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Jamestown is a small city of about 28,000 people in Chautauqua County in far western New York, sitting at the southern end of Chautauqua Lake along the Chadakoin River. Founded in the early 1800s and named after settler James Prendergast, it grew into a manufacturing center so known for its furniture factories that it was once called the Furniture Capital of the World.
Jamestown is best known today as the hometown of comedian Lucille Ball, and the city has embraced that legacy with the Lucy Desi Museum and the National Comedy Center, a modern interactive museum devoted to the art of comedy. The city was also home to naturalist Roger Tory Peterson and Supreme Court Justice Robert H. Jackson, both honored with their own centers.
The historic downtown has grand early 1900s buildings and the restored Reg Lenna Center for the Arts, while riverside parks and nature trails offer quiet escapes. Chautauqua Lake, with its boating, beaches and summer resort towns, begins at the edge of the city.
A modern museum in downtown Jamestown celebrating the history and craft of comedy, with more than 50 interactive exhibits, a hologram stage, and archives of famous comedians. Visitors create a personal humor profile that tailors the experience. Allow at least three hours and buy tickets online in summer.
A museum in Lucille Ball's hometown devoted to her life and career with Desi Arnaz, with costumes, personal items, photos and memorabilia from I Love Lucy and their other shows. Replica sets of the Ricardos' apartment are nearby. Combination tickets with the National Comedy Center are often available.
A nature center and museum honoring Jamestown native Roger Tory Peterson, creator of the famous bird field guides. It holds his original paintings and photographs, hosts wildlife art exhibitions, and has short trails and gardens on its wooded grounds. Bring binoculars and allow time for the trails.
A center in a historic Jamestown mansion honoring Robert H. Jackson, the Supreme Court justice and chief U.S. prosecutor at the Nuremberg trials, who practiced law in Jamestown. Exhibits cover his life, the trials and the rule of law. It hosts talks and events, and admission is usually free.
The local history museum of Jamestown and southern Chautauqua County, housed in the Italianate mansion of Reuben Fenton, a New York governor and U.S. senator. Rooms show Victorian life, the region's furniture industry, Civil War history and local families. Its research library helps with genealogy.
A grand 1923 movie palace in downtown Jamestown restored as a performing arts center. It hosts concerts, comedy shows, classic films, dance and touring productions in an ornate auditorium. Check the calendar before your trip, as many events are tied to the summer comedy festival season.
Downtown Jamestown has handsome early 20th century commercial buildings, banks, churches and theaters from its prosperous furniture-making era, plus Lucille Ball murals and local restaurants. It is compact and easy to walk between the comedy museums, the Reg Lenna Center and the riverfront.
A city park on the Chadakoin River with a boat launch, kayak access, picnic shelters and a dock where the river flows from Chautauqua Lake. It is a starting point for paddling toward the lake and connects to riverside walking paths. Sunset here is pleasant, and parking is free.
A paved walking and biking path following the Chadakoin River through Jamestown, linking downtown with riverside parks and the area near McCrea Point. It offers views of the river, bridges and the old industrial waterfront. It is good for an easy morning walk; wear comfortable shoes.
A lakeside park in Celoron, right next to Jamestown, on the shore of Chautauqua Lake near where Lucille Ball spent part of her childhood. It has a boardwalk, playground, boat launch, picnic areas and a statue of Lucy. It is a relaxing spot for sunset views over the lake and a good picnic stop.
A 17-mile lake stretching north from Jamestown, popular for boating, fishing, swimming and summer cruises. Lakeside villages offer marinas, beaches and waterfront restaurants. In summer, rent a boat or kayak, or take a scenic drive around the shore, which is especially lovely in early fall.
A large nature preserve just south of Jamestown with miles of trails through woods, ponds and wetlands, plus a nature center with live animals and exhibits. It is great for birdwatching and family walks, and hosts seasonal programs. Trails are open daily; wear waterproof shoes after rain.
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Photo: Andre Carrotflower, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
