Chautauqua Institution — Attraction in Town of Chautauqua

Very grateful to have had the opportunity of attending this program. As a student of the program though, I was extremely disappointed with the quality of the housing given to us. Prior to writing this review I found a bee walking across the floor of my dorm, despite the windows being sealed shut. This prompted me to question the insulation of the dorms, considering I've found numerous other bugs and spiders. Furthermore, we paid an $800 fee for the air conditioning to be installed this year, of which we were the first year to have this privilege. However, the AC broke three times within the first two weeks of my stay here, and remained broken for days at a time. Good luck doing laundry here! There are 4 washers and 4 dryers for the ballet, art, orchestra, and opera programs. Totally unreasonable. The dryer also doesn't work and I've had to dry my clothes three times just to get them at least damp. (Each cycle costs a dollar btw) So in total I spent $21 alone on laundry which is frustrating as a college student who is trying to save money. Also, the food within the institution and in the dorm dining hall are nothing exceptional. I ended up spending a lot of money on eating out at restaurants because the dining hall made me sick at times. And if you would like to doordash, you can't without looking for your driver for ten minutes because of how strict the gate pass policy is. Highly recommend coming here with a car if you are a student. Was also disappointed with how the musicians were treated during the ballet and opera cycles. We were cramped into a tight makeshift "pit" because the real pit had flooded this winter?? So instead we risked banging our tens of thousands of dollar instruments against each other for the sake of an opera cycle which was thrown together on a whim. Another great feature about this institution is nothing is open after 11 pm! And there is no food to be found after 10 pm. The food itself is ridiculously expensive for what it is. The coffee gazebo is extremely mid and costs at least $9 for a latte that is 3/4 milk and 1/4 espresso. Really liked the instruction and learned a lot here, just really disappointed with how they treat the students. Multiple students had injuries here with how much they treat us...

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 | Chautauqua Institution – A Place That Grows With You 📍 Chautauqua, NY 🗓️ “Then vs. Now” Series – Entry #4 (Updated 2025)

If you’ve never heard of Chautauqua Institution, let me introduce you to one of the most inspiring hidden gems in New York State. This isn’t just a vacation—it’s a living tradition, and for my family, a treasured chapter in our personal story.

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⏳ THEN: Early 2000s Me

As a kid visiting from nearby ski trips at Peek’n Peak, Chautauqua felt like a bonus summer world: • Sailing lessons on the lake • Tennis until sunset • Crafting a mosaic hot plate for my mom (she still has it!) • A festival for the Mars Rover that sparked my curiosity for science

It was brain food and beach fun, tucked into a lakeside town of peace, creativity, and play.

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📖 NOW: 2025 Me

Now I see what this place really gave us—a space for growth.

It’s where my dad, a passionate birder, found deep joy. Whether listening to seminars or spotting warblers in the trees, he was at peace here—and watching that shaped me.

Chautauqua’s four pillars—Arts, Education, Religion, and Recreation—still thrive. Whether it’s: • A symphony in the amphitheater • A lecture on ethics or global affairs • Quietly reading by the lake • Or picking up a book from the local bookstore

…it’s a place where your mind and spirit get to breathe.

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✅ ELITE TIPS: • Check out Theme Weeks—from climate change to world religions, there’s always something engaging. • Book sailing and tennis early—they fill up fast. • Explore the birdwatching trails, especially during migration season. • Stay near Bestor Plaza for quick access to talks, treats, music, and the pulse of Chautauqua.

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💬 Final Thoughts:

Would I recommend Chautauqua? Absolutely. Would I go back? In a heartbeat. Will I always treasure the mosaic hot plate from childhood arts & crafts? Forever.

This place meets you where you are in life—and helps you grow from there. Whether you come for the concerts, conversations, or quiet moments—you’ll...

I am hoping whoever needs to see this, sees it.

We have been coming to the CI for years and have always loved it, and still do. However, since they have redone the amphitheater we are sorely aware that the sound system, or whoever is in charge of the sound system, is utterly off.

Last night at the Temptations and Beach Boys concert (Aug 27, 2022) we were literally in pain sitting in the second section (reserved seating) struggling with the amount of unnecessary volume and enormousily high decibels, resulting in horrible dissonance/discordance. Seemed as if everyone's microphone was wwwaaayyy too loud!!! Sad to us, as both groups performed beautifully and we very much wanted to enjoy what we were seeing. This isn't the first time we've experienced this there. It also happened with the Smokey Robinson concert last year, who also gave an outstanding performance. We literally sat with our hands tightly over our ears at both performances just to tolerate the sound. Interestingly, at the ABBA concert earlier this summer, this did not happen.

The reason is they had brought their own pre-recorded backup music and didn't use the Chautauqua Institution's system in the same manner. It was completely wonderful to experience.

Last night in the ladies room several women were discussing this same issue, and I completely agreed with them.

PLEASE, PLEASE Chautauqua Institution either get someone who knows what they're doing with your sound system to run it correctly, or get them to figure out how to work it perfectly for that venue. The new system at the Chautauqua Institution does not require the same magnitude in volume as, say, an enormous stadium or outdoor venue, and does not require the same acoustics, eventhough it's that powerful. Bottom line: We do not want to be BLASTED OUT of our seats when we've paid to see a performance. It is so not necessary or...