5 Reasons to Enjoy the New Niagara Falls State Park Welcome Center

Green spaces, local flavors and rich history await at the Niagara Falls State Park Welcome Center.

Freshly redesigned, the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Welcome Center at Niagara Falls State Park has a combination of indoor and outdoor spaces, great food and a deeper look into the area’s rich historical heritage for visitors to enjoy. Discover five reasons to make the Niagara Falls Welcome Center a must-see stop during your Niagara Falls USA visit.

1. Explore How the Park is Going Green

The Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Welcome Center at Niagara Falls State Park has been proudly reimagined as a green facility, from quite literally top to bottom. The “green” roof generates solar power from a rooftop array, and the facility is all electric, right down to the heating and cooling systems.

It’s not just the building itself that is new. The overall site has been enhanced with amenities including new accessible restrooms and paths, seating areas and a large, terraced area with plantings that are all native to the region.

2. Savor Local Flavors

The plants aren’t the only local elements — get ready to dig into delicious regional dining options including pizza and baked goods from DiCamillo Bakery (a Niagara County favorite for over 100 years!), sausages and hot dogs from Wardynski’s, sandwich rolls from Costanzo’s Bakery and a variety of Perry’s Ice Cream flavors. Enjoy lunch in the cool A/C or take your food outside for a picnic on the patio or among the new landscaping.

3. Snag the Perfect Souvenir

Peruse the Welcome Center's robust retail space and find the perfect keepsake to commemorate your trip with. From clothing and accessories to glassware and gifts, the Welcome Center has Niagara Falls State Park swag that you can't get anywhere else.

Browse beloved brands like Champion and Cotopaxi, as well as local favorites Oxford Pennant and New Era Cap.

4. Learn About the Area's History

In the coming months, various exhibits will soon be on display throughout the new Welcome Center highlighting fascinating stories from authentic voices of the Seneca Nation and Tuscarora community, as well as the amazing stories of the Underground Railroad, and the people who have shaped the nation’s oldest state park.

5. Find Inspiration for Your Trip

Go beyond the park! The visitor center features immersive exhibitions inside that highlight all that can be enjoyed in Niagara Falls USA and beyond. There is so much to see and do outside the park and throughout Western New York — let the Welcome Center help you plan your perfect itinerary.