Plan Your Visit

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TYPICAL DAY AT CHAUTAUQUA

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6 a.m. – Take in a beautiful sunrise over Chautauqua Lake near the Central Dock and Sports Club.

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7 a.m. – With more than a mile of waterfront, Chautauqua's grounds are perfect for a morning walk or run along the lake shore.

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7:15 a.m. – Pick up fresh fruit, vegetables and other locally grown and made products from the Farmer's Market.

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7:30 a.m. – The Chautauquan Daily, a perfect accompaniment to your morning cup of coffee, is delivered to your front porch.

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8:45 a.m. – Watch the little ones board the bus to Children's School.

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9:30 a.m. – Story time at Children's School.

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10 a.m. – The bigger kids can enjoy some friendly competition at Boy's and Girls' Club.

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10:45 a.m. – Hear a lecture at the 5,000-seat, open-air Amphitheater — and get a question of your own answered at the end.

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12 p.m. – Eat your lunch on Bestor Plaza with some musical accompaniment.

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1 p.m. – Stroll through one of Visual Arts at Chautauqua Institution's world-class galleries.

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2 p.m. – Take in another lecture, one from a religious or ethical perspective, at the gorgeous open-air Hall of Philosophy.

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2:30 p.m. – Be one with nature as you attend a lecture in one of Chautauqua's many outdoor "classrooms."

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3 p.m. – Support tomorrow's best singers with a visit to an afternoon Voice Program recital.

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4 p.m. – Spend some time on the water with a lesson from the Sailing Center.

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6 p.m. – Sit down for a delicious dinner at the Athenaeum.

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8:15 p.m. – Attend a performance of the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, featuring some of the best instrumentalists from orchestras around the world.

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9 p.m. – Enjoy Late Night Tapas on Fridays and Saturdays from 9–11 p.m. at the Athenaeum.

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10 p.m. – End the day with a night time stroll by the lake.

Challenge yourself. Discover a hidden talent. Share the memories. Inspire a new generation.
Over the course of nine weeks, more than 100,000 visitors will stay at Chautauqua and participate in programs, classes and community events for all ages — all within the beautiful setting of a historic lakeside village.

The Chautauqua experience is based around one’s engagement in five program areas: arts, education, religion, recreation, and youth. While people visit Chautauqua Institution for all different lengths of stay — the most popular length of stay on the grounds is one week.

Are you staying overnight or longer?

If you're planning a trip, you'll need to find accommodations, purchase gate and parking passes and choose what programming you'd like to attend.

Planning a day trip?

To experience all that Chautauqua Institution has to offer in one day — including daily lectures, concerts, the beautiful grounds, two art galleries and so much more — you’ll need a gate pass for the duration of your stay and to park your car in our Main Lot.

Are you coming for one event?

If you're coming for a single event, buy tickets, parking passes and registration.

Buy Tickets, Passes & Registrations

To enter the Institution grounds, a gate ticket is required for all visitors ages 13 to 90; a youth ticket is available for ages 13 to 25.

Dining and Shopping

View the dining options on and off the grounds, as well as the unique stores that complement Chautauqua Institution's offerings.

Maps & Directions

Chautauqua is basically a walking community with very narrow streets. The use of automobiles on the grounds is very restricted.

Group Tours and Road Scholar

Make your next group tour destination Chautauqua Institution located in western New York.

Chautauqua on a Budget

DSC 6694 Chautauqua on a Budget, formerly known as the 55+ Residential Week, is a weeklong dormitory accommodation special that is only available during Weeks Eight and Nine.

Tour Chautauqua County

For more than 140 years, Chautauqua has been a destination for vacation learning, a place for personal growth, a place that engages the mind, body and spirit.