New York
The Chautauqua Experience in Summer
Program No. 20581RJStart Enrolling
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The Chautauqua Experience in Summer
The Chautauqua Experience in Summer
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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
Hotel Check-In, Registration, Reception, Orientation, Dinner
Location:
Chautauqua, NY
Meals:
D
Stay:
Athenaeum Hotel
Activity Note
Hotel check-in & Program Registration (3:00pm-5:00pm) Hotel Lobby Welcome Reception (Light Refreshments & Open Bar) (5:00pm-6:00pm) Hotel Veranda Participant Group Orientation (6:00pm-6:30pm) Hotel Parlor Buffet Dinner (6:30pm-7:30pm) Hotel Dining Room
Afternoon:
Program Registration and Hotel Check-In is held between 3:00pm-5:00pm in the hotel lobby. All guests are encouraged to check-in to their hotel accommodation with hotel staff at the front desk upon arrival. Once checked-in proceed to the Road Scholar table located in the hotel lobby to register with program staff and receive your program materials. Late arrivals will proceed to the hotel front desk to check-in and receive program materials. Welcome Reception begins at 5:00pm on the hotel veranda. Complementary canapes and refreshments will be provided, alcoholic beverages (beer, wine, cocktails) will be available in an open bar format. The Welcome Reception is an excellent opportunity to meet your fellow participants, getting to know others in the program.
Dinner:
Participant Group Orientation will be held after the Welcome Reception concludes in the hotel Parlor room between 6:00pm-6:30pm. Orientation will begin with brief welcome remarks from the Chautauqua Institution President or Hotel Leadership Team Member. Immediately following the welcome remarks, the Road Scholar Head Group Leader will introduce the Road Scholar staff and provide brief program highlights. A buffet dinner will be served in the Athenaeum Hotel Heirloom Restaurant beginning at 6:30pm The buffet will include a wide array of offerings curated by the Athenaeum Hotel Executive Chef. Offerings will incorporate general dietary restrictions. Participants are strongly encouraged to report specific dietary restrictions/allergies in the Personal Information & Preferences Form.
Evening:
Once dinner concludes everyone is invited to attend the evening programming at the Amphitheater, which is Chautauqua's Sacred Song Service. This programming is a beloved aspect of each Sunday during the Chautauqua nine-week season. The ecumenical service features the Chautauqua Choir accompanied by the Massey Memorial Organ with its 5,640 pipes performing a wide range of sacred music. The congregation is invited to join in the singing of the hymns, and the service lasts approximately an hour.
Day
2
Program Lecture, Chautauqua Programing, Evening Performance
Location:
Chautauqua, NY
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Athenaeum Hotel
Activity Note
Walking short distances to and from lecture, performance, and entertainment venues across the grounds. The extent and duration of activity levels to other non-program related activities are contingent on your personal preference and are not required. Chautauqua Institution provides a public shuttle service along designated routes. This service runs daily 8:00am-8:00pm, expect to board/exit shuttle buses and trams.
Breakfast:
Hot Breakfast Buffet available 7:00am-10:00am in the Athenaeum Hotel Heirloom Restaurant. Participants will dine together in a reserved section of the restaurant marked with Road Scholar signs.
Morning:
Morning speaker lectures will begin promptly at 9:00am in the Athenaeum Hotel Parlor room with our weekly Road Scholar speaker in residence. Chautauqua Institution Public Lecture: 10:45am-12:00pm in the Amphitheater. Most up to date schedule can be found at chq.org/events/month/2026-08/
Lunch:
Manhattan Deli Lunch available 12:00pm-1:30pm in the Athenaeum Hotel Heirloom Restaurant. Participants will dine together in a reserved section of the restaurant marked with Road Scholar signs.
Afternoon:
Road Scholar participants are welcome to choose from a variety of lectures, classes, and recreational activities programmed by Chautauqua Institution. A key highlight during the afternoon is the Interfaith Lecture Series held at 2:00pm at the Hall of Philosophy. Sponsored by the Chautauqua Institution Department of Religion. Other Chautauqua Institution offerings include, but are not limited to, Chautauqua Institution historical tours by shuttle bus, exploring the grounds independently by visiting the art galleries, bookstore, shops, and library, or simply by relaxing on the Athenaeum Hotel veranda. Available recreational activities include lawn bowling, tennis, sailing, kayaking, nature walks, walking, running, golf, cycling, and use of fitness facilities.
Dinner:
Served Dinner 6:00pm-7:30pm in the Athenaeum Hotel Heirloom Restaurant. Participants will dine together in a reserved section of the restaurant marked with Road Scholar signs.
Evening:
Evening Entertainment generally begins at 8:15pm in the Chautauqua Institution Amphitheater. Your program group leader will keep participants informed of any time changes to the evening entertainment schedule.
Day
3
Program Lecture, Chautauqua Programing, Evening Performance
Location:
Chautauqua, NY
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Athenaeum Hotel
Activity Note
Walking short distances to and from lecture, performance, and entertainment venues across the grounds. The extent and duration of activity levels to other non-program related activities are contingent on your personal preference and are not required. Chautauqua Institution provides a public shuttle service along designated routes. This service runs daily 8:00am-8:00pm, expect to board/exit shuttle buses and trams.
Breakfast:
Hot Breakfast Buffet available 7:00am-10:00am in the Athenaeum Hotel Heirloom Restaurant. Participants will dine together in a reserved section of the restaurant marked with Road Scholar signs.
Morning:
Morning speaker lectures will begin promptly at 9:00am in the Athenaeum Hotel Parlor room with our weekly Road Scholar speaker in residence. Chautauqua Institution Public Lecture: 10:45am-12:00pm in the Amphitheater. Most up to date schedule can be found at chq.org/events/month/2026-08/
Lunch:
Tuesday afternoon lunch is not included in the program cost for the week. The lunch period will be on your own, providing an opportunity for you to explore the various food venues on the grounds (Double Eagle Golf Club, 3-Taps Food Truck, Brick Walk Cafe, Coffee Gazebo, Afterwords Wine Bar, and Hurlbut Church). Program group leaders and hotel staff are happy to make other recommendations.
Afternoon:
Road Scholar participants are welcome to choose from a variety of lectures, classes, and recreational activities programmed by Chautauqua Institution. A key highlight during the afternoon is the Interfaith Lecture Series held at 2:00pm at the Hall of Philosophy. Sponsored by the Chautauqua Institution Department of Religion. Other Chautauqua Institution offerings include, but are not limited to, Chautauqua Institution historical tours by shuttle bus, exploring the grounds independently by visiting the art galleries, bookstore, shops, and library, or simply by relaxing on the Athenaeum Hotel veranda. Available recreational activities include lawn bowling, tennis, sailing, kayaking, nature walks, walking, running, golf, cycling, and use of fitness facilities.
Dinner:
Served Dinner 6:00pm-7:30pm in the Athenaeum Hotel Heirloom Restaurant. Participants will dine together in a reserved section of the restaurant marked with Road Scholar signs.
Evening:
Evening Entertainment generally begins at 8:15pm in the Chautauqua Institution Amphitheater. Your program group leader will keep participants informed of any time changes to the evening entertainment schedule.
Day
4
Program Lecture, Chautauqua Programing, Evening Performance
Location:
Chautauqua, NY
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Athenaeum Hotel
Activity Note
Walking short distances to and from lecture, performance, and entertainment venues across the grounds. The extent and duration of activity levels to other non-program related activities are contingent on your personal preference and are not required. Chautauqua Institution provides a public shuttle service along designated routes. This service runs daily 8:00am-8:00pm, expect to board/exit shuttle buses and trams.
Breakfast:
Hot Breakfast Buffet available 7:00am-10:00am in the Athenaeum Hotel Heirloom Restaurant. Participants will dine together in a reserved section of the restaurant marked with Road Scholar signs.
Morning:
Morning speaker lectures will begin promptly at 9:00am in the Athenaeum Hotel Parlor room with our weekly Road Scholar speaker in residence. Chautauqua Institution Public Lecture: 10:45am-12:00pm in the Amphitheater. Most up to date schedule can be found at chq.org/events/month/2026-08/
Lunch:
Manhattan Deli Lunch available 12:00pm-1:30pm in the Athenaeum Hotel Heirloom Restaurant. Participants will dine together in a reserved section of the restaurant marked with Road Scholar signs.
Afternoon:
Road Scholar participants are welcome to choose from a variety of lectures, classes, and recreational activities programmed by Chautauqua Institution. A key highlight during the afternoon is the Interfaith Lecture Series held at 2:00pm at the Hall of Philosophy. Sponsored by the Chautauqua Institution Department of Religion. Other Chautauqua Institution offerings include, but are not limited to, Chautauqua Institution historical tours by shuttle bus, exploring the grounds independently by visiting the art galleries, bookstore, shops, and library, or simply by relaxing on the Athenaeum Hotel veranda. Available recreational activities include lawn bowling, tennis, sailing, kayaking, nature walks, walking, running, golf, cycling, and use of fitness facilities.
Dinner:
Served Dinner 6:00pm-7:30pm in the Athenaeum Hotel Heirloom Restaurant. Participants will dine together in a reserved section of the restaurant marked with Road Scholar signs.
Evening:
Evening Entertainment generally begins at 8:15pm in the Chautauqua Institution Amphitheater. Your program group leader will keep participants informed of any time changes to the evening entertainment schedule.
Day
5
Program Lecture, Chautauqua Programing, Evening Performance
Location:
Chautauqua, NY
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Athenaeum Hotel
Activity Note
Walking short distances to and from lecture, performance, and entertainment venues across the grounds. The extent and duration of activity levels to other non-program related activities are contingent on your personal preference and are not required. Chautauqua Institution provides a public shuttle service along designated routes. This service runs daily 8:00am-8:00pm, expect to board/exit shuttle buses and trams.
Breakfast:
Hot Breakfast Buffet available 7:00am-10:00am in the Athenaeum Hotel Heirloom Restaurant. Participants will dine together in a reserved section of the restaurant marked with Road Scholar signs.
Morning:
Morning speaker lectures will begin promptly at 9:00am in the Athenaeum Hotel Parlor room with our weekly Road Scholar speaker in residence. Chautauqua Institution Public Lecture: 10:45am-12:00pm in the Amphitheater. Most up to date schedule can be found at chq.org/events/month/2026-08/
Lunch:
Thursday afternoon lunch is not included in the program cost for the week. The lunch period will be on your own, providing an opportunity for you to explore the various food venues on the grounds (Double Eagle Golf Club, 3-Taps Food Truck, Brick Walk Cafe, Coffee Gazebo, Afterwords Wine Bar, and Hurlbut Church). Program group leaders and hotel staff are happy to make other recommendations.
Afternoon:
Road Scholar participants are welcome to choose from a variety of lectures, classes, and recreational activities programmed by Chautauqua Institution. A key highlight during the afternoon is the Interfaith Lecture Series held at 2:00pm at the Hall of Philosophy. Sponsored by the Chautauqua Institution Department of Religion. Other Chautauqua Institution offerings include, but are not limited to, Chautauqua Institution historical tours by shuttle bus, exploring the grounds independently by visiting the art galleries, bookstore, shops, and library, or simply by relaxing on the Athenaeum Hotel veranda. Available recreational activities include lawn bowling, tennis, sailing, kayaking, nature walks, walking, running, golf, cycling, and use of fitness facilities.
Dinner:
Served Dinner 6:00pm-7:30pm in the Athenaeum Hotel Heirloom Restaurant. Participants will dine together in a reserved section of the restaurant marked with Road Scholar signs.
Evening:
Evening Entertainment generally begins at 8:15pm in the Chautauqua Institution Amphitheater. Your program group leader will keep participants informed of any time changes to the evening entertainment schedule.
Day
6
Program Lecture, Chautauqua Programing, Evening Performance
Location:
Chautauqua, NY
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Athenaeum Hotel
Activity Note
Walking short distances to and from lecture, performance, and entertainment venues across the grounds. The extent and duration of activity levels to other non-program related activities are contingent on your personal preference and are not required. Chautauqua Institution provides a public shuttle service along designated routes. This service runs daily 8:00am-8:00pm, expect to board/exit shuttle buses and trams.
Breakfast:
Hot Breakfast Buffet available 7:00am-10:00am in the Athenaeum Hotel Heirloom Restaurant. Participants will dine together in a reserved section of the restaurant marked with Road Scholar signs.
Morning:
Morning speaker lectures will begin promptly at 9:00am in the Athenaeum Hotel Parlor room with our weekly Road Scholar speaker in residence. Chautauqua Institution Public Lecture: 10:45am-12:00pm in the Amphitheater. Most up to date schedule can be found at chq.org/events/month/2026-08/
Lunch:
Manhattan Deli Lunch available 12:00pm-1:30pm in the Athenaeum Hotel Heirloom Restaurant. Participants will dine together in a reserved section of the restaurant marked with Road Scholar signs.
Afternoon:
Road Scholar participants are welcome to choose from a variety of lectures, classes, and recreational activities programmed by Chautauqua Institution. A key weekly highlight during the afternoon is the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle Book of the Week Author Reading and Presentation. This session takes place at 2:00pm at the Hall of Philosophy. Other Chautauqua Institution offerings include, but are not limited to, Chautauqua Institution historical tours by shuttle bus, exploring the grounds independently by visiting the art galleries, bookstore, shops, and library, or simply by relaxing on the Athenaeum Hotel veranda. Available recreational activities include lawn bowling, tennis, sailing, kayaking, nature walks, walking, running, golf, cycling, and use of fitness facilities.
Dinner:
Farewell Reception begins at 5:00pm on the hotel veranda. Complementary canapes and refreshments will be provided, alcoholic beverages (beer, wine, cocktails) will be available in an open bar format. The Farewell Reception is an excellent opportunity to wrap up the stimulating discourse and discussion from the week's lectures with your fellow participants. Buffet Dinner available (6:00pm-7:30pm) in the Athenaeum Hotel Heirloom Restaurant. Participants will dine together in a reserved section of the restaurant marked with Road Scholar signs.
Evening:
Evening Entertainment generally begins at 8:15pm in the Chautauqua Institution Amphitheater. Your program group leader will keep participants informed of any time changes to the evening entertainment schedule.
Day
7
Breakfast, Hotel Check-Out, Program Conclusion
Location:
Chautauqua, NY
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Breakfast Buffet - (7:00am-10:00am) Hotel Check-Out & Program Conclusion - (10:00am) - Hotel Lobby
Breakfast:
Hot Breakfast Buffet available 7:00am-10:00am in the Athenaeum Hotel Heirloom Restaurant. Participants will dine together in a reserved section of the restaurant marked with Road Scholar signs. This meal period will conclude our program.
Morning:
We are grateful for your time spent with us here at the Athenaeum Hotel and Chautauqua Institution and look forward to a future return. If you are returning home, we wish you safe travels. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program with us, detailed instructions are included in your Information packet from that program.
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Please Note:
This program has itinerary variations on certain dates.
Aug 23 - Aug 29, 2026 Itinerary Differences:
This week’s theme: “The Importance of Gathering: A Collaboration with the Smithsonian Folklife Festival” in collaboration with the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Chautauqua investigates and celebrates togetherness as a critical component of what it means to be human. For more than 150 years, the essence of Chautauqua, the most fulsome expression of its mission and work, has been a stretch of summertime in which thousands of people gather on our verdant, rural 220-acre grounds. These folks gather to learn, to feel, to pray, to play, and much more — and each of these experiences is made all the more rich because they are experienced together.