Chautauqua Institution is a small gated community located along the shores of Chautauqua Lake in New York State. My wife’s parents owned a cafeteria and cafe in Chautauqua in the 60’s and her brother’s grew up there, but her family moved to Florida and Janice never really got to experience the community.
Van’s Corner
So having never been back as an adult to experience Chautauqua, she decided to join her brothers on a family vacation for a week to try and experience what life must have been like when the family lived there.
Miller Bell Tower
Janice begged me to go to Chautauqua for a relaxing vacation around the 4th of July this year and experience it myself. I will say, it was like being on a cruise without being on a ship.
Bestor Plaza
Every summer for nine weeks, more than 100,000 visitors will set foot in this community to take in the programs, lectures, daily interfaith worship from a Guest Pastor, kids camps and enjoy a unique mix of performing arts in the nice indoor/outdoor Amphitheater. The Amphitheater also houses the Massey Memorial Organ which is the largest outdoor pipe organ in the world, with 5,640 pipes.
Massey Memorial Organ
There is so much more to say about this wonderful little community and the activities or times where you just want to sit on a porch and relax. This short blog doesn’t even begin to touch the surface of the unique aspects of this quaint little community.
Athenaeum Hotel
You know this place must be special if Smithsonian Magazine has named Chautauqua, NY., as the Number 1 “Best Small Town to Visit in 2014”.