When I was a little girl, I remember going to the Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, NY to help a family friend get her house ready for the season. At the time, I didn’t know what the season was.
All I knew was that it was one of the most beautiful places I had ever seen. A town with beautiful old homes, a sapphire blue lake, few cars, squirrels scurrying everywhere…and most impressively, my sister and I were allowed to go to the playground by ourselves.
When I was a junior in college, I got a job as one of three “house girls” at the Presbyterian House in Chautauqua, NY. Basically, we cleaned, served meals and helped to prepare meals for the guests for the season. As soon as we were done with our work, we had the time to ourselves. I met so many amazing people, read so many great books from the library and learned from brilliant lecturers (and saw some pretty great concerts and shows).
This place has had an impact on my life. There is just a peacefulness in the atmosphere that is hard to describe. We try to go for at least a weekend every year.
Camping in Chautauqua, NY
We have camped at the Chautauqua Lake KOA; Camp Chautauqua; and Wildwood Acres. While all are nice and I don’t have a negative thing to say about any of them, our favorite was Camp Chautauqua. It has spacious sites (many of which are pull-throughs), a great pool and lake access. Plus it was really convenient to the Institution.
Chautauqua Institution
If you plan to visit the Institution, check out their calendar. Decide which week’s topic is of most interest to you. If you can’t go for a whole week, go on Sunday, which is free. That is what we typically do. If you go on another day, gate passes for adults can be purchased at the welcome center.
Tip: Sundays at the Chautauqua Institution are free, as is parking before 2:00. Kids 12 and under are free every day.
Our typical Sunday starts with going to worship at the Presbyterian House, and then the service at the newly reconstructed Amphitheater.
Then, we love a Sunday brunch at the Heirloom Restaurant on the deck of the Athenaeum Hotel. It’s pricey, but they have king crab legs. Just eat enough to justify the price!
Next, I like to bore the family with my memories of my summer working there. If it is super hot, take a tour on the free shuttle. You’ll see darling homes and gardens and the driver will point out a lot of interesting points of interest.
Then, take a swim in the lake by the bell tower. Or if you’re up for a walk, swim off the little pier further down Glidden Ave., where I used to like to layout and read books from the library. Ahh, those were the days!
Be sure to check out Bestor Plaza and Palestine Park, a scale model of the Holy Land.
Other Things to do near Chautauqua
When not at the Institution, there are lots of fun things to do in the area. We love Bemus Point, especially if you are camping at the nearby Wildwood Acres. When I was in college, our favorite was the Italian Fisherman. Now, it is a more upscale dining area, but they still have a nice deck to sit out on.
The Village Casino is also a big hit in our family, especially since you have to walk past a nice playground to get there. Great food and a great view.
Ellicottville Brewing has a location in Bemus Point too. While not right on the water, they have a nice deck and great menu and beer selection. When we were last there off-season, one of the few places open was the See-Zur House. Justin says they had the best tuna melt he’s ever had.
Jamestown, NY
The Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz Museum is a must visit (at least once) in the area. My girls LOVE the I Love Lucy Show, partially because it is one of the only shows on Cozi TV often available in the camper.
Here, you can learn more about Lucy and Desi’s relationship; Lucy’s influence in TV and movie franchises (there would be no Star Trek or Mission Impossible as we know them, without Lucy’s production company); and see sets from the shows.
We were last there the week of the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival. We ate lunch at The Pub. Lewis Black just happened to be sitting a booth away from us. The girls were especially impressed when they realized he was the voice of Anger in the movie Inside Out.
Always in search of a good playground, we stopped at the Lucille Ball Memorial Park. The park boasts two statues in honor of Lucy. The rumor is that the first was commissioned and caused a great disappointment upon the unveiling. So, a second was commissioned. I have to say, the second statue is far more becoming.
The Chautauqua Belle typically runs from the Miller Bell Tower in the Institution, but we had an opportunity to ride it from Jamestown. It was a really peaceful ride with beautiful views and the young captain/owner told fascinating stories of the Belle’s history. The story of how this young man saved the Belle is worth a quick listen.
What are your favorite places and things to do in Chautauqua, NY?
