‘Voices of the Falls,’ ‘Above the Roar’ provide new ways to experience park

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, along with licensed concession partner Delaware North, recently celebrated the opening of two new attractions in the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Welcome Center in Niagara Falls State Park. “Voices of the Falls” and “Above the Roar” invite visitors to experience Niagara Falls through diverse perspectives and cutting-edge technology.

Pictured is portions of the new “Voices of the Falls” exhibit. When completed, the interactive exhibit will explore the past, present and future of Niagara Falls – the park as well as the surrounding community – in the voices of those who have been part of its history.

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‘Voices of the Falls’

The $4.4 million “Voices of the Falls” is a permanent interactive exhibit that explores the past, present and future of Niagara Falls – the park as well as the surrounding community – in the voices of those who have been part of its history. Featuring first-person perspectives, historical narratives, artifacts, hands-on interactive and video presentations, the nearly 5,000-square-foot exhibit highlights the cultural, environmental and personal connections that have formed the nation’s oldest state park.

Stories from the Indigenous who first inhabited the land to the Underground Railroad to the tragedy of Love Canal as well as the flora and fauna of the park are included and will provide visitors with a richer view of the park beyond the waterfall. Additional elements of the project include outdoor models, a lenticular mural and signage. The material covered throughout the exhibit is consistent with the principles of New York State Park’s “Our Whole History” initiative.

“We are thrilled to open ‘Voices of the Falls’ and ‘Above the Roar.’ Together, these exhibits enrich the visitor experience and create new year-round opportunities for learning, exploration and discovery,” New York State Parks Commissioner Kathy Moser said. “I am especially grateful for our partnership with the Seneca Nation, Tuscarora Nation, and Underground Railroad collaborators, whose contributions helped bring these stories to life. By sharing a more complete and inclusive history, these exhibits ensure that visitors gain a deeper understanding of the people, cultures and events that shaped New York and our nation.”

Seneca Nation President J.C. Seneca spoke of the importance of preserving culture, heritage and language by sharing stories with others, and from generation to generation.

“We appreciate the opportunity for us to be here, to be able to educate, and for people to learn about who we are,” he said. “Who better to tell our story than ourselves.”

“It’s an important story and there’s a lot of history here,” Seneca noted.

“Voices of the Falls” was designed by Haley Sharpe Design of the U.K. and Toronto and fabricated by Buffalo’s Hadley Exhibits.

A look inside “Above the Roar.”

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‘Above the Roar’

“Above the Roar” is a fully immersive, multisensory virtual reality (VR) experience that takes participants on a thrilling journey around the most powerful waterfall in North America. Through exclusive aerial footage, motion-enhanced seating and immersive sound, participants will soar along the U.S. side of the Niagara River just above the rapids and then over the American, Bridal Veil and Horseshoe Falls before gliding through the gorge and plunging into the depths below. There, under the water, they will encounter seven species of fish that are native to the river before returning to the brink of the American Falls and ending back inside the Welcome Center.

“ ‘Above the Roar’ offers a completely new way for people to experience Niagara Falls as part of their visit to the park,” said Derek Zwickey, chief operating officer of Delaware North Parks & Resorts. “We are proud of our partnership with New York State Parks and thrilled that Delaware North could bring this attraction to life as another way for visitors from around the globe to experience Niagara Falls State Park.”

Delaware North worked with MDSX, an award-winning experiential design and media production firm.

“Working with MDSX, we used cutting-edge virtual reality content to create a perspective that has never been accessible to the public – a cinematic, awe-inspiring journey that is as emotional as it is exhilarating,” Zwickey said. “Every moment is designed to bring guests closer to the scale, power and beauty of Niagara Falls in a way that feels immediate and unforgettable.”

Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Welcome Center at Niagara Falls State Park

These installations complete the 28,000-square-foot visitor center that was opened by Gov. Kathy Hochul in December 2023. The welcome center features glass walls and a low roof to maximize views and connections to the falls. It includes new ticketing and information desks; new concession spaces; restrooms and associated support spaces; a rooftop PV array; special patterned glass to prevent bird impacts; green roof elements; and a separate restroom building. Enhanced site amenities include new, accessible paths; native plantings; and wayfinding elements.

The Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Welcome Center at Niagara Falls State Park complements the $150 million revitalization of Niagara Falls State Park landscape. Launched in 2011, the Niagara Falls State Park landscape revitalization plan was a multi-year commitment to renew the park in a manner that better reflects noted park designer Frederick Law Olmsted's vision for the landscape. The plan renovated the park's major viewing areas including Luna Island, Prospect Point, Lower Grove, Three Sisters Islands, North Shoreline Trail, Luna Bridge and Terrapin Point with new pedestrian walkways, enhanced landscaping, new benches, light posts and railings.

The interactive Cave of the Winds pavilion, which highlights the natural and cultural history of Niagara Falls, opened in 2017. Removal of the Niagara Scenic Parkway (formally the Robert Moses Parkway) in the City of Niagara Falls provided unprecedented access to the Niagara Gorge by connecting the city to its waterfront for the first time in a generation. It was the largest expansion of Niagara Falls State Park since its creation.

Niagara Falls State Park is a state and national treasure. Created in 1885, it is the oldest state park in the nation, attracting over 9 million visitors annually.

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City of Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino and New York State Assemblyman Angelo Morinello experience the new “Above the Roar” attraction inside the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Welcome Center at Niagara Falls State Park.

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Local leaders experience the 'Roar'

At a press event June 18 at the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Welcome Center at Niagara Falls State Park, guests including New York State Assemblyman Angelo Morinello and City of Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino were among the first people to experience the new “Above the Roar” virtual-reality attraction.

Morinello described the ride as “phenomenal.”

“It really gives you a perspective that you would never, ever get by just being on land,” he said.

Morinello noted one of the more “incredible” moments was “when they went under, and the fish came at you, and you could see the species of fish and the rock formations. It gives you a really true insight into what the river, the gorge and the falls is.”

Restaino called “Above the Roar” “spectacular.”

“It is amazing,” he said. “It adds a whole new dimension to coming down here to visit.

“You know, you can stand by the edge of the falls and be impressed with it all. But now, all of a sudden, you’re in it – and it’s just spectacular. They’ve done a fabulous job.

“I think everybody who takes advantage of this attraction will walk away incredibly impressed and just in awe.”

Set in a dark, laser-lit room with about a dozen egg-shaped chairs, “Above the Roar” is a “compelling experience at Niagara Falls State Park, said Delaware North Parks & Resorts Chief Operating Officer Derek Zwickey. The Buffalo-based global hospitality leader manages the new, 4-minute ride.

Zwickey said it’s a “completely new way for people to experience Niagara Falls when they visit the park. It’s a fully immersive, multisensory virtual reality experience that takes participants on a thrilling journey around the most powerful waterfall in North America and its natural elements.”

He noted, “ ‘Above the Roar’ uses exclusive aerial drone footage, motion-enhanced seating and immersive sound.

“The drone footage is really something special and it really brings this whole thing to life.”

“Participants will soar along the U.S. side of the Niagara River, just above the rapids, then over the American, Bridal Veil and Horseshoe Falls before gliding through the gorge and plunging into the depths below,” Zwickey said. “Under the water, they will encounter seven species of fish that are native to the river, before returning to the brink of the American Falls and ending back at the welcome center. Every moment is designed to bring guests closer to the scale, the power and beauty of Niagara Falls in a way that feels immediate and unforgettable.”

New York State Parks Regional Director Mark Mistretta said, “State Parks is very good at many things – being the best steward we can for this natural wonder we have out here. But we’re not so good with food and providing great, interesting retail and exciting attractions. That’s why we are lucky to partner with Delaware North here at Niagara Falls for those things that we just don’t do as well.

“They have delivered.”

He called the attraction an “amazing experience.”

Zwickey said, “We are proud of how we work with New York State Parks to welcome millions of guests as they are experiencing the falls, and to tell the Niagara Falls story.”