Niagara Falls to Get a Brand New $46 Million Welcome Center

Niagara Falls State Park is getting a brand new welcome center. New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced the groundbreaking of the $46 million center on Friday, October 15, 2021. The state-of-the-art center is expected to enhance the experience of visitors to the Falls. The removal of the previous visitors center, which is 35-year-old, will allow for more open views of the Falls. The 28,000-square-foot visitor center will also help to connect the Falls area to the downtown district.

Gov. Hochul spoke about the importance of improving the visitor experience at Niagara Falls,

"Niagara Falls is a wonder of the world unique to Western New York and it's awe-inspiring beauty has been preserved with Niagara Falls State Park, the oldest state park in the United States. This new Welcome Center builds on our work to showcase all of the landmark gems that New York State has to offer, attracting visitors from around the world and boosting our tourism economy."

The welcome center will feature:

- a ticketing booth
- an information desk
- museum space including
- new concession areas
- restrooms
- support spaces

The new building will feature a solar array, green rooftop elements and more than 100 trees will be planted to replace the ones removed during construction. The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, a non-profit created in the name of the former owner of the Buffalo Bills and a co-founder of the American Football League, is contributing $8 million towards the welcome center,

President & CEO of the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation David O. Egner said,

"The incredible level of detail and thoughtfulness put into the reimagined Welcome Center will contribute greatly towards enhancing and boosting Niagara's tourism and outdoor recreation economy. Through the Foundation's support, we're proud to help accelerate and advance the construction of this landmark project along the Niagara River Greenway."

NY State Parks