Chautauqua County Visitors BureauChautauqua County, N.Y. – As the summer vacation season begins in Chautauqua County in western New York state, attractions celebrate historic anniversaries and longtime family favorites open for the year. The Chautauqua-Lake Erie Region offers beautiful natural spaces comprised of five lakes, numerous waterways, multi-use trails, unique festivals and attractions drawing visitors from across the country.

Chautauqua Institution Celebrates 150th Anniversary

Chautauqua Institution welcomes over 100,000 visitors during a nine-week summer season with a packed schedule featuring lectures, music, dance, opera, theater, visual arts, family entertainment, and more. This year marks the 150th anniversary of the first summer season and will run June 22 through Aug. 25 with a special week seven theme “Wonder and Awe: A Week Celebrating Chautauqua’s Sesquicentennial” Aug. 3-10.

Chautauqua Institution features fine dining, unique shops, the historic Athenaeum Hotel and plenty of other accommodations options. For those seeking athletic pursuits, Chautauqua Institution boasts highly rated golf, tennis, pickleball, and sailing facilities. The picturesque lakeside National Historic District campus features lush gardens, inviting green spaces, and expressions of every era of American architecture dating to the late 1800s.

Popular entertainers on the Chautauqua Institution schedule include: Martina McBride, The Beach Boys, Wilco, An Evening with Shawn Colvin & KT Tunstall Together on Stage, Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, Boyz II Men, Renée Fleming with the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, Il Divo, Stephen Sanchez with Special Guest Ray Bull, Melissa Etheridge and Indigo Girls, 10,000 Maniacs, and Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis. Visit chq.org for details.

40th Anniversary of the Roger Tory Peterson Institute and 90th Anniversary of the Peterson Field Guide

Founded 40 years ago, the Roger Tory Peterson Institute in Jamestown honors Chautauqua County native Roger Tory Peterson. One of the most famed artist-naturalists in the world, Peterson published his Field Guide to the Birds, the best-selling field guide of all time, 90 years ago. The nature art museum celebrates these milestones with Roger's Bird-Day Bash Aug. 17 featuring live music from Michael Glabicki, formerly of Rusted Root, along with food and drinks, and the exhibitions “Art that Matters to the Planet: Clarity” and “Amy Tan's Backyard Birds.” Visit rtpi.org for more information.

Lily Dale Assembly

On the shores of Cassadaga Lakes sits Lily Dale Assembly, the world’s largest center for Spiritualism. Established in 1879, Lily Dale welcomes visitors for private readings with mediums, seminars, workshops, public clairvoyance demonstrations, and healing seminars. The 2024 Lily Dale Assembly season runs from June 21 to Sept. 1. Visit lilydaleassembly.org for more information.

Summer of Laughs in Downtown Jamestown

The city of Jamestown’s summer of laughs features the one-of-a-kind, interactive National Comedy Center – named “Best New Museum” by USA Today, one of the “World’s Greatest Places” by TIME magazine, and a “Top 25 Family Weekend Getaway” by U.S. News & World Report. Just three blocks away, the Lucy Desi Museum celebrates the legacies and influence of Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Desilu Studios and “I Love Lucy.”

The National Comedy Center presents Tom Segura: Come Together June 13 at Northwest Arena. Acclaimed comedians Jeff Ross and Nicole Byer headline the first two nights of the 2024 Lucille Ball Comedy Festival, held Aug.1 through 4. The Comedy Center will soon announce a third headliner confirmed for Aug. 3.

Visit comedycenter.org for more information.

Midway State Park

One of the oldest continually operating amusement parks in the nation, Midway State Park provides a family-friendly atmosphere with kiddie rides, mini golf, classic midway games, a museum, and more on Chautauqua Lake. Midway opens on weekends beginning Memorial Day through June, and Wednesdays through Sundays in July and August, plus Labor Day weekend. Visit parks.ny.gov/parks/midway for more information.

The Heron Farm and Events Center

The Heron Farm and Events Center in Sherman features more than 400 acres with pristine views, trails, retreats, educational opportunities, a farm store, camping, and of course – festivals.

For more than 30 years, The Great Blue Heron Music Festival has become a tradition for many as an event to celebrate music, nature, and the spirit of self-expression. The annual event, July 5-7 this year, draws thousands of fans from across the U.S. and features Americana music. Visit greatblueheron.com for more information.

Panama Rocks Scenic Park

The Wild America Nature Festival returns to Panama Rocks Scenic Park on July 27 and 28. The festival features a fine art and craft show, live animal guests, music, locally sourced food, nature walks and talks, and more. Panama Rocks, home of 60-foot-tall rock formations, also offers axe throwing and camping. Visit panamarocks.com for more information.

Peek’n Peak Resort

Peek’n Peak Resort near Findley Lake provides premier golfing at the championship-caliber Upper Golf Course, cabana pool parties, live music, overnight packages, as well as Mountain Adventures activities like the Aerial Adventure Ropes Course, Giant Ziplines, and more. Visit pknpk.com for more information.

Lake Erie Fun

Nearly 50 miles of Lake Erie shoreline including windswept shores, beaches, vineyards and dramatic cliffs make up Chautauqua County’s northwestern border.

Dunkirk’s City Pier Park provides Music on the Pier Thursdays June 6-Aug. 22. In Westfield, visitors can enjoy First Friday street fairs and a vibrant downtown. In Sunset Bay, the Sunset Bay Beach Club and Cabana Sam’s Beach Bar & Grill provide waterfront fun, including concerts along 5 acres of clean, sandy, life-guarded beach.

Craft Beverage Trail

The largest grape producer east of the Rockies, Lake Erie Wine Country runs 50 miles in Chautauqua County and Pennsylvania. With 23 wineries, the wine trail makes up the oldest, largest global Concord grape-growing region. Visitors enjoy wine and events outdoors during the warmer months.

Wineries such as 21 Brix and Mazza Chautauqua Cellars/Five & 20 Spirits & Brewery – New York State’s first combined winery/brewery/distillery – offer regular live musical entertainment.

Merritt Estate Winery hosts the 43rd annual Strawberry Festival June 7-9. The America’s Grape Country Craft Beverage Festival takes place Aug. 2-4 at the Chautauqua County Fairgrounds.

Closer to Chautauqua Lake, Big Inlet Brewing provides live music year-round, including on the outdoor stage during the summer, headlined by the Mayville Bluegrass Festival Aug. 17-18. Southern Tier Brewing Company and Southern Tier Distilling Company host numerous festivals and events, including live outdoor music.

Visit tourchautauqua.com/events for a complete list of summer events.

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Contact:

Scott Shelters, Communications & Content Coordinator

Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau

716.357.4569

communications@tourchautauqua.com