Near The Pennsylvania Border Is New York's Unsung Village With Lake Fun, Tasty Restaurants, And A Cute Downtown

Wedged between the New York-Pennsylvania border and Lake Erie lies the 13,000-plus-acre Chautauqua Lake. One of its most charming hubs is Bemus Point, located along the eastern shore of the 17.5-mile-long lake. This petite village was first settled in 1806 by its namesake William Bemus. His son Thomas developed the first ferry to cross the lake here, which still operates to this day. 

While tiny Bemus Point is the smallest community in Chautauqua County, this unsung village is a lovely base for a fun lakefront vacation. Measuring less than a square mile and home to just over 300 residents, Bemus Point is anchored by Main Street, which is lined with shops and restaurants. Bemus Point is also an excellent gateway to Chautauqua Lake with boating rentals available right in town. For more outdoor adventures in Bemus Point, Long Point State Park is a 320-acre park with a sandy beach, marina, and trails.

Bemus Point is located in the westernmost corner of New York, but it is easy to access. If you're flying in, the village is about an hour's drive east of Erie International Airport (ERI) in Erie, Pennsylvania, and nearly a 1.5-hour drive from Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF). The best time to visit Bemus Point for lake fun is between June and September when temperatures hover between 73 and 81 degrees Fahrenheit.

The commercial heartbeat of Bemus Point's cute downtown is primarily located along the intersection of Main Street and Lakeside Drive. Stop in for breakfast or lunch at Bemus Point Inn on Main Street, which is highly rated on Tripadvisor. Here, you can enjoy its famous jumbo cinnamon rolls, fresh omelets, traditional eggs Benedict, burgers, and sandwiches. For dinner with historic pedigree and a waterfront view, head over to the Village Casino, which has occupied its prime lakeside perch since 1930. The casino's grand ballroom once hosted legendary performers such as Frank Sinatra and Billie Holiday. Now the restaurant serves up casual tavern fare, such as cheese curds, wings, fish and chips, fresh salads, and hearty sandwiches to go along with beautiful water views. 

After eating, you can wander the cute downtown of Bemus Point and browse some of the shops. Here you will find Skillmans, a historic general store that has stood in Bemus Point since 1908; Bemus Point Pottery for locally made ceramics; or Petals & Twigs for a curated array of homewares, gifts, and Bemus Point-branded merchandise. After you've explored Bemus Point, another charming town on the lake is Chautauqua, an effortlessly beautiful resort town with water sports and idyllic beaches.

To enjoy Bemus Point's idyllic village atmosphere, consider staying overnight or for the weekend. The Hotel Lenhart, which was built in the late 19th century, is a grand, sunshine-hued hotel facing the lake. Though the historic hotel is currently undergoing a major renovation, families and groups can still book the hotel's three multi-bedroom residences. Another affordable option is the Bemus Point Lodge with a main house and motel units right on the lake.

To get out on Chautauqua Lake, head to Bemus Bay Water Toys right on Lakeside Drive, where you can rent a wide range of watercraft. Groups wanting a fun day on the water can charter the 10-person pontoons or head out on the Tiki Boat Tour for a tropical-inspired exploration of the lake. Those seeking a more active experience can also rent kayaks, hydro bikes, or two-person catamarans to paddle or pedal through the lake's waters. "We had so much fun with the small catamarans!" raved a reviewer on Google, where Bemus Bay Water Toys has a 4.9-star rating. "They were a perfect way to see some of the lake." For another fun boat experience, head north of Bemus Point to Mayville, a chic, laid-back New York village with shops, dining, and arts. Here you can embark on a cruise on the historic Chautauqua Belle, a traditional steamboat that offers scenic lake tours.

Less than two miles from downtown Bemus Point is Long Point State Park. Here you can enjoy leisurely beach days at the park's sandy beach, which is supervised by lifeguards. You can also fish directly from the piers for the lake's freshwater species, such as the native muskellunge or largemouth bass. Afterwards, head out on trails that weave through the woodlands. For another state park experience, head about 35 miles east to Allegheny State Park, western New York's "wilderness playground," where you can camp, hike, and boat.