Chautauqua Lake, New York

Explore the Greater Chautauqua Lake Area of Western New York!

Chautauqua Heights Camping Resort is located on the northeastern shore of Chautauqua Lake, making it an ideal "home base" for exploring the southern region of Western New York.

Greater Chautauqua Lake Area

Chautauqua Institution

The Chautauqua Institution is a cultural center that celebrates the best of American arts, education, religion and recreation. Enjoy popular entertainment programs that range from their symphony & chamber music to dance, opera, theater and the visual arts. Edify yourself at the nationally recognized lecture platform, special interest classes, the oldest book club in America (CLSC), the Writers' Center and Smith Memorial Library. The Department of Religion provides a wide variety of worship services and programs dedicated to preserving the Institution's Christian heritage and interfaith commitment. The adult and youth recreation programs include a golf club, sailing, swimming, tennis, shuffleboard, horseshoes, bridge, lawn bowling and more!

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The Summer Wind - Chautauqua Lake Cruises

The Summer Wind is the ultimate excursion on Chautauqua Lake. Choose from Lunch, Brunch, Dinner, Sightseeing and Special Event Cruises on scenic Chautauqua Lake. Whether you choose the sunshine & breeze on deck or the climate-controlled comfort of the interior salon, you will enjoy the captain's stories of the area's past and present, the elegant decor, fine dining, and first-rate musicians as you view historical sights and beautiful scenery.

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Panama Rocks Scenic Park

Explore Panama Rocks: 12 acres of seashore along a ridge of quartz conglomerate rock within an ancient forest. Here, towering rocks, deep crevices, shadowy dens & caves, and hemlock and other trees older than our nation combine to form a hiking area like no other. Take the self-guided 1 mile hiking trail or go off-trail for more vigorous exploration.

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Midway State Park

Originally established in 1898, Midway is the one of oldest continually operating amusement parks in the nation. Located along the banks of Chautauqua Lake, the amusement park offers a vintage carousel, mini golf, a tilt-a-whirl ride, go-karts, bumper boats, classic midway games and special kiddie rides. Enjoy an old fashioned candy apple or cotton candy, take a tour through the museum and drop by the gift shop for that perfect souvenir.

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Long Point State Park

The recreational center of Long Point State Park is a peninsula-like moraine that juts out into Chautauqua Lake, providing water sport enthusiasts with the lake's most modern boat launch and marina facilities. Enjoy fishing for bass, perch, pike and the challenging native muskie. Swim or just relax on the beach. The thickly wooded areas feature beech, maple spruce and poplar trees that provide a canopy over the nature trail.

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Western New York Golf Courses in Chautauqua County

Chautauqua County offers over a dozen 18 & 9 hole golf courses and driving ranges in addition to the well-known golf club at the Chautauqua Institution. Explore the many different settings, difficulty of play and amenities of the areas golf courses while you work on your game.

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Chautauqua Lake Restaurants

From fancy to frugal, a world of dining awaits you at over a dozen restaurants surrounding Chautauqua Lake along "Restaurant Row" and beyond.

We heartily recommend: The Springs (716-386-4093 - 4860 NY-430, north of Bemus Point and across from Midway State Park); Guppy's Restaurant (716-386-4422 - 4663 NY 430, just north of Long Point State Park); and the Village Restaurant is just a half mile north on NY-430 in Dewittville (716-753-5151 - 5447 E Lake Rd).

Andriaccio's Restaurant offers Italian specialties, char-broiled steaks, seafood and 12 styles of gourmet pizza. This historic Victorian dining room at the Athenaeum Hotel at the Chautauqua institution provides unparalleled ambiance to go along with a superb menu. The Lamplighter Lounge at Hotel Lenhart is over a century old, but serves an ageless, delectable menu. The Italian Fisherman specializes in seafood with the flavors of Italy and a full calendar of events & entertainment. Enjoy New York's finest French cuisine in a charming Victorian mansion at Le Fleur. Enjoy the Northern Italian food artistry of Olive's. The 50's & 60's, not to mention burgers & fries, are alive and well at Redline Drive-in. The upscale menu and friendly service of Watermark Restaurant are world class. Enjoy the delicious menu and charming atmosphere of Webb's Captain's Table. Sit yourself down for fine dining in a casual English inn setting at Ye Hare 'n Hounds.

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Chautauqua Area Wineries

Western New York is known at the state's Grape Country and the Chautauqua area produces the majority of the state's grape harvest. Concords, Catawba and Niagara grapes have been a mainstay crop in the Lake Erie microclimate for over 100 years. Today, vineyards also produce Vidal, Seyval and Chancellor in addition to European viniferous varieties that include Merlot, Chardonnay and Riesling. Explore the world of sweet, dry, ice, brandy and Champagne wines found along the 20-mile Chautauqua Wine Trail at over a dozen wineries which include: Arrowhead Wine Cellars, Blue Berry Sky Farm Winery, Burch Farms Country Market / Wine Shop, Heritage Wine Cellars, Johnson Estate Winery (New York's oldest winery), Lakeview Wine Cellars, Liberty Vineyards & Winery, Mazza Chautauqua Cellars, Mazza Vineyards, Merritt Estate Winery, Noble Winery, Penn Shore Vineyards, Presque Isle Wine Cellars, Quincy Cellars, Roberian Winery, Schloss Doepkin Winery, South Shore Wine Company, Sparkling Ponds Winery, Vetter Vineyards Winery, Willow Creek Winery Woodbury Vineyards and many more.

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Greater Chautauqua Area Shopping

Cadwell's Cheese House & Gifts

Cadwell's Cheese House & Gifts has been in business since 1927, serving domestic & imported cheeses and special New York State aged cheddar, gourmet food, maple syrup and more. Browse their gift shop for fine foods to take home or your friends.

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Chautauqua County Amish Country

Chautauqua County is home to three Amish Communities whose merchants welcome you to visit and browse their amazing selection of crafts, furniture and foods. Drop by the Candy Apple Mercantile for a creamy cup of hazelnut coffee as you view imaginative displays and browse a variety of gifts. Visit East Otto Country and you'll enjoy the crafts of Hog-Shed Studio Pottery, the art of Brookside Studio Watercolors, the nursery & gifts of On The Rocks Perennials and much more! It's Christmastime year-round at the Renaissance Christmas Store & Farm, where you can shop for a variety of holiday-themed gifts in a beautifully restored barn that's over 100 years old. Guided tours of the Amish Country are available.

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Day Trips near Chautauqua Lake

Chautauqua Heights is convenient to a variety of regional attraction day trips, including::

Niagara Falls

1.5 Hours Away

Niagara Falls is one of the most picturesque and adventurous places on Earth. Experience one of the most awesome natural wonders of the world at the famous waterfalls and explore area's arts, entertainment, historic sites, museums, parks & recreation, golf courses, gaming and much more!

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Prime Outlets – Grove City

2-3 Hours Away

Prime Outlets - Grove City, just over the state line in Mercer, Pennsylvania, was rated as one of the top 20 Outlet Centers in the United States by Value Retail News in their August, 2007 issue. Browse 140 brand name outlet stores and you'll enjoy a savings from 25% - 65% every day on accessories, apparel, furnishings, health & beauty, housewares, luggage, shoes and much more!

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Seneca Allegany Casino

1 Hour Away

The Seneca Allegany Casino in Salamanca, New York proves, with style, that you don’t have to go to Las Vegas or Atlantic city to enjoy top quality gaming, dining and entertainment. The casino offers all your favorite table games, including a Poker Room, and a variety of slot machines. The entertainment features the favorite performers of yesterday, today and tomorrow. Enjoy dining at the quality steakhouse, an all-you-can-eat buffet, Italian fine dining and a 24 hour café & snack bar.

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