Other places like Chautauqua Institution

Old Feb 12th, 2012, 06:54 AM
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Other places like Chautauqua Institution

We are looking for other places like the Chautauqua Institution in NY to spend the summer. We can go anywhere in the US. A place where the entire family can learn, explore new ideas, participate in art and theater and so on. Are there other places like Chautauqua?
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Old Feb 12th, 2012, 08:42 AM
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I have a second home at Chautauqua, Randyi....and I live in the SF Bay Area. I have not heard of anything quite like Chautauqua...and it remains a fairly well-kept secret beyond Toronto, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Cleveland.

The renters who stay at my house are from all over - several have come from California - and they all say that there is no place like it.

However, I think that you could find aspects of it in Colorado, San Diego, Ashland OR, Santa Fe...where they have lively theater and music productions.....and where you could sort of create your own scientific explorer days by visiting the Sea Worlds or tide pools and museums, deserts, caves, etc...

I will watch this post to see what we can discover that we aren't aware of! I hope we find another Chautauqua!
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Old Feb 12th, 2012, 08:50 AM
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There are chataquas all over the country. The one in Boulder is lovely, and what could be prettier than Colorado in summer.
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Old Feb 12th, 2012, 08:56 AM
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Yes! Chautauqua park in Boulder, CO, is beautiful. There are family cabins to rent, an historic theater with performances all summer, gorgeous hiking trails in the Flatirons, just minutes to CU-Boulder and downtown Boulder, right below Flagstaff, and 30 minutes to Denver.

The restaurant there is superb, and one of our all-time favorites.

The cabins could fill up quickly, and I think visiting professors stay there, too.
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Old Feb 12th, 2012, 12:59 PM
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It really is pretty. Thanks for filling in the rest. We have walked around.
I'm sort of surprised the OP and the owner didn't know of the others. We have friends who have a home at the NY Chataqua and that was why I was so interested to see it in Colorado.
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Old Feb 12th, 2012, 01:13 PM
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Gretchen - I am aware of the Boulder and other locations. They are quite different than Chautuaqua NY. Check out the NY location on the web - BIG schedule lots to do - I was wondering if there is something like this elsewhere.
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Old Feb 12th, 2012, 02:39 PM
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The Chautuaqua in NY is indeed unique. I think you could cobble together a similar, but clearly not identical, experience in the Berkshires, though the emphasis would best be music and dance.
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Old Feb 12th, 2012, 04:12 PM
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The Colorado Chautauqua Park is in such an awesome setting, you don't need lots of "activities" to enjoy it. It is more a Colorado outdoor experience.

There are workshops, but I am not informed on them. We used to live close to Chautauqua, and had friends who lived there one school year.

And we go to the restaurant every year. Amazing view from the porch at sunset, awesome food and service, reasonable prices.

They often have arts and crafts shows there. It is Boulder at its best.
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Old Apr 19th, 2012, 09:06 PM
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Yes, the Colorado Chautauqua is lovely - not remotely similar other than the name. There really isn't anything like the NY one. And yes, I agree - the Berkshires, even Aspen, Sun Valley - lots of music festivals, etc.... but Chautauqua is such an all day, all week, all summer full of so many events place....

I have found that a week in Santa Fe during August can be created in a similar fashion: opera, chamber music, Indian Market, lots of art, fabulous weather, glorious outdoors and culture. Lots of history and scenery.
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Old Apr 20th, 2012, 02:51 AM
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When my father was a boy in the 1920's, there were touring Chatauqua groups that came to small towns, even in his rural part of South Carolina, and set up for several days to a week with the same kind of cultural programing -- concerts, lectures, recitals, classes. It was like having a circus come to town, only the content was intellectual. I think the depression killed this.

A Chatauqua-like atmosphere might -- might -- be found in Oak Bluffs on Martha's Vineyard, a former Methodist Sunday School encampment. I think there is a similar place on the Jersey shore, where families went away to charming gingerbread cottages for high culture and plain eating.

Something completely different except for the cottage colony aspect is or was the Neshoba County Fair in Philadelphia, MS, where families come together annually in cottages gor a week of food and fun. It is where the traditional beginning of the Mississippi political season always began. But I haven't lived in Mississippi for a long time, so it may be gone.
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Old Apr 20th, 2012, 03:45 AM
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I know about the NY Chataqua--we have friends with a home there and they spend the summer. Sorry Colorado isn't the same for you.
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Old Apr 20th, 2012, 09:26 AM
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We are planning to be in Chautauqua Institute its first week...this time with a program sponsored by Road Scholar/Elderhostel and lodged in the Atheneum Hotel. We've been other times for only a couple of days.

Yes, this is a unique place. As jubilada and others say, there spots are similar but not the same...like Oak Bluff, Conference Point at Lake Geneva, YMCA Camp in Colo, and more I'm sure. But Chautauqua is a special laid back little settlement with intellectual and spiritual and artistic offerings. Or you can golf or sail or just stroll the grounds and eat ice cream.
Bill in Boston
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Old Apr 20th, 2012, 09:28 AM
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Not at all true, "Yes, the Colorado Chautauqua is lovely - not remotely similar other than the name." Google it.
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Old Mar 9th, 2014, 09:08 AM
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I live minutes from Boulder's Chautauqua and it's beautiful. The summer's filled with symphony music (musicians from all over the world), silent movies and well known artists, along with events, lectures and workshops.

It was created in 1898 and many of the early 20th Century buildings still exist…including over 130 cabins. (All have been renovated, but still maintain the original exterior appearance.

It doesn't have a theme or as many speakers as Chautauqua, NY, but being close to Boulder and Denver, you'd have an opportunity to escape, hike trails, visit one of the largest Farmer's Markets and do a variety of things.

http://www.chautauqua.com
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Old Mar 9th, 2014, 10:49 AM
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bookmarking
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Old Mar 9th, 2014, 05:55 PM
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I live 20 minutes from Chautauqua,NY. Very unique, and in my
opinion , a one of a kind place/experience. www.ciweb.org
Sherri
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Old Jul 4th, 2015, 12:27 PM
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Suggestion: http://www.chautauquatrail.com Lots of good info and possible other trips there.

For a bit of history: http://www.lakesideohio.com/about.

On the Gulf Coast of Florida: http://seasideinstitute.org/
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Old Jul 4th, 2015, 01:22 PM
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Not sure why you are replying to a three year old post.
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Old Jul 4th, 2015, 03:02 PM
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Thanks for those links
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Old Jul 5th, 2015, 02:13 AM
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Not sure why you are replying to a three year old post.

To illustrate how some posters on here think they have the only correct answer regardless of the year?
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