleigh and Wagon Rides at Chautauqua Institution provide opportunities for family fun throughout much of the winter.
• Top spring festivals and events include Audubon Lights, Maple Weekends, Peek'n Peak Spring Fest, the BANFF Mountain Film Festival, Bemus is Blooming, plus many others.

VIEW UPCOMING EVENTS

Lake Erie accounts for roughly 50% of the total fish population in all of the Great Lakes, with the walleye fishery widely considered the best in the world. Other abundant species include perch, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, brown and rainbow trout. Bassmaster Magazine recognized New York’s stretch of Lake Erie’s shoreline as a 2024 Top Three Bass Fishing Lake in all of northeastern US.

There are several public lifeguarded beaches on Lake Erie in Chautauqua County, including Hanover Town Beach, Point Gratiot and Wright Park in Dunkirk, and Sunset Bay.

Barcelona Harbor Beach is a great location to search for beach glass, walk or sunbathe, however the beach is not lifeguarded and swimming is not permitted. Learn more about Lake Erie beaches.

Lake Erie boat launches are located in Dunkirk Harbor, Dan Reed Pier Park in Barcelona Harbor, Hanover, Silver Creek, and Sunset Bay Marine Park. Learn more about Lake Erie boat launches.

ADA accessible kayak launches are located on Lake Erie and its tributaries at City Pier Park in Dunkirk Harbor, Dan Reed Pier Park in Barcelona, Hanover and Silver Creek. Learn more about Lake Erie boat and kayak launches.

The pre-eminent expression of lifelong learning in the United States, Chautauqua Institution comes alive each summer with a unique mix of fine and performing arts, lectures, interfaith worship and programs, and recreational activities. Over the course of nine weeks, more than 100,000 people visit Chautauqua and participate in programs, classes and community events for all ages — all within the beautiful setting of a historic lakeside village. As a community, we celebrate, encourage and study the arts and treat them as integral to all of learning, and we convene the critical conversations of the day to advance understanding through civil dialogue. 

The National Comedy Center opened August 1, 2018 in Jamestown, New York as the nation’s first state-of-the-art museum dedicated to sharing the vital story of comedy in America. Based on the vision of Jamestown native Lucille Ball for her hometown to become a destination for the celebration of comedy, the National Comedy Center showcases comedy’s great minds and unique voices, from Charlie Chaplin to David Chappelle.

The National Comedy Center features exclusive collections and world-class exhibits that give comedy fans an unprecedented, behind-the-scenes look at the time-honed creative processes that have elevated comedy entertainment to an art form. Over 50 innovative exhibitions across 37,000 square feet of space enable visitors to take an interactive journey through comedy history, from early vaudeville to the latest viral memes. Cutting-edge personalization technology makes the entire experience unique. Throughout the experience, visitors gain a profound appreciation for comedy icons and innovators, as well as for the tremendous influence of humor on how we think, live and laugh. 

The National Comedy Center also operates the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum, and for the last 25 years has produced the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival, with performers including Jerry Seinfeld, Amy Schumer, Jay Leno, Lewis Black, Trevor Noah, Joan Rivers, Ellen DeGeneres, Jim Gaffigan, Paula Poundstone, Ray Romano, Bob Newhart, The Smothers Brothers and more than 100 other comedic artists.

Established in 1964, Peek’n Peak Resort, in Clymer, NY, is a regional destination for golf and snow sports 30 minutes east of Erie, PA. The resort features a highly acclaimed golf course, 27 ski slopes and trails, 10 miles of cross country terrain, an exquisite day spa, fine dining, and a vast selection of accommodations and other amenities. Peek’n Peak Resort was purchased by Scott Enterprises in August of 2011.

Some of the best public golf courses in western New York are located in Chautauqua County, including more than a dozen options for visitors to enjoy.

Located just across the street from Chautauqua Institution, the Chautauqua Golf Club is one of only two 36-hole courses between Cleveland and Rochester. Additionally, the Golf Learning Center at Chautauqua Golf Club provides instruction and practice holes.

The Upper Golf Course at Peek’n Peak Resort near Findley Lake has superior ratings from Golf Digest - 4 1/2 stars. Peek'n Peak has hosted several PGA Tour events.

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Chautauqua County boasts some of the best hiking trails in western New York.

Hike from the Pennsylvania border to Chautauqua Gorge State Forest on the 24-mile Westside Overland Trail system or explore hardwood forests along the 19-mile Eastside Overland Trail. Magnificent views atop Chautauqua County’s hills are not to be missed, especially the panoramic view of Lake Erie from the Luensman Overview Park. Erlandson Overview Park marks the highest accessible elevation point in the county, and on clear days it is possible to spot Chautauqua Lake from above. Hike through abandoned rail corridors on more than 17 miles of Rails to Trails, plan a family-friendly visit to the Audubon Community Nature Center or stand in awe of giant 60-foot-tall rock formations at Panama Rocks Scenic Park.

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Chautauqua County has some of the best single track and fat tire mountain bike trails in Western New York. We have more miles of groomed fat bike trails than any other county in New York State! Harris Hill State Forest in Gerry, home of the annual Harris Hill Hustle, features over 17 miles of single track trails including a skills loop. Both the Westside and Eastside Overland Trails and Long Point State Park on Chautauqua Lake are popular destinations for riders of all abilities. Loud Performance Products, located near the park, offers rentals and weekly social rides, a perfect opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in the local culture.

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Explore the rolling forested hills, lake vistas, and pastoral farmlands of Chautauqua & Lake Erie NY. Cycling on road and off is a popular activity featuring experiences ranging from the Chautauqua Gran Fondo event in August which circles Chautauqua Lake, to the Tour of Chautauqua ride through the Lake Erie region. Take a ride from Findley Lake to Panama Rocks or Silver Creek to Cherry Creek and enjoy country roads and idyllic scenery.

Suggested road cycling routes include:

• The Busti-Harmony Ride tours through many of southern Chautauqua County's villages and towns before carrying into the rural countryside of Harmony and Busti. 
• The Chautauqua-Fredonia Ride linking Chautauqua Institution and the Village of Fredonia offers a cyclist a chance to truly experience Chautauqua County's vineyards and all they have to offer. 
• The Chautauqua Lake Ride follows the 50 mile perimeter of the lake along Routes 394 and 430. 
• The Jamestown-Ellery Ride offers some challenging hills and terrain for the rider, and some historical stops throughout Jamestown and Celoron.
• The Jamestown-Frewsburg Ride provides a complete tour of the greater Jamestown area.
• The Mayville Ride is a 25-mile bike route through the heart of the Village of Mayville and Town of Chautauqua, along scenic Chautauqua Lake.
• The Tour Chautauqua Ride will give a cyclist an almost complete tour of Chautauqua County. 
• The Westfield-Pomfret-Falconer ride travels quiet roads through vineyards, farms, and wooded areas before returning along scenic Chautauqua Lake.

Chautauqua & Lake Erie NY is home to numerous campgrounds in a variety of settings, from secluded woodlands to lakefront locales, with many offering family-friendly amenities such as pools, playgrounds, beaches, game rooms, and activities.

The Chautauqua Lake area hosts several campgrounds, including:

• Camp Chautauqua with 250 campsites for your RV or tent featuring several events and family activities in a beautiful lakefront setting.
• Located just minutes from Chautauqua Lake, Camp Prendergast sits on 13 acres with spacious tent and RV sites.
• Chautauqua Lake KOA's deluxe cabins, glamping safari tents, and regular tent sites provide spectacular views of Chautauqua Lake in a secluded 200-acre setting.
• YMCA Camp Onyahsa is a summer camp and off-season rental campground on Chautauqua Lake in Dewittville.

Take your pick of many campgrounds situated on Lake Erie, including:

• Brookside Beach Campground, which includes a private beach, RV sites with full hook-ups, and tent camping.
• Lakeside Campground offers RV camping with full hook-ups, tent sites, and cottage rentals.
• Lake Erie State Park provides RV, tent and cabin sites with a spacious shoreline and magnificent scenery.
• Featuring cool lake breezes and spectacular sunsets, Sheridan Bay Park Campground includes tent sites and RV camping with electric hookups.
• Westfield/Lake Erie KOA boasts two pools, a game room and an award-winning playground with tent, RV and cabin sites.

Country campground options include:

• Bison Trace Luxury Camping, which features fully furnished cabins, safari tents, and covered wagons.
• Camp at the Rocks, a campground at Panama Rocks Scenic Park, which boasts fully furnished, luxury tents for a unique glamping getaway, as well as traditional tent camping sites.
• The Heron Campground at the Heron Farm and Event Center -- home of the annual Great Blue Heron Music Festival -- includes tent camping, yurts, pop-ups and more, with electric sites for your RV.
• Chautauqua Gorge Campground offers 23 different types of campsites including cabins and RV sites with utilities, and self-contained tent sites or off-grid cabins without utilities.
• Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park boasts 225 campsites for you to bring your RV or tent, plus cabin camping in a family-friendly campground with numerous amenities and activities.

The beautiful lakefront village of Bemus Point comes alive every spring with a bustling downtown featuring shops, restaurants, and waterfront fun. 

Dining:

Grab a bite at several restaurants on or near Chautauqua Lake, with favorites including:

• The Village Casino
• Ellicottville Brewing on Chautauqua
• Splash
• Bemus Point Golf Club & Tap House
• Lake Life Cafe
• Catch live music at many of these restaurants, and enjoy an ice cream cone at Bemus Point Market while you watch the sunset.

Fun on Land and Water:

Bemus Point offers a perfect blend of relaxation and recreation on the shore, and easy access to Chautauqua Lake for those who wish to get out on the water.

• Spread out at Bemus Point Lakeside Park, home to a playground, picnic tables, grills, a basketball court, tennis and pickleball courts, with a public dock provided for shore fishing or taking in the view.
• Play a round of golf at the picturesque 9-hole Bemus Point Golf Club.
• Launch your boat at the New York State boat ramp on Lakeside Avenue.
• Rent a boat, kayak, SUP, canoe or paddle boat from Bemus Bay Water Toys, or take a Tiki Boat Tour.
• Cross the narrows of Chautauqua Lake on the Bemus Point-Stow Ferry. 

History:

• Visit the Lawson Center Boat Museum to learn about antique and classic boats, outboard and inboard motors, view photo displays from the 1800s and early 1900s as well as artifacts from the Chautauqua Lake age of steam.

Shopping & Events:

• Stroll along Main Street and browse nearly a dozen boutiques and shops, including Skillmans, featuring three floors of gifts, apparel and more.
• Attend annual events, including Bemus is Blooming in early May, 4th of July fireworks and festivities, Summer Fest in August, Labor Day weekend entertainment, and the Bemus Point Fall Fest in September.
• Bemus Point is very walkable, and most locations are located within a few blocks of each other. Visitors can easily park once and explore on foot. 

Winter Recreation:

• In addition to the spring, summer and fall recreation options, Bemus Point also offers opportunities for winter fun with lodging, gas and accommodations all on the snowmobile trail, as well as nearby Long Point State Park -- which features trails for cross-country skiing, fat tire biking, and snowmobiling.

Bemus Point draws the most visitors from early May into October, with a peak season of Memorial Day to Labor Day offering warm weather, fun on Chautauqua Lake, live music, lakefront dining, and frequent events.

Some shops and restaurants operate year-round, but most open in early May for the annual Bemus is Blooming event. They remain open through at least the Bemus Point Fall Fest in September.

Snowmobilers find Bemus Point to be an appealing winter destination, with gas, lodging and food available on the trail system. The snowmobile season is weather-dependent and begins after the New Year depending on trail conditions.

Bemus Point is very walkable, and most locations are located within a few blocks of each other. Visitors can easily park once and explore on foot.

Bemus Point is located on the shores of Chautauqua Lake just over 10 miles northwest of the city of Jamestown. Found at the midpoint of Chautauqua Lake, Bemus Point sits at the lake's narrowest point, just across the Interstate 86 bridge from Stow. You can even get to Bemus Point by way of the Bemus Point-Stow Ferry in the summer months!

Bemus Point is within driving distance of Buffalo, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh. Interstate 86 (also known as the Southern Tier Expressway) provides easy access to the village. The nearest major airports are in Buffalo, NY and Erie, PA.

The village of Bemus Point has plenty of parking spots with numerous spaces on Main Street and Lakeside Drive as well as lots at some local businesses. Parking is located within walking distance of local shops, restaurants, Lakeside Park and Chautauqua Lake.

Bemus Point is a great destination for families with numerous fun activities on land and water.

• Let the kids stretch their legs at Bemus Point Lakeside Park, home to a playground, picnic tables, grills, a basketball court, tennis and pickleball courts, with a public dock provided for shore fishing or taking in the view.
• Get out on the water and take a trip back in time -- and across Chautauqua Lake -- on the Bemus Point-Stow Ferry. 
• You can also enjoy Chautauqua Lake by renting a boat or launching your own.
• Grab a bite to eat and an ice cream cone, and explore several locally owned shops.
• Visit the Lawson Center Boat Museum and try children's activities including a 1940s race boat simulator, taking the helm of a cruiser, playing captain and crew of a real cat boat, a Junior Mate puzzle book and scavenger hunt, building a balloon-powered boat, and more. 
• Take a brief drive north of the village to Long Point State Park -- which features a beach, trails, playgrounds and more -- and Midway State Park, one of the oldest continually operating amusement parks in the nation.

Chautauqua County is located in the southwestern corner of New York state, between Erie, PA and Buffalo, NY. The northern border of Chautauqua County is located on Lake Erie. Interstates 90 and 86 run through Chautauqua County with I-90 on the northern end of the county and I-86 crossing the southern side. Commercial air service is located in Erie and Buffalo with shuttle and private car services available, as well as rental cars. Trains and buses also stop in Erie and Buffalo.

"CHQ" stands for Chautauqua Institution or sometimes Chautauqua County, NY in general. Chautauqua Institution, a historic lakeside retreat, was recognized for offering the “Best Small Town Cultural Scene” in America by USA Today. Chautauqua's nine-week summer season features the arts, education, religion, and recreation with hundreds of events surrounded by National Historic Landmark architecture on the shores of beautiful Chautauqua Lake.

You can visit Chautauqua Institution year-round. A gate pass is required during the nine-week summer season. A Chautauqua Institution gate pass provides admission to the grounds, all Amphitheater events and many other lectures, concerts, and more. Admission is free for children 12 and under, and Sunday admission is free for all at Chautauqua Institution.

The gates are open the rest of the year, and admission is free. Locations such as the Book Store, Library, and Post Office are open year-round. Some hotels and vacation rentals are open year-round, and some restaurants and shops at Chautauqua Institution are open outside of the summer season. The Athenaeum Hotel is open from spring through fall. 

There are wineries, breweries and distilleries in Chautauqua County, NY. Lake Erie Wine Country, a 50-mile wine trail featuring 23 wineries, stretches from Chautauqua County into Pennsylvania. Breweries and distilleries include Southern Tier Brewing and Distilling in Lakewood, and Five & 20 Spirits & Brewing in Westfield. Other breweries include Wicked Warren's in Jamestown and Big Inlet Brewing in Mayville, among others.

Chautauqua & Lake Erie NY refers to Chautauqua County, located in the southwestern corner of New York state. The county includes Chautauqua Lake, Chautauqua Institution, Jamestown, as well as nearly 50 miles of Lake Erie shoreline.

It is speculated that “Chautauqua” (SHəˈtôkwə) means “bag tied in the middle,” “place where fish are taken out,” or “two moccasins tied together.” The reason for the ambiguity is that the name comes from the now-extinct Erie language. The local lore favors “bag tied in the middle,” a reference to the unique shape of Chautauqua Lake, a south and north basin that come nearly together at the halfway point, where the Village of Bemus Point is located and the I-86 Chautauqua County Veterans Memorial Bridge.

Many restaurants are situated along Chautauqua Lake and Lake Erie in Chautauqua County. There are several other restaurants that are not lakeside but do provide outdoor dining options seasonally. View lakeside and outdoor dining options in Chautauqua & Lake Erie NY.

There are several art galleries in Chautauqua & Lake Erie NY, including multiple galleries at Chautauqua Institution, at the local colleges: SUNY Fredonia and Jamestown Community College, at the Roger Tory Peterson Institute, and in communities across the county. The annual Art Trail Open Studio & Gallery Tours on Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends allow visitors to travel across the county to interact with several artists and shop their works.

Visitors to Chautauqua & Lake Erie NY enjoy four seasons of outdoor recreation. Five lakes provide endless opportunities for summer fun. Extensive networks of trails offer hiking, biking, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. Peek'n Peak Resort has dozens of ski slopes plus terrain parks, tubing and more for snow sports fans. More than a dozen public golf courses welcome visitors, including the award-winning Chautauqua Golf Club and Peek'n Peak.

World-renowned attractions such as Chautauqua Institution, the National Comedy Center, Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Museum, Lily Dale Assembly and many others draw thousands of visitors annually. Numerous festivals and events take place in Chautauqua County each year.

Lake Erie Wine Country's 23 wineries span 30,000 vineyard acres along a 50-mile trail stretching from Chautauqua County to Pennsylvania.

The National Comedy Center is located in Jamestown, NY, the hometown of Lucille Ball. The National Comedy Center is the United States’ official cultural institution and museum dedicated to presenting the vital story of comedy and preserving its heritage for future generations. Over 50 immersive exhibits within the 37,000-square-foot facility enable visitors to take a laugh-filled journey through comedy history, from early vaudeville to the latest viral memes.

Located in southwestern New York state, Chautauqua Institution delivers a nine-week summer season packed with programming around four pillars: the arts, religion, education, and recreation. More than 100,000 people attend events at Chautauqua Institution each year.

A dramatic lakeside setting and the beauty of its National Historic Landmark architecture make Chautauqua Institution a thriving community where visitors come to find intellectual and spiritual growth and renewal. It is a summer center, removed from the day-to-day world, where some of the leading thinkers of our time come to speak to the concerns and issues of today in the Chautauqua Amphitheater; a place where music, dance, opera, theater, and the visual arts create the "Chautauqua Mix."

Founded in 1874, Chautauqua Institution contains every era of American architecture dating to the late 19^th century.

You can visit Chautauqua Institution year-round.

A gate pass is required during the nine-week summer season. A Chautauqua Institution gate pass provides admission to the grounds, all Amphitheater events and many other lectures, concerts, and more. Admission is free for children 12 and under, and Sunday admission is free for all at Chautauqua Institution.

The gates are open the rest of the year, and admission is free. Locations such as the Book Store, Library, and Post Office are open year-round. Some hotels and vacation rentals are open year-round, and some restaurants and shops at Chautauqua Institution are open outside of the summer season. The Athenaeum Hotel is open from spring through fall.

Purchase Chautauqua Institution tickets online, by phone at 716.357.6250 or at the Main Gate Welcome Center.

Yes, companies such as Buffalo Airport Shuttle, CHQ Black Car Transportation, and Chautauqua Limousine Service offer shuttle services or private transportation from the Buffalo airport to Chautauqua Institution and back.

Chautauqua Institution is very walkable, particularly during the nine week summer season when vehicle traffic is extremely limited.

Chautauqua Institution is family-friendly with numerous activities for children, including day camps, recreation opportunities, entertainment, classes, and more.

Chautauqua Institution is a walkable community with very little vehicle traffic, making it perfect for children to get around on their bicycles or for parents to push strollers.

Admission to the Chautauqua Institution grounds is always free for children 12 and younger. That means you can bring your children and grandchildren to experience a stellar lineup of concerts and shows.

Considered the longest running summer day camp in the United States, Chautauqua Boys’ and Girls’ Club embraces both tradition and the latest trends in youth education and engagement.

Purchase tickets for a narrated bus tour at the Chautauqua Institution Main Gate Welcome Center daily during the summer. An experienced guide tells the fascinating story of Chautauqua Institution. Learn more.

Yes. Jamestown Cycle Shop offers bike rentals at Chautauqua Institution during the summer season.

Chautauqua Institution is home to multiple farmers markets during the nine week summer season. One market operates on Massey Avenue mornings from Monday-Saturday. A second market on Bestor Plaza takes place on Tuesdays.

You can rent a pontoon boat, kayak, canoe, stand up paddleboard, or paddleboat from the Chautauqua Institution Sports Club. Rent a sailboat from the John R. Turney Sailing Center.

Several accommodation options are available at Chautauqua Institution, all of which are privately owned with the exception of the Athenaeum Hotel and Greene Family Commons dormitory. There are six classes of places to stay: single-family homes, condominiums, apartments, hotels and inns, historic inns and rooms, and denominational houses.

The 152-room Athenaeum Hotel is a favorite for first-time Chautauquans. You can purchase your gate and parking passes along with your hotel stay and also dine at the in-house Heirloom Restaurant. The Athenaeum also offers in-season and offseason packages for those looking to experience Chautauqua Institution outside of the nine-week summer programming.

Each of the hotels, inns, and homes on the grounds are as unique as the Institution itself with beautiful architecture, picturesque porches, and a variety of amenities to make your stay comfortable while you enjoy Chautauqua's lectures, concerts, and recreation just a short walk away.

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Yes. Located just across the street from Chautauqua Institution, the Chautauqua Golf Club is one of only two 36-hole courses between Cleveland and Rochester. Additionally, the Golf Learning Center at Chautauqua Golf Club provides instruction and practice holes.

If you are on vacation in Chautauqua Institution and want to venture out to the surrounding areas for a few hours or a day, you will find numerous unique options to fit your interests.

Bring your kids or grandkids to Midway State Park:
Located on the shores of beautiful Chautauqua Lake, Midway State Park is a summertime family treasure. Originally established in 1898 as a trolley park, Midway is one of the oldest continually operating amusement parks in the nation. Patrons can take a nostalgic ride on the vintage carousel, play a game of mini golf, take a spin on the tilt-a-whirl and ride the go-karts or watch their children enjoy themselves on the many kiddie rides. And, while some may prefer to relax while enjoying an old fashioned candy apple or cotton candy, others can test their skills at classic midway games, or stretch their legs on the playground.

Explore five nearby lakes:

Venture beyond Chautauqua Institution to find the rest of what Chautauqua Lake has to offer. Cruise the lake’s 17 miles to discover numerous public docking points plus the beautiful Long Point State Park, or take a historic boat tour. Check out the lakeside villages of Bemus Point, Lakewood and Celoron, where you will find a lighthouse, Lucille Ball statues and the beautiful Chautauqua Harbor Hotel.

Windswept shores, beaches, and dramatic cliffs define Chautauqua County’s northern Lake Erie border. Lake Erie and its tributaries, known as Steelhead Alley, harbor abundant walleye, bass, and trout fisheries, and are also home to popular migration flyways. Don't miss lighthouses in Dunkirk and Barcelona, or the Boardwalk Marketplace in the summer.

Several smaller lakes surround Chautauqua, including Findley Lake to the southwest, plus Bear and Cassadaga Lakes to the north. There isn’t a single part of Chautauqua County that is more than 20 minutes from open water.

Stretch your legs at some of the best hiking trails in western New York:

Hike from the Pennsylvania border to Chautauqua Gorge State Forest on the 24-mile Westside Overland Trail system or explore hardwood forests along the 19-mile Eastside Overland Trail. Magnificent views atop Chautauqua County’s hills are not to be missed, especially the panoramic view of Lake Erie from the Luensman Overview Park. Erlandson Overview Park marks the highest accessible elevation point in the county, and on clear days it is possible to spot Chautauqua Lake from above. Hike through abandoned rail corridors on more than 17 miles of Rails to Trails, plan a family-friendly visit to the Audubon Community Nature Center or stand in awe of giant 60-foot-tall rock formations at Panama Rocks Scenic Park.

Embark on summer or winter adventures at Peek'n Peak Resort:

Summer: Play a round at Peek'n Peak's Upper Golf Course, and try the exciting Peak Mountain Adventures activities, including the Aerial Adventure Ropes Course, Giant Zipline, and more. Peek’n Putt mini golf is also open in the summer, and guests can admire the ski slopes and surrounding countryside with a scenic chairlift ride. Try out two brand-new professional Sand Volleyball courts, a Paintball Arena, and Cornhole Courts.

Winter: The Peak is the best place to learn to ski or snowboard or simply improve on your existing skills, whether you are a first-timer or seasoned on the slopes. The resort is home to 26 slopes serviced by 8 chairlifts, as well as Terrain Parks, Snow Tubing, Lunar Lights Nighttime Tubing, and a renowned Snowsports School and Peek’n Kids lesson programs.

Tour wineries, breweries and distilleries:

Lake Erie Wine Country, a 50-mile wine trail featuring 23 wineries, stretches from Chautauqua County into Pennsylvania. Nearby breweries and distilleries include Southern Tier Brewing and Distilling in Lakewood, and Five & 20 Spirits & Brewing in Westfield. Other breweries include Wicked Warren's in Jamestown and Big Inlet Brewing in Mayville, among others.

Visit the city of Jamestown:

Explore some of the best cultural attractions and museums in western New York in Jamestown. From comedy to history, nature and entertainment, you will find a combination of learning and fun that makes for a perfect overnight trip or weekend getaway.

Visit the National Comedy Center and Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz Museum for a day of laughter.

Discover the life and legacy of Robert H. Jackson – Supreme Court Justice, Chief U.S. Prosecutor at Nuremberg, and Chautauqua County native – at the Robert H. Jackson Center.

Learn about what makes Jamestown great at the Fenton History Center. Housed in the 1863 mansion of New York State's 22nd Governor, Reuben E. Fenton, the museum features numerous exhibitions including Made in Jamestown: How Furniture Built a City, Lucille Ball: Not the Girl Next Door, the Military Room, the Lookout Tower, and many others.

Visit the Roger Tory Peterson Institute to explore a beautiful museum with nature art exhibitions, walk 2.5 miles of trails on a 27-acre preserve, and discover the largest collection of Roger Tory Peterson’s original artwork, films, slides and papers. Peterson, the premier artist-naturalist of his time, connected people with nature as never before. The father of the modern field guide, Peterson’s artwork offered a way for readers to discover the beauty and wonder of nature.

Located on Lake Erie, Dunkirk delivers small city charm, endless outdoor recreation opportunities, unique shops, tasty bites, and family-friendly events. 

Get to the waterfront for some summer fun. Take a dip in Lake Erie at lifeguarded beaches in Point Gratiot and Wright Park. Hike or bike Point Gratiot's trails and observe dozens of bird species. Admire and explore the Dunkirk Lighthouse, Park and Veterans Museum, and climb to the observation level for a stunning Lake Erie view. 

Visit City Pier Park in Dunkirk Harbor to fish from the shore, launch your boat or kayak, shop, dine or enjoy live entertainment during the summer, headlined by the Thursday night Music on the Pier series. The Dunkirk Boardwalk Marketplace has seven shops and restaurants along a 160-foot-long covered boardwalk with indoor and outdoor seating.

The seasonal Dunkirk Boardwalk Marketplace has seven shops and restaurants along a 160-foot-long covered boardwalk with indoor and outdoor seating. Browse the shops for unique gifts and enjoy the eateries, all the while taking in the scenic Chadwick Bay and beautiful Dunkirk Pier.

Boardwalk Marketplace restaurants include:

• Campi's Pizza: Freshly made pizzas, subs, fried dough, fish fries, calzones and more.
• House of Birria: Latin Cuisine - tacos, burritos, empanadas, loaded nachos/fries, drinks.
• Sydney's Sweet Treats: Cupcakes, cookies, and desserts made for all events and occasions.
• Off The Hook: Cozy seafood restaurant and bar.
• Spike Dailey's Irish Pub: An Irish pub serving food and drinks.

Also check out Central Station Restaurant, an American diner that offers quality scratch cooking in a casual setting. It is open seven days a week, serving breakfast, lunch, and Friday fish fry. 

After exploring beaches, parks, the pier and boardwalk on Lake Erie, visitors to Dunkirk, NY may enjoy several day trip options within an easy drive.

• Tour wineries, breweries and distilleries:
  
  • Lake Erie Wine Country, a 50-mile wine trail featuring 23 wineries, stretches from Chautauqua County into Pennsylvania. Many wineries are located just a short drive from Dunkirk. Nearby breweries and distilleries include Southern Tier Brewing and Distilling in Lakewood, and Five & 20 Spirits & Brewing in Westfield. Other breweries include Wicked Warren's in Jamestown and Big Inlet Brewing in Mayville, among others.

• Fish Steelhead Alley and four more lakes:
  • Once you've caught your fill of fish from Lake Erie, check out its tributaries, known as Steelhead Alley. From October to April, thousands of rainbow trout called steelhead ascend Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Canadaway, and 18-Mile Creeks on their mission to spawn. For the sportsman, excellent fly-fishing opportunities await.
  • Go fishing on inland lakes including Chautauqua, Findley, Cassadaga and Bear Lakes. Chautauqua Lake, ranked #21 Best Bass Lake in the Northeast by Bassmaster (June 2023), offers exceptional fishing for walleye, bass, muskellunge and several species of panfish. Findley Lake’s abundant beds of aquatic vegetation provide angling for a variety of sportfish and panfish, while the three interconnected lakes of Cassadaga provide angling for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, muskellunge and panfish. The smallest of the County’s inland lakes, known as a kettle lake, Bear Lake's shoreline is predominantly wetland, providing excellent habitat for bass and other predator and prey fish.

• Check out Sunset Bay:
  • Take a short drive to Sunset Bay for a day of summer fun. Sunset Bay Beach Club features 5 acres of clean, sandy, life-guarded Lake Erie beach. The Sunset Bay beach area has volleyball courts, waterfront restaurants, beach bars, a video game arcade, ice cream shop, T-shirt shop and deli.

• Visit Chautauqua Institution:
  
  • The pre-eminent expression of lifelong learning in the United States, Chautauqua Institution comes alive each summer with a unique mix of fine and performing arts, lectures, interfaith worship and programs, and recreational activities. Over the course of nine weeks, more than 100,000 people visit Chautauqua and participate in programs, classes and community events for all ages — all within the beautiful setting of a historic lakeside village.
  • You can visit Chautauqua Institution year-round. A gate pass is only required during the nine-week summer season. The gates are open the rest of the year, and admission is free. Locations such as the Book Store, Library, and Post Office are open year-round. Some hotels and vacation rentals are open year-round, and some restaurants and shops at Chautauqua Institution are open outside of the summer season.

• Enjoy a round of golf:
  
  • Some of the best public golf courses in western New York are located in Chautauqua County, including more than a dozen options for visitors to enjoy. Located just across the street from Chautauqua Institution, the Chautauqua Golf Club is one of only two 36-hole courses between Cleveland and Rochester. Additionally, the Golf Learning Center at Chautauqua Golf Club provides instruction and practice holes. The Upper Golf Course at Peek’n Peak Resort near Findley Lake has superior ratings from Golf Digest - 4 1/2 stars. Peek'n Peak has hosted several PGA Tour events.

• Stretch your legs at some of the best hiking trails in western New York:
  
  • Hike from the Pennsylvania border to Chautauqua Gorge State Forest on the 24-mile Westside Overland Trail system or explore hardwood forests along the 19-mile Eastside Overland Trail. Magnificent views atop Chautauqua County’s hills are not to be missed, especially the panoramic view of Lake Erie from the Luensman Overview Park. Erlandson Overview Park marks the highest accessible elevation point in the county, and on clear days it is possible to spot Chautauqua Lake from above. Hike through abandoned rail corridors on more than 17 miles of Rails to Trails, plan a family-friendly visit to the Audubon Community Nature Center or stand in awe of giant 60-foot-tall rock formations at Panama Rocks Scenic Park.

• Embark on summer or winter adventures at Peek'n Peak Resort:
  
  • Summer: In addition to Peek'n Peak's Upper Golf Course, try the exciting Peak Mountain Adventures activities, including the Aerial Adventure Ropes Course, Giant Zipline, and more. Peek’n Putt mini golf is also open in the summer, and guests can admire the ski slopes and surrounding countryside with a scenic chairlift ride. Try out two brand-new professional Sand Volleyball courts, a Paintball Arena, and Cornhole Courts.
  • Winter: The Peak is the best place to learn to ski or snowboard or simply improve on your existing skills, whether you are a first-timer or seasoned on the slopes. The resort is home to 26 slopes serviced by 8 chairlifts, as well as Terrain Parks, Snow Tubing, Lunar Lights Nighttime Tubing, and a renowned Snowsports School and Peek’n Kids lesson programs.

• Visit the city of Jamestown:
  • Explore some of the best cultural attractions and museums in western New York in Jamestown. From comedy to history, nature and entertainment, you will find a combination of learning and fun that makes for a perfect overnight trip or weekend getaway.
    • Visit the National Comedy Center and Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz Museum for a day of laughter.
    • Discover the life and legacy of Robert H. Jackson – Supreme Court Justice, Chief U.S. Prosecutor at Nuremberg, and Chautauqua County native – at the Robert H. Jackson Center.
    • Learn about what makes Jamestown great at the Fenton History Center. Housed in the 1863 mansion of New York State's 22nd Governor, Reuben E. Fenton, the museum features numerous exhibitions including Made in Jamestown: How Furniture Built a City, Lucille Ball: Not the Girl Next Door, the Military Room, the Lookout Tower, and many others.
    • Visit the Roger Tory Peterson Institute to explore a beautiful museum with nature art exhibitions, walk 2.5 miles of trails on a 27-acre preserve, and discover the largest collection of Roger Tory Peterson’s original artwork, films, slides and papers. Peterson, the premier artist-naturalist of his time, connected people with nature as never before. The father of the modern field guide, Peterson’s artwork offered a way for readers to discover the beauty and wonder of nature.

Some of the top annual events in the city of Dunkirk, NY include:

Music on the Pier Summer Concert Series: Held on Thursday evenings during the summer, Music on the Pier brings a variety of musical styles and acts to the Dunkirk Pier. Each week features a new theme. The Dunkirk Boardwalk Marketplace shops and restaurants open to welcome visitors. The Pier hosts food trucks and a beverage tent during the weekly concert series. 

Dunkirk Walleye Festival: The fastest-growing fishing tournament in Western New York, the Dunkirk Walleye Festival features fishing tournaments, vendors and live music in June.

Music at the Point Sunset Series: These concerts take place Wednesday nights during the summer at Point Gratiot Park.

Fourth of July Celebration at Memorial Park: Visit the beautiful Lake Erie waterfront in Dunkirk for live music, vendors and a spectacular fireworks display.

Chautauqua County Fair: Each July, the Chautauqua County Fair brings farming, food and fun to Dunkirk with midway rides, grandstand events, animal exhibits, and more.

America's Grape Country Craft Beverage Festival: Held at the Chautauqua County Fairgrounds in Dunkirk each August, the festival includes wineries, distilleries and breweries from across New York and Pennsylvania. Attendees can enjoy live music, a classic car show and specialty food, lifestyle and craft vendors.

More top annual events in Dunkirk include: the Juneteenth Celebration at Memorial Park, the Dunkirk Beach Bash at Wright Park, and the Christmas on Central Holiday Extravaganza and Parade. 

Dunkirk festivals and events are added to tourchautauqua.com/events as dates and times are announced.

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Visitors flock to the Lake Erie waterfront in Dunkirk to enjoy activities on and off the water.

Take a dip in Lake Erie at lifeguarded beaches in Point Gratiot and Wright Park. Hike or bike Point Gratiot's trails and observe dozens of bird species. Admire and explore the Dunkirk Lighthouse, Park and Veterans Museum, and climb to the observation level for a stunning Lake Erie view.

Visit City Pier Park in Dunkirk Harbor to fish from the shore, launch your boat or kayak, shop, dine or enjoy live entertainment during the summer, headlined by the Thursday night Music on the Pier series. The Dunkirk Boardwalk Marketplace has seven shops and restaurants along a 160-foot-long covered boardwalk with indoor and outdoor seating.

The best time of year to visit Dunkirk, NY depends on your specific interests.

Dunkirk enjoys the most visitors during the summer season, when activity on Lake Erie and the waterfront reaches its peak. 

Summer fun in Dunkirk features:

• Swimming in lifeguarded Lake Erie beaches at Point Gratiot and Wright Park.
• Hiking or biking Point Gratiot's trails.
• Admiring and exploring the Dunkirk Lighthouse, Park and Veterans Museum.
• Visiting City Pier Park for fishing, boating or kayaking, and the Dunkirk Boardwalk Marketplace for lakefront shopping and dining.
• Attending a variety of festivals and events, including Music on the Pier, the Chautauqua County Fair, and many others.

Winter, spring and fall trips to Dunkirk can offer discounted lodging options. Attractions such as the Dunkirk Lighthouse, Park and Veterans Museum are open from May through October.  Take in an amazing view of Lake Erie from the Lighthouse Observation Deck, and enjoy brilliant fall foliage.

Visit the city of Jamestown to explore some of the best cultural attractions and museums in western New York. From comedy to history, nature and entertainment, you will find a combination of learning and fun that makes for a perfect overnight trip or weekend getaway.

• Visit the National Comedy Center and Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz Museum for a day of laughter in downtown Jamestown.
  • Recently named "Best New Museum" in the country by USA Today, one of the "World's Greatest Places" by TIME magazine, and among the “Top 25 Family Weekend Getaways in the U.S.” by U.S. News & World Report, the National Comedy Center provides hours of fun. The Comedy Center features state-of-the-art technology, interactivity, and personalization to create a 21st-century museum environment. Explore your favorite comedies and comedians at over 50 exhibits, including Johnny Carson: The Immersive Experience, which contains 30 digital projection screens that surround the audience and a holographic host, Jimmy Fallon.
  • The hometown of Lucille Ball, Jamestown honors the legacy of “The First Couple of Comedy” with the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum. The museum features replica sets, Lucille Ball’s Emmy awards, costumes, rare memorabilia from I Love Lucy and other shows, and much more.
  • Save with a dual admission pass to both the Lucy Desi Museum and the National Comedy Center.
  • Take Lucille Ball's Hometown Tour to view I Love Lucy murals and multiple statues.
• Discover the life and legacy of Robert H. Jackson – Supreme Court Justice, Chief U.S. Prosecutor at Nuremberg, and Chautauqua County native – at the Robert H. Jackson Center in Jamestown. Tour the Jackson Center’s exclusive collections and exhibits, plus program and meeting facilities, housed in a historic 1858 Italianate mansion. The Jackson Center is open for self-guided, individual, and group tours.
• Learn about what makes Jamestown great at the Fenton History Center. Housed in the 1863 mansion of New York State's 22nd Governor, Reuben E. Fenton, the museum features numerous exhibitions including Made in Jamestown: How Furniture Built a City, Lucille Ball: Not the Girl Next Door, the Military Room, the Lookout Tower, and many others.
• Visit the Roger Tory Peterson Institute to explore a beautiful museum with nature art exhibitions, walk 2.5 miles of trails on a 27-acre preserve, and discover the largest collection of Roger Tory Peterson’s original artwork, films, slides and papers. Peterson, the premier artist-naturalist of his time, connected people with nature as never before. The father of the modern field guide, Peterson’s artwork offered a way for readers to discover the beauty and wonder of nature.
• Stretch your legs at the Audubon Community Nature Center, located just outside the city lines between Jamestown and Warren, Pennsylvania. The Audubon offers a 600-acre wildlife sanctuary with 6 miles of easy hiking trails through fields, woods, and wetlands with observation towers, a handicap accessible overlook and outdoor play areas. Indoors, the Nature Center features three floors of family fun with live animals, exhibits, a gift shop and play spaces.
• The Reg Lenna Center for the Arts hosts concerts, comedy, movies, and more in a 1,165-seat historic theater.
• The Northwest Arena attracts more than 250,000 visitors annually for numerous events including performances by top comedians during the annual Lucille Ball Comedy Festival in August. Residents and visitors alike regularly head to the arena for public skating, ice bumper cars, skate 'n shoot hockey, backyard curling, or walking and running on the “cool” track.

• Jamestown's largest annual event, the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival boasts over 50 live events and attracts more than 15,000 attendees each August. "Lucy Fest" is presented by the National Comedy Center and embodies Lucille Ball’s vision for her hometown, Jamestown, New York, to be a destination for the celebration of the comedic arts and to showcase new comedic talent from around the country. 
  • The festival has featured comedy’s greatest stars and rising young comedians and has welcomed over 300 artists to Jamestown, NY, including Jerry Seinfeld, Jon Stewart, Lily Tomlin, Nate Bargatze, John Mulaney, Trevor Noah, Taylor Tomlinson, Jeff Foxworthy, Gabriel Iglesias, Jay Leno, Sebastian Maniscalco, Amy Schumer, Nicole Byer, David Spade, Margaret Cho, Brian Regan, Ellen DeGeneres, Lewis Black, W. Kamau Bell, Jim Gaffigan, Kevin Nealon, Paula Poundstone, Dan Aykroyd, Joan Rivers, Bob Newhart, the Smothers Brothers, and more than one hundred other comedic artists.
• Roger Tory Peterson Institute hosts the BANFF Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour each spring at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts.
• Take an after-dark stroll at Audubon Lights each spring at the Audubon Community Nature Center. Walk a luminary-lit trail past ponds that reflect the illuminated trees and stars above. Creative light displays, animal silhouettes, and more highlight natural features in new ways.
• Jamestown holds the Turn the River Green event in celebration of St. Patrick's Day, where the Chadakoin River turns green along with kids' games and activities and a visit from a leprechaun.
• The Jamestown NY Holiday Parade includes hundreds of floats, a visit from Santa and fireworks each December.
• Some other annual events in Jamestown include the Jamestown Juneteenth Festival, Yassou (Greek) Festival, Pride Festival, Scandinavian Folk Festival and several others.

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Explore the history of Jamestown, NY at the Fenton History Center. 

• The Fenton History Center is located in the historic Fenton Mansion at 67 Washington St., Jamestown.
• The museum operates in the family home of Reuben E. Fenton -- a U.S. Congressman, New York State Governor and U.S. Senator. 
• The Fenton History Center holds numerous permanent exhibits, including:
  • Made in Jamestown: How Furniture Built a City
  • Interactive History of Jamestown, New York
  • Jamestown, New York: Industrialization
  • Lucille Ball: Not the Girl Next Door
  • Intersections: The Underground Railroad in Chautauqua County
  • Plus many others
• Adjacent to the Fenton History Center, the Hall House includes a research center, library and archives.

Top outdoor activities to enjoy in Jamestown include hiking and cycling, skateboarding, fishing, birdwatching, kayaking, and boating, plus more passive activities such as outdoor dining, relaxing at a park, or attending a baseball game. 

• Cycling:
  • Take your bike out on the Jamestown Riverwalk, a 5-mile urban trail system that follows the Chadakoin River through downtown Jamestown. The Riverwalk is perfect for walking, jogging, biking and rollerblading.
  • Recommended road cycling routes include:
    • The Jamestown-Ellery Ride, which offers some challenging hills and terrain for the rider, and some historical stops throughout Jamestown and Celoron.
    • The Jamestown-Frewsburg Ride, which provides a complete tour of the greater Jamestown area.
• Hiking:
  • In addition to the Jamestown Riverwalk, some other top hiking spots in Jamestown include:
    • Audubon Community Nature Center, a 570-acre wetland preserve with over five miles of trails, a native tree arboretum, picnic areas, a natural play space, and educational gardens
    • Roger Tory Peterson Institute, situated on a 27-acre nature preserve, features over two half-mile trails.
    • Jamestown also contains parks where you can stretch your legs, including the 35-acre Allen Park, which includes walking paths through wooded glens as well as a short sidewalk loop near the splash pad and playground. Bergman Park offers paths for walking or cycling, as well as baseball fields, a basketball court, a disc golf course, and more.
• Fishing and Boating:
  • There are great shore fishing locations along the Jamestown Riverwalk, including at McCrea Point Park, home to a boat launch on the Chautauqua Lake outlet and an accessible kayak launch. 
  • The Chadakoin River, the Chautauqua Lake outlet, allows you to paddle into the southern basin of Chautauqua Lake or into downtown Jamestown. You can rent a kayak at the nearby Chadakoin Paddle Company.

If you are on vacation in Jamestown, New York and want to venture out to the surrounding areas for a few hours or a day, you will find numerous unique options to fit your interests.

• Visit Chautauqua Institution: 
  • The pre-eminent expression of lifelong learning in the United States, Chautauqua Institution comes alive each summer with a unique mix of fine and performing arts, lectures, interfaith worship and programs, and recreational activities. Over the course of nine weeks, more than 100,000 people visit Chautauqua and participate in programs, classes and community events for all ages — all within the beautiful setting of a historic lakeside village.
  • You can visit Chautauqua Institution year-round. A gate pass is only required during the nine-week summer season. The gates are open the rest of the year, and admission is free. Locations such as the Book Store, Library, and Post Office are open year-round. Some hotels and vacation rentals are open year-round, and some restaurants and shops at Chautauqua Institution are open outside of the summer season.

• Explore five nearby lakes:
  • Windswept shores, beaches, and dramatic cliffs define Chautauqua County’s northern Lake Erie border. Lake Erie and its tributaries, known as Steelhead Alley, harbor abundant walleye, bass, and trout fisheries, and are also home to popular migration flyways. Don't miss lighthouses in Dunkirk and Barcelona, or the Boardwalk Marketplace in the summer.
  • Inland, Chautauqua Lake has remained a destination for lake recreation enthusiasts who have enjoyed sailing, boating, fishing, kayaking, and other water fun for generations. Cruise the lake’s 17 miles to discover numerous public docking points plus the beautiful Long Point State Park, or take a historic boat tour. Check out the lakeside villages of Bemus Point, Lakewood and Celoron, where you will find a lighthouse, Lucille Ball statues and the beautiful Chautauqua Harbor Hotel.
  • Several smaller lakes surround Chautauqua, including Findley Lake to the southwest, plus Bear and Cassadaga Lakes to the north. There isn’t a single part of Chautauqua County that is more than 20 minutes from open water.

• Enjoy a round of golf:

  • Some of the best public golf courses in western New York are located in Chautauqua County, including more than a dozen options for visitors to enjoy. Located just across the street from Chautauqua Institution, the Chautauqua Golf Club is one of only two 36-hole courses between Cleveland and Rochester. Additionally, the Golf Learning Center at Chautauqua Golf Club provides instruction and practice holes. The Upper Golf Course at Peek’n Peak Resort near Findley Lake has superior ratings from Golf Digest - 4 1/2 stars. Peek'n Peak has hosted several PGA Tour events.

• Stretch your legs at some of the best hiking trails in western New York:
  • Hike from the Pennsylvania border to Chautauqua Gorge State Forest on the 24-mile Westside Overland Trail system or explore hardwood forests along the 19-mile Eastside Overland Trail. Magnificent views atop Chautauqua County’s hills are not to be missed, especially the panoramic view of Lake Erie from the Luensman Overview Park. Erlandson Overview Park marks the highest accessible elevation point in the county, and on clear days it is possible to spot Chautauqua Lake from above. Hike through abandoned rail corridors on more than 17 miles of Rails to Trails, plan a family-friendly visit to the Audubon Community Nature Center or stand in awe of giant 60-foot-tall rock formations at Panama Rocks Scenic Park.

• Embark on summer or winter adventures at Peek'n Peak Resort:
  • Summer: In addition to Peek'n Peak's Upper Golf Course, try the exciting Peak Mountain Adventures activities, including the Aerial Adventure Ropes Course, Giant Zipline, and more. Peek’n Putt mini golf is also open in the summer, and guests can admire the ski slopes and surrounding countryside with a scenic chairlift ride. Try out two brand-new professional Sand Volleyball courts, a Paintball Arena, and Cornhole Courts.
  • Winter: The Peak is the best place to learn to ski or snowboard or simply improve on your existing skills, whether you are a first-timer or seasoned on the slopes. The resort is home to 26 slopes serviced by 8 chairlifts, as well as Terrain Parks, Snow Tubing, Lunar Lights Nighttime Tubing, and a renowned Snowsports School and Peek’n Kids lesson programs.

• Bring your kids to Midway State Park:
  • Located on the shores of beautiful Chautauqua Lake, Midway State Park is a summertime family treasure. Originally established in 1898 as a trolley park, Midway is one of the oldest continually operating amusement parks in the nation. Patrons can take a nostalgic ride on the vintage carousel, play a game of mini golf, take a spin on the tilt-a-whirl and ride the go-karts or watch their children enjoy themselves on the many kiddie rides. And, while some may prefer to relax while enjoying an old fashioned candy apple or cotton candy, others can test their skills at classic midway games, or stretch their legs on the playground.

• Tour wineries, breweries and distilleries:
  • Lake Erie Wine Country, a 50-mile wine trail featuring 23 wineries, stretches from Chautauqua County into Pennsylvania. Nearby breweries and distilleries include Southern Tier Brewing and Distilling in Lakewood, and Five & 20 Spirits & Brewing in Westfield. Other breweries include Wicked Warren's in Jamestown and Big Inlet Brewing in Mayville, among others.

Jamestown, NY is home to the National Comedy Center and Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz Museum.

• Recently named "Best New Museum" in the country by USA Today, one of the "World's Greatest Places" by TIME magazine, and among the “Top 25 Family Weekend Getaways in the U.S.” by U.S. News & World Report, the National Comedy Center provides hours of fun. The Comedy Center features state-of-the-art technology, interactivity, and personalization to create a 21st-century museum environment. Explore your favorite comedies and comedians at over 50 exhibits, including Johnny Carson: The Immersive Experience, which contains 30 digital projection screens that surround the audience and a holographic host, Jimmy Fallon.
• The hometown of Lucille Ball, Jamestown honors the legacy of “The First Couple of Comedy” with the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum. The museum features replica sets, Lucille Ball’s Emmy awards, costumes, rare memorabilia from I Love Lucy and other shows, and much more.
• Jamestown's largest annual event, the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival boasts over 50 live events and attracts more than 15,000 attendees each August.

The Robert H. Jackson Center in Jamestown celebrates the life and legacy of Robert H. Jackson – Supreme Court Justice, Chief U.S. Prosecutor at Nuremberg, and Chautauqua County native. Tour the Jackson Center’s exclusive collections and exhibits, plus program and meeting facilities, housed in a historic 1858 Italianate mansion. The Jackson Center is open for self-guided, individual, and group tours.

Jamestown was once known as the "furniture capital of the world." Explore the Made in Jamestown: How Furniture Built a City exhibit and much more about what makes Jamestown great at the Fenton History Center. The museum operates in the historic Fenton Mansion, family home of Reuben E. Fenton -- a U.S. Congressman, New York State Governor and U.S. Senator. 

Jamestown native Roger Tory Peterson was the premier artist-naturalist of his time and connected people with nature as never before. The father of the modern field guide, Peterson’s artwork offered a way for readers to discover the beauty and wonder of nature. Visit the Roger Tory Peterson Institute to explore a beautiful museum with nature art exhibitions, walk 2.5 miles of trails on a 27-acre preserve, and discover the largest collection of Roger Tory Peterson’s original artwork, films, slides and papers.

Jamestown, NY offers entertainment and recreation options for visitors to enjoy year-round, and the best time of year to visit varies based on your specific interests.

Jamestown enjoys the most visitors during the summer season, roughly from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Jamestown's largest annual event, the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival boasts over 50 live events and attracts more than 15,000 attendees each August. More festivals and events take place during the summer than in any other season.

However, Jamestown's extensive list of attractions and museums are open year-round. Some visitors prefer to visit during the spring and fall months, removed from the wintry weather but outside of the busiest time of year. Guests can often find discounted hotel rooms and vacation rentals during the off-season.

The winter months also attract visitors to Jamestown, with highlights including the Northwest Arena -- which hosts numerous on-ice activities -- and nearby Peek'n Peak Ski Resort.

Jamestown, NY is home to many unique shops and restaurants.

Some of Jamestown's best shops include:

• Art Cloth & Craft: Browse a unique selection of handmade gifts, jewelry, and goods from local artisans and other small US based companies.
• Dot's Gift Boutique: For that perfect gift, something just right for your next gathering, or that special something just for you - you’ll find what you are looking for at Dot’s.
• Little Gift Nook: Shop bamboo baby clothing, unique children’s apparel, sensory and educational toys, baby shower gifts, collectibles, Buffalo football-inspired apparel, and Chautauqua Lake clothing.

Some of Jamestown's best restaurants include:

• 4 Below Haggy's Bar and Grill: Enjoy an a la carte menu, designed for each customer to customize their own dining experience including burgers, wraps, salads, and soups.
• The Cherry Lounge: Visit The Cherry for some of the best chicken wings in town, as well as burgers, salads, sandwiches and more -- plus a happy hour every weekday.
• Ecklof Bakery: Try some Scandinavian baked goods, sandwiches, homemade Korv burgers, breakfast burritos and more.
• Labyrinth Press Co. & Brazil Craft Beer and Wine Lounge: Explore a creative vegetarian and vegan menu, extensive craft beer and wine lists, coffee, teas, lattes, and smoothies.
• Landmark Restaurant: Experience comfortable and casual fine dining with steaks, seafood, salads, sandwiches and pasta in a beautifully renovated historic building.
• Lisciandro's Restaurant: A great breakfast and lunch spot, Lisciandro's is well known for homemade, spicy Italian sausage used on several dishes as well as rigatoni and meatballs.
• Pace's Pizzeria: Featuring homemade dough and sauce combined with fresh toppings, Pace's also has salads, sandwiches, pasta, beer and an extensive wine list.
• Pearl City Hops: Located in the DoubleTree by Hilton - Jamestown, Pearl City Hops offers salads, burgers, chicken wings, seafood, and more - plus breakfast.
• The Pub: Try the local favorite beef on kummelweck sandwich, "The Big Guy," or salads, soups, and Italian dishes paired with a variety of wines, beers and spirits.
• Raven & Rune: Housed in Jamestown's historic Viking Temple, Raven & Rune features a full menu and fully stocked bar.
• Shawbucks Press Room Restaurant: The Press Room is a casual restaurant serving dinner plus a light bar menu for late night.
• The Taco Company: Open for lunch and dinner, The Taco Company features a menu of "Jamestown style" Mexican food with beer, wine and margaritas to quench your thirst.
• Wicked Warren's: This brewpub brings together handcrafted beers and pizzas, plus chicken wings, burgers, salads, and sandwiches.

Westfield, NY offers opportunities for family fun, romantic retreats, nature lovers and history buffs. Westfield features a vibrant downtown as well as nearby waterfront fun in Barcelona, and the renowned Lake Erie Wine Country.

Waterfront fun in Barcelona Harbor:

• Enjoy Lake Erie fishing, boating, sightseeing and more at Dan Reed Pier Park in Barcelona Harbor, just a short drive from downtown Westfield. Launch your boat or kayak, have a picnic, or just admire the stunning Lake Erie views.
• Relax on Barcelona Harbor Beach. Hunt for beach glass, spot a beautiful sunset, stretch out and sunbathe, or have a picnic. Note that Barcelona Harbor Beach is not lifeguarded, and swimming is not permitted here.
• Just next door to Dan Reed Pier Park and Barcelona Harbor Beach is the Barcelona Lighthouse, the world's first natural gas lighthouse. Admire the lighthouse from the ground, or ascend to the top to take in Lake Erie.

Tour Lake Erie Wine Country:

• Visitors will find several wineries in Westfield, NY and the surrounding area. Lake Erie Wine Country stretches across more than 30,000 vineyard acres along a 50-mile wine trail featuring nearly two dozen wineries. Wineries in Westfield include Johnson Estate Winery, Mazza Chautauqua Cellars/Five & 20 Spirits & Brewery, and Noble Winery, with 21 Brix Winery just up the road. 
• While you are touring the Lake Erie wine trail, stop at the Grape Discovery Center, which contains visitor information on local attractions, a gift shop, tasting room, and exhibit area. Learn about more than 150 years of local grape growing, including the origins of Welch's, which still operates a juice storage and processing facility in Westfield today. 

Explore Downtown Westfield:

• During the summer, Main Street in Westfield turns into a street fair the first Friday of the month. Enjoy open shops, street vendors, live music and delicious food during the aptly named First Friday events. 
• Westfield's award-winning Farmers and Artisans Market comes to Moore Park on Saturdays beginning in May until September. 
• Learn about life in Chautauqua County at the McClurg Museum, also located in Moore Park. Home of the Chautauqua County Historical Society, this 14-room Federal-style mansion features period displays on three floors, including some of the earliest artifacts and archival materials relating to the settlement and subsequent development of the county. 
• Lovers of history will also want to visit Lincoln-Bedell Statue Park in Westfield. The park contains bronze statues of Abraham Lincoln and Grace Bedell, the girl who suggested that he grow a beard for his presidential campaign. At the McClurg Museum, visitors can learn about the letters the pair exchanged and their meeting in Westfield.

Wineries in Westfield, NY welcome visitors. Try a wine tasting, and purchase a bottle of your favorite. Wineries also regularly schedule events including live music, vineyard walks, and more.

Wineries in Westfield include Johnson Estate Winery, Mazza Chautauqua Cellars/Five & 20 Spirits & Brewery, and Noble Winery, with 21 Brix Winery just up the road. At Five & 20, you can also taste local beers and spirits in the first combined winery/brewery/distillery in New York state.

While you are touring the Lake Erie wine trail, stop at the Grape Discovery Center, which contains visitor information on local attractions, a gift shop, tasting room, and exhibit area. Learn about more than 150 years of local grape growing, including the origins of Welch's, which still operates a juice storage and processing facility in Westfield today. 

Relax on Barcelona Harbor Beach just outside of downtown Westfield. Hunt for beach glass, spot a beautiful sunset, stretch out and sunbathe, or have a picnic. Note that Barcelona Harbor Beach is not lifeguarded, and swimming is not permitted here. Enjoy more waterfront fun at the adjacent Dan Reed Pier Park, where you can launch your boat or kayak, or fish from the shore, and check out the world's first natural gas lighthouse at Barcelona Lighthouse State Park.

For lifeguarded beaches on Lake Erie, visit Sunset Bay Beach Club, Wright Park or Point Gratiot in Dunkirk, and Hanover Town Beach.

Outdoor activities in Westfield, NY are headlined by fun on the Lake Erie waterfront. 

• Enjoy Lake Erie fishing, boating, sightseeing and more at Dan Reed Pier Park in Barcelona Harbor, just a short drive from downtown Westfield. Launch your boat or kayak, have a picnic, or just admire the stunning Lake Erie views.
• Relax on Barcelona Harbor Beach. Hunt for beach glass, spot a beautiful sunset, stretch out and sunbathe, or have a picnic. Note that Barcelona Harbor Beach is not lifeguarded, and swimming is not permitted here.
• Just next door to Dan Reed Pier Park and Barcelona Harbor Beach is the Barcelona Lighthouse, the world's first natural gas lighthouse. Admire the lighthouse from the ground, or ascend to the top to take in Lake Erie.
• Fish Chautauqua Creek, a Lake Erie tributary, where you will find migratory rainbow trout called "steelhead" in great numbers from October through April.

Bring your bike and tour Chautauqua & Lake Erie NY on two wheels. Some of Western New York's best road cycling routes are located in the Westfield area. Try the Tour Chautauqua Ride for an almost complete tour of Chautauqua County. The Westfield Century Ride journeys along the shores of Lake Erie through the grape belt and several villages.

The best time of year to visit Westfield, NY depends on your specific interests.

Westfield enjoys the most visitors during the summer season, when activity on Lake Erie and the waterfront reaches its peak.

Summer fun in Westfield includes:

• Tasting your way through Lake Erie Wine Country. Visitors will find several wineries in Westfield, NY and the surrounding area. Lake Erie Wine Country stretches across more than 30,000 vineyard acres along a 50-mile wine trail featuring nearly two dozen wineries. Wineries in Westfield include Johnson Estate Winery, Mazza Chautauqua Cellars/Five & 20 Spirits & Brewery, and Noble Winery, with 21 Brix Winery just up the road. While you are touring the Lake Erie wine trail, stop at the Grape Discovery Center, which contains visitor information on local attractions, a gift shop, tasting room, and exhibit area.
• Lake Erie fishing, boating, sightseeing and more at Dan Reed Pier Park in Barcelona Harbor, just a short drive from downtown Westfield. Launch your boat or kayak, have a picnic, or just admire the stunning Lake Erie views.
• Relaxation on Barcelona Harbor Beach. Hunt for beach glass, spot a beautiful sunset, stretch out and sunbathe, or have a picnic.
• Exploring Barcelona Lighthouse State Park. Admire and ascend the world's first natural gas lighthouse and learn about Barcelona Harbor history.
• Attending a First Friday street fair. On the first Friday of the month during the summer, Main Street in Westfield features open shops, vendors, live music and delicious food during the aptly named First Friday events.
• Shopping Westfield's award-winning Farmers and Artisans Market in Moore Park on Saturdays in May through September. Also in Moore Park, the YWCA's annual Arts & Crafts Festival takes place in July with handcrafted creations, home decor, gourmet foods, jewelry, toys, clothing, art and more.
• Touring Chautauqua & Lake Erie NY on bike. Some of Western New York's best road cycling routes are located in the Westfield area. Try the Tour Chautauqua Ride for an almost complete tour of Chautauqua County. The Westfield Century Ride journeys along the shores of Lake Erie through the grape belt and several villages.

Year-round recreation, shopping and dining opportunities await for those who wish to avoid the busier summer season and take advantage of potentially discounted lodging.

• Fish Chautauqua Creek, a Lake Erie tributary, where you will find migratory rainbow trout called "steelhead" in great numbers from October through April.
• Lake Erie Wine Country's wineries offer tastings year-round with special events taking place during all seasons.
• Barcelona Lighthouse State Park remains open through Columbus Day with weekend hours extending into December. Take in brilliant fall foliage and amazing views of Lake Erie.
• Learn about life in Chautauqua County at the McClurg Museum, open year-round. Home of the Chautauqua County Historical Society, this 14-room Federal-style mansion features period displays on three floors, including some of the earliest artifacts and archival materials relating to the settlement and subsequent development of the county. Lovers of history will also want to visit Lincoln-Bedell Statue Park in Westfield. The park contains bronze statues of Abraham Lincoln and Grace Bedell, the girl who suggested that he grow a beard for his presidential campaign.
• Galleries, shops and restaurants remain open year-round. 

If you are on vacation in Westfield, New York and want to venture out to the surrounding areas for a few hours or a day, you will find numerous unique options to fit your interests.

Explore all of Lake Erie Wine Country:

• If you have already visited Johnson Estate Winery, Mazza Chautauqua Cellars/Five & 20 Spirits & Brewery, and Noble Winery in Westfield, venture out to the rest of Lake Erie Wine Country. This 50-mile wine trail stretches across more than 30,000 vineyard acres and features nearly two dozen wineries.

Fish Steelhead Alley and four more lakes:

• Once you've caught your fill of fish from Lake Erie, check out its tributaries, known as Steelhead Alley. From October to April, thousands of rainbow trout called steelhead ascend Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Canadaway, and 18-Mile Creeks on their mission to spawn. For the sportsman, excellent fly-fishing opportunities await.
• Go fishing on inland lakes including Chautauqua, Findley, Cassadaga and Bear Lakes. Chautauqua Lake, ranked #21 Best Bass Lake in the Northeast by Bassmaster (June 2023), offers exceptional fishing for walleye, bass, muskellunge and several species of panfish. Findley Lake’s abundant beds of aquatic vegetation provide angling for a variety of sportfish and panfish, while the three interconnected lakes of Cassadaga provide angling for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, muskellunge and panfish. The smallest of the County’s inland lakes, known as a kettle lake, Bear Lake's shoreline is predominantly wetland, providing excellent habitat for bass and other predator and prey fish.

Visit Chautauqua Institution:

• The pre-eminent expression of lifelong learning in the United States, Chautauqua Institution comes alive each summer with a unique mix of fine and performing arts, lectures, interfaith worship and programs, and recreational activities. Over the course of nine weeks, more than 100,000 people visit Chautauqua and participate in programs, classes and community events for all ages — all within the beautiful setting of a historic lakeside village.
• You can visit Chautauqua Institution year-round. A gate pass is only required during the nine-week summer season. The gates are open the rest of the year, and admission is free. Locations such as the Book Store, Library, and Post Office are open year-round. Some hotels and vacation rentals are open year-round, and some restaurants and shops at Chautauqua Institution are open outside of the summer season.

Bring your kids to Midway State Park:

• Located on the shores of beautiful Chautauqua Lake, Midway State Park is a summertime family treasure. Originally established in 1898 as a trolley park, Midway is one of the oldest continually operating amusement parks in the nation. Patrons can take a nostalgic ride on the vintage carousel, play a game of mini golf, take a spin on the tilt-a-whirl and ride the go-karts or watch their children enjoy themselves on the many kiddie rides. And, while some may prefer to relax while enjoying an old fashioned candy apple or cotton candy, others can test their skills at classic midway games, or stretch their legs on the playground.

Enjoy a round of golf:

• Some of the best public golf courses in western New York are located in Chautauqua County, including more than a dozen options for visitors to enjoy. Located just across the street from Chautauqua Institution, the Chautauqua Golf Club is one of only two 36-hole courses between Cleveland and Rochester. Additionally, the Golf Learning Center at Chautauqua Golf Club provides instruction and practice holes. The Upper Golf Course at Peek’n Peak Resort near Findley Lake has superior ratings from Golf Digest - 4 1/2 stars. Peek'n Peak has hosted several PGA Tour events.

Stretch your legs at some of the best hiking trails in western New York:

• Hike from the Pennsylvania border to Chautauqua Gorge State Forest on the 24-mile Westside Overland Trail system or explore hardwood forests along the 19-mile Eastside Overland Trail. Magnificent views atop Chautauqua County’s hills are not to be missed, especially the panoramic view of Lake Erie from the Luensman Overview Park. Erlandson Overview Park marks the highest accessible elevation point in the county, and on clear days it is possible to spot Chautauqua Lake from above. Hike through abandoned rail corridors on more than 17 miles of Rails to Trails, plan a family-friendly visit to the Audubon Community Nature Center or stand in awe of giant 60-foot-tall rock formations at Panama Rocks Scenic Park.

Embark on summer or winter adventures at Peek'n Peak Resort:

• Summer: In addition to Peek'n Peak's Upper Golf Course, try the exciting Peak Mountain Adventures activities, including the Aerial Adventure Ropes Course, Giant Zipline, and more. Peek’n Putt mini golf is also open in the summer, and guests can admire the ski slopes and surrounding countryside with a scenic chairlift ride. Try out two brand-new professional Sand Volleyball courts, a Paintball Arena, and Cornhole Courts.
• Winter: The Peak is the best place to learn to ski or snowboard or simply improve on your existing skills, whether you are a first-timer or seasoned on the slopes. The resort is home to 26 slopes serviced by 8 chairlifts, as well as Terrain Parks, Snow Tubing, Lunar Lights Nighttime Tubing, and a renowned Snowsports School and Peek’n Kids lesson programs.

Visit the city of Jamestown:

Explore some of the best cultural attractions and museums in western New York in Jamestown. From comedy to history, nature and entertainment, you will find a combination of learning and fun that makes for a perfect overnight trip or weekend getaway.

• Visit the National Comedy Center and Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz Museum for a day of laughter.
• Discover the life and legacy of Robert H. Jackson – Supreme Court Justice, Chief U.S. Prosecutor at Nuremberg, and Chautauqua County native – at the Robert H. Jackson Center.
• Learn about what makes Jamestown great at the Fenton History Center. Housed in the 1863 mansion of New York State's 22nd Governor, Reuben E. Fenton, the museum features numerous exhibitions including Made in Jamestown: How Furniture Built a City, Lucille Ball: Not the Girl Next Door, the Military Room, the Lookout Tower, and many others.
• Visit the Roger Tory Peterson Institute to explore a beautiful museum with nature art exhibitions, walk 2.5 miles of trails on a 27-acre preserve, and discover the largest collection of Roger Tory Peterson’s original artwork, films, slides and papers. Peterson, the premier artist-naturalist of his time, connected people with nature as never before. The father of the modern field guide, Peterson’s artwork offered a way for readers to discover the beauty and wonder of nature.

Visit the city of Dunkirk:

Located on Lake Erie, Dunkirk delivers small city charm, endless outdoor recreation opportunities, unique shops, tasty bites, and family-friendly events. 

• Get to the waterfront for some summer fun. Take a dip in Lake Erie at lifeguarded beaches in Point Gratiot and Wright Park. Hike or bike Point Gratiot's trails and observe dozens of bird species. Admire and explore the Dunkirk Lighthouse, Park and Veterans Museum, and climb to the observation level for a stunning Lake Erie view. 
• Visit City Pier Park in Dunkirk Harbor to fish from the shore, launch your boat or kayak, shop, dine or enjoy live entertainment during the summer, headlined by the Thursday night Music on the Pier series. The Dunkirk Boardwalk Marketplace has seven shops and restaurants along a 160-foot-long covered boardwalk with indoor and outdoor seating.

Westfield, NY offers unique shops, galleries, markets, wineries and restaurants for you to explore locally made crafts and cuisine.

Taste wines, beers and spirits:

• Wineries in Westfield include Johnson Estate Winery, Mazza Chautauqua Cellars/Five & 20 Spirits & Brewery, and Noble Winery, with 21 Brix Winery just up the road. Enjoy a wine tasting and purchase a bottle of your favorite. At Five & 20, you can also taste local beers and spirits in the first combined winery/brewery/distillery in New York state.
• Visit the Grape Discovery Center to try local artisanal cheeses, cured meats, snacks, grape juice, and a weekly selection of wines from Lake Erie Wine Country. Plus you can browse the gift shop for arts and crafts, apparel, Concord grape vinaigrette and sauces, wine glasses, mugs, grapeseed lip balm, lotion and oil.

Shop during special events:

• During the summer, Main Street in Westfield turns into a street fair the first Friday of the month. Enjoy open shops, street vendors, live music and delicious food during the aptly named First Friday events. 
• Westfield's award-winning Farmers and Artisans Market comes to Moore Park on Saturdays beginning in May until September. 
• Also in Moore Park, the YWCA's annual Arts & Crafts Festival takes place in July with handcrafted creations, home decor, gourmet foods, jewelry, toys, clothing, art and more.

Explore the Chautauqua-Lake Erie Art Trail:

• North Shore Arts Alliance works on behalf of the artists of Chautauqua County and hosts the annual Chautauqua-Lake Erie Art Trail Hub Crawl, held Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends. At each stop, you will find the artists who created the pieces who will be happy to talk to you about their work. Browse unique treasures for yourself or a friend, made by the hands of the people you have met along the way. 
• Westfield art galleries to visit during the Hub Crawl and throughout the year include: Portage Hill Art Gallery, Living Glass Gallery, the Brenda Eno Memorial Gallery at Lake Shore Center for the Arts, the Octagon Gallery at Patterson Library, and Surroundings Art Gallery & Framing. 
• Shop handmade goods or make your own crafts at Westfield Makerspace.

Browse unique shops and restaurants:

• In Westfield you will find several antique shops, galleries, wineries and more. A few of the more unique Westfield shops include: Peaceful Designs for specialty gifts and home decor, Genres Bookshop, Mumpsimus Books, and Buttercream Babe Bakery for your sweet tooth.
• Some of Westfield's best restaurants are: Grace & Abe's brew pub, Jack's Barcelona Drive-In, Full Strength Coffee Company, Brazill's on Main, Calarco's Italian Restaurant, and Quagliana's Bark Grill.

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The Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau (CCVB) is the official New York State Tourism Promotion Agency for Chautauqua County. Utilizing both public and private funds, the Visitors Bureau promotes the Chautauqua-Lake Erie Region through a variety of programs targeted at drawing visitors into the area from surrounding states and communities. 

Currently there are no businesses offering snowmobile rentals in Chautauqua County. Learn more about where you can ride your snowmobile in Western New York.

There are more than 400 miles of groomed snowmobile trails in Chautauqua County. Trails are generally open from January to mid-March depending on the weather, and are groomed by members from five local clubs.

Peek'n Peak Resort, located on the southern end of Findley Lake in Chautauqua County, boasts 26 groomed slopes, miles of cross-country trails, snowboarding, snow tubing, and equipment sales and rentals.

You can visit Chautauqua Institution year-round. A gate pass is only required during the nine-week summer season. The gates are open the rest of the year, including during the winter, and admission is free. Locations such as the Book Store, Library, and Post Office are open year-round. Some hotels and vacation rentals are open year-round, and some restaurants and shops at Chautauqua Institution are open outside of the summer season. Chautauqua Institution holds some events during the winter, including weekend sleigh and wagon rides.

Some locations for cross country skiing and snowshoeing include Long Point State Park, Lake Erie State Park, Boutwell Hill State Forest, the Eastside and Westside Overland Trails, Chautauqua Institution, Audubon Community Nature Center, Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy, Rails to Trails, and Roger Tory Peterson Institute.