By Kate Bartlett
Chautauqua Lake, Finger Lakes and 1,000 Islands Regions….
New York is an unforgettable destination for a road trip, boasting spectacular landscapes, a rich cultural heritage and countless memorable stops along the way. Whether you’re seeking a romantic getaway or fun-filled family vacation, the Harbor Hotel Collection has carefully crafted an Empire State Road Trip to showcase the true essence of three of New York’s most diverse and beloved regions: Chautauqua Lake, Finger Lakes and 1,000 Islands Regions.
The Empire State Road Trip combines luxurious stays at waterfront properties including Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel in the Finger Lakes region, 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, and Chautauqua Harbor Hotel on Chautauqua Lake in the Southern Tier. A three-hour drive separates Chautauqua from Watkins Glen and from Watkins Glen to 1000 Islands – with many interesting stops, natural wonders and cultural attractions along the route.
We began our journey at the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel on the southeastern shores of Chautauqua Lake. Beautifully situated on the waterfront, this property showcases the myriad of outdoor recreation and water sports that this area has become known for. Visitors enjoy the thoughtful amenities, such as indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and stylish guest rooms and suites, many offering balconies with panoramic lake views. The Lakehouse Grill and Carousel Bar offer thoughtfully crafted menus, provides the perfect spot to take in the surroundings; the perfect way to start or end a day on the lake.
Located in Celoron, The Chautauqua Harbor Hotel is just a 15-minute drive to the world-renowned National Comedy Center, home to more than 50 immersive exhibits, and Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum where costumes, photographs and memorabilia are on display in Lucy’s Hometown of Jamestown. Guests can visit the grounds of Chautauqua Institution, touring the inspirational campus that is home to many enriching speakers, cultural courses and musical performances throughout the year. Guests can immerse themselves in the lake life, relaxing on a Chautauqua Lake boat tour, or renting water sport equipment for a self-guided adventure.
We enjoyed visiting Panama Rocks, a family owned and operated scenic park since 1885, in Panama, just 20 minutes away. Panama Rocks Scenic Park has been voted #1 Ranked Trail in New York State and #1 Rated Attraction in Chautauqua County, and the family takes great pride in this attraction. The rock formations at Panama are a unique outcrop of 300-million-year-old quartz conglomerate sedimentary rock that extend about half a mile and reach upwards of 60 feet tall. The forest at Panama Rocks is recognized and included in The Sierra Club’s Guide to the Ancient Forests of the Northeast and is home to 800+ year old hemlocks, and other species of venerable trees, including ash, beech, black cherry, elm, red maple, and sugar maple. Trails are clearly marked, making exploration more accessible, and rock formations are labeled with a brief description. Panama rocks also offers glamping, and a few events throughout the year. Visit panamarocks.com and follow on social media for more information.
of Chautauqua Lake is beautifully situated on the waterfront.
This property showcases the myriad of outdoor recreation
and water sports that this area has become known for.
We also visited nearby Midway State Park in Bemus Point, one of the oldest continually operating amusement parks in the nation, and is on the National Registrar of Historic Places. Nowadays, the park is a small family sized amusement park. Patrons can enjoy a nostalgic ride on the vintage carousel, play a game of mini golf, take a spin on the tilt-a whirl and ride the go-karts or watch their children enjoy themselves on the many kiddie rides. On this visit, we tested our skills on the classic midway games in the arcade (most of which are still only 25 cents!) while taking in the beautiful lake views.
While we weren’t able to continue on a full road trip to the other Harbor Hotel locations in Watkins Glen and 1,000 islands, we can attest that these locations are simply incredible, and should be on everyone’s New York Bucket List. The Harbor Hotel collection elevates the hotel experience, providing luxurious resort accommodations to relax and rejuvenate after a day of exploring.
For more information and sample itinerary visit harborhotelcollection.com. For more information on the Chautauqua Region, visit tourchautauqua.com.