5 Top Spots to Visit in Western New York This Summer

Chautauqua
Since 1874, the Chautauqua Institution has acted as a hub for spiritual, educational and artistic enrichment. The 750-acre lakeside community welcomes visitors every summer to experience its nine-week season, which includes a variety of performances, lectures, recreational activities, hands-on learning opportunities and community events.

Play pickleball, take a boat out for sailing and enjoy beautiful gardens maintained by the Chautauqua Institution’s supervisor of gardens Betsy Burgeson. The Institution also offers a multitude of dining options, including Afterwords Wine Bar, a cozy spot for small bites and wine tastings; Brick Walk Cafe, a fast-casual restaurant with a menu of salads, sandwiches and coffee; and the Heirloom Restaurant and Lobby Lounge at Chautauqua’s historic Athenaeum Hotel.

Whether you’re seeking an action-packed afternoon or a relaxed weekend morning, be sure to explore the Institution’s residential Victorian architecture. The central grounds’ neighborhoods offer a feast for the eyes with homes in nearly every color. Many houses feature front porches where you’re likely to see groups meeting daily for discussion. For more information, visit tourchautauqua.com and chq.org.

Bemus Point
This tight-knit village on the shores of Chautauqua Lake thrives during the summer season thanks to its waterfront and on-the-water opportunities. When you go, grab a beer at Ellicottville Brewing on Chautauqua, a lakeside destination known for its handcrafted selections that include sours (Oops All Berries) and pilsners (Uuuge Buffalo!), as well as classic food offerings like loaded brewer tots, Southern-style fried chicken and beef on weck, a western New York original featuring sliced roast beef on a kümmelweck roll.

If you’re looking for more on-land experiences, make a reservation at Splash, a wine and tapas destination specializing in sushi, seafood and salads, or take a tour of the Lawson Center Boat Museum, which offers a collection of antique boats and motors, as well as other artifacts honoring the area’s maritime heritage. 

Those wanting an up-close lake experience can set sail on Bemus Bay Water Toys’ Tiki Boat Tours. New for 2025, the floating vessels offer feel-good music and a personalized tiki bar. If you’re looking for something a bit more adventurous, check out the company’s other offerings, including pontoon boat, water bike and kayak rentals, as well as guided fishing charters. For more information, go to visitbemuspoint.com.

Mayville
During a day trip to this small-but-mighty village, make plenty of room for good eats on your itinerary. Visit Music For Your Mouth for breakfast or lunch, a farm-to-table spot offering hearty sandwiches, skillets and soups, plus a host of power bowls and pastries. The woman-and-veteran-owned restaurant also serves dinner on select evenings and offers a range of espresso drinks named after famous composers, including the Bach (a cinnamon and honey latte) and the Brahms (a berry and white chocolate mocha).

Next, pick up some chocolate to-go at Webb’s Candy Shop, started by Paul Webb and his childhood sweetheart, Nadine Henderson. In business since 1942, the family-owned operation carries must-try sweets, including sponge candy (a regional favorite with origins in Buffalo), as well as peanut butter cups, sea salt caramels and goat milk fudge. Head to Lakeside Park to enjoy your selections, then take advantage of the on-site shuffleboard and tennis areas for a midday break. Here, visitors can also hop aboard the Chautauqua Belle — one of just five authentic passenger steamboats still operating on the continent — for history cruises and sunset views. End the evening with a trip to Boxcar Barneys, an open-daily, walk-up ice cream stand with nearly 20 classic and plant-based varieties. For more information, visit tourchautauqua.com.

Holiday Valley
Although it may be perceived as a winter destination, Holiday Valley offers attractions and experiences year-round. Established in 1958, the ski resort in Ellicottville, New York, offers a wealth of summer activities, including its 18-hole Double Black Diamond golf course, which features a classic open-green front nine and particularly challenging back nine due to the rolling terrain.

Bring the kids for an afternoon at Sky High Adventure Park, which is the largest of its kind in the state of New York. The Climbing Forest offers courses ranging in difficulty from beginner to advanced, with nine trees fitted with color-coded climbing holds. Smaller children can sift for treasures at an old-fashioned gem mining sluice, and guests of all ages can ride the Sky Flyer Mountain Coaster, a speed-controlled excursion that follows a zig-zagging path. The Spruce Lake chairlift provides scenic views of its namesake body of water, and visitors can descend to enjoy hiking or mountain biking around the lake. Plus, make sure to soak up the sun in one of three pools: a toddler pool, a lap pool and an activity pool, which features a water slide, a diving board and several multi-tiered sun decks. For more information, visit holidayvalley.com. 

Jamestown
Best known as the hometown of Lucille Ball, Jamestown offers no shortage of fun-loving activities in honor of the famous comedian and entertainer. The Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz Museum catalogs the lives of Ball and her husband of 20 years, displaying artifacts related to “I Love Lucy” and Desilu Studios, from the screen-worn wardrobe to set re-creations of the show’s New York City apartment and Hollywood hotel suite.

Visitors can purchase a dual-admission ticket for access to the museum and the National Comedy Center, which provides an immersive experience dedicated to the artform of comedy. Guests create a personalized humor profile upon entry and walk through over 50 exhibitions tailored to their comedic preferences. Standout exhibits include the Comedy Continuum, a 60-foot digital touch screen exploring connections in the comedy sphere, and Comedy Karaoke, a stage for re-creating legendary comedy bits with a hot mic and prompter. After a day of laughter, sit down at Labyrinth Press Co., a vegetarian and vegan restaurant, and its sister craft beer and wine bar, Brazil Lounge, or head to Wicked Warren’s, a craft brewery that offers a hulking menu of pub-style appetizers, burgers and sandwiches. For more information, visit tourchautauqua.com, comedycenter.org and lucydesi.com.

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