Chautauqua (shi-TAW-qua) County is a quiet, seemingly boring county in southwestern tip of New York State. To newcomers, there is not much to do. Our "cities" are more like boroughs compared to the bustling nature of places like New York City, Pittsburg, Orlando, and even Erie. But if you know which nooks and crannies to look in, Chautauqua County is actually a treasure trove of fun and delightful memories. Here, I give you a list of the five best activities to do in Chautauqua County during the Fourth of July Festivities!

1. Ellicottville Brewing Company (A.K.A. EBC), Ellicottville, Fredonia, and Bemus Point, NY

So, I think, as a self-proclaimed foodie, it is appropriate to start this list with the best food joint in Chautauqua County. Ellicottville Brewing Company was founded in 1995 as a brewery. They then, over time, branched out to multiple locations and the best pub grub you can even imagine. First, let's just think about the fact that they create drafts such as the "Pantius Droppus," "Blueberry Wheat," and the "Chocolate Cherry Bomb." Who thinks to pair flavors such as these with hops and malts? Geniuses... That's who. This brewery is so popular, that their beers are featured at formal dinner events are beer pairings with five star dishes! Now don't get me wrong... They make great food, but they are a tride and true brewery in nature. One of their various locations in Chautauqua County is right on the lake, providing the perfect access to drunkenly watching fireworks without the possibility of bodily harm. So walk in the door, order a beer, and indulge in the best soft pretzels and beer cheese you've ever had in your life.

http://www.ellicottvillebrewing.com/

2. Chautauqua Gorge State Forest (A.K.A. The Gorge), Mayville, NY

Chautauqua Gorge State Forest, commonly known in Chautauqua County as The Gorge, is a beautiful free state park in the Mayville area. This state forest is free to all guests, and is basically an open area of 538 acres to do whatever your nature-nerd heart desires. There's camping, fishing, biking, and hunting. But the real reason to hit up The Gorge is to enjoy camping in the beautiful expanse of Chautauqua County's beautiful watershed. Pitch a tent in the beauty of nature, hike some trails, and have a cook out with friends in one of the most picturesque places in the county.

http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/42257.html

3. Griffis Sculpture Park, East Otto, NY

Okay.... So this isn't really in Chautauqua County. Griffis Sculpture park is in the neighboring county of Cattaraugus. But, it's worth traveling outside of Chautauqua County! Griffis Sculpture park is a park composed of 450 acres of trails, paths, and interactive art pieces. This park is suitable for families, a lone traveler, or advanced hikers and nature enthusiasts. Highlights at Griffis include "The Bathers," "The Amazonians," the "Castle Tower," and "The Maze," all of which are interactive pieces of art. Climbing a statue to obtain a blissful view of the surrounding farm lands is a breathtaking and frequent occurrence at Griffis. This place is so beyond the words of the English language. The only way to understand Griffis is to hike the trails and experience it on your own.

http://griffispark.org/griffis-sculpture-park/

4. Chautauqua County Fair, Fredonia, NY

The County Fair is a little more family oriented, but each July when it rolls around, it always brings interesting events along with it, having been named in the top ten of U.S County Fairs by USA Today. So, to set the stage for you, Chautauqua County is a large agriculture county. A big portion of our county revenue comes from farms and agricultural businesses. So the county fair loves to broadcast our strong agricultural history. There are rides, games, merchants selling crafts and jewelry, and demolition derbies. But the "crowned jewels" of the county fair are the farm and agriculture museum, train engine and train museum, and the 4H competitions and shows. So, if you love animals and history, our county fair is a good place to stop. Plus, you can't go wrong with beer, sunshine, funnel cake, and the demolition derby.

http://www.chautauquacountyfair.org/

5. Lucille Ball Comedy Fest (A.K.A Lucy Fest), Jamestown, NY

Chautauqua County was home to America's most beloved sweetheart! Lucille Ball was born in Chautauqua County in the small village of Celeron, NY. Jamestown and Celeron are VERY proud of our most famous resident (though we also housed Natalie Merchant and the 10,000 Maniacs), so every year, we honor Lucille Ball, Desi Arnez, and their achievements by hosting the Lucille Ball Comedy Fest. Now, this is no small gathering. All of Chautauqua County is in on this, and we have people travel from all around the world to perform a comedy set in Lucy's home-town. This year's line-up includes Louis Black, Trevor Noah, and Lucy's own daughter! You can't get a line-up like this anywhere else than the Lucy Fest.

http://www.lucycomedyfest.com/

Chautauqua County may be small and boring to most people, but there are a lot of hidden and remarkable things in the county. We don't specialize in urban and traditional, but we do specialize in scenic, summer fun, and personal. The only thing left to do is to grab a backpack, your hiking gear, and a camera: Get out there and revel in the joys of Chautauqua County!