With lakes, rivers, foothills, forests and four distinct seasons, there is ample occasion for both indoor and outdoor play. Opportunities abound for hardy sports enthusiasts to hit the lakes, slopes, and trails, and for art, history, and culture fans to visit theaters, museums, and resorts. A thriving agricultural industry supports farmers markets, a wine trail, breweries, and distilleries, and residents and visitors alike enjoy the local food and craft beverage scene.
The county’s rolling hills, lakes, forests, and rivers support resorts and golf courses, exceptional fishing, water sports, parks, and hundreds of miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails. In the winter, lake effect snow and the Allegheny foothills provide excellent conditions for downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling.
Chautauqua County is also renowned for several attractions — Chautauqua Institution, the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Museum, the National Comedy Center, Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History, and Robert H. Jackson Center for Justice, to name a few. While summer is high season for tourists, every month offers new events, festivals, and places to explore.
