Things To Do
Chautauqua Institution
Celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2024, Chautauqua Institution (CHQ) is a 750-acre community on the shore of Chautauqua Lake. Recreational opportunities abound, so be sure not to leave home without at least your walking shoes. Bikes, bathing suits, kayaks, fishing gear, and rackets are optional! If you’d prefer more of a respite, there is no shortage of rocking chairs and benches to help you hit the reset button.
Chautauqua Belle Boat Ride
The Chautauqua Belle is only one of four operating steamboats left in North America. The Belle’s classic steamboat lines, tall stacks and gingerbread lattice maintains the time-honored tradition of the original steamboats that once plied the waters of Chautauqua Lake. On Thursday, September 25th at 1:30pm, join the Bridal Party for a 1.5 hour tour of the lake.
Chautauqua Bookstore
Located on Bestor Plaza, on the ground floor of the Post Office, the Bookstore is open year round. In addition to selling books, newspapers, magazines, and gifts, it also features titles about Chautauqua’s history and community, books written by speakers featured in CHQ’s current lecture platforms, and current and previous Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle selections.
Chautauqua Golf Club
Located across from the Main Gate, the 36-hole course overlooks the lake. From the first round of golf, played in 1914, the Chautauqua Golf Club has carved a rich and exciting history. Legendary Scottish architects Seymour Dunn and Donald Ross have left their legacy here. Fourteen World Golf Hall of Famers have walked these fairways.
Explore the Grounds and Gardens
Enjoy 30+ nature tours of the birds, trees, gardens and lake at CHQ Institution, all available for FREE in the palm of your hand. Stroll tour routes while enjoying beautiful photos, interesting commentary and educational facts about nature. Save the ExploreCHQ app to your phone and access it while walking the grounds.
Thunder Bridge
Named for the sound its wooden slats create while bikes ride across it, the bridge has given children and those young at heart a thrill for generations.
Tennis/Pickleball
On the grounds along the perimeter road near Rt. 394, the Tennis Center boasts eight fast-dry tennis courts and two pickleball courts. (Fee may or may not be charged at this time.)
Playgrounds
Located at the Children’s School, Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs tennis courts, Miller Park, and behind the Tennis Center (more advanced rope structure). Try them all!
Palestine Park
Located at Miller Beach by the Bell Tower, Palestine Park is a scaled model of the Holy Land, using small plaster models to represent towns and cities with Chautauqua Lake as the Mediterranean Sea. Originally constructed in 1874, it was used as a visual aid for teaching Biblical history and geography.
St. Elmo Spa
St. Elmo Spa is a full-service day spa and salon located on the grounds of the Chautauqua Institution.
Southern Tier Brewing Company
The Empty Pint, Southern Tier's original brewery, is a one-of-a-kind craft beer haven proudly serving Southern Tier's classic offerings in addition to a rotation of Victory Brewing Company, Bold Rock Hard Cider, and Sixpoint Brewery beer and cider on draft.
Johnson Estate Winery
Johnson Estate Winery is the oldest continuously-operating estate winery in New York state. Thirteen varieties of grapes are grown at Johnson Estate in 115 acres of vineyards with varietal selections based on excellent wine-making quality and suitability for the Lake Erie microclimate.
Music For Your Mouth
A veteran & woman-owned restaurant in Mayville, NY serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. MFYM offers no-nitrate, all-natural meats, non-GMO and organic breads and uses locally-sourced produce. Vegan and gluten-free options available. On Thursday, September 25, at 6pm, MFYM will be serving a special Brazilian meal as part of its “Travel the World” dinner series. This seven-course meal will include Caipirinha (welcome drink), Pao de queijo (cheese bread), Esquites (street corn), Feijoada (stew), Picanha and Farofa (Brazilian steak with Yuka), and Brigadeiro (chocolate truffle). Reservations are required and space is limited so call 716-224-1035 to reserve your spot today.
Grace and Abe's
A brew pub and eatery offering a pleasant dining experience in a historic mid-1800s building that has been restored into an expansive upstairs eatery and intimate downstairs pub. Grace and Abe’s welcomes families of all sizes.
Andriaccio's Restaurant
A family-owned Italian restaurant, Andriaccio’s is our favorite local pizza joint. Serving the CHQ community since Guy and Antoinette Andriaccio bought the old corner gas station across from the Institution in 1982, enjoy table service - or better yet, pick-up a pie at the take-out window and bring it back to eat by the water.
Guppy's Restaurant & Tavern
A family-friendly restaurant in Bemus Point with the not-to-be-missed experience of dining inside one of nine refurbished gondolas that previously shuttled skiers at Killington ski area (VT) to the top of the mountain.
Boxcar Barney's
Our favorite roadside ice cream shop known for its HUGE portions of both soft- and hard-serve ice cream. Treat yourself to a reward after biking the Rail Trail.
Full Strength Coffee Company
All the coffee, tea and smoothie drinks one could ask for, plus extensive breakfast, brunch and lunch options.
Lighthouse Point Grocery
Lighthouse Point Grocery is a local convenience market one mile from Chautauqua Institution. The deli counter and homemade prepared foods include delicious subs and fresh salads. It also has a selection of grocery provisions. The rotisserie chicken is highly recommended!
Olde Corner Deli
As their tag line rightly states, "Best subs out of the water!" It's worth the drive for their extensive sub menu, pickle barrel, and mega ice cream sandwiches. Their chocolate-covered peanut butter balls are enough to share.
Panama Rocks Scenic Park
Whether you're looking for a relaxing hike or an outdoor adventure, you will enjoy an amazing nature experience at Panama Rocks - a world of towering rocks, deep crevices, passageways, and small caves hidden in an ancient, moss-covered forest. Panama Rocks has been listed as the #1-ranked nature and hiking trail in New York State.
Chautauqua Rails-To-Trails
The scenic CHQ rail trail travels through woodlands, wetlands and meadows, where wildflowers abound in spring and wildlife year-round. It’s a great destination for walking, running, hiking, bicycling, and bird watching.
Barcelona Lighthouse
Finished in 1829, the 40-foot tall Barcelona Lighthouse on Lake Erie was the very first natural gas lighthouse in the world. It was in Federal Lighthouse Service until 1859 and is listed in the U.S. National Register of Historical Places.
Grape Discovery Center
Experience all things grape at the official visitor’s center for the Lake Erie Concord Grape Belt in Westfield, NY. Chautauqua County is the largest U.S. grape-cultivating region east of the Rockies and the largest global Concord Grape growing region.
Westfield Farmers’ and Artisans Market
Saturday morning, 9am-2pm Voted 15th best farmers’ market in the US and Best in New York by American Farmland Trust! Head home with some locally-grown goodies by the Amish and other local farmers. Prepared foods for breakfast and lunch are also available.
Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is a 90-minute drive from Chautauqua. Don't forget your passport if you plan to go to the Canadian side!
National Comedy Center
The congressionally designated cultural institution dedicated to presenting the story of comedy. Visitors are educated, inspired, and entertained by more than 50 immersive experiences as they take an interactive journey through comedy history, from early vaudeville to the latest viral memes.