Leisurely living in a laid-back, lakeside village
Tucked away in Western New York, the small town of Chautauqua sits on the shores of the tranquil Chautauqua Lake and is less than 30 minutes from Lake Erie. Book a Chautauqua vacation rental and enjoy all kinds of year-round activities (both water- and land-based!) in the popular lakefront community. Surrounded by sprawling farmland and sleepy hamlets, the peaceful village is also home to the world-famous Chautauqua Institution, a unique complex that hosts an array of cultural events during the summer months. Give thanks and cheers for the numerous wineries dotted throughout the region as well.
Culture on display, from concerts to fine wine
Every summer, the Chautauqua Institution opens its doors and offers arts programming and recreational activities for visitors of all ages. The schedule varies, but on any given day you may enjoy everything from art lectures and classical music performances, to golf and sailing lessons. Leave the steering to someone else when you board the Chautauqua Belle, a historic passenger sternwheel steamboat that sails on Lake Chautauqua in the summer and fall. Looking for something even more relaxing? Book a winery tour and spend the day sampling varieties from some of the region's most popular winemakers.
Bathing suit or snow boots? Packing for the right season
Before booking your Chautauqua vacation rental, make sure you're prepared for the region's distinct seasons. Get your gloves, scarves, and heavy ski jackets ready for the cold winters, where daytime highs barely rise above freezing and heavy snows may fall. Pack plenty of layers if you're visiting in the tepid spring or fall when temperatures hover around the 50s and 60s. Keep your umbrella and galoshes handy in a region known for year-round rain, but remember, summer is the wettest season, although days are usually warm with low humidity and temps in the low 80s.
Natural beauty in a lush lakeside location
Chautauqua is set along the northwestern edge of Chautauqua Lake but you're also just a short drive from the expansive waters of Lake Erie. Chautauqua Lake is teeming with plenty of bass, perch, and pike, but its most famous resident remains the region's beloved muskellunge fish. Bird lovers will spot all sorts of feathered friends in both lakes, including a variety of waterfowl such as ducks, geese, and loons. Surrounded by forests thick with spruce, pine, and oak trees, the region gives way to gentle rolling hills and sprawling valleys, both of which come alive with color during the fall foliage.