By Darlene Brace
The Village of Bemus Point is excited to kick off the 2026 season with their “Bemus is Blooming” weekend, which will take place next weekend, May 2nd and 3rd. Local businesses throughout the village, including retail stores, restaurants, bars, and more, will celebrate the arrival of spring with open houses and other exciting activities.
One of the highlights of Bemus is Blooming is enjoying a stroll through the village along the Main Street area. You can browse through the charming shops in Bemus Point that are opening for the season, with many offering specials and promotions. For instance, Skillman’s will showcase their new spring 2026 collection and offer discounts of up to 75% off on select items from last year. Petals & Twigs Gifts and Children’s Shoppe will also have sales on certain items, while Bemus Point Pottery is hosting a spring sale on Saturday from 11-5pm. Other businesses, including Lakeside Arts and Furniture, Hogan’s Hut, Stone Outdoor Living, Modern Expressions, and more, that will be open and inviting you in to explore.
Additionally, here are some attractions and activities in Bemus Point for you to check out. The Bemus Point Historical Society will be open on Saturday from 11am-3pm, and there will be free admission to the open house at the Lawson Center during the same hours. The Bemus Point Library will also be open on Saturday from 10am-4pm. They are hosting a book sale, and you and your family can explore the children’s area, workstations, and enjoy some refreshments.
Just a few blocks away, at 4463 Mahanna Road, you’re in for a unique experience when you visit Alpacaville. Alpacaville is a Suri alpaca farm located in Bemus Point, where you and your family can spend time observing the alpacas and visit the farm store, which features homemade items. The farm will be decorated for spring and will have festive music, creating a fun and relaxing atmosphere.
Another highlight of this opening weekend is the reopening of some of the favorite places to eat in Bemus Point. Restaurants like the Bemus Point Inn and Lake Life Café have been open year-round and will continue to serve fabulous food, possibly featuring some special offerings. The Village Casino and Splash will open for the season, allowing you to enjoy lakeside views while savoring food from their amazing menus. Guppy’s Tavern is kicking off its Annual May Mexican Madness, which includes chef specials, margaritas, mojitos, and Guppy Bowls. Coppola’s will have a special on pizza and wings, while 14 Main will offer some drink specials.
As part of “Bemus is Blooming,” some restaurants are hosting special parties. The Bemus Point Golf Club and Tap House will throw a Cinco de Mayo weekend celebration, starting on Saturday. EBC Chautauqua is featuring live music with Trever Stribing on Friday evening from 6-9pm, along with beer tastings on Saturday from 2-5pm. The Green Door Tavern will host its annual Kentucky Derby Party, complete with wings, bourbon, and beer specials.
As you stroll down Main Street in Bemus Point, you will likely see a line outside the Bemus Point Market, that offers 40 flavors of Perry’s Ice Cream. This year, owner Jason is introducing a special flight of six flavors and new ice cream nachos made with waffle cone pieces and various toppings. You can also enjoy your ice cream treat in a souvenir Chautauqua Lake coffee mug. Additionally, you don’t want to miss The Happy Cow, which is another dessert spot just a block away. It features self-serve frozen yogurt with a fun toppings bar, ice cream, boba tea, and lakeside snacks.
You can see that Bemus Point is blooming with the opening of this popular destination on the banks of beautiful Chautauqua Lake. This is a great time to explore the array of shops, restaurants, and other businesses that are excited to be open again for the 2026 season, many offering specials and discounts. As you walk around the village, you can pop into a variety of shops to discover all they have to offer.
Come out to support the Bemus Point businesses May 2nd and 3rd to be a part of the fun. For more information about this event and other activities in Bemus Point, please visit visitbemuspoint.com or check out the Facebook pages of individual Bemus Point businesses for updates.