DOWNTOWN JAMESTOWN

DESILU PLAYHOUSE (2 W. 3rd St., 484-0800 / toll free 1-877-582-9325):  Named for the studio where “I Love Lucy” was filmed, The Desilu Playhouse features exact replicas of the Ricardos’ New York City apartment and the Hollywood hotel suite where Lucy pantomimed with Harpo Marx and set her nose on fire with William Holden, a life-sized wall mural of the original studio audience, a “Vitameatavegamin” opportunity, an “I Love Lucy” bedroom set, and much more! 

LUCY-DESI MUSEUM (10 W. Third Street, 484-0800 / toll free 1-877-582-9325): Unique interactive exhibits, larger-than-life wall panels, and audio and video segments offer an intimate look at these passionate, talented people. This season’s exhibit, "Lucy & Desi: Memories & Mementos," features costumes, memorabilia, and former possessions of The First Couple of Comedy. Among the highlights are one of the four Emmy Awards Lucille Ball received during her illustrious television career, Desi’s pinstripe suit that once hung in his closet in Del Mar, Lucy’s black ostrich feathers-trimmed peignoir, black and white photos taken during Desi’s appearance on the first season of Saturday Night Live, and a floral needlepoint mirror that once belonged to the Queen of Comedy.

MURALS:  Just west of the corner of 3rd & Pine Streets, looking south, on the side of the former Jones Tasty Bakery you can see the Candy Factory Mural painted by local artist, Gary Peters, Jr. He also created the Lucy-Desi Postage Stamp Mural on the Prendergast Avenue side of the Jamestown Post Office on the corner of 3rd Street. Don’t miss his 7’ tall bottle of Vitameatavegamin on the elevator tower of the Spring Street parking ramp, also on the corner of 3rd St., and Lucy & Desi on the corner of 4th & Spring!

THE BAG BABE (110 W. 3rd St., 716-483-BAGS):  You’ll be sure to find a great array of purses, jeans, and other accessories from this unique boutique.  Take a glimpse at their collection of memorabilia from the very first “Lucy Fest”. 

THE BASKET COMPANY (17 W. 3rd St., 487-0088):  A great selection of gift items, including many edibles, local souvenirs, and lots of Lucy! 

BENSON’S LADIES APPAREL (306 N. Main St., 488-4055):  In addition to some beautiful framed “Lucys,” you’ll also spot a few “Lucy” dolls and maybe even a clock or two!  

BRO LAINES BRIDAL (320 N. Main St., 483-2466): Stop in to see a framed photograph of Lucy and Desi at their daughter’s wedding!

CHAUTAUQUA ANTIQUES (106 E. 2nd St., 487-2850): (Above Chautauqua Music) See what Lucy-Desi memorabilia from the past might be for sale at this antique mall! 

FENTON HISTORY CENTER (67 Washington St., Jamestown, 664-6256): Their “Lucille Ball: Not The Girl Next Door” exhibit focuses on Lucy from a hometown perspective.  It explores the world-famous comedienne’s local roots, her visits home, and the relationships she maintained with her Jamestown area childhood friends.  Admission fee.  Hours:  Monday-Saturday, 10 am-4 pm.  Directions: From the Lucy-Desi Museum (Pine Street), turn left on 4th St., turn left on Washington St., cross the Washington St. Bridge.  Go through the intersection (traffic lights) of Washington and Forest Ave.  The Fenton History Center is the first right turn after the intersection. 

FRAMEMASTERS (100 W. 3rd St., Jamestown, 665-3421): Originally Lucy-Desi Days, begun in 1991, was known as “The Lucille Ball Festival of New Comedy.”  Posters created for the first festival are available here in a limited supply.   

FRIENDLY’S RESTAURANT (10 S. Main St., Jamestown, 483-0081):  You’ll feel like you’ve walked into an “I Love Lucy” shop when you see all the exciting products decorating this “friendly” spot! 

HOLMLUND'S WALLPAPER, PAINT, & GLASS COMPANY (38 N. Main, Jamestown, 484-1811):  Pay a visit to this Jamestown landmark and you'll see, prominently displayed, a rare 1950's Jamestown furniture company sign featuring Lucy and Desi! 

JAMESTOWN DANCE SUPPLY (108 W. 3rd St., 761-483-2623): See some fun – and historical – Lucy items while you check out everything a dancer could use!

JAMESTOWN SAVINGS BANK ICE ARENA’S CHAMPIONS CAFÉ (319 W. 3rd St., Jamestown, 484-2624): See a framed picture of Lucille Ball, Lucie and Desi Arnaz, Jr. skating at Sun Valley, Idaho, on display. Open daily 9 am-9 pm.

LUCILLE BALL LITTLE THEATRE OF JAMESTOWN (18 E. 2nd St., Jamestown, 483-1095): New York State’s largest community theatre is named after our favorite redhead.  The theatre season is October through May.  Stop by and take a picture of the marquee!  The LUCILLE BALL BIRTHPLACE HISTORICAL MARKER is to the left of the front entrance.

ROBERTO’S RESTAURANT (20 W. 3RD St., 664-7272): Home of the "Visions of Lucy" art exhibit late May through early August. Mon-Fri 11-3 + Wed 5-8, Thurs 5-8:30, & Fri-Sat 5-9. Home of the “Visions of Lucy” art exhibit late May through early August. 

TACO HUT (203 E. 3rd St., 488-0226):  You’ll feel right at home in this “South of the Border” restaurant when you ask for one of their special Lucy-Desi drinks:  "I Love Lucy," "La Bomba," "Cuba Libre," or "Lucy's Grape-Stomping Punch”! 

NOT DOWNTOWN, BUT CLOSE BY! 

APPLEBEE’S (340 E. Fairmount Ave., Lakewood, 763-3500): A unique collection of Lucy memorabilia (including posters from Jamestown’s early “LucyFest” celebrations) is incorporated into the eclectic décor of this restaurant. 

FALCONER PUBLIC LIBRARY (101 W. Main St., Falconer, 665-3504): Just east of Jamestown, the Falconer Public Library showcases a key to the city of Jamestown which was created as a back-up when Lucy and Desi were presented the original in 1956.  The key displays their names, the date of the presentation, and an image of Chautauqua County.  Lucy and Desi were in Jamestown for the world premiere of Forever Darling when they were bestowed the key.  The original key went back with them to California. 

FIFTIES GRILL & DAIRY (1514 Washington St., Jamestown, 665-5050):  Step back into time, enjoy great food, and admire the “Lucy” décor at this fun new spot! Mon-Sat 9am-11pm, Sun 11:30am-9pm

JOHNNY’S LUNCH (966 Fairmount Ave, WE, Jamestown, 664-2881): Enjoy a wealth of Lucy-Desi memorabilia – and Jamestown’s famous (now franchised!) hot dogs! Mon-Thurs 11am-10pm, Fri-Sat 11am-11pm, Sun 12-7 pm, closed all holidays.

LAKE SHORE SAVINGS BANK (1 Green Ave., Wegmans Plaza, Ellicott, 483-3400): The lobby of the Lake Shore Savings Bank (Ellicott Branch) proudly displays a rare 1940’s photograph of Lucille Ball taken on board the “City of Jamestown” Steamer.  The photograph was taken when Lucy returned to her hometown and enjoyed a tour of Chautauqua Lake.  Bank Hours:  Mon.-Thurs., 9-4; Friday, 9-5; Saturday, 9-12. 

LAKE VIEW CEMETERY (907 Lakeview Avenue, Jamestown, 665-3206):  To find the Hunt family plot where Lucille Ball’s ashes are interred with her parents and other Hunt family members:  Enter at the corner of Buffalo Street (off N. Main) and Lakeview Avenue.  Go straight through the main gate.  Turn right where you see the small arrow on the ground.  A second arrow points left to the backside of Lucy’s family plot.  (There are two different Hunt families in this same area.  Lucy’s is facing west, toward Main Street and Lake Chautauqua.) 

LUCILLE BALL MEMORIAL PARK (on Chautauqua Lake, Celoron): From Fairmount Avenue, turn right on Dunham Avenue (see directions to Lucy’s childhood home in Celoron) to the stop sign from which you can see Chautauqua Lake.  The Lucille Ball Memorial Park is just ahead on your right.  This is the former site of Celoron Park, a major amusement park where Lucy worked and played as a young girl.

PIZZA HUT (717 Foote Avenue, Jamestown, 484-2727):  Look for a photograph of the First Couple of Comedy decorating the dining room here.

TASTEE CORNERS & CAFÉ (Southside Plaza on Foote Ave., Jamestown, 488-2663): This ice cream shop is a favorite of visitors and residents.  With neon lights and vintage ‘50’s music, it’s a trip back in time.  Tastee Corners loves Lucy, too – they offer special sundaes and decorate their windows with Lucy’s and Desi’s faces in neon! Seasonal hours.

SEE LUCY’S CHILDHOOD HOMES  

(These are private residences.  Please respect their privacy.)

DIRECTIONS TO LUCY’S CHILDHOOD RESIDENCES: 

Lucille Ball’s birthplace:  69 Stewart Avenue, Jamestown

Lucille Ball’s childhood home:  59 Lucy Lane (formerly 8th St.), Celoron

From the Museum, turn left on Third St.  After crossing the 3rd St. Bridge and going through the first traffic light, turn right on Stewart Ave. (about 5 blocks).  Look for a brown home on the right – 69 Stewart Ave.  This is where Lucille Ball was born.

Continue on Stewart Avenue.  Turn left on Fairmount Ave.  Go to the third light (past Kwik Fill and Sam’s Club).  Turn right onto Dunham Avenue.  Just past the elementary school (on your left), turn left on Lucy Lane.  Look for a grey home (the next to the last) in the second block on the left side of the street.  This is the home Lucille Ball lived in as a child.

OTHER SUMMER ACTIVITIES

DART AIRPORT FLEA MARKET  (Route 430, Mayville, 763-8676):  Every Saturday and Sunday, May through September, 8 a.m.–2 p.m.  Directions from downtown Jamestown:  take Main St. (Route 60) to I-86; get on I-86 west to Erie; take Exit 10, Route 430 West past the Bemus Point exit.  It is several miles ahead on the right, before you get to Mayville.

MIDWAY PARK (Route 430 at Maple Springs, 386-3165):  Rides, go-karts, miniature golf, gift shop & museum, arcade, antique carousel, picnic grove.  Free admission and parking.  Opens at 1 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday, through Labor Day. Directions from downtown Jamestown:  take Main St. (Route 60) to I-86; get on I-86 west to Erie; take Exit 10, Route 430 West past the Bemus Point exit.  Midway is 3 miles on the left.

For more information on all that Chautauqua County has to offer,
visit www.tourchautauqua.com.