JAMESTOWN, NY — Is it time to tap the summer vacation bonanza? While a perfect European vacation was not in the cards for me this summer, there is something to be said for the thrill of a road trip. You can say goodbye to long travel days and wait times and hello to a new and accessible destination just a few hours away. Located at the westernmost end of New York State, Chautauqua County (pronounced shuh-taa-kwuh) beckons with its unique blend of rural charm and lakeside vistas.
Its proximity to larger urban centres, such as Toronto, Niagara Falls in Ontario, and Buffalo, NY, makes it an easily accessible getaway, promising a stress-free and enjoyable journey. During the peak summer season, Chautauqua County comes abuzz with vibrant activity. From one-of-a-kind museums to festivals, sandy beaches, lakeside dining, wineries, and more, everything is waiting to be explored and enjoyed.
So, where do we start? SIP-N-SWIRL WINERIES Touring the Lake Erie Grape Belt, an 80-km trail peppered with 23 wineries famous for Concord grapes, is an area highlight for wine enthusiasts. More notably, the county boasts the largest U.S.
grape-cultivating region east of the Rockies and the largest Concord-growing region in the world. One of our wine stops is the Johnson Estate WinerY , founded in 1961, markedly the oldest estate winery in New York State. Here, Fred and Jennifer Johnson, proudly the third generation of the Johnson family, shared their thoughts on the family’s generational succe.