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Jamestown, NY

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National Comedy Center

4.8 (113 reviews)
Closed • 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Updated 2 months ago

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Mary C. S.

We finally went here with 2 friends in from out of town. A lot of exhibits and artifacts in a small amount of space. Every inch is used wisely. Allow time to really inspect each exhibit as many have audio or video components. Numerous artifacts from comedy legends, including many of Carl Reiner's Emmys. When with other people, it would be best to strike out on your own as not everyone will be interested in the same comedians. Otherwise, you week be waiting around for your traveling companions or trying to catch up to them. No parking on site -- use nearby parking lots or street parking.

Nina D.

Oh my GOSH this is one of the best museums I've ever been to. You hear museum and you think "ugh yeah I guess I'm down to be educated today" but this was an *experience*!!! I cannot recommend this place enough. It's fun for all ages - I'm 29 and I had a freakin BLAST. Tony the bartender was such a great time and there were several people working there who helped show me around and tell me more about the history of the building as well as some fun facts about the exhibits. As a comedian, my expectations were simultaneously low and high, and the National Comedy Center truly excelled all of them. I spent 3 hrs here and it wasn't enough. I'd spend all day here if I could.

Daviyion J.

I had a fantastic visit here and definitely recommend checking it out at least once if you're in the area or just a big fan of comedy. that only is Jamestown home of Lucille Ball, but this now leading center for the comedic arts has a wide diversity and representation of comedy across the generations. Check them out and be sure to create your comedy profile so at the end, you'll get a sense of what you really like and maybe discover some new favorites along the way.

National Comedy Center
Aly W.

I came with one of my kids last week. What a fun, interactive, and even educational place. Very nostalgic, too. As others have said, you receive a wristband that allows you to build a profile and interact with exhibits. There's a Johnny Carson special introduced by an impressive Jimmy Fallon hologram in a theater with multiple screens showing off the museum's technological capabilities that continue to WOW from there. Here's a list of some of the activities: 1. The stand-up lounge where you interactive with tables and personalized content is projected on a brick wall. 2. Comedy karaoke in a cozy lounge adjacent to a bar sponsored by Southern Tier brewing where you perform on stage. 3. Small studios in which you reenact scenes from TV and movies like Dumb and Dumber. The wristband will only save a screen cap and not the video though. 4. A big room with 3D props you place on a table and pick scenes to watch incorporating those props. 5. A big wall in that same room that allows you to trace connections between comics and comedic performances. 6. A table that allows you to pick a script and read it while the scene plays. And that's just a small part of the content and activities available. We spent four and a half hours here. You could come back and have a different experience every time. I'm not sure how often they update content, but it definitely doesn't end at the year the museum opened, and everything is well-kept. I only had minor quibbles like being sent only our own photos instead of a side by side with the performers whose faces we imitated. Either take a picture of the screen or have fun tracking down the picture later. Oh, lots of friendly staff to help. It was busy but never felt crowded. Parking is tricky. It's down the street across from the light. You'll see a sign on one side that appears to point at restricted apartment parking but the real lot is just passed it, and smallish so you may have to find street parking instead.

Amanda H.

Wow. This museum exceeded my expectations by 100%. Insanely interactive and personalized to your unique sense of humor, this museum will have you learning while you laugh. We could have easily spent 3 hours here. The amount of information and history packed into this space is incredible. You use the wristbands to customize your experience by choosing different comedians, movies, and tv shows you like. There are different stations where you scan your wristband to interact. You can even draw your own comic cartoon! There are plenty of hand sanitizer stands and wipes for headphones so you don't have to hesitate using something. Speaking of cleanliness, their restrooms were also nicely kept. Tony in the lounge area was also a true gem. He actually approached us while we were browsing the museum and offered to bring us a drink to enjoy while we walked around (they have a decent variety of options including beer and canned mix drinks). When we finally made it to the lounge area he was happy to serve us, as well as serving up some jokes, and told us a little about the museum and their events. At the end, you scan your wristband to analyze your humor profile. It sends your results to your email! This museum was the perfect way to spend a rainy day while we were on vacation. Highly highly recommend. We went on a weekday around noon so it was pretty quiet aside from a few other people.

The Seinfeld Puffy Shirt
Steven B.

What better way to celebrate April Fools Day than to check out the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, NY, which is about a 2 hour drive from my home. Easy to find in Downtown Jamestown, there are street signs to help find the NCC. They have a dedicated parking lot nearby, small and a bit rough, but free and a couple minutes walk from the center. The Center provides a free coat check at the entrance, which is convenient. I had purchased a ticket online the night before (which provides a bit of a discount) so getting in was quick and efficient. You get a wrist wrap that activates the interactive exhibits and you start by making a profile on one of the kiosks by entering your information and preferences. Once inside you have the choice of watching the video presentation on Laugh-In or The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. The theater has screens that surround you and provide a very interesting experience. Outside of the theater are a bunch of exhibits, including costumes, the Tonight Show Curtain and other comedy artifacts. As you move through the Center there are numerous interactive exhibits that show clips of Comedians, TV shows and other pieces of comedy. The Center is set up to be more interactive the further you go with one of the highlights being the huge video wall that allows you to trace the connections between comedy stars. Plenty of individual interactive exhibits and also a good number of group experiences. Especially interesting is the Blue Room which features more adult and challenging humor, of course adults only. There are features on Carlin, Lenny Bruce, Roasts, and a wall of different windows and doors hiding various blue materials. I spent about 5 hours going through the Center and could have spent a lot more time. There is plenty to see and experience here. A lot of fun, a great way to get more knowledge of comedy or to reexperience older comedy. If you are a comedy fan this is a must visit if you are in the area. I will say that the Center leans fairly heavily on Stand-Up, improv and Late Night Comedy but it is well worth your time.

Interactive!
Michael G.

Never met a museum we didn't like and the National Comedy Center delivers! The interactive part of the museum is 5* alone! Make sure you make a reservation. The museum is busy, the city is busy, and there is also The Lucy Museum. Jamestown is her birth town. How Jamestown is the home to two stellar museums must be a great story. Allow some time. We stayed for four hours in the midst of our trip, and we could have taken an entire day. They do have two-day passes that can be purchased. Excellent all-around!!

Sara P.

It is hard to say more than has already been said in previous reviews about this incredible museum.  Highly interactive, the wristbands help cater to each individual and their likes and preferences.  A wide variety of comedy genres from TV, to movies, to cartoons, to stand up they have a little bit of everything and something for everyone.  I definitely recommend a visit here. Hopefully that is enough to pique your interest, so onto some pragmatics.: They had a free coat check which was nice as we visited during the colder months.   They did sell food, but it was right at the end, you could jump ahead and come back if needed.  Also it didn't appear to be a lot, mainly snacks, think cheesesticks, individual bags of chips, and maybe some premade sandwiches.   The dual ticket with the Lucy/Desi museum did allow us to use on separate days which worked better for our trip.  It would be easy enough to visit both, especially if starting at opening at 10 or 11, but could be spread out to the next day. If you like to laugh, stop on by to this great museum!

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2 months ago

Wonderful place! Extremely interactive and FUN! Worth the drive if you are visiting from out of town.

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6 months ago

We had a wonderful visit. The museum is very interactive and has something for every age group.

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2 years ago

Great experience, loved our visit. Highly recommend, you won't walk away without reliving some wonderful memories and great laughs.

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Ask the Community - National Comedy Center

Review Highlights - National Comedy Center

“There is a "Blue Room" which is located on a separate floor for those of you who enjoy more risqué comedy (Lenny Bruce).”

Mentioned in 8 reviews

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National Comedy Center - nonprofit - Updated October 2026

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