Valley View Lakehouse
Sightseeing
Enjoy some of Western New York’s best fishing and try your hand at angling for walleye, muskellunge, smallmouth bass, and largemouth bass and ice fishing in the winter. The lake, which is divided into two basins of about the same size, is where Chautauqua (“bag tied in the middle”) takes its name.
11 locals recommend
Chautauqua Lake
Enjoy some of Western New York’s best fishing and try your hand at angling for walleye, muskellunge, smallmouth bass, and largemouth bass and ice fishing in the winter. The lake, which is divided into two basins of about the same size, is where Chautauqua (“bag tied in the middle”) takes its name.
What is Chautauqua known for? Its famous Chautauqua Institution which spawned the Chautauqua movement of the late 20th century. Across the U.S., especially in rural areas, Chautauqua assemblies offered culture and entertainment for the entire community. President Roosevelt even called Chautauqua “the most American thing in America.” While the movement died out, the original Chautauqua Institution remains a major part of living in Chautauqua with diverse cultural, musical, religious, and educational programs and concerns that draw in thousands. It also boasts a 4,500-seat Amphitheater for its symphony, theater, and other musical productions.
91 locals recommend
CHAUTAUQUA INSTITUTION
1 NY-394What is Chautauqua known for? Its famous Chautauqua Institution which spawned the Chautauqua movement of the late 20th century. Across the U.S., especially in rural areas, Chautauqua assemblies offered culture and entertainment for the entire community. President Roosevelt even called Chautauqua “the most American thing in America.” While the movement died out, the original Chautauqua Institution remains a major part of living in Chautauqua with diverse cultural, musical, religious, and educational programs and concerns that draw in thousands. It also boasts a 4,500-seat Amphitheater for its symphony, theater, and other musical productions.
Opens June 5th for the season. Tickets required, purchase online. Ride across the lake on a scenic tour!
28 locals recommend
Chautauqua Belle
78 Water StOpens June 5th for the season. Tickets required, purchase online. Ride across the lake on a scenic tour!
National Comedy Center
203 W 2nd StWe hear it's super fun!
City/town information
Cute little downtown area perfect for shopping and eating. Local bookstore, boutiques, coffee shop, all leading down to a wonderful view of the lake with perfect areas for picnics or just relaxing.
10 locals recommend
Lakewood
Cute little downtown area perfect for shopping and eating. Local bookstore, boutiques, coffee shop, all leading down to a wonderful view of the lake with perfect areas for picnics or just relaxing.
Wonderful area along the lake with area-famous shops like Skillmans and front porch rockers at the Hotel Lenhart. Ellicott Brewing Company has a lake-side spot for lunch and dinner.
53 locals recommend
Bemus Point
Wonderful area along the lake with area-famous shops like Skillmans and front porch rockers at the Hotel Lenhart. Ellicott Brewing Company has a lake-side spot for lunch and dinner.
Westfield has it all - sweet downtown area with lots of coffee shops and restaurants, community park area for arts and crafts fairs, and the start of the Erie County Wine Trail.
12 locals recommend
Westfield
Westfield has it all - sweet downtown area with lots of coffee shops and restaurants, community park area for arts and crafts fairs, and the start of the Erie County Wine Trail.
Adorable downtown area with local shops, a new cafe worth visiting (Music to Your Mouth), Tops grocery, and a beautiful drive right to the north end of the lake.
8 locals recommend
Mayville
Adorable downtown area with local shops, a new cafe worth visiting (Music to Your Mouth), Tops grocery, and a beautiful drive right to the north end of the lake.
Water Activities / Rentals
This is around the corner from our house! You can walk there and rent a kayak, canoe and more. Take it to Lakeside Park across the street for a public launch area. They offer rentals and lessons.
15 locals recommend
Evergreen Outfitters
61 Water StThis is around the corner from our house! You can walk there and rent a kayak, canoe and more. Take it to Lakeside Park across the street for a public launch area. They offer rentals and lessons.
You can rent kayaks, hydro bikes, pontoon boats, catamarans, and floating water mats.
Bemus Bay Water Toys
64 Lakeside DriveYou can rent kayaks, hydro bikes, pontoon boats, catamarans, and floating water mats.
Boatworks
88 Boulevard AvenueYou can pick up the boat in Bemus Point or in Celeron. Looks like mostly Pontoon Boats.
Chautauqua Marina
104 W Lake RdYou can rent pontoon or speed boats. Also jet-skis.
Ashville Bay Marina
2500 NY-394Another rental option.
Beaches and Picnic Areas
Directly across the street from our home. Hard-Surface Ramps, Picnic Area, Parking, Swimming, small beach. Tennis courts, basketball courts, room for kickball games, small playground area as well. Beautiful!
6 locals recommend
Lakeside Park
50 West Lake RoadDirectly across the street from our home. Hard-Surface Ramps, Picnic Area, Parking, Swimming, small beach. Tennis courts, basketball courts, room for kickball games, small playground area as well. Beautiful!
Wonderful beach area, building with bathrooms, public access and marina area.
40 locals recommend
Long Point State Park
Long Point State ParkWonderful beach area, building with bathrooms, public access and marina area.
Marina Drive
Marina DriveBemus point marina area.
Lakewood Community Park
533 East Terrace AvenueRight at the end of the adorable town area. Great place to picnic.
Lucille Ball Memorial Park
21 Boulevard AveBeautiful park area.
McCrea Point Park & Public Boat Launch
14 Jones and Gifford AvenueGolfing
Chautauqua Golf Club
4731 W Lake RdMore expensive than Willow Run, but not bad on rates. Also has a tap room/food/menu with apps, burgers, sandwiches, and pizza. 4.6 out of 5 stars. Reviews say it has amazing atmosphere with great beer, cocktails, and food. Clean and brand-new design.
10.6 miles from the house (you need to take the highway 86 across the lake, but it’s right off the first exit for Bemus Point) 14 minute drive.
29 locals recommend
Bemus Point Golf Club & Tap House
72 Main StMore expensive than Willow Run, but not bad on rates. Also has a tap room/food/menu with apps, burgers, sandwiches, and pizza. 4.6 out of 5 stars. Reviews say it has amazing atmosphere with great beer, cocktails, and food. Clean and brand-new design.
10.6 miles from the house (you need to take the highway 86 across the lake, but it’s right off the first exit for Bemus Point) 14 minute drive.
Cash only, looks to be very reasonably priced. Reviews say very friendly, well kept, reasonably priced… but short holes. 4.3 out of 5 stars. Maybe more kid-friendly.
5.5 Miles south of our house (8 min drive)
9 locals recommend
Willow Run Golf Course
4103 W Lake RdCash only, looks to be very reasonably priced. Reviews say very friendly, well kept, reasonably priced… but short holes. 4.3 out of 5 stars. Maybe more kid-friendly.
5.5 Miles south of our house (8 min drive)
4.4 out of 5 stars. Friendly staff, reasonable pricing.
"Come play our rewarding 9 hole golf course. Featuring 3 sets of tees with 3100 yards in total length, this par 35 or 37 course is sure to challenge all skill levels."
14 miles south of our house, about a 20 minute drive.
Timber Creek Golf Course
1607 Blockville-Watts Flats Rd4.4 out of 5 stars. Friendly staff, reasonable pricing.
"Come play our rewarding 9 hole golf course. Featuring 3 sets of tees with 3100 yards in total length, this par 35 or 37 course is sure to challenge all skill levels."
14 miles south of our house, about a 20 minute drive.
Putt-putt and driving range.
14 miles south of the house, a 20 minute drive
6 locals recommend
Lakewood Golf Center
4341 W Fairmount AvePutt-putt and driving range.
14 miles south of the house, a 20 minute drive
Putt-putt and family fun.
8.2 miles, 12 minute drive from our house.
Putt-A-Round Chautauqua at Midway State Park
4859 New York 430Putt-putt and family fun.
8.2 miles, 12 minute drive from our house.
In case of bad weather, this is an indoor option with virtual golfing experiences.
Mulligan's on Fairmount
4467 West Fairmount AvenueIn case of bad weather, this is an indoor option with virtual golfing experiences.
Hiking / Walking Trails
Chautauqua Rails To Trails
16 Water StRight by our house!
Portage Trail -Trolley Line Nature Trail
92 East Chautauqua Street
Nadine and Paul Webb Trail
430 Chautauqua Rails-To-Trails
Big Fill Tunnel
Beautiful and amazing pictures along these paths. Does have a fee for hiking on their path.
84 locals recommend
Panama Rocks Scenic Park
11 Rock Hill RdBeautiful and amazing pictures along these paths. Does have a fee for hiking on their path.
Restaurants - Mayville
This just opened in downtown Mayville and is wonderful from service to food to experience. Definitely put this on your list of places to visit! Open Monday-Saturday from 7:30am – 3:30pm and specializes in breakfast and lunch only.
Music for your Mouth
21 South Erie StreetThis just opened in downtown Mayville and is wonderful from service to food to experience. Definitely put this on your list of places to visit! Open Monday-Saturday from 7:30am – 3:30pm and specializes in breakfast and lunch only.
Very close to the Chautauqua Institution gates. Good food, great burger, calzones and pizza. They deliver to our house as well.
25 locals recommend
Andriaccio's Restaurant
4837 W Lake RdVery close to the Chautauqua Institution gates. Good food, great burger, calzones and pizza. They deliver to our house as well.
Webb's Captain's Table Restaurant
115 W Lake RdWatermark Restaurant
188 S Erie StThis is a little hotel, but also a restaurant and bar. Very casual, good food, family friendly.
6 locals recommend
Lakeview Hotel
13 Water StThis is a little hotel, but also a restaurant and bar. Very casual, good food, family friendly.
Menu on Facebook instead of website... Only open for breakfast/lunch hours. Diner food.
Chautauqua Harbor House Restaurant
Menu on Facebook instead of website... Only open for breakfast/lunch hours. Diner food.
Best ice cream with options for vegan and gluten free. Steps away from our house!
12 locals recommend
Boxcar Barney's - Seasonal Hours May - Labor Day
13 W Lake RdBest ice cream with options for vegan and gluten free. Steps away from our house!
This is inside the Chautauqua Institution... we have not been to it personally, but it has good reviews.
Heirloom Restaurant
3 South Lake DriveThis is inside the Chautauqua Institution... we have not been to it personally, but it has good reviews.
Marked under the restaurant category... but it's really a tiny grocery with everything you'd need and more. Full butcher and deli area. On-demand sandwiches and subs available. Great cookies here!
10 locals recommend
Lighthouse Point Grocery Inc
5262 W Lake RdMarked under the restaurant category... but it's really a tiny grocery with everything you'd need and more. Full butcher and deli area. On-demand sandwiches and subs available. Great cookies here!
Cute place in a quiet area (right around the lake in Dewittville, close to Mayville). Reviews online say this place is homey, friendly, and amazing. Good food and family friendly!
Village Restaurant
5447 E Lake RdCute place in a quiet area (right around the lake in Dewittville, close to Mayville). Reviews online say this place is homey, friendly, and amazing. Good food and family friendly!