New York
The Chautauqua Experience in Summer
Program No. 20581RJ
Founded in 1874, the Chautauqua Institution is a celebration of art, history and culture. Join us for classes, lectures and performances, all in a uniquely American lakeside village.
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date.
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While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
7 days
6 nights
What's Included
15 meals (
6B, 3L, 6D
)
15 expert-led lectures
5 performances
An experienced Group Leader
6 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Registration, Reception, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Location:
Chautauqua, NY
Meals:
D
Stay:
Athenaeum Hotel
Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m.
Afternoon:
After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table in the lobby to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. Welcome Reception: 5:00 p.m. We will gather on the hotel veranda (weather permitting) and enjoy complimentary canapés, beer, wine, and soft drinks. This will be an excellent opportunity to meet fellow Road Scholars and share stories of learning adventures past.
Dinner:
6:45 PM in the Heirloom Restaurant we will eat together at the tables that are reserved for Road Scholar. Everyone who would like to do so is welcome to attend the Sacred Song Service in the Amphitheater at 8:00 p.m., a beloved aspect of each Sunday during the Chautauqua season. The ecumenical service features the Chautauqua Choir, accompanied by the Massey Memorial Organ with its 5,640 pipes, performing a broad range of sacred music. The congregation is invited to join in singing the hymns, and the service lasts about an hour. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Evening:
Orientation 6 PM in the hotel Parlor. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Each full day of the program, we will have a Road Scholar exclusive lecture from 9:00-10:30 a.m. followed by a public lecture for the entire Chautauqua community in the Amphitheater — adjacent to the hotel — from 10:45 a.m. until Noon. There will be a choice of lectures and activities in the afternoons and an entertainment event in the evenings. Each program date will have a different theme and Road Scholar lecturer. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/current conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Day
2
Road Scholar Class, Public Lecture, Electives, Performance
Location:
Chautauqua, NY
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Athenaeum Hotel
Activity Note
Extent of walking and other non-class activities according to personal choice. Shuttles and trams available to move around the grounds.
Breakfast:
In the hotel dining room.
Morning:
Road Scholar Class: 9:00-10:30 a.m. We’ll meet in the hotel parlor with our Road Scholar instructor in residence for this program, Philip Shull. Public Lecture: 10:45 a.m.-12:00 p.m. in the Amphitheater. Today's presentation is with Mary Matalin; presidential advisor, commentator and author; and "Ragin Cajun" James Carville; political consultant, commentator and author. They will have a conversation exploring themes of transformation in our current political and media moments.
Lunch:
In the hotel dining room. We will dine as a group at tables reserved for Road Scholar. Take this opportunity to discuss the morning lectures.
Afternoon:
Interfaith Lecture Series: 2:00 p.m. in the Hall of Philosophy. Road Scholars are also welcome to choose from a variety of other lectures, classes, and recreational activities. For example, you may enjoy the 4:00 p.m. Monday chamber music series in Lenna Hall. Today Grammy-winning guitarist Sharon Ibsin joins forces with the Pacifica Quartet. Other possibilities include overviews of the Chautauqua campus by bus, exploring the campus independently, seeing what’s on at an art gallery, curling up with a book, or simply relaxing. Available recreational activities include lawn bowling, tennis, sailing, kayaking, nature walks, walking, running, golf, cycling, and use of gym facilities.
Dinner:
In the hotel dining room.
Evening:
Evening Entertainment: 8:15 p.m. in the Amphitheater.
Day
3
Road Scholar Class, Public Lecture, Electives, Performance
Location:
Chautauqua, NY
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Athenaeum Hotel
Activity Note
Extent of walking and other non-class activities according to personal choice. Shuttles and trams available to move around the grounds.
Breakfast:
Hotel dining room.
Morning:
Road Scholar Class: 9:00-10:30 a.m. We’ll meet in the hotel parlor with our Road Scholar instructor in residence. Public Lecture: 10:45 a.m.-12:00 p.m. in the Amphitheater.
Lunch:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Afternoon:
Interfaith Lecture Series: 2:00 p.m. in the Hall of Philosophy, sponsored by the Chautauqua Department of Religion. This week's theme is Potluck Nation, Why We need Each Other to Survive; and today's speakers are Jenan Mohajir, Vice President of External Affairs and Rebecca Russo, Vice President of Higher Education Strategy for Interfaith America. Alternatively, you are welcome to choose from a variety of lectures, classes, exploring the Chautauqua campus, and recreational activities.
Dinner:
Hotel dining room.
Evening:
Evening Entertainment: 8:15 p.m. in the Amphitheater.
Day
4
Road Scholar Class, Public Lecture, Electives, Performance
Location:
Chautauqua, NY
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Athenaeum Hotel
Activity Note
Extent of walking and other non-class activities according to personal choice. Shuttles and trams available to move around the grounds.
Breakfast:
Hotel dining room.
Morning:
Road Scholar Class: 9:00-10:30 a.m. We’ll meet in the hotel parlor with our Road Scholar instructor in residence. Public Lecture: 10:45 a.m.-12:00 p.m. in the Amphitheater. Today's speaker is Sian Leah Beilock, President, Dartmouth College.
Lunch:
Hotel dining room.
Afternoon:
Interfaith Lecture Series: 2:00 p.m. in the Hall of Philosophy, sponsored by the Chautauqua Department of Religion. At 3:30 in the Hall of Philosophy the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle (CLSC) will present a discussion with Jonathan Eig, author of King: A Life. Alternatively, you are welcome to choose from a variety of lectures, classes, exploring the Chautauqua campus, and recreational activities.
Dinner:
Hotel dining room.
Evening:
Evening Entertainment: 8:15 p.m. in the Amphitheater.
Day
5
Road Scholar Class, Public Lecture, Electives, Performance
Location:
Chautauqua, NY
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Athenaeum Hotel
Activity Note
Extent of walking and other non-class activities according to personal choice. Shuttles and trams available to move around the grounds.
Breakfast:
Hotel dining room.
Morning:
Road Scholar Class: 9:00-10:30 a.m. We’ll meet in the hotel parlor with our Road Scholar instructor in residence. Public Lecture: 10:45 a.m.-12:00 p.m. in the Amphitheater.
Lunch:
On your own to have what you like from choices available on the Chautauqua grounds. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Afternoon:
Interfaith Lecture Series: 2:00 p.m. in the Hall of Philosophy, sponsored by the Chautauqua Department of Religion. Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle Lecture: 3:30 p.m. Alternatively, you are welcome to choose from a variety of lectures, classes, exploring the Chautauqua campus, and recreational activities.
Dinner:
Hotel dining room.
Evening:
Evening Entertainment: 8:15 p.m. in the Amphitheater.
Day
6
Road Scholar Class, Public Lecture, Electives, Performance
Location:
Chautauqua, NY
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Athenaeum Hotel
Activity Note
Extent of walking and other non-class activities according to personal choice. Shuttles and trams available to move around the grounds.
Breakfast:
Hotel dining room.
Morning:
Road Scholar Class: 9:00-10:30 AM. We’ll meet in the hotel parlor with our Road Scholar instructor in residence. Public Lecture: 10:45 a.m.-12:00 p.m. in the Amphitheater. Today's speaker is Chris Hayes of MSNBC's "All In with Chris Hayes", and author of The Sirens' Call: How Attention Became the World's Most Endangered Resource.
Lunch:
Hotel dining room.
Afternoon:
Interfaith Lecture Series: 2:00 p.m. in the Hall of Philosophy, sponsored by the Chautauqua Department of Religion. Alternatively, you are welcome to choose from a variety of lectures, classes, exploring the Chautauqua campus, and recreational activities. Road Scholar reception: 5:00 p.m. We will gather on the hotel veranda (weather permitting) for a closing reception including complimentary canapés, beer, wine, and soft drinks.. An excellent opportunity to discuss the ideas we have encountered at Chautauqua.
Dinner:
Hotel dining room. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
Evening Entertainment: 8:15 p.m. in the Amphitheater. Tonight Grammy Award winner Diana Krall will perform.
Day
7
Program Concludes
Location:
Chautauqua, NY
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Hotel check out is 10:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
Hotel dining room. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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Please Note:
This program has itinerary variations on certain dates.
Jun 22, 2025 - Jun 28, 2025
Jun 22, 2025 - Jun 28, 2025
Jun 29, 2025 - Jul 05, 2025
Jul 06, 2025 - Jul 12, 2025
Jul 13, 2025 - Jul 19, 2025
Jul 20, 2025 - Jul 26, 2025
Jul 27, 2025 - Aug 02, 2025
Aug 03, 2025 - Aug 09, 2025
Aug 10, 2025 - Aug 16, 2025
Aug 17, 2025 - Aug 23, 2025
Jun 22 - Jun 28, 2025 Itinerary Differences:
This week's Chautauqua Lecture Series theme is "Themes of Transformation: Forces Shaping Our Tomorrow"
The interfaith theme is "Potluck Nation: Why We Need Each Other to Thrive"
