After you’re finished at the National Comedy Center — or before you go! – you’ll want to explore Jamestown and the nearby vicinity. There is lots to see and do, and plenty of places to enjoy great food and drinks. Parking is available on the street and in several lots around town. Make sure to check on hours and availability before you go to a particular destination.
Dine and Drink
There are all sorts of places to eat and drink in and around Jamestown, and many are within easy walking distance from the National Comedy Center. Here are a few of the hot spots:
Forte has a wonderful menu and has been voted one of the top twenty restaurants in New York. Don’t miss it for fine dining. Other restaurants featuring fine dining include the new Chop House, and The Landmark, an old favorite. Try Gialy’s, Pace’s Pizza and Sauce for Italian food; the Taco Hut and El Jarocho for Mexican. Crown Street Roasting serves breakfast, lunch and, of course, fresh roasted coffee. Labyrinth Press Company serves wonderful vegetarian food and partners with Brazil Craft Beer and Wine Lounge to make sure you get the best in craft beers and cocktails.
Shopping
If you have a few minutes, you might want to poke around in some of the retail stores that line the streets. Dot’s Gift Boutique has some great gifts and fun novelties. Nouveau Home Boutique has unique home décor items and some home essentials. The furniture is abundant and the service is terrific at Lafayette Corners Furniture Store, where they feature high quality furniture with a personal touch. And the Dykeman Young Antique Emporium features authentic treasures from the past – and from the movies!
Riverwalk
Take a stroll along the riverwalk to rest from the hustle and bustle. The beautiful Chadakoin river runs right through the city and is a destination for nature lovers.
Celoron
The Village of Celoron is a short drive from Jamestown and has some sights and experiences that should not be missed. Visit the Lucille Ball Memorial Park, the site of an old amusement park that folks remember with fondness. You can see the Celoron Lighthouse and visit the statue of Lucille Ball, a beautiful bronze sculpture. Scary Lucy is nearby – don’t miss her!
Learn
Along with learning about the history and impact of comedy, a number of exciting educational, historic, and interesting opportunities exist in the Jamestown area. Jamestown is the birthplace of Roger Tory Peterson, and the home of the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History. That guidebook you use to identify your backyard birds? It’s his!
The Audubon Community Nature Center is a lovely way to experience the outdoors, with paths and trails through marshland and woods. The facility is filled with exhibits – many hands-on – that inform and fascinate with information about our natural world. Lots of things for the kids to do, too. You’ll see plants, animals, Liberty, the bald eagle, and maybe watch a cocoon turn into a monarch butterfly!
Learn about justice, the rule of law and the distinguished career of Robert H. Jackson at the Robert H. Jackson Center. Visit the beautiful Fenton History Center to learn about local history, including the role that Jamestown played in the Underground Railroad, and more about Lucille Ball.
Enjoy your time as you explore Jamestown. Send the guys out fishing and get to know the rest of Chautauqua!