What to Do in Chautauqua County, New York in February 2007

There are many things to do here in Chautauqua County New York, even in the winter months you just have to step out our door & brave the weather! I know I tend to become a homebody during the winter. There is the occaisional sledding outing with the kids, building a snowman & of course the snowball wars. But, there are other things as well, you just have to know where to look.

The I.C.E. Festival in Mayville New York has long been a traditional winter stop for my family. We started taking the kids a few years ago, I think we missed the years they were babies. There is nothing more fun than bundling up in your winter finest & hanging out in a snow filled park checking out the ice sculptures, ice castle (if there is one) made of ice cut out of Chautauqua Lake, dodging snowmobiles, and fireworks with a bag of popcorn and a cup of hot chocolate.

Visit the events website for scheduled activities http://www.mayvilleevents.com/icefest.html Looks like it's February 17th, only one day this year.

Think the Chautauqua Institution is only for summer visitors, think again! The Currier & Ives Sleigh Rally is scheduled for February 4th from 10:30AM - 4:00PM this ends their winter sleigh rides. www.chautauqua-inst.org/

Another of my favorite tourist events is the Chautauqua Wine Trail (http://www.chautauquawinetrail.org/). They have a wine & chocolate weekend coming up on February 10 & 11th tickets are good for either or both days, but only once at each of 15 wineries. I would highly recommend a designated driver for this one, since start to finish the wine trail is very long, covers almost all of Northern Chautauqua County NY & into Erie County PA. Either a non drinking or non-wine drinking of age friend would do!

There is indoor ice skating available on either end of the county. In the North you can go to SUNY @ Fredonia Public Skates, click the link for the 2007 schedule (not free, skate rentals available), in the South you can go to the JSB Ice Arena, click link for schedule & fees.

If the weather is wintry there are places to ski (www.pknpk.com, www.cockaigne.com). Rails to Trails are great for walking if it's warmer & cross country skiing when it's snowy (http://www.cecomet.net/~crtt/index.html ).

There are numerous events that take place throughout the winter months in our county as well as countless places of interest. Great sources for events in the area are www.tourchautauqua.com and http://www.discoverchautauqua.com,

There are many schools that offer evening adult education classes or recreational activities as well. I know our school district opens up the halls for walking from 5-7, the route is mapped & is approximately 1/4 mile, it is most helpful. There are also Water Aerobics classes, swimming classes, public swims, crafting classes, some are free, some have fees, but all are worth further inspection if you are starting to feel the cabin fever setting in!

Hopefully I have given some great ideas for you to beat the boredom that can set in about January 31st (at least in normal years, this year has been unseasonably wonderful!).