By Darlene Brace
The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce is once again organizing the annual Doors Open Jamestown event, which will take place on Saturday, January 24th, from 10am-4pm. The goal of Doors Open is to encourage exploration of local businesses and attractions in Jamestown. Most of the participating locations are in the downtown area, but there are also attractions in other parts of the city. A map of the participating locations will be available.
Doors Open Jamestown was established several years ago to encourage the community to explore local attractions and businesses during the quieter time of year. This event supports small businesses and venues showcasing comedy, history, science, and the arts. It’s a fantastic opportunity to revisit some of your favorite local spots while also discovering new places. This region is home to numerous unique and intriguing sites that residents sometimes overlook or may not be aware of.
Here is what some of the Doors Open Jamestown 2026 event will have to offer:
The Jamestown Audubon, at 1600 Riverside Road, offers free admission to its three floors of indoor facilities, including a children’s nature play area and access to six miles of outdoor trails. Visitors can also enter a drawing for a free t-shirt.
There will also be free admittance for self-guided tours at the Robert H. Jackson center on Fourth Street. They will be showing a continuous reel of the documentary Liberty Under Law that chronicles the life and career of Jackson. For children there will be a book reading.
At 116 East Third Street, The Reg Lenna Center of the Arts will have complimentary tours from 10am-3pm, including backstage, dressing rooms, their radio station, and the Media Arts Studio.
Infinity Visual & Performing Arts will have complimentary classes for children and adults at Infinity and at the Pearl City Clay House.
The James Prendergast Library will have a make your own bees wax candle activity for visitors that are 14 and older from 2-3pm. There will also be other activities and displays for all to enjoy.
The Roger Tory Peterson Institute will have free admission to the facility and to all the current exhibitions. There will be a raffle, a kid’s activity, and their staff will be available to answer questions.
The National Comedy Center on Second Street as well as the Lucy Desi Museum on Third Street will have free admittance for any Chautauqua County residents from 10am-5pm. Because of limited capacity, you must pre-register ahead of time on comedycenter.org.
The Fenton Museum is having free admission, but is also requiring pre-registration for a time slot to enjoy the museum’s exhibits. You will travel back in time and learn about some of Jamestown’s early residents.
This is just a sample of what some of the area attractions are offering. Some of the other participating locations are Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame, Chautauqua Youth Symphony, CHQ Chamber and Visitor Information Center, Lucile M. Wright Air Museum, Martz-Kohl Observatory, Marvin Community House, Northwest Arena, Partridge-Sheldon House by Jamestown DAR, Sukanya Burman Dance, Art Cloth & Craft, Chautauqua Art Gallery, DoubleTree by Hilton, and Wicked Warren’s Jamestown. Feel free to contact each location for more information.
As in previous years, you can participate in the online scavenger hunt quiz contest for a chance to win one of three prize baskets filled with items from the participating locations. During Doors Open, you will visit the participating locations and answer quiz questions using a provided QR code or by going to
go.chqchamber.org/experiences to access the game pass. After entering your contact information, answer the quiz questions, and when you are all finished, click on the ‘Rewards’ icon and select ‘Claim Now’ to enter the drawing. Winners will be randomly selected and notified by January 26th.
Join in the fun of the Doors Open Jamestown event, where you are invited to explore local attractions, restaurants, and other small businesses. It’s a great way to beat the winter blahs and get involved in a community activity for you and your family. You will enjoy all that Jamestown has to offer while supporting these local enterprises. For more information about Doors Open Jamestown 2026, visit chqchamber.org or call 716-484-1101.