Niagara Power Vista (Niagara Falls, New York)

I had read that the Power Vista was a great place to take children while in Niagara Falls. We found ourselves on a rainy day and decided to give this place a visit – and we are certainly glad that we did! This interactive museum was a great learning experience for all of us and it was a lot of fun!

This visitor’s center features 50 interactive exhibits about hydroelectricity and Niagara’s geology. It also has an observation deck that is perched 350 feet above the Niagara River Gorge. It is a great family-friendly activity while in Niagara Falls (or the Buffalo, NY area).

Things I loved about Power Vista:

• The exhibits are educational
• It’s fun
• Admission is FREE – and the parking is FREE
• It’s one of the stops on the FREE Niagara Shuttle route
• The experience is indoors (well, except for the parking lot) so it’s perfect for a rainy day activity

Power Vista sits 350 feet above the Niagara River. The building itself has glass walls that offer gorgeous views of the Niagara Gorge. You can also see both power stations on each side of the river.

If the weather is cooperating, you can walk outside onto the observation deck for some spectacular views. It’s really amazing to see the massive amounts of energy that flows from here!

After parking (or getting off of the Niagara Shuttle), you can see the huge turbines as you walk to the entrance of the Visitors Center.

Getting Your ID Cards (Power Player Badge)

After entering the museum, you will be greeted at the reception desk and given an ID card on a lanyard. This ID card is your Power Player badge that you will use all throughout the museum.

After signing up and activating the card at the registration kiosk, you will take a photo and print it out. This photo (sticker) goes on your ID card and the card is used for activities throughout the center. You can also use your Player badge number to see your photos and video online.

After getting your ID cards, you can take the steps or escalator up to the crosswalk. There are a few interactive activities in this area.

We were all able to learn about the history and operations of hydroelectric power in the Niagara Region. Not only were the hands-on activities educational, but they were also a lot of fun. And, my history-buff husband was in heaven.

Some of the things the kiddos learned about at these hands-on exhibits:

• Electric Circuits
• Connectors and Insulators
• Magnets and Magnetic Fields
• Measuring Electricity
• Directing Currents
• Measuring Resistance
• Using Resistance
• Generators
• Historical Engineers and Innovators
• Recreations of Early Electrical Demonstrations

4D Simulator

In this Virtual Reality Ride, your seats move and you will be lightly splashed with water. The video shows how hydro-electric power was made as well as a movie about clean energy sources. It is a short experience, but my kiddos loved it!

Power Project Operations

My kiddos spent quite a bit of time here and honestly I think they could have stayed all day at this station. They were able to find their inner engineer and work together to operate a power plant. The kids were actually operating a power plant and control the state’s transmission network.

After “running” the power plant as a team for a few minutes, your project manager came over the intercom and told you your strengths and also things you could improve on. Then it was time to try again! My kids worked on this together until they did the job perfectly.

Other Educational Exhibits

New York State actually operates one of the largest hydroelectric plants in the world. It’s amazing to see this power working in person. The Robert Moses Niagara Power Plant (and the Lewiston Pump Generating Plant) make more than 2.4 kilowatts of electricity combined. That’s enough energy/electricity to light up 24 million light bulbs (100 watts)!

I thought all of this power was coming from The Falls themselves. But, the tunnels and canals divert water from the upper portion of the river and takes them to the generating plants. At the plant, the water powers the turbines, and is sent to the lower portion of the river. 

Lower Level

After taking the escalator (or elevator or stairs) to the lower level, you will see more interactive exhibits. This area really showcased the history, culture, and people of the Tuscarora Nation. You can also watch a video that shows the construction of the Niagara Power Project.

P.S. There are restrooms located between the upper and lower level. As you head back up from the lower level, you will see signs for the restrooms to your right.

Should you visit the Power Vista at Niagara Falls? I vote YES. We were really impressed with how nice, fun, and interesting this place is. It’s Free, parking is free, and it is a great way to spend quality time together as a family. And, it’s the perfect activity if you end up with a rainy day while you are in Niagara.

If your kids like to play games (and/or your husband wants to read every historical detail), then I would allow an hour or two to enjoy this center.

The Niagara Power Vista is open 7 days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. They are closed on some holidays.

Niagara Power Vista // 5777 Lewiston Road – Lewiston, NY 14092 // 716.286.6661

WEBSITE

Read about more family-friendly Activities in Niagara Falls here: 21 Things to do in Niagara Falls with Kids

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