To celebrate its 125th summer, the arts-and-education colony Chautauqua, in southwestern New York, has planned a heavy, heady calendar exploring weekly themes like God, beauty, justice, and creativity. Come hear Sandra Day O’Connor, Deepak Chopra, Calvin Butts, and other fine minds pick apart life’s thorny issues in a bucolic Victorian setting. (The season runs from June 26 to August 29; this week, the theme is Society: David Broder will lecture, and Wynonna will sing.) Consider staying at Glendorn, a luxurious mountain camp resort just an hour away in northwestern Pennsylvania, and drive to Chautauqua for a day or an evening visit. Stay in one of the cabins or the Hansel-and-Gretel-style Big House, built in 1928 for the wealthy Dorn family. The 1,280-acre wooded property offers pool and lake swimming, biking, canoeing, tennis, trap and skeet shooting, bass and trout fishing, and miles of trails through wildlife-dense woods. Later, you’ll be amazed at how well you sleep, soothed by that intoxicating mix of mountain air, wood smoke – and unlimited wine at dinner.
DETAILS Glendorn (800-843-8568; www.glendorn.com; summer rates start at $425, meals included); Chautauqua (800-836-ARTS; www.chautauqua-inst.org); USAir flies into Bradford (for Glendorn) and the Chautauqua County airport (800-428-4322).