The natural beauty of Chautauqua County combined with our extraordinary manmade assets creates a spot that is just right for tourists and is also an exceptional place to live. Recreational and cultural opportunities are year-round, but our region really thrives in the summer. This is a great time to get out and explore all the great features of this place we call home!

The great outdoors beckons in the summer months, and even if you’re just in the mood to take a walk you can find some great places to go. Panama Rocks Scenic Park covers an ancient forest featuring massive moss-covered rock formations left by the ice age. Audubon Community Nature Center in Jamestown offers both outdoor trails as well as indoor fun for the whole family. Additional hiking and walking trails managed by county and municipal parks systems and the Chautauqua Lake Watershed Conservancy can be found at www.CHQtrails.org. If you prefer your trails by horseback, check out Chamber members Double DAB Riding Stables in Ripley or Skywalker Stables in Jamestown.

Get on the water at some outstanding local beaches. On Lake Erie you’ll find beach access at Barcelona Beach, Lake Erie State Park, and Sunset Bay in Irving. On Chautauqua Lake there are beaches at Long Point State Park, Hartley Park in Lakewood and Lakeside Park in Mayville, or try out Cassadaga Beach on Cassadaga Lake.

Boating is another great way to enjoy our amazing waterways and here are some Chamber member marinas you can contact Chautauqua Marina and Snug Harbor Marina in Mayville; Lawson Boat & Motor in Jamestown; and Ready About Sailing in Celoron. A note on boating: as of January 1, 2025, New York State requires all motorized boaters to carry a Safe Boating Certificate from their home state or New York while operating. For those who do not already have a Safe Boating Certificate from their home state, boaters can earn their certificate by taking a classroom course with certified New York State instructors or through several other approved online courses. Visitors may rent and operate a boat without obtaining a boating safety certificate. Check with local marinas for regulations. If a boat tour suits you better than a rental, take a ride on the Chautauqua Belle steamer from Mayville or book passage with One Fine Day Boat Charter in Bemus Point.

If you’re a camper, check out our local camping opportunities including Brushwood Folklore Center and The Heron Farm & Event Center in Sherman; Panama Rocks in Panama (where glamping is also available), Westfield Lake Erie KOA in Westfield, and Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park in Kiantone.

Chautauqua County is a golfer’s paradise. Try out these great courses: Bemus Point Golf Club & Tap House, Bemus Point; Chautauqua Golf Club, Chautauqua; Moon Brook Country Club, Jamestown; Peek’n Peak Resort, Clymer; Shorewood Country Club, Dunkirk; Vineyards Golf Club, Fredonia. If indoor golf is more for you, check out Mulligan’s on Fairmount in Lakewood. Webb’s miniature golf in Mayville can be fun for the whole family.

For baseball fans, the Jamestown Tarp Skunks play at Russell E. Diethrick Jr. Park in Jamestown.

Take in all the sights, rides, and attractions at the Chautauqua County Fair July 15-20.

When it’s too warm for you outside, step indoors at any of our great local museums including the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame, National Comedy Center, Lucy-Desi Museum, Roger Tory Peterson Institute, Robert H. Jackson Center, or the Fenton History Center all in Jamestown; the Dunkirk Historical Society in Dunkirk; and the Lawson Boating Heritage Center in Bemus Point. For a place to really cool down, Northwest Arena offers drop-in hockey weekdays for players of all ages.

If cultural spaces are for you, check out upcoming events at our two amazing local restored theaters, the 1891 Fredonia Opera House in Fredonia and the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts in Jamestown. Chautauqua Institution’s summer programming is underway featuring a full schedule of lectures, religious services, and entertainment through August 24. The Lily Dale Assembly summer season focusing on Spiritualism continues through August 31.

When you’re in the mood for a local craft beverage visit one of our breweries or distilleries including Big Inlet Brewing, Mayville; Hops and Hounds Brewing Company in Fredonia; Mazza Chautauqua Cellars/Five & 20 Spirits & Brewery in Westfield, Southern Tier Brewing Company in Lakewood, Steelbound Brewery & Distillery in Dunkirk; and Wicked Warrens in Jamestown. Ghostfish Brewing Company, Westfield produces beer as well, available at numerous local bars and restaurants. Lake Erie Wine Country offers a variety of wineries and wine trail events at great local wineries including 21 Brix, Johnson Estate, Liberty Vineyards, Mazza Chautauqua Cellars, Merritt Estate Winery, Willow Creek Winery, and Woodbury Vineyards.

Outdoor dining opportunities are plentiful countywide. Try out Splash or the Bemus Point Golf Club & Tap House in Bemus Point; the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel in Celoron; Demetri’s on the Lake in Dunkirk; Crown Street Roasting Company, Labyrinth/Brazil, Landmark Restaurant, Pace’s Pizza, or Wicked Warren’s (coming soon) in Jamestown; Stella A Kitchen and Bar in Lakewood; Music for the Mouth in Mayville; Cabana Sam’s Sunset Bay in Silver Creek; or Parkview Café in Westfield.

If you’re looking for specific dates for festivals or events, we recommend the exceptional online calendar published by the Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau at www.tourchautauqua.com.

CHQ CHAMBER AT THE FAIRGROUNDS JULY 10

Come one, come all to the Chautauqua County Fairgrounds before the Fair begins, for a free business expo and networking event which will be held Thursday, July 10 from 5-7 p.m.

Chamber member businesses are invited to table at this event to show off their products and services, while the general public is invited to network and enjoy the business expo. Food and beverages may be purchased from vendors on site.

Businesses that want to table at the event must register with the CHQ Chamber in advance. Registration is open now through the Chamber’s web calendar at www.chqchamber.org. You must bring your own table and materials. This event is not designed for craft vendors, but rather for local Chamber member businesses. Questions about this event can be directed to Director of Events Staunzie Grady at sgrady@chqchamber.org.