Things to do in  Jamestown

Opened in 2018, the National Comedy Center in Jamestown is the nation’s official cultural institution dedicated to comedy as an art form. Featuring more than 50 immersive exhibits and interactive experiences, the museum celebrates the great minds and voices of American comedy and gives visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the comedic process.

Located in her hometown of Jamestown, New York, the Lucille Ball Museum is an homage to all things I Love Lucy, one of the greatest sitcoms of all time, as well as the couple who created it. A must for fans of the show, step onto exact recreations of the I Love Lucy sets, admire Lucille and Desi’s awards, check out original costumes, and soak up the lives and legacies of Ball and Arnaz.

Extending from the southeastern shore of Lake Erie down to the Pennsylvania border, the westernmost region of New York State is an outdoor playground. Here, you’ll find campgrounds, bike paths, hiking trails, and sandy beaches in scenic state parks as well as farmers markets, wineries, and local historical sites.

Learn Chautauqua County history and heritage at the Fenton History Center, a museum and research center run by the local history society. Inside an Italian villa-style mansion, find preserved period rooms and exhibits on topics ranging from local genealogy and the underground railroad to American actress Lucille Ball, born in Jamestown.