Chautauqua

In 2014, the magazine Smithsonian named Chautauqua the best small town to visit in the United States, beating out famous destinations like Sedona and Williamsburg.

Chautauqua is on the west side of Chautauqua Lake and can be accessed by taking Interstate 86 to Exit 7 (Steadman Rd) or Exit 8 (State Route 394), then traveling north a few miles. From the north, you can take I-90, the New York State Thruway, to Exit 60, then take State Route 394 southeast through Mayville; Chautauqua is just a couple of miles beyond Mayville.

The Chautauqua Institution campus is walkable. To get anywhere else, you'll need a vehicle.

• Chautauqua Institution

  address: 1 Ames Ave
  Thousands of people every summer descend on the tiny village to relax their bodies and improve their minds on the 750-acre campus of the Chautauqua Institution. Perhaps the main attraction is the lecture series, with each of the nine weeks featuring a different theme and a different set of distinguished speakers. Also on the grounds are literally hundreds and hundreds of classes for the visual and performing arts, computer skills, writing, philosophy, sports and hobbies, and even professional development. Considering there are also plenty of recreational and cultural activities for your off-hours, it's no wonder people have been flocking here since 1874.

Chautauqua Institution has a dry campus (no alcohol can be bought or brought onto campus).

If you're coming during the Institution's season, you'll need to be flexible with your accommodation needs. There are hotels, guest houses, apartments, condominiums, cabins, and more. All are privately owned but the Institution offers a nice central clearinghouse and search engine for availability.
Off-season, accommodations are more traditional, but there are a lot of options for a village of this size.

• The Spencer Hotel & Spa

  phone: +1 716 357-3785
  address: 25 Palestine Avenue
  The Spencer Hotel & Spa features a literary theme in each guest room and throughout the hotel. It also features a spa and offers services for events and weddings.

• Jamestown, the Chautauqua County seat, is the nearest city, though not a large one. It is a short drive away on State Route 394 South.
• You can view the enormous expanse of Lake Erie from Westfield, an easy drive on State Route 394 North through verdant, rolling hills.
• A bit further east are the towns of Dunkirk and Fredonia, the home of State University of New York at Fredonia.
• Erie, Pennsylvania is easily reachable by driving on Route 394 South and then taking I-86 West and I-90 West, then following signs.