2026 WSA INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION NIAGARA FALLS EXCURSION

WHO: All convention attendees who wish to go to Niagara Falls State Park (the American side of the falls)

WHEN: The afternoon of THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2026 ~12pm – 8pm

WHERE ARE WE GOING: Niagara Falls State Park – Goat Island. Parking Lot P2.

HOW TO GET THERE: Self drive or ride WSA-provided coach buses. 

  • To take a WSA bus, you MUST add this as an optional item in your conference registration. One seat must be reserved for everyone riding the bus who needs their own seat. Everyone over 24 months old must have a ticket. Children under 2 without a ticket must sit on a parent’s lap. 
  • If you choose to drive, please plan to park in Lot P2. See provided map. Please note parking is $10 per vehicle. 
  • Buses begin departing from the Buffalo Convention Center at 12:30pm. Each bus departs for Niagara Falls State Park as soon as it is full. There will be enough buses to transport the entire group at the beginning of the afternoon. 
  • Buses will return “round robin” style, with the first return trip beginning at 2:30pm. 
  • The last bus will depart Niagara Falls State Park at 7:00pm. We cannot hold buses. If you do miss the bus, you will need to use a Rideshare or taxi to return to Buffalo.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

You are free to explore Niagara Falls State Park on your own. We will be taking a group photo by Terrapin Point on Goat Island as soon as all of the buses have arrived. Our goal is to take the photo around 2:00pm. You will find information below about the attractions at Niagara Falls State Park. Discount tickets will be available for purchase for Cave of the Winds by showing your convention badge. 

  • 12:30pm: Busses begin departing the Buffalo Convention Center for Niagara Falls State Park.

  • ~ 2:00pm (or when all buses have arrived): Group photo at Terrapin Point (look for volunteers in orange shirts to guide you to the photo spot.)

  • 2:00 – 7:00pm: Explore on your own.

  • 2:30pm: Buses begin “round robin" trips back to the Buffalo Convention Center.

  • 7:00pm: Final buses depart Niagara Falls State Park to return to the Buffalo Convention Center.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

DO I NEED A PASSPORT TO GO ON THE NIAGARA FALLS EXCURSION?

  • You do NOT need a passport for this excursion. We will remain in the US.

WILL I MISS EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS OR PROGRAMMING IF I GO TO THE FALLS? 

  • No. Parent/Caregiver educational sessions will take place Thursday morning only. Programming for individuals with WS and their siblings will not be available that afternoon, to ensure everyone who wants to go to the falls is able. 

WHAT IF I DON’T WANT TO GO TO THE FALLS?

  • There will not be programming or parent sessions Thursday afternoon. Depending on the number of people who choose not to join us, there may be movies playing in the general session area and games available for the teens and adults with WS.

WHAT IF I MISS THE LAST BUS RETURNING TO THE CONVENTION CENTER?

  • The last bus will depart from the bus stop on Goat Island at 7:00 PM. If you miss our final bus, you will need to take a taxi or ride share (Uber/Lyft) back to the convention center. There will be plenty of spots on the bus for everyone - please be on time so you don't "miss the bus!"

WHAT IF I DON'T WANT TO STAY AT THE FALLS FOR LONG? HOW DO I RETURN TO THE CONVENTION CENTER?

  • Buses will return “round robin” style, with the first return trip beginning at 2:30pm. When you're ready to head back, there will be a bus!

IS THERE A RESTROOM ON THE BUS?

  • We have reserved coach buses, which will all have air conditioning and working restrooms.

HOW FAR IS IT FROM THE CONVENTION CENTER TO NIAGARA FALLS STATE PARK?

  • Depending on traffic, it takes about 30 minutes to get from the convention center to Niagara Falls. You will NOT be able to leave anything on the bus, so please do not bring anything you will not be able to carry off the bus. 

IF I HAVE A PASSPORT, CAN I WALK ACROSS THE RAINBOW BRIDGE INTO CANADA?

Yes! If you have your passport, you're welcome to walk across the Rainbow Bridge into Canada. (The walk also provides a beautiful view of the falls!) Walking across the Rainbow Bridge from Niagara Falls, USA, to Canada is a straightforward, scenic 10-minute walk open 24/7. You must have a passport, pay a small toll ($1 USD/CAD or $1.25 CAD in quarters) to return, and pass through customs on either side. Pedestrians can cross into Canada for free but must pay to return to the US.

WHAT IS THERE TO DO BESIDES SEE NIAGARA FALLS?

  • Great question! Check out the section below to learn more about what there is to see and do at Niagara Falls State Park! These optional are not included, paid for, or arranged by the WSA.

ATTRACTIONS AT NIAGARA FALLS STATE PARK

These optional are not included, paid for, or arranged by the WSA.

Niagara Falls Scenic Trolley: https://www.niagarafallsstatepark.com/attractions/trolley/ A hop-on-hop-off trolley that takes visitors around Niagara Falls State Park. Great for those with limited mobility to see all the incredible sights that the park has to offer. ADA Friendly 2026 Rates: $5 Adult and $3 Youth. 

Cave of the Winds: https://www.niagarafallsstatepark.com/attractions/cave-of-the-winds/ This is a timed attraction and requires reservation/ticket. Attraction involves multiple stair climbs. You’ll venture out onto the Hurricane Deck and get closer to wonder than you ever imagined – feeling the mist from the Falls. Please wear footwear that you don’t mind getting wet! Discounted Ticket Prices: $24 Adult and $19 Youth. Discount tickets will be available for purchase for Cave of the Winds by showing your convention badge.

Maid of the Mist https://www.maidofthemist.com/  A popular Niagara Falls attraction for more than 150 years, boarding at the Observation Tower where guests are given a souvenir rain poncho to wear and board the double-deck Maid of the Mist tour boat. Ferry past the base of the American Falls, and onto the basin of Horseshoe Falls – leading you through the roiling waterfall whitewater and massive rock formations. $30.25 Adult & $19.75 Youth

Welcome Center: https://www.niagarafallsstatepark.com/attractions/welcome-center/ The 28,000-square-foot Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. 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. Observation Tower: https://www.niagarafallsstatepark.com/attractions/observation-tower/ Extending out dramatically over the Niagara Gorge, the architectural wonder of the Niagara Falls USA Prospect Point Observation Tower affords unobstructed views of the wild cascades of ALL THREE FALLS and the Niagara River. Niagara Falls State Park Observation Tower provides the only panoramic view of all three cataracts that comprise Niagara Falls, including the American Falls. Elevators at the Observation Tower provide access to the base of the gorge and the boarding site for the Maid of the Mist boat tour. The elevator and deck are open to all visitors. Boat ticket purchase is not required.

In-Park Dining: https://www.niagarafallsstatepark.com/park-information/in-park-dining/

  • Cave of the Winds Café – located at the Cave of the Winds building on Goat Island, you can choose from a variety of food, beverages & desserts – and easy Self-Service Checkout.

  • Tastes of Niagara Café – located inside the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Welcome Center, serving popular favorites from Western New York – from a Sahlen’s hot dog or Italian sausage on a Costanzo’s roll from a variety of Taste NY vendors offered on their menu. 

  • Snack Stops – you’ll find various concession stands located throughout the park. Grab a quick bite in between attractions – including coffee, soda, snacks like frozen favorites like Dippin’Dots and hand-scooped Perry’s Ice Cream.