The Escape Home: Chautauqua is the hidden New York vacation town you’ve never heard of

In rural southwestern New York State, there is a small lakefront town named Chautauqua. Less than 200 people live there year round. At the start of summer, when vacation-home owners and their Airbnb ABNB guests arrive, the population swells to more than 10,000. During peak season in July and August, the lakefront town accommodates over 100,000 people, most of whom come to attend an annual assembly of cultural, artistic, recreational and interfaith spiritual events.

Never…