Part of the Western NY Hub
Chautauqua Lake in Western NY is home to the Chautauqua Institution, plus the lakeside villages of Mayville and Bemus Point. It is known for summer lectures and arts, boating and sailing, and trophy walleye and musky fishing.
Unlike the Finger Lakes, which run north-to-south and drain to the Atlantic, Chautauqua Lake runs southeast-to-northwest and drains south toward the Gulf of Mexico.
Chautauqua Institution: Summer Assembly, Tickets & Programs
9-week summer assembly — daily lectures, arts, and performances around a weekly theme. Check current dates + lineup on the official schedule — themes and ticket prices change every year.
Summer 2027 Program Themes
- The American Constitution
- Applied Ethics in the Age of AI
- Trust
- United We Swing
- Exploration and Confluence
- Amna Nawaz and Friends: American Storytellers
- Celebrating Excellence
- Turning Roots Into Rock
See Current Chautauqua Schedule →
Tickets and Passes
- Gate Pass: Required to enter grounds during summer assembly. Includes general admission seating for Amphitheater programs.
- Free Admission: Always free on Sundays + children 12 and under.
- Day Passes: Best for part of a day — morning, afternoon, or evening.
- Parking: All vehicles pay for parking in Main Lot. No cars inside main grounds.
- Preferred Seating: Upgrade for evening Amphitheater programs, or buy individual event tickets via Ticket Office.
- Buy / Register: tickets.chq.org • Call (716) 357-6250 option 5 • Email ticketoffice@chq.org Tue-Fri 10am-3pm
- Rates / Fees: Latest Rates & Fees →
Youth, Arts & Special Programs
- Special Studies: Adult + community education courses.
- Youth: Children's School, Group One, Boys' and Girls' Club, School of Dance, youth sailing at
{"canonical_name":"John R. Turney Sailing Center","name":"John R. Turney Sailing Center","type":"place_entity"} . - Recreation: Health & Fitness Center, Tennis Center, Golf Club.
Chautauqua Institution Tours
Non-members can explore the Chautauqua Institution through narrated bus tours, guided historical kayak outings, and free, self-guided nature tours.
Top Guided Tour Options For Non-members
- Narrated Bus Tours: Experienced guides narrate the fascinating history of the Chautauqua Institution on a comfortable coach. Tickets cost $10 and are available for purchase exclusively on the day of the tour at the Main Gate Welcome Center—no advance reservations.
- Historic Kayak Tours: Paddle along the beautiful shores of the institution while learning about its historic sites. This hour-long tour departs from the Sports Club; pricing includes your equipment rental plus a $12 guide fee. Reservations are required at least one day in advance (contact sportsclub@chq.org to book).
- Free Self-Guided Options: Explore CHQ App. This app features over 30 digital nature and history tours of the birds, trees, gardens, and the lakefront. It is available for free download to use on the grounds or remotely.
Chautauqua Institution
Address: 1 Ames Ave, Chautauqua, NY 14722Phone: (716) 357-6250
Website: Chautauqua Institution
Latest Rates/Fees
Chautauqua Institution. Your Place to Experience Community through Music, Art and Lectures.
Chautauqua Amphitheater
Address: 31 Roberts Ave, Chautauqua, NY 14722Phone: (716) 357-6250
Website: Chautauqua Amphitheater
Latest Rates/Fees
Summer home for lectures, symphony, and evening Amphitheater concerts. See current lineup on the official schedule.
Mayville: Lakeside Village & Depot Museum
Mayville is located on the northern shores of Chautauqua Lake. It's a lakeside community centered around Mayville Lakeside Park, which features a lifeguarded swimming beach, a public boat launch, and an ADA-compliant waterfront. Mayville serves as a hub for year-round recreation and is located just a 10-minute drive from the historic Chautauqua Institution.
- Waterfront Recreation: Mayville Lakeside Park offers excellent boating, fishing, picnic pavilions, and tennis courts. Continuous enhancements including accessible kayak and multi-use trail expansions.
- Seasonal Festivals: The village hosts the lively 4th of July Celebration and the annual Winter Festival (held every President's Day weekend), featuring the famous ice castle.
- Outdoor Adventures: Beyond the lake, visitors can explore the hiking trails at the nearby Chautauqua Gorge State Forest.
Mayville Lakeside Park
Address: 50 W Lake Rd, Mayville, NY 14757Phone: (716) 753-2125
Highlights: Public restroom · Dogs allowed · Picnic tables
Hours: 6am to 11pm
Offers excellent boating, fishing, picnic pavilions, beach, playground and tennis courts. The shoreline is undergoing continuous enhancements, including accessible kayak and multi-use trail expansions.
Chautauqua Gorge State Forest
Address: Mayville, NY 14757Phone: (716) 363-2052
Website: Chautauqua Gorge State Forest
The 538-acre state forest provides opportunities for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, fishing, and hunting. This state forest also offers a day use area with picnic tables and fire rings, outhouses, and a public parking area.
Mayville Depot Museum
Address: 16 Water St, Mayville, NY 14757Phone: (716) 753-7535
Website: Mayville Depot Museum
Thousands of artifacts and documents representing all aspects of our area's rich and varied past, located in an old Pennsylvania Railroad Depot.
Bemus Point: Village, Floating Stage & Stow Ferry
Bemus Point Stow Ferry
Address: 2 Lakeside Dr, Bemus Point, NY 14712Website: Bemus Point Stow Ferry
For 215 years we've connected the western shore of Chautauqua Lake with the eastern shore. Take a trip back into time. Come Ride The Ferry!
Floating Stage
The floating stage, historically known as the Bemus Bay Pops venue, was a popular summer concert destination in Bemus Point on Chautauqua Lake. While the floating stage has been permanently relocated and is no longer in operation in the village, the waterfront remains a major regional attraction.
History: The Bemus Bay Pops started in 1998, with a floating stage built in 2003 that allowed audiences to watch concerts from the shoreline or directly from boats anchored in the bay.
Current Status: The floating stage left Bemus Point several years ago, bringing an end to the "Pops" concerts in the village.
What is there now: The original site of the floating stage on Lakeside Drive is now home to The Landing, a private waterfront club that features boat parking, fire pits, and seasonal events
The Hotel Lenhart
Address: 20-22 Lakeside Dr, Bemus Point, NY 14712Phone: (716) 386-2715
Website: The Hotel Lenhart
The Hotel Lenhart – A Timeless Escape on Chautauqua Lake nestled in the heart of Bemus Point, New York, facing west overlooking beautiful Bemus Bay.
The Village Casino
Address: 1 Lakeside Dr, Bemus Point, NY 14712Phone: (716) 386-1247
Website: The Village Casino
Lakefront food-&-music joint preps casual American fare with weekly karaoke, trivia & family nights.
Chautauqua Lake Activities: Boating, Fishing, Beaches
Boating & Sailing
- Rentals: You can secure pontoon boats, fishing boats, or paddleboards from full-service vendors like Chautauqua Marina in Mayville.
- Cruises: Take a scenic ride on the Chautauqua Belle, one of only five operating steamboats in North America, departing from Mayville. You can also take a vintage ride on the historic Bemus Point-Stow Ferry.
- Launch: Long Point State Park features the most modern, accessible boat launch on the lake.
Fishing
- Species: Chautauqua Lake is historically celebrated as one of the best bass lakes in the Northeast and a top fishery for trophy muskellunge (often exceeding 50 inches).
- Shore Access: Cast a line without a boat at Long Point State Park, Midway State Park, or McCrea Point Park in Jamestown.
Beaches & Swimming
- Long Point State Park: Located on a peninsula, this park offers a pristine, lifeguarded swimming beach surrounded by thickly wooded hiking trails.
- Lakeside Park: Located in Mayville, this community park features a small lifeguarded beach, pavilions, and a launch point for the Chautauqua Belle.
- Midway State Park: Known as one of America's oldest continuously operating amusement parks, it also provides family-friendly waterfront access and swimming.
Seasonal Highlights Around Chautauqua Lake
Summer is peak season — Institution lectures and Amphitheater concerts, Mayville Lakeside Park beach + boat launch, Bemus Point ferry + lakefront dining, and village festivals in Mayville and Bemus Point. Fall brings foliage and quieter lakefront stays. Winter brings the Mayville Winter Festival with its ice castle.
See Current Chautauqua Schedule → • See Current Chautauqua County Events →
Where to Stay & Eat Around Chautauqua Lake
Where to Stay
- Chautauqua Harbor Hotel (Celoron, NY): Located just minutes from the National Comedy Center, this AAA Four Diamond property offers luxurious rooms, a sweeping patio with fire pits, an outdoor pool, and lake views.
- Athenaeum Hotel (Chautauqua, NY): Overlooking the lake since 1881, this Victorian "Grande Dame" located inside the world-famous Chautauqua Institution offers a classic, full-service hotel experience.
- Maple Springs Lake Side Inn (Bemus Point/Maple Springs, NY): A Dutch Colonial-style bed and breakfast sitting on 11 private acres with its own 350-foot beach and dock.
Where to Eat
- Lakehouse Tap and Grille (Celoron, NY): Located inside the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel, this spot serves up American cuisine with fantastic al fresco dining patio options and views of the water.
- Stella a Kitchen & Bar (Lakewood, NY): A standout, highly rated dining destination located on Chautauqua Avenue, known for its elevated contemporary plates and craft cocktails.
- Lakeview Hotel (Mayville, NY): A historic local landmark situated at the north end of the lake, offering a relaxed tavern atmosphere, hearty pub fare, and live entertainment.
- Ellicottville Brewing Company (Bemus Point, NY): A lively spot near the water offering locally brewed craft beers and elevated pub-style food in a vibrant, lakeside atmosphere.
Chautauqua Lake FAQs
Do I need a gate pass for Chautauqua Institution?
Yes, during the 9-week summer assembly you need a gate pass or day pass to enter the grounds. Admission is always free on Sundays and for children 12 and under. Buy passes at tickets.chq.org or call (716) 357-6250, option 5.
Is Chautauqua Lake part of the Finger Lakes?
No. Chautauqua Lake is in Western NY, west of the Finger Lakes. It sits at a higher elevation, runs southeast-to-northwest, and drains south toward the Gulf of Mexico, while the Finger Lakes run north-to-south and drain toward the Atlantic.
Does the Bemus Point Stow Ferry still run?
Yes. The Bemus Point Stow Ferry has connected the western and eastern shores of Chautauqua Lake for over 200 years. Check current hours and fares at thebemuspointstowferry.com before you go — it is seasonal.
Is the Floating Stage in Bemus Point still there?
No. The floating stage, once home to Bemus Bay Pops, was permanently relocated and is no longer in operation in Bemus Point. The waterfront site is now The Landing, a private waterfront club.
What fish is Chautauqua Lake known for?
Walleye and muskellunge. It is celebrated as one of the best bass lakes in the Northeast and a top musky fishery, with trophy musky often exceeding 50 inches. Shore fishing is available at Long Point, Midway, and McCrea Point parks.
Where can I swim on Chautauqua Lake?
Long Point State Park has a lifeguarded beach on a wooded peninsula. Mayville Lakeside Park has a small lifeguarded beach plus a boat launch. Midway State Park also offers family waterfront access and swimming.