The 10 Best Things to Do in Chautauqua County

Chautauqua County is nestled in the heart of Western New York and offers a delightful blend of natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant culture. It is often overlooked and remains an underrated gem compared to its neighboring Niagara Falls region. However, Chautauqua County boasts a unique charm that will leave you captivated. With its stunning lakeshores, lush forest, and charming small towns, Chautauqua County has a little something for everyone to discover. 

I used to visit Chautauqua County as a kid and have very fond memories of spending time by the lake and enjoying live music at Chautauqua Institute (which I will share more about later.) However, re-visiting as an adult has given me a whole new appreciation and perspective of this beautiful area and all that it has to offer. In this post, I will share some of the best things you can do in Chautauqua County to truly enjoy your time there and make the most out of this underrated New York State destination.

Where is Chautauqua County and How Do You Get There?

Chautauqua County is conveniently located in Western New York, boarding Lake Eire to the north and Pennsylvania to the south. It’s easily accessible via Interstate 86 and New York State Route 17. Chautauqua County is a short drive from quite a few major cities, making it an easy day trip destination or weekend getaway idea. Below, I will list some places with a close enough radius to Chautauqua Country, making for an ideal trip idea: 

• Buffalo, NY- 75 miles, 1.5 hour drive
• Rochester, NY- 140 miles, 2.5 hour drive
• Erie, PA- 40 miles, 50 min drive
• Pittsburgh, PA– 160 miles, 2.5 hour drive

When is the Best Time to Visit Chautauqua County?

Chautauqua is lovely to experience year-round, however, there are certain seasons I would recommend visiting over others. These are my suggestions on the best times to visit Chautauqua and why:

Summer– Chautauqua Institution hosts a summer season of events running from June- August and this is such a special time to be in the area and a unique thing to experience. You can attend lectures and classes, there are plenty of live performances including opera, theater, and symphony orchestra. It’s also a beautiful time of the year to be by the lake

Early Fall– There’s definitely an undeniable magic in the air once the leaves start changing and the temperature drops. If you visit Chautauqua during the early fall you can see beautiful foliage and a lot of the same activities with a fraction of the crowds. Granted, there will not be as many events going on, but the atmosphere is very peaceful and enjoyable

For other New York State guides, read one of these next:

• How To Spend Your Time in Medina, New York
• The Ultimate 2 Day Saratoga Springs Itinerary for First Time Visitors
• Visiting The Finger Lakes: A Guide to One of New York’s Most Favorited Regions

Where to Stay When Visiting Chautauqua County?

One of the highlights of visiting Chautauqua is being on the lake. With that being said, there’s no better place to stay than the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel. This is more of a lakeside resort than just a hotel and has every amenity you can imagine! There’s an incredible fitness center, not one but two pools (indoor and outdoor) a fun, lively bar, and a fabulous restaurant. With a lakeside room booking, you’ll also have a balcony with the most beautiful view. Chautauqua Harbor Hotel is located minutes from all of the best attractions, making for a very convenient location.

If you’d like to book your stay at Chautauqua Harbor Hotel, click here.

The Best Thing to Do in Chautauqua County

Alright, now that we have all of our bases covered, let’s get into it. For the best things to do when visiting Chautauqua County, keep on reading!

1. Explore Chautauqua Institution

Chautauqua Institution is the historic, cultural, and educational focal point of the county, which offers a unique and enriching experience to visitors and locals alike. Nestled on the shores of Chautauqua Lake, this charming community was founded in 1874 as a summer assembly. 

The founders envisioned a place where people of all ages could come together to learn and grow. Initially, the focus was on religious studies and social reform. However, over time, it expanded to include various topics, such as science, literature, and philosophy. 

Today, Chautauqua Institution is a vibrant and thriving community, offering a diverse range of educational and cultural programs and attracting thousands of visitors each year. As you explore the grounds, you’ll discover plenty of gems. Here are some you should consider checking out:

• Bliss Amphitheater-  where renowned speakers, musicians, and performers have taken the stage
• Chautauqua Museum of Art & History- showcases an incredible collection of American art and artifacts
• Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle- the perfect place to experience a thought-provoking lecture or discussion
• Village of Chautauqua- super charming area where you’ll be able to enjoy boutique shops, restaurants, and historic homes 

2. Have a Wine Flight at 21 Brix Winery

If you’re looking for a place to kick back, relax with a glass of wine, and enjoy the views, head to 21 Brix Winery. 21 Brix is a relatively new addition to the Chautauqua County wine scene, opening its doors in September 2011. But they quickly made a name for themselves. Each year, the winery has been making award-winning wines and has won over 400 medals!

The property sits on a gorgeous vineyard of 250 acres and grows seventeen varieties of grapes, including Riesling, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Concord, and Vidal. They offer wines by bottle, glass, or my personal favor, a flight. Their flights are categorized by dry, mixed, sweet, or specialty so there’s truly a little something for everyone. I got to enjoy a wine slushie flight while I was there, which was so different from what I would normally choose, but I really enjoyed it. Along with wine, there’s a perfect menu of small bites including soft pretzels, personal-size pizzas, and charcuterie boards. 

I suggest getting a nice wine flight, ordering a bite to eat, and finding a table outside where you can enjoy the views of the beautiful winery. Can you think of a more perfect way to spend the afternoon? 

3. Laugh Until You Cry at the National Comedy Center

Did you know that the only museum in the world dedicated to the art of comedy is right here in Chautauqua County? This is a must-visit for any comedy fan!

Located in Jamestown, NY, the National Comedy Center is an interactive museum celebrating the rich history and enduring power of comedians and their art. It’s also a fun experience for the whole family. This isn’t your typical museum, however. While you will be able to explore some more traditional exhibits, filled with artifacts and memorabilia from the lives and careers of legendary comedians, the National Comedy Center is so much more. 

At the beginning of your visit, you’ll get a wristband and create a profile, which will allow your experiences to be personalized to your comedic preferences. Many of the exhibits are very immersive and allow you to be a part of the experience. For example, you can sit in on your favorite comedians’ shows, create a comic strip cartoon, or compete in a laugh battle. You can even get up on a stage and perform your own comedy bit! There’s so much to discover, learn, and enjoy at the National Comedy Center through these immersive exhibits. It’s a museum that truly allows you to step into a world of laughter and nostalgia like no other!

4. Go to the Lucy Desi Museum

For those of you who may not know, the iconic Lucille Ball was born and raised in Chautauqua County- Jamestown, New York to be exact. There’s a lot of fascinating history to learn about her and there’s no better place to do it than the Lucy Desi Museum, which is a tribute to both Lucille Ball and her comedy partner, Desi Arnaz. This museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives and careers of these legendary entertainers, who starred in the groundbreaking sitcom “I Love Lucy”.

One of my favorite parts of the museum is the replica of the “I Love Lucy” studio. You can step into a re-creation of the iconic television studio where the show was filmed, complete with original props. It actually feels like being transported on the set of “I Love Lucy” where you can walk around the kitchen and living room. How cool is that?!

 There are also tons of personal belongings of Lucy and Desi to discover here, such as their wardrobes, scripts, and even Lucy’s car. And as I mentioned before, you’ll be able to learn a lot of interesting historical facts about their childhoods, marriages, children, and careers, which gave me a whole new appreciation for these beloved actors. 

5. Visit the Lucille Ball Statue

If you’re craving more after the museum, don’t fret! There’s a really cool statue worth visiting as well. Located right on the water in Celoron is a beautiful park called the Lucille Ball Memorial Park. She grew up right in the area and you can even visit the house she was born in! The Lucille Ball Memorial Park is a lovely place to go for a morning or afternoon walk, especially if you enjoy being by the water. The statue is very easy to find and makes for a cool photo op.

6. Cozy up with a coffee at Crown Street Roasting Company

Located in downtown Jamestown, Crown Street Roasting Company is hands down the best specialty coffee roaster around. They have single-origin drip and pour-over coffee, as well as a full espresso bar. The vibe is very relaxed and welcoming. This is the perfect place to grab coffee on the go or bring your laptop and hang out for hours.

 I personally went to try out their breakfast sandwich though, and I highly suggest you do the same. Served from 7 am to 11 am, there are a variety of bagel sandwiches you can order. As I’m a bacon, egg & cheese connoisseur, I can confidently say that there’s passed the test with flying colors.

7. Explore the Magic of Panama Rocks

Panama Rocks Scenic Park is more than just a hiking trail. Here, you will enter a magical world of towering rocks, deep crevices, cool passageways, and small caves, all hidden in an ancient, moss-covered forest. I’m convinced that if fairies exist, this is definitely where they live!

The main trail at Panama Rocks is a one-mile loop. However, guests are encouraged to go off-trail, as that is where you’ll really get to explore the rocks and crevices. Please note that guests have to sign a waiver before entering, as you choose to go off-trail at your own risk. If you’re able to walk on uneven ground for at least a mile, you should have no issues exploring Panama Rocks.

There’s also glamping, camping, ax throwing, and they host parties! The trail is open daily from the first weekend of May through the last weekend of October (10 am to 5 pm) I promise, this is one place you do not want to miss!

8. Spend Time by the Water

As I mentioned earlier, one of the highlights of visiting Chautauqua County is that you’re by the water. So why not take advantage of it? There are plenty of fun activities to enjoy, which will allow you to be either by the lake or even on it. Here are a few fun things I’d recommend doing:

• If you’re staying at Chautauqua Harbor Hotel, consider taking a morning walk. The hotel has a perfect path along the water which will lead you off of the hotel property and bring you right to Celeron Lighthouse, which is a very pretty, scenic lighthouse to admire
• Take a boat ride on the Chautauqua Bell– there are only about five real steamboats left in the US, so this is a unique experience to have. The Chautauqua Belle boat ride will take you on a journey through history while you enjoy sailing past some beautiful scenery along the way
• If you’re visiting during the summer and the weather permits, there’s also fishing, swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding to enjoy on Chautauqua Lake

9. Shop Till You Drop

Jamestown has an adorable downtown area with tons of cute restaurants, bars, museums, and of course boutique shops. This is the perfect place for some retail therapy! I found amazing, unique things at these particular places, which I would highly recommend stopping into if you’re looking to treat yourself or maybe looking for a gift for someone else:

• Art Cloth & Craft- they have everything from clothing and purses to home decor and even Buffalo Bills gear! My favorite section was their oil diffusers, candles, and room/linen sprays. All of their scents are intoxicating and they ended up being some of my favorite purchases ever
• Dot’s Gift Boutique– here you’ll find adorable children’s clothes, seasonal decorations, home decor, and gorgeous jewelry! I was so impressed with their selection and ended up buying multiple new pairs of earrings

10. Have an Amazing Dinner at Truffle Honey

If you’re looking for an elevated dining experience, look no further than Truffle Honey. Located in CHQ Marketplace, this beautiful restaurant offers a delightful menu of gourmet, wood-fired cuisine in a very aesthetic, yet cozy atmosphere. I personally had a challenging time with the menu because everything sounded so good that I couldn’t make up my mind. Which isn’t the worst problem to have.

 I ended up going with the roasted beet salad. It was SO incredible that I’m still dreaming about it. And then it just felt appropriate to have their signature Truffle Honey pizza, which did not disappoint! I even managed to save room for dessert, which was the best decision ever. 

This was definitely a dining experience that left a lasting impression on me and I already cannot wait to go back again. If you plan to dine here while in Chautauqua County, I highly suggest making reservations, which you can do here. Enjoy! 

Enjoy Your Time in Chautauqua County

That wraps up our list of best things to do in Chautauqua County. I hope that this list has inspired you to visit yourself and has given you some ideas of how to spend your time in this special part of New York State. Please feel free to leave any questions or comments below and as always, happy travels!