A Day at Chautauqua Lake

CHAUTAUQUA LAKE HAS A LONG HISTORY of delighting visitors with a range of experiences (tourchautauqua.com) from outdoor adventures to cultural attractions, including the National Comedy Center and the Chautauqua Institution, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year.

“People should not miss this destination because it has something for everyone all year long, and people who visit here really do fall in love with the area,” says Victoria Burch of the Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau.

For example, 6 Baers Toys & Gift Shoppe (baeressentials.org) offers old-fashioned toys, candy and DIY kits while ART Cloth + Craft (artclothandcraft.com) in Jamestown offers handmade gifts and jewelry from local artists, as well women’s and children’s clothing. Take home a taste of Chautauqua County at Jamestown’s Borsari Food Co. Inc. (borsarifoods.com), offering an array of top-notch seasonings, or Webb’s Candies (webbscandies.com) in Mayville for some goat milk fudge or other sweet treats.

Chautauqua Lake also is home to more than a dozen waterfront dining options, from 4 Below Haggy’s Bar and Grille (4belowbarandgrill.com), Jamestown’s only self-serve bar taps, to Stella: A Kitchen & Bar (stellakitchenandbar.wordpress.com), one of Lakewood’s newest culinary options, featuring a diverse, creatively curated menu of contemporary and traditional American fare.

New to the area this year is Ghostfish Brewing Co. (ghostfishbrewing.com), the largest gluten-free brewery in the U.S. Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, Ghostfish offers seven flagship beers, including three IPAs, a stout, pale ale, pale lager and Belgian white ale.

Of course, a day at the lake is not complete without a visit to the Chautauqua Institution (chq.org), which features a plethora of art, education, entertainment, recreation and religious experiences from late June through late August.

The Spark Of Art

Good art makes you feel something.

At the Roger Tory Peterson Institute in Jamestown (rtpi.org), the goal is to nurture a greater love of nature and our planet.

That’s done by showcasing more than 1,500 original works of art by Roger Tory Peterson, known for traveling the world to create his Peterson Field Guides. It’s also done through special exhibitions, including Hope is the Thing with Feathers: Contemporary Women Nature Artists. The exhibit, which runs through June 11, includes work by five women whose art explores “the paradoxically powerful and fragile nature of birds and the ecosystems in which they live.”

But there’s no better way to appreciate nature than to actually be in it. To that end, the institute maintains 27 acres of wildflower gardens, pollinator meadows and mature stands of hemlock trees — and plenty of trails to explore all of it.

“The intersection of art and nature lies at the heart of everything we do, including along our trails,” says Arthur Pearson, the institute’s CEO. “In addition to live birds, keep your eyes peeled for carved wood sculptures of a bald eagle, a northern flicker and lots more.”

Take 5

Canalside Calling

Nestled in the heart of Buffalo’s bustling downtown is Canalside, a “waterfront destination unlike any other in the country,” says Michael Spong, business development manager for Buffalo Waterfront (buffalowaterfront.com). “Our guests love to be by the water,” he says. “Canalside offers a host of activities and vantage points for guests to interact with Lake Erie.”

1 Buffalo River History Tour

See the city from the Buffalo River during a 90-minute look into the past, where you’ll learn about the Erie Canal, as well as the city’s story as the largest grain port in the world. Four tours are offered daily from mid-May through the end of September. “If you want to see, learn and experience how Buffalo became one of the largest cities in the country in the mid-1800s, Canalside offers that backdrop and understanding while providing guests a fun and interactive visit,” Spong says.

2 Buffalo Heritage Carousel

Gets the kids in on the fun. This fully restored, solar-powered, vintage park-style carousel designed in 1924 celebrates the history of carousel manufacturing in western New York — and it’s right on the boardwalk.

3 BUFFALO AND ERIE COUNTY NAVAL & MILITARY PARK

Get a closer look at the nation’s military history at the country’s largest inland Naval Park. Home to four decommissioned naval vessels, the property also features a museum, monuments garden, U.S. military exhibits and a maritime simulator. buffalonavalpark.org

4 Water Bikes Of Buffalo

See the city from a new point of view by renting a single rider or tandem water bike or pedal boat from Water Bikes of Buffalo and floating your way along the canal. Along the way, you’ll pass massive grain elevators, extraordinary naval ships and more. waterbikesofbuffalo.com

5 EXPLORE & MORE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

With more than 40,000 square feet of Buffalocentric activities, this museum gives a good look at the region’s history, geography, culture, architecture, athletics and innovation. Highlights include a tinkering tank and art studio. exploreandmore.org