Lakeside Chautauqua

For us, there’s no destination quite like Lakeside Chautauqua! 

Lakeside's official history began under the sponsorship of the Central Ohio Conference of the Methodist Church. 

To give you a little information about the history, in 1874, Lewis Miller, an Akron, Ohio manufacturer, and John Heyl Vincent, a Methodist minister, founded the Chautauqua Institution at Lake Chautauqua, New York. 

While its mission was to train Sunday school teachers, the Chautauqua venture thought it best to expand creating a faith-based location offering religious and secular education, and while Methodists predominated, other denominations were welcomed. Lakeside held its first Sunday school training sessions in 1877 and it evolved into a Chautauqua program during the 1890's. 

Today, Lakeside Chautauqua remains a historic community on Lake Erie that offers an abundance of opportunities that are cultural, intellectual, spiritual, and physical. 

We learned of this location when young and have been frequenting the quaint shops and unique restaurants for more than 40 years. 

Here we are getting boxed lunches from Ooh La La Fine Food and Fine Art! Their menu includes unique salads, sandwiches, baked treats, specialty beverages, and authentic Italian Gelato. 

This historic community is filled with an abundance of charming homes like the one that has the sign that states The Bud Dallas Showboat 1879.

There are many recreational opportunities including water activities, tennis, basketball, shuffleboard, and miniature golf.

If you are searching for a destination for a wedding this may be the perfect place to consider. There are waterfront inns and hotels and the Steele Memorial Bandstand/Gazebo in Bettinger Park offers a  breathtaking view of the lakefront.                      

If you appreciate history the Veteran's Memorial for the Men and Women of Danbury is a must-see. This location is just across the way from the famous Hotel Lakeside shown below. 

Hotel Lakeside ( shown here and above) was built in 1875 and is a National Historic Landmark with Victorian-era furnishings and a lovely wrap-around porch. Though we only take up a small space, we're told the lawn will seat 250 guests and accommodate large tents for outdoor ceremonies.

We are normally drawn to the view of Lake Erie from the 2nd story of the Lakeside Pavilion. This exquisite building sits directly on the Lake Erie shoreline and offers 1,500 square feet of space and one meeting room.

I'm sure you can see why we feel  Lakeside Chautauqua is a nice getaway.  Because of its easy accessibility for boats, you have the option to take a kayak tour and water taxi but we find it the perfect place to take a coastal walk.

Surrounded by the lake and sky, we are able to unwind and reconnect as a family.

It's easy to see why Lakeside  Chautauqua is a year-round destination for many.

The video is here.