Part of the Western NY Hub
Jamestown, NY is Lucille Ball’s hometown and home to the National Comedy Center — the first state-of-the-art museum dedicated to comedy. Located at the south end of Chautauqua Lake, Jamestown offers year-round comedy, downtown dining, the Northwest Arena, and free public access to the lake at McCrea Point Park.
Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum + National Comedy Center
Lucille Ball Museum Desi Arnaz Museum
- Address: 2 W 3rd St, Jamestown, NY 14701.
- Phone: (716)484-0800
- Website: Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum
- Admission: Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum - $23.00 Additional fees might apply.
- Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible entrance, parking lot & restroom.
- Offerings Gift shop, Theater
- Highlights: Active military discounts
Museum in Lucille Ball's hometown displays Lucy/Desi sets & costumes & hosts an annual comedy fest.
📍 Get Maps Directions
Lucy Desi Museum & Gift Shop Hours & Admission
- Thu – Mon: 10 AM – 5 PM,
- Tue: 10 AM – 5 PM, (Open Tuesday, Memorial Day through Labor Day Only),
- Wed: Closed
- Holiday Hours:
- Thanksgiving: Closed
- Christmas Eve: Closed (The National Comedy Center and The Comedy Shop will be open 10 am – 2 pm. You may purchase Lucy Desi Museum gift cards at either location.)
- Easter: Closed, Christmas: Closed, New Year’s Day: Closed
- New Year’s Eve: Closed (The National Comedy Center and The Comedy Shop will be open 10 am – 2 pm.)
- Memorial Day: 10 AM – 5 PM
- 4th of July: 10 AM – 5 PM
- Labor Day: 10 AM – 5 PM
Lucy Desi Museum Admission Pricing
- Adult: $23.00
- Senior (60+): $22.00
- College Student: $20.00
- Youth (13-17): $20.00
- Child (6-12): $18.00
- Child (0-5): Free
- Chautauqua County Resident: $14-$19
- Active Military and Veterans: $18.00
- Group (20+):Contact our group sales office at GroupSales@Lucy-Desi.com
National Comedy Center
- Address: 203 W 2nd St, Jamestown, NY 14701
- Phone: (716) 484-2222
- Website: National Comedy Center
- Admission: Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum - $23.00 Additional fees might apply.
- Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible entrance, parking lot, restroom & seating.
- Offerings: Gift shop, Theater
- Amenities: Cafe, Restaurant, Restrooms
- Highlights: Active military discounts
Cutting-edge institution exploring the history of American stand-up, late-night shows & more.
📍 Get Maps Directions
National Comedy Center Museum Hours & Admissions
- Thu – Mon: 10 AM – 5 PM
- Tue: 10 AM – 5 PM (Open Tuesday, Memorial Day through Labor Day Only)
- Wed: Closed
Holiday Hours
- Thanksgiving: Closed
- Christmas Eve: 10 AM – 2 PM
- Christmas: Closed
- New Year’s Eve: 10 AM – 2 PM
- New Year’s Day: Closed
- Easter: Closed
- Memorial Day: 10 AM – 5 PM
- 4th of July: 10 AM – 5 PM
- Labor Day: 10 AM – 5 PM
National Comedy Center Museum Admission
- Adults: $37.00
- Seniors (60+): $35.00
- College Students: $32.00
- Youth (13-17): $30.00
- Child (6-12): $24.00
- Child (0-5): Free
- Chautauqua County, NY Resident - Discounted Admission Prices
- Buy Online and Save! - $2 discount on each ticket automatically when you purchase tickets online.
- Tickets are fully refundable up to 24 hours prior to your reservation.
- Active Military and Veterans - Discounted Admission Prices
Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum + National Comedy Center Dual Admission
All Day Pass for the award-winning National Comedy Center and the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum.
You can also spend a day at each museum on two successive days.
Includes all of the featured benefits for each museum experience.
- Adult: $45.00
- Senior (60+): $42.50
- College Students: $38.50
- Youth (13-17): $38.00
- Child (6-12): $32.00
- Child (0-5): Free
- Buy Online and Save! - $2 discount on each ticket automatically when you purchase tickets online.
- Tickets are fully refundable up to 24 hours prior to your reservation.
- Active Military and Veterans, Click here for Discounted Ticket Prices
- Discounted admissions to Chautauqua County Residents
Downtown Jamestown: Restaurants, Arena & Riverwalk
Northwest Arena
Address: 319 W 3rd St, Jamestown, NY 14701
Phone: (716) 484-2624
Website: Northwest Arena
The Northwest Arena in Jamestown, NY, features an extensive lineup of upcoming community, sports, and major comedy events throughout the summer and fall of 2026.
📍 Get Maps Directions
Greater Jamestown Riverwalk
The Jamestown River Walk is an illuminated urban trail system running right along the Chadakoin River.
Trails: Includes the Riverwalk Bike Path and dedicated footpaths perfect for family walks, jogging, and biking.
Amenities: Features pet-friendly hiking trails, open picnic areas, and accessible docks optimized for river fishing.
📍 Get Maps Directions
Northwest Arena
- Facilities: Features two large, well-maintained ice rinks, a snack bar, and an on-site bar.
- Activities: Hosts public ice-skating sessions, hockey games, curling, ice bumper cars, and regional craft shows.
- 📍 Get Maps Directions
The Northwest Arena features an extensive lineup of upcoming community, sports, and major comedy events throughout the
summer and fall of 2026.
July 2026 Events:
- The Zone Grand Opening: Saturday, July 11, 2026 @ 10:00 AM. Celebrate the official launch of the brand new interactive play and sports space inside the arena.
- Hot Mess Express Roller Derby Mixer: Saturday, July 11, 2026 @ 5:15 PM. Full-contact flat track roller derby season opener hosted by the Warrin' Wrecking Dolls ($8 presale / $10 door).
- Summer Free Play & Youth Programs: Mondays throughout July (Select dates: July 6 – August 17). Special active youth sessions like Toddler Time (9:30 AM) and Summer Free Play (10:00 AM) inside TheZone.
- 23rd Annual Scandinavian Folk Festival: Saturday, July 18 (10:00 AM) & Sunday, July 19, 2026 (12:00 PM). A massive celebration of heritage featuring live Nordic folk music, traditional dancing, folk crafts, Viking games, and regional cuisine ($5 entry).
Murder Mystery Dinner Experience:
- Friday, July 24 & Saturday, July 25, 2026 @ 6:00 PM. An interactive, western-themed murder mystery theatrical performance paired with a full buffet dinner.
- Lucille Ball Comedy Festival (August 6–9, 2026) The arena transforms into a major performance venue for the
- National Comedy Center's annual festival, featuring world-class headliners:
- Jerry Seinfeld: Thursday, August 6, 2026 @ 7:00 PM.
- Bert Kreischer: Saturday, August 8, 2026 @ 7:00 PM and 9:30 PM.
- Seth Meyers: Sunday, August 9, 2026 @ 5:00 PM.
Fall 2026 Events
- "No Mercy": Saturday, September 12, 2026 @ 3:00 PM. A highly energetic afternoon of live amateur championship boxing
- featuring music, fighter walkouts, and concessions.
- CCHS Pet Expo '26:
- Saturday, October 17, 2026 @ 12:00 PM. Meet local adoptable pets, explore regional vendor markets, and watch live animal demonstrations.
Chautauqua Lake in Jamestown: McCrea Point Park & Boat Launch
McCrea Point Park & Public Boat Launch is a highly-rated riverside park located at 14 Jones and Gifford Ave, Jamestown, NY 14701,
offering direct water access for boaters, paddlers, and families.
Park Overview & Amenities:
- Water Access: Features a public motorized boat launch and a dedicated kayak/canoe launch.
- Recreation: Includes fishing spots, walking paths, cycling lanes, and a playground with slides for children.
- Picnic Facilities: Equipped with picnic tables, barbecue grills, a scenic gazebo, and open green spaces.
- Conveniences: Offers on-site public restrooms, free street parking, and paid parking lots.
- Pet Policy: Dogs are allowed on the premises.
- Accessibility: Provides a wheelchair-accessible entrance and parking lot.
Operating Hours & Crowd Vibe
- Hours: Open daily from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
- Peak Times: Typically busiest on Sunday afternoons, weekday afternoons (Monday–Friday), and Saturday evenings.
- Quiet Times: Least crowded on Wednesday mornings and Saturday mornings
For musky and walleye in the Chautauqua Lake south basin, focus on the extensive weed beds, weed edges, and structural drop-offs in 5 to 15
feet of water. The south basin is shallower (average 11 ft) and darker, making it prime habitat for these predators.
From Jamestown, drive 15 min to Bemus Point & Chautauqua Institution or visit Long Point State Park for lake swimming.
Lucy-Desi Festival & Comedy Events
Flagship August Event:
- Lucille Ball Comedy Festival (August 6–9, 2026) This four-day summer highlight transforms Jamestown into a comedy hub with over 50 live events.
- Mainstage Headliners: Featuring stand-up comedy performances from comedy legends, including Jerry Seinfeld on Thursday, August 6; Bert Kreischer on Saturday, August 8; and Seth Meyers on Sunday, August 9.
- Stand-Up & Late-Night Showcases: Catch premier showcases featuring touring comics from major networks at venues like the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts and late-night sets inside the Tropicana Club (a replica of Ricky Ricardo's Manhattan nightclub).
- Exclusive Archive Encounters: Special exhibits detailing rare materials from comedy pioneers, including an archive presentation celebrating the centennial birthday of Don Rickles.
- Lucy Legacy Experiences: Guided "Lucy Town" motorcoach tours tracking Lucille Ball's hometown roots, themed lunches, and tribute artist appearances celebrating the 75th anniversary of I Love Lucy.
- Free Block Parties: Outdoor gatherings featuring live music, food trucks, and beer and wine vendors surrounding the main venues
Year-Round Programming & Special Events:
- Weekly Summer Fun Weeks: Leading up to the August festival (late June through early August), the museum hosts themed weeks like Slapstick Comedy, Animation & Cartooning, and Legends of Comedy, featuring dedicated workshops and activities.
- Riverside Saturdays: Outdoor community events hosted at Comedy Center Park along the Jamestown Riverwalk during the summer months.
- One Laugh at a Time (Memory Café): A recurring program running from late summer through late fall designed to give caregivers and their loved ones a supportive, relaxing environment to bond through laughter.
- Doors Open Jamestown (January): An annual winter event providing free or discounted access and tailored tours to regional residents, emphasizing personalized exhibit interaction.
- Immersive Daily Exhibits: Both locations are open year-round (typically Thursday through Monday, with extended Tuesday hours from Memorial Day to Labor Day). Visitors can access over 50 interactive exhibits that customize comedy content to their personal sense of humor.
Day Trip Itinerary: Jamestown + Bemus Point
Start in downtown Jamestown exploring interactive comedy and Lucy-Desi history.
After a local lunch, drive 15 minutes to Bemus Point to ride the historic cable ferry and enjoy waterfront views at the iconic
Hotel Lenhart.
Morning:
- Jamestown Museums10:00 AM — National Comedy Center.
- Start your morning at the cutting-edge National Comedy Center (203 W 2nd St) featuring over 50 immersive, interactive exhibits celebrating the history of American comedy.
- 11:45 AM — Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum. Take a short 3-block walk to the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum (2 W 3rd St) to view recreated
TV sets, costumes, and rare memorabilia.
Lunch:
- Downtown Jamestown 1:00 PM — Downtown Dining, Grab lunch at a local downtown favorite. Try Wicked Warren's (119 W 3rd St) for
a lunch menu, or Labyrinth Press Company (12 E 4th St) for craft coffee, vegetarian options, and specialty sandwiches.
Afternoon:
- Bemus Point 2:30 PM — Scenic Drive, Take NY-394 N for approximately 9 miles (a 15-minute drive) to reach the lakeside village of Bemus Point.
- 3:30 PM — The Bemus Point-Stow FerryHead to the dock to ride the Bemus Point Stow Ferry, a historic, cable-guided ferry that crosses the narrowest point of Chautauqua Lake. It operates on a donation basis and offers incredible lake views.
- 4:30 PM — The Hotel Lenhart, Conclude your afternoon by visiting The Hotel Lenhart (20-22 Lakeside Dr). Sit back and relax on their iconic, expansive veranda overlooking Chautauqua Lake.
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