Western New York may not be on your radar as a must-see travel destination. I can’t say that it had ever been on mine. My husband’s family is from Jamestown, NY, approximately an hour and a half south of Buffalo. I became acquainted with the area over several years of spring breaks and holiday trips home. Autumns driving through the countryside during harvest season in the vineyards, and cold, snowy nights spent curled up at his parents house.
When I heard that Jamestown was going to be the future home of the National Comedy Center, I must say that I was a bit skeptical. I had visions of walking through an old building, overstuffed with “I Love Lucy” memorabilia. However, I’ll be the first to say that I was wrong. I was so, so wrong. The museum is cutting-edge, state of the art, and thrilling in a way that I haven’t experienced in a museum in quite some time.
The Museum
What if I told you that the National Comedy Center has already received loads of praise and was ranked 2nd by USA Today for best new attractions in the country? Jamestown is making strides to put its name back on the map, and this is a strong start. The comedy center opened in August 2018, and the grand opening was host to the likes of Amy Schumer, Lily Tomlin, Dan Aykryod, and many others.
The museum contains over 50 interactive exhibits, designed to delight comedy fans of all types. Stand-up comedy your jam? Check out the comedy club area. Fan of late-night? Take a moment and play cameraman as you pan through the set of different late night shows – Johnny Carson and Jimmy Kimmel, among others. More of a fan of cartoons and comics? Try your hand at drawing your own.
The Experience
The museum was designed to be an interactive, immersive experience. With something for comedy fans of all types, it takes you through the history and evolution of comedy, from the greats of late night TV to the online world of memes.
When you first walk into the museum, you begin your experience by filling out your personal comedy profile. Once you’ve selected they comedians and type of comedy you enjoy, you get a wristband that links to your profile. Tap your band at any number of stations throughout the museum to add comedians you like and save photos along the way. After your visit, you’ll get an email containing all of your memories from the National Comedy Center.
The comedy theater exhibit is a good first stop, where you are welcomed by a virtual performance by Jim Gaffigan. Following the theater show, you enter the main exhibits of the museum, beginning with the archives of George Carlin. The next several exhibits take you through the comedy club, late night TV, and cartoon rooms. It’s easy to get caught up in everything the museum has to offer, and before you know it, you’ve spent over a half hour in the first room alone.
On the upper level of the comedy center, you’ll find a karaoke-style stand-up club, where the bravest can take to the stage. Give it a go with your own jokes, or select from a selection of well-known skits. When I was there, one of my good buddies got up and did a skit. It was hilarious to watch him on stage, holding nothing back. If you need a little more liquid encouragement, they have a conveniently located bar, where you can find the local favorite, Southern Tier, on tap.
For those of you who are interested in a bit more uncensored comedy, take a stroll through the Blue room. As described by the plaque outside the exhibit, you will find the hall dedicated to the profane, the controversial, and the explicit. Here you will find displays on famous Comedy Central Roasts, White House Correspondent Dinners, and a number of other stations that push the boundaries of comedy.
One of the later exhibits of the comedy center takes you through the history of sitcoms, designed in the style of a 1970s living room. Gather the family and your closest friends to lounge on the bright orange sofas to take it all in. There are also exhibits on the history of memes, and a photo wall where you can break out your craziest faces. See how well you can compare to famous comedians.
I will say that I wasn’t entirely wrong about memorabilia being sprinkled throughout. There are costumes from mean Girls, Seinfeld, the Hangover, and yes, of course, I Love Lucy.
Plan Your Trip
Check out https://comedycenter.org/ for more information on the National Comedy Center! If you want to extend your trip, you can always plan your visit around the Lucille Ball Comedy Festival, held annually in August.
Heading to Jamestown? Here are some other great spots to check out!
- Southern Tier Brewery
- Lake Erie Wine Country
- Chautauqua Institute
- Looking for a no-frills, delicious breakfast spot? Check out Schuyler’s Country Kitchen.
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