Plan Your Visit
Lakeside Chautauqua is a nonprofit organization and year-round destination open to all for rest, renewal, growth, and reconnection.
Nestled along the south shore of Lake Erie, our beautiful waterfront community is ideal for a relaxing daytrip, week-long summer getaway, or extended family vacation.
Our Chautauqua summer season, from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, invites you to nurture mind, body, and spirit through purposeful programs in four Chautauqua pillars – religion, education, cultural arts, and recreation.
Lakeside requires guests and residents (between the ages of 5-89) to purchase a Chautauqua Pass and Auto Pass to enter the grounds during the summer. For more information, visit our Admission & Parking Fee page.
Don't forget to buy passes for your stay
Daily, weekly or, season Chautauqua Pass and Auto Pass are required for guests.
Value of a Chautauqua Pass
Lakeside’s programming is possible only through the philanthropic support of its patrons. Chautauqua Pass revenue covers only a fraction of the cost of presenting the Lakeside experience each year. A Chautauqua Pass provides admission to the grounds and the Lakeside experience and activities listed below.
Cultural Arts
- Pavilion Entertainment
- Art & Photography Shows
- Jewelry & Accessories Show
- Lakeside Symphony Orchestra Concerts
- Hoover Auditorium Evening Entertainment
- Steele Memorial Bandstand Entertainment
- Family & Kid-Friendly Evening Entertainment
- Collector Car Show
- Classic Movies in Orchestra Hall on Mondays
- Plein Air Art Festival & Lakeside Wooden Boat Show
- Craft & Art Show
- Antique Show
Recreation & Wellness
- Grindley Aquatic & Wellness Campus Pool & Wellness Center
- Daily Wellness & Fitness Classes
- Children & Family Yoga
- Children’s Swim Lessons
- Weekly Wellness Lectures
- Waterfront Splash Park & Kiddie Pool
- Waterfront Beach & Swimming
- Shuffleboard & Youth Shuffleboard League
- Youth Tennis & Pickleball Lessons
- Daily Tennis Round Robin & Open Court Play
- Daily Pickleball Mixer & Open Court Play
- The Underground Teen Activity Center
- Parks & Playgrounds
- Sand Volleyball Court
- 6 Outdoor Basketball Courts
- Gaga Ball
- Fishing (with a valid license)
- Lawn Games (Corn Hole, Oversized Chess & Checkers
- Ohio’s Most Beautiful Mile & Nature Walking Trail
- Kid’s Setting Sail Experience
Education
- Chautauqua Lecture Series
- Key Speaker Series
- Symphony Pre-Concert Talks
- Author Events
- Gardening Programs
- Weekly Wellness Lectures
- Education Workshops
- Historic Walking Tours & Lectures
- Science Rocks!
- Lakeside Heritage Society Museum & Archives Access
- Environmental Stewardship Lectures
- Storybook Trail in Cherry Park
- Fun with Books
- Garden Tour
Religious Life
- Sunday Morning Worship Services (Lakefront, Lakeside United Methodist Church & Hoover Community Worship)
- Sunday Children’s Worship Program
- Sunday Evening Sunset Praise
- Faith for Living Hour
- Tuesday Vespers by the Lake
- Thursday Roman Catholic Mass
- Labyrinth
- Religious Life Seminars
- Youth Ministry Programs
- Teen Ministry Programs
- Tuesday Dinner Along the Trail (ages 18-24)
- One-on-One Spiritual Direction Opportunities
- Weekly Centering Prayer Gatherings
- Faith Walk Devotional Booklets
Available for a Nominal Fee
- Rhein Center Classes & Workshops
- Miniature Golf
- Sailing Lessons
- Sunfish, Kayak & Stand-Up Paddleboard Rentals
- Wooden Boat Rides & Sunset Cruises
- Youth Logrolling Classes
- Select Recreation Tournaments
- 5K Racoon Run & One-Mile Fun Run
- Picnic in Perry Park (freewill donation)
Maps & Directions
Lakeside Chautauqua is located in Ohio on the Marblehead Peninsula, halfway between Toledo and Cleveland on Lake Erie’s south shore. It’s easily accessible from the east or west via Interstate 90, Route 2 and Route 163. There are many attractions and historical sites within a short driving distance.
Prior to your arrival, purchase admission and parking, download the Lakeside Chautauqua Map, view parking options and review information where to pick up your Chautauqua Passes and Auto Passes.
From Cleveland: Follow Interstate 90 W to Route 2 W (Interstate 90 becomes Route 2 just past Elyria). Follow Route 2 W to the Route 269 N, Exit 125A Lakeside/Marblehead (the first exit after the Sandusky Bay Bridge). On the exit ramp, veer to the left (Exit 125A) and follow Route 269 N to Route 163 E; at the light turn right onto East Harbor Road (Route 163). Once on East Harbor Road (Route 163) travel for approximately 4.5 miles until you reach the South Gate entrance to Lakeside Chautauqua and turn left into the parking lot. Proceed to the Welcome Center or the South Gate to purchase Chautauqua Passes and an Auto Pass or to collect your ‘will call’ passes.
From Toledo: Follow Route 2 E to Route 269 N, Exit 125 Lakeside/Marblehead. On the exit ramp, veer to the left (Exit 125A) and follow Route 269 N to Route 163 E; at the light turn right onto East Harbor Road (Route 163). Once on East Harbor Road (Route 163) travel for approximately 4.5 miles until you reach the South Gate entrance to Lakeside Chautauqua and turn left into the parking lot. Proceed to the Welcome Center or the South Gate to purchase Chautauqua Passes and an Auto Pass or to collect your ‘will call’ passes.
From Columbus: Follow Route 23 N to Route 98 N to Route 4 N to Route 2 W. Take Route 2 W to the Route 269 N, Exit 125A Lakeside/Marblehead (the first exit after the Sandusky Bay Bridge). On the exit ramp, veer to the left (Exit 125A) and follow Route 269 N to Route 163 E; at the light turn right onto East Harbor Road (Route 163). Once on East Harbor Road (Route 163) travel for approximately 4.5 miles until you reach the South Gate entrance to Lakeside Chautauqua and turn left into the parking lot. Proceed to the Welcome Center or the South Gate to purchase Chautauqua Passes and an Auto Pass or to collect your ‘will call’ passes.
From Dayton/Cincinnati: Follow Interstate 75 N to Route 12 N to Route 53 N to Route 2 E. Continue following Route 2 E until you reach the Route 269 N, Exit 125 Lakeside/Marblehead. On the exit ramp, veer to the left (Exit 125A) and follow Route 269 N to Route 163 E; at the light turn right onto East Harbor Road (Route 163). Once on East Harbor Road (Route 163) travel for approximately 4.5 miles until you reach the South Gate entrance to Lakeside Chautauqua and turn left into the parking lot. Proceed to the Welcome Center or the South Gate to purchase Chautauqua Passes and an Auto Pass or to collect your ‘will call’ passes.
From the South Gate entrance: Follow the road to Maple Avenue and turn left. Continue to follow Maple Avenue until you have reached the Fountain Inn (225 Maple Ave.) on your right. During the summer, parking is limited on the grounds; therefore, to assure your vehicle has a parking space, guests are asked to park in the South Gate Parking Lot (off State Route 163), and use the shuttle service to visit the downtown business district. Ample space is available at the South Gate Parking Lot and requires an Auto Pass during the Chautauqua summer season. When you arrive, we suggest you temporarily park along the curb near the Fountain Inn to unload and check in. There is a small parking lot adjacent to the Fountain Inn and requires an Auto Pass during the Chautauqua summer season. If there is an available spot in this lot, you are welcome to park there.
From the South Gate entrance: Follow the road to Maple Avenue and turn left. Continue to follow Maple Avenue until you have reached Hotel Lakeside (150 Maple Ave.) on your left. During the summer, parking is limited on the grounds; therefore, to assure your vehicle has a parking space, guests are asked to park in the South Gate Parking Lot (off State Route 163), and use the shuttle service to visit the downtown business district. Ample space is available at the South Gate Parking Lot and requires an Auto Pass during the Chautauqua summer season. When you arrive, we suggest you temporarily park along the curb near the Hotel Lakeside to unload and check in. There is a small parking lot behind Hotel Lakeside and requires an Auto Pass during the Chautauqua summer season. If there is an available spot in this lot, you are welcome to park there.