Chautauqua Lake covers 13,000 acres of space with 42 miles of shoreline. All that land and beachfront offer the perfect place to kick off the city dust from your feet and relax a little with these Chautauqua Lake vacation rentals. Take your family for a long winter holiday, a summer vacation, or just a quick weekend getaway. Here are some of the top 10 Chautauqua Lake Family Activities you need to put on your to-do list.
1. Boating
Chautauqua Lake offers 13,000 acres of water, which means plenty of boating space. The seven public access points along the lake along with docks, marinas and boat rental businesses give you plenty of opportunities to take the family out on the water regardless of where you choose your vacation rental.
2. Swimming
If your family isn’t interested in boating, don’t miss the chance for some swimming. Cheney Farm, Stow Farm and Tom’s Point all offer shoreline access. Take a picnic out to the beach for a long day of sunbathing as you watch the kids swim and attempt to build sand castles.
3. Fishing
Spend a long, lazy day reconnecting with your family while catching your dinner. The Chautauqua Lake Fish and Wildlife Management Area, Midway State Park and Long Point State Park all offer fishing access. Spend a cozy winter holiday on the lake and do a little ice fishing as well.
4. Hiking
Chautauqua Lake and the surrounding areas offer plenty of hiking trails, giving you the opportunity to breathe in nature and get your kids interested in the great outdoors. The 320-acre Long Pointe State Park contains dozens of trails that thread through the forested area, giving the family an opportunity to learn about nature.
5. Cycling
Nature trails aren’t only for hiking. Go on a family bicycle ride. Some favorite local trails include the Chautauqua Lake Ride, a 50-mile path along the water that’s perfect for athletic families with older children. Jamestown boasts several bike shops to get you properly outfitted for your adventure.
6. Golfing
Both adults and children can enjoy the golfing available at Chautauqua Lake. For adult relaxation, spend some time at the 18-hole Chautauqua Golf Club, Chautauqua Point Golf Course or Bemus Point Golf Club. Teach your children to handle a golf club at one of the mini-golf courses dotting the lake such as Webb’s Miniature Golf and Putt Around Chautauqua.
7. Visiting Nature Attractions
Give your kids a more controlled nature experience at the Audubon Community Nature Center in Jamestown. This 600-acre sanctuary offers both the elderly and the young an accessible way to explore the area’s woods, fields and wetlands and the wildlife that lives there. The 5 miles of trails provide plenty of space to ramble and explore.
8. Enjoying Midway State Park
The carousel, miniature golf course, go karts, bumper boats and other rides at Midway State Park makes it an ideal getaway for the younger kids in group family. This park shares an old-fashioned sense of fun with its visitors, and lets you enjoy being a kid again yourself.
9. Skiing
Chautauqua Lake is great to visit during any season. Winter brings snow and perfect weather for skiing. Long Point State Park, on the lake’s coast, offers cross-country skiing, while Jamestown on the south side of the lake has numerous ski shops to outfit the family for a day on the slopes.
10. Snowmobiling
If you’re not a ski fan, snowmobiling is fun for any age. The Chautauqua Lake Snowmobile Club maintains up 200 miles of trails during the winter so that you and your family can enjoy a winter wonderland. Chautauqua Lake Snowmobile Services rents out snowmobiles for an exciting adventure, or take a guided tour so you can just sit back and relax.