Locals Love ... Mayville, New York

Ben Webb has lived everywhere from Austria to Atlanta. But when it came time to decide with his wife, Amy, where to raise a family, they returned to Mayville, a charming village on Chautauqua Lake. Ben’s family has owned myriad businesses in Mayville since the 1940s, including the Webb’s Year Round Resort, the Captain’s Table restaurant, a store called the Cottage Connection, a candy shop, and a miniature golf course. webbscaptainstable.com

On Mayville: “Mayville has always been a destination, with the Chautauqua Institution just down the road. That’s such a world-renowned facility, and it’s amazing to have an asset like that so close. Plus, we have the lake, the wineries and skiing nearby… . There’s never been a shortage of attractions. Now we have the National Comedy Center on the other end of the lake too — it’s literally a national treasure, and it’s right here.” 

Loving Chautauqua Lake: “In the summer we use our family boat to go tubing and waterskiing and wakeboarding. It’s always a good time.”

New Place to Try: Big Inlet Brewing, which recently opened on the outskirts of Mayville. “They took an old barn and retrofitted it and turned it into a brewery, so it’s really great, plus it’s really good beer.” biginletbrewing.com

Favorite Restaurant: “In Mayville, we like Andriaccio’s. When we’re in Jamestown, we choose Forte, where we like their sushi. We also like Rocco’s Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge for Italian food, which is a little bit off the beaten path in Fredonia.”

Favorite Season: “I’d have to say fall. I’m a little bit of a sportsman, and I love to fish and hunt here in the fall. But I also love how crisp the air gets and the smell of fall here. Plus, fall is harvest time, which is so important around here. We’ve got apples, grapes, pumpkins — it’s truly the plentiful season in Chautauqua County.