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
(212 Pine 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.
LUCY-DESI
MUSEUM GIFT SHOP
(300 N. Main St. [corner of 3rd], 484-0800 / toll free
1-877-582-9325): Just one block
away from the Lucy-Desi Museum, you’ll find the most
complete "I Love Lucy" store anywhere on earth! All
proceeds from the Gift Shop benefit the Lucy-Desi Museum.
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!
CHAUTAUQUA MUSIC
(116 E. 2nd St., 484-0179): Look for t-shirts available
here picturing Lucy Ricardo with saxophone in hand! Listen
closely and you can almost hear “Glow Worm.”
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.
