Plan Your Chautauqua Experience

New to Chautauqua? First time to visit? Or just curious as to what happens here? You've come to the best place to organize your trip. These five steps will act as a guide to help you Plan Your Chautauqua Experience.

Take a look at our 2008 Events Calendar to determine when you'd like to visit. The 2008 Chautauqua season runs from June 21 through August 24. Our themed weeks offer a wide variety of speakers, shows and events, so you can be sure to come at a time that is most interesting to you.

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Accommodations If you're only coming for a day, or you already have accommodations, please skip to Step 2 -- Gate Pass -- below. With more than 170,000 visitors each season, we're well-equipped to be a gracious host. Accommodations including Inns, Cottages, Bed and Breakfasts, Apartments, Condominiums, Houses and The Athenaeum Hotel are privately owned and must be contacted directly for availability and booking. Many of our property owners make rooms available to rent by the week, a few days, or even a full season. By visiting Chautauqua's Webervations page, it's easy to find the perfect place for your stay. This site allows property owners to advertise their space and let's you shop around for what best suits your needs. Simply check the appropriate box to begin your search. It's best to book well in advance as space fills up quickly. Some accommodations also offer great sales and specials. Packages are made available through our Lodging page. Check out these great all-inclusive package deals. Also check out our Accommodations Directory for a complete listing of all lodging. If you have further questions, please call our Ticket Office at 716.357.6250 or email us. If you have a question about a specific accommodation, please contact that accommodation directly.

2

Gate Pass Chautauqua offers a variety of admission passes to the grounds. This pass entitles guests to a number of privileges, but some events still require separate tickets. Gate Tickets are required and vary according to travel dates, programming, and length of stay. Click here for your many options. A Gate Pass enables its owner/holder to attend over 200 activities each week without any extra charge, including admission to popular entertainment concerts in our open-air Amphitheater. For a complete list of gate pass privileges, please see our Ticket Booklet. Separate tickets are needed for reserved-seating performances by the Chautauqua Opera Company and the Chautauqua Theater Company. These tickets will serve as your gate pass if you'd like to only attend an opera or theater performance. If you have further questions, please call our Ticket Office at 716.357.6250 or email us.

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Parking Chautauqua is a great place to pull out that bicycle. Everything is located within reasonable walking distance so there is little need for your vehicle. After you've unpacked, there are designated parking areas for you to leave your car. Parking passes offer a space in which to leave your vehicle for the duration of your stay at Chautauqua. Pass prices vary according to lot and length of stay. Shuttles run from these lots to the grounds every thirty minutes. You must register and purchase a parking pass in order to keep your vehicle on the grounds. Some cottages and homes do have garages and driveways; however, a private parking pass is still required. Home owners may include a parking pass with the accommodation, but not all homes have a parking space. A temporary, 45-minute parking pass will be granted to drop off any baggage. Temporary baggage passes can be picked up at the entrance gate. If you have further questions, please call our Ticket Office at 716.357.6250 or email us.

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Events & Activities We offer a variety of activities in the arts, education, religion and recreation. From morning lectures to sailing lessons -- from a ceramics class to a round of golf. And that's just the beginning. With so much to do, you may have to stay for the whole season. The Chautauqua Institution is based on the idea that everyone "has a right to be all that he can be -- to know all that he can know." With this in mind, classes, discussion groups, daily lectures, and private lessons are offered for people of all ages, all summer long. Check our 2008 Summer Schedule for a listing of events and our Special Studies catalog for a listing of our education classes. Classes range from a day to a week in length and include everything from golf lessons to flower arranging -- and everything in-between. If you have further questions, please call our Ticket Office at 716.357.6250 or email us.

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Getting Here The Chautauqua Institution is located in the southwest corner of New York State, about 70 miles south of Buffalo, NY. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions and/or Maps page for help in visiting the Chautauqua Institution. If you have further questions, please call our Ticket Office at 716.357.6250 or email us.