48 Hours in Jamestown, NY

Lovers of comedy should make it a point to visit Jamestown, home of the National Comedy Center, the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum, and Desilu Studios. In this small town, there are plenty of attractions and historic sites to keep visitors busy and entertained for a weekend.

Updated: 12/9/25

FRIDAY

4 pm: Settle into your stay

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Book convenient accommodations right in the heart of Jamestown at La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Jamestown, the DoubleTree by Hilton Jamestown, or for a truly luxurious stay, the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel. Located in a beautiful and quaint lake front community on the shores of historic Chautauqua Lake, this hotel offers deluxe rooms and suites which feature luxurious sleep sets with spa inspired amenities and patios with views of the lake!

7 pm: Dinner at the Pub

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Dive into top-notch pub fare at Jamestown’s popular spot, the Pub. A staple in the town for over 50 years, you can savor old-fashioned Italian cooking, pizzas, soups, and a regional specialty, beef on weck. 

SATURDAY

9 am: Fuel up at Crown Street Roasting Company

Start your day off with a Cortado (equal parts espresso and velvety steamed milk) or seasonal latte and a bagel sandwich at Crown Street Roasting Company, a spot that roasts and grinds all its own coffee in-house. Fresh baked goods are also available.

10 am: Laugh it off

The National Comedy Center is the first of its kind, dedicated to the art of comedy, all of your favorite comedians, and laughter. You'll start your experience at a kiosk that asks questions to gauge your sense of humor. From there, your personalized journey begins, and you are guided toward content tailored to your precise style of humor. This cutting-edge technology helps visitors make the most of the more than 50 immersive exhibits. With exhibits like Laugh Battle, Comedy Karaoke, The Virtual Writer's Desk, Late Night Studio Camera, and our must-see recommendations, you'll be laughing all day long! Be sure to purchase the dual admission ticket, which gives you discounted access to both the National Comedy Center and the nearby Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum! The ticket is valid for two days, so you can enjoy the Comedy Center today and visit the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum tomorrow.

1 pm: Lunch at Labyrinth

Drop in to Labyrinth Press Co. & Brazil Lounge for lunch, an eclectic hangout featuring vegetarian fare, fair-trade coffee, craft beer, wine, & live music in an art-filled setting. The diverse menu features items like the peanut ramen, Peruvian tofu sandwich, smoked gouda harvest quesadilla, and the “Goodfellas flatbread”– just to name a few.

2 pm: Marvel at the Museum

The Fenton History Center, which was the former mansion of New York State Governor Reuben E. Fenton, who went on to serve in Congress and the Senate, is now a museum and research center focused on the heritage of Jamestown and Chautauqua County. You’ll find exhibits here like “Intersections: The Underground Railroad in Chautauqua County,” that detail the role Jamestown played in many freedom seekers escaping enslavement and journeying north.

3:30 pm: Go Ice Skating

Lace up and hit the ice at Northwest Arena! Glide around this indoor ice rink during public skating hours, or try something different like their Ice Bumper Cars.

4:30 pm: Walk along the river

Soak in stunning views from the Jamestown Riverwalk, a 1.2 mile paved trail that runs along the Chadakoin river. This trail is ideal for walking, jogging, biking, and rollerblading. The Jamestown Riverwalk connects with several municipal parks including Chadakoin Park, Comedy Park, and McCrea Point Park and Boat Launch.

5:30 pm: Enjoy Fine Dining at Landmark Restaurant

Enjoy a fine dining experience at local gem, Landmark Restaurant, an inviting venue serving pasta, upscale American comfort food, and elevated small plates. Featuring surf & turf options, you don’t have to choose between lobster or filet; you can have your steak and eat it, too! Just make sure you save room for the house speciality dessert– the coconut cream cheese tart.

7 pm: Catch a Show

Depending on when you’re in town, you may be able to catch a live performance at the Reg Lenna Center for The Arts. This historic theatre sits at the heart of the arts and cultural district in Jamestown, and showcases a wide variety of events including live concerts, movies, ballet, orchestras, gallery shows, and more.

SUNDAY

9 am: Brunchin’ at Phil N’ Cindy’s

Have a brunch feast at Phil N’ Cindy’s Lunch, a classic hometown diner with large portions. With menu specials daily, you can enjoy your favorite dishes and try something new any time you want.

10 am: Laugh with Lucy

The Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum is a tribute to Jamestown's most famous daughter, offering a personal look at the lives and careers of TV's first couple of comedy. It features an array of permanent and interactive exhibits, as well as a significant collection of the comedy duo’s personal belongings. Costumes, gowns, photographs, letters, scripts, and awards are among the memorabilia on display. You can also visit Desilu Studios, which is devoted to I Love Lucy with complete re-creations of Lucy and Ricky Ricardo’s New York City apartment and other sets. The museum even features the Tropicana Room, a re-creation of the one and only Tropicana nightclub— although not open to the public, you can book any special occasion here! Leave yourself up to 2 hours to enjoy everything the museum has to offer.

11:30 am: Live like Lucy

Continue your tour of Lucy’s life and legacy by stopping by her birthplace at 69 Stewart Avenue in Jamestown, as well as her childhood home at 59 Lucy Lane in Celoron. Jamestown also honors “America’s Favorite Redhead” with five larger-than-life murals painted by local artists Gary Peters and Gary Peters Jr., found all throughout town.

1 pm: Get Into Nature

Explore the Roger Tory Peterson Institute, a world-class facility set on a 27-acre nature preserve with tranquil trails winding through. Avid bird watchers can thank Roger Tory Peterson, whose finely detailed paintings made for simple identification of birds, from blue finches and cranes to herons, falcons, and warblers. The institute includes exhibits by artists inspired by the natural world and its conservation, and more than 1,500 original pieces in the Fine Art Collection, as well as films, photographs, personal papers, and more that Peterson accumulated during his career. 

For even more nature, venture to the Audubon Community Nature Center, an ideal place for nature and animal lovers alike. Their three-story nature center contains a small collection of live animals, interactive displays, and a gift shop. If the weather permits, set out on the wetland preserve’s five miles of beautifully maintained trails that include a native tree arboretum and several educational gardens. Admission is free for everyone on Sundays.

GETTING THERE

By plane:

From Buffalo Niagara Airport International Airport (BUF): 1 hour 30 minutes

From Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE): 2 hours 30 minutes

From Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT): 2 hours 45 minutes

By bus: Service from Downtown Buffalo and Amtrak Station to Jamestown on Coach USA Erie Line

By train: Travel Amtrak from Toronto, Albany and New York City to Buffalo’s Exchange Street station (BFX) downtown. Then take a bus or drive to Jamestown.

By car:
From New York City: 6 hours 
From Albany: 5 hours 30 minutes 
From Boston: 8 hours 
From Philadelphia: 6 hours 
From Montreal: 7 hours 
From Toronto: 3 hours

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