Artpark
4
6:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Monday
6:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Tuesday
6:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday
6:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Thursday
6:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Friday
6:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Saturday
6:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Sunday
6:00 AM - 10:00 PM
About
Artpark, Western New York’s premier music and theater destination, sits atop 150 acres of picturesque land overlooking the Niagara River Gorge. Located in Historic Lewiston, the State Park features a 2,400-seat Mainstage Theater and seating lawn, Outdoor Amphitheater, steel sculptures, picnic areas, hiking trails, historical markers, fishing docks and children’s activities!
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
204 reviews
Excellent
106
Very good
56
Average
15
Poor
10
Terrible
17
ImaPrettyDecentGuy
Rochester, NY42 contributions
Jul 2022
Went to Tedeschi Trucks Band on 7/12. Great Show! My first time at Artpark; will probably not go back. I do not mean to trash the venue; it is what it is. But, to anyone who hasn't been there before, you should know what you're getting into. A few things:
(1) Traffic coming in and going out is terrible. The venue is at one end of the quaint, and lovely little village of Lewiston, which is absolutely not set up for the volume of traffic that the venue attracts. Get there early, and plan on staying till the traffic clears.
(2) Prepare to walk; a lot. Onsite parking is extremely limited. It's actually pretty inexpensive (like $10 maybe), so if you want to try to snag one of those spots, get there very early. Otherwise, there are a couple of lots (the "upper" lots) that are quite a hike, and there's street parking in the Village. You might need to walk ~1 mi. each way. Nothing wrong with that necessarily, but wear comfortable shoes.
(3) The venue is oddly laid out with a large portion of the lawn area unable to really see the stage. (Check out the venue map at the website.) There are large video screens, at least. But, I guess if I'm going to watch a concert on a TV screen, I can do that at home. The "Front of Stage", the "General Admission Bowl" and other "reserved" areas are all pretty good. Spend extra for those if you can. If you're happy with the "cheap seats" and just being at the show (even if you can't see it), then go for the Lawn seats.
(4) Security rules are nonsensical. Going through ladies' small purses/pocketbooks? Large purses are n't allowed to begin with! (I mean they were unzipping every pocket. What are they looking for? There's already a metal detector!). Lawn chairs have to come out of their bags (again, what are they looking for?) This slows down entry tremendously.
(5) Security staff were rude. I get it, you need to keep aisleways clear. But when someone steps up for maybe 30 seconds to take a photo or video (because they can't see the stage from their seat!) just let them be! If they linger too long, ok, ask them to move on.
Bottom line: if a band I like is coming to Artpark, I will look for literally any other venue where they're playing, within say a 2 hour drive. I'm sure the experience will be much better.
(1) Traffic coming in and going out is terrible. The venue is at one end of the quaint, and lovely little village of Lewiston, which is absolutely not set up for the volume of traffic that the venue attracts. Get there early, and plan on staying till the traffic clears.
(2) Prepare to walk; a lot. Onsite parking is extremely limited. It's actually pretty inexpensive (like $10 maybe), so if you want to try to snag one of those spots, get there very early. Otherwise, there are a couple of lots (the "upper" lots) that are quite a hike, and there's street parking in the Village. You might need to walk ~1 mi. each way. Nothing wrong with that necessarily, but wear comfortable shoes.
(3) The venue is oddly laid out with a large portion of the lawn area unable to really see the stage. (Check out the venue map at the website.) There are large video screens, at least. But, I guess if I'm going to watch a concert on a TV screen, I can do that at home. The "Front of Stage", the "General Admission Bowl" and other "reserved" areas are all pretty good. Spend extra for those if you can. If you're happy with the "cheap seats" and just being at the show (even if you can't see it), then go for the Lawn seats.
(4) Security rules are nonsensical. Going through ladies' small purses/pocketbooks? Large purses are n't allowed to begin with! (I mean they were unzipping every pocket. What are they looking for? There's already a metal detector!). Lawn chairs have to come out of their bags (again, what are they looking for?) This slows down entry tremendously.
(5) Security staff were rude. I get it, you need to keep aisleways clear. But when someone steps up for maybe 30 seconds to take a photo or video (because they can't see the stage from their seat!) just let them be! If they linger too long, ok, ask them to move on.
Bottom line: if a band I like is coming to Artpark, I will look for literally any other venue where they're playing, within say a 2 hour drive. I'm sure the experience will be much better.
Written July 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Linda D
Canandaigua, NY1 contribution
Jul 2022 • Couples
The concert venue was quite nice. There was alot of confusion on who required certain color wristbands for entry. A bit of a concern that firelanes/ aisle were clogged with those wishing to find a place to put there chairs in the reserved seating area.
Another area of concern was the number of people with disabilities unable to secure a road down the their cars. There were people with walkers and canes walking from the venues to outside the entrance. They were quite vocal in their frustration.
Unfortunately I had purchased for a birthday celebration 2 VIP sound check tickets for Earth Wind and Fire. We were required to be there by 3:30 for 4 pm sound check. Due to technical issues the sound check was delayed while we sat in 85+ sunny weather until 5:30!
We were to a bag with EWF on it and a printed sheet of lyrics that looked like it was taken off the internet. What a disappointment from the advertised bag
contents.
The raoming opening act was fun and very different from the usual openers. Earth Wind and Fire was fantastic not only in sound but also stage presence and audience engagement.
Another area of concern was the number of people with disabilities unable to secure a road down the their cars. There were people with walkers and canes walking from the venues to outside the entrance. They were quite vocal in their frustration.
Unfortunately I had purchased for a birthday celebration 2 VIP sound check tickets for Earth Wind and Fire. We were required to be there by 3:30 for 4 pm sound check. Due to technical issues the sound check was delayed while we sat in 85+ sunny weather until 5:30!
We were to a bag with EWF on it and a printed sheet of lyrics that looked like it was taken off the internet. What a disappointment from the advertised bag
contents.
The raoming opening act was fun and very different from the usual openers. Earth Wind and Fire was fantastic not only in sound but also stage presence and audience engagement.
Written August 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
JuneNY
1,583 contributions
Oct 2020
The Lower River's Edge Trail is well maintained and fairly easy. The views on the river to your right and the hill of trees to the left are magnificent.!! I highly recommend walking this trail especially in the autumn.
Written October 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
58christyv
Angola9 contributions
Jul 2022
We went for the Last Summer on Earth Show. It was sold out and the arena apparently seats 10000 people. We paid a fortune for front of stage tickets (originally $37 but $100 on the resale market) and couldn't get to the show. There are very limited ways to get here which created a backup of thousands of people trying to get to the park. Once we got near it we found there was no parking available. We had to drive more than 1/2 a mile away to alternative parking. Then we approached the stadium where thousands of people waited in line to get in. By this time every one of these people was 45 minutes late to the show because of the disaster of traffic and parking. We missed the entire opening act - Toad the Wet Sprocket - which was one of the two acts we were there to see. We caught Gin Blossoms and were glad to at least see half of what we wanted to see. Front of stage view was great but even there the venue was aggravating since staff misdirected us on how to get in.
Written July 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jennifer Brown
Barnesville, OH52 contributions
Jun 2021 • Family
We attended the Fairy Festival… ❤️❤️❤️❤️🧚♀️🧚🧚♂️ The ‘fairies’ there were amazing and never left character! We spent hours walking around and my daughter played. They have a percussion garden with bells and chimes and things to make music with. The park itself is very clean and we actually stayed and had a picnic after touring the fairy gardens. Beautiful day! Oh, and the staff is super sweet.
Written June 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dale A
2 contributions
Aug 2015 • Couples
I am a disabled veteran and my wife is also with disability. I called your operations manager yesterday before the Doobie Brothers concert and was informed to park in the upper lot. A shuttle service would be provided to and from the concert level seating area. This is also stated on your website. On arrival, a pleasant young man (James) came by in a 3 passenger golf cart. I sent my wife but I waited for the next "shuttle". About 15 minutes later he return and took me to the ticket scan area. There were about 20 others left behind waiting for the "shuttle". We took another small cart down to the lower level and were told that we would be picked up starting at about 9:30. We waited from 9:20 to 10:30 along with two dozen other handicapped people, some wheel chair bound. NO SHUTTLE! A cart with space for one single passenger came by twice. We ended up walking up the hill carrying two heavy lawn chairs to the brick building. There I flagged down a single seat cart to take my disabled wife to the far grassy parking area. After asking several staff members to help me and all the others who were left standing below, I got various excuses except for a police officer who told me that this is the normal disarray for Art Park. Shameful!!! I asked to speak to a supervisor. None available. I saw numerous carts go by with garbage. The garbage was a priority over the patrons. I walked, in pain, all the way to our car at the furthest parking area. I got to my car at about 11:15. I got home in Clarence at 12:30 am. My wife gets up at 6 am for work. We were both so upset we barely slept last night. False advertising, misrepresentation, bait and switch all come to mind. At the expense of disabled patrons, really? To add insult to injury, a black vest I was carrying draped over my lawn chair fell off and was lost. Another fifty bucks out the window. I am going to talk to my attorney about this because you can not continue to blatantly mismanage your logistics and mislead customers. According to the police officer, "no one there really cares enough to do anything to correct this ongoing problem". I will take you to task on this. Numerous carts to pick up garbage right in front of the disabled customers that absolutely needed a ride, good job.
Written August 26, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
janm175
Pittsburgh, PA125 contributions
Aug 2021
My husband and I made the trip to Artpark to see Melissa Etheridge in concert. The drive from our hotel in Whitesville to Lewiston was about 30 miles.
Finding Artpark was easy, with signs pointing you in the right direction. The parking lot was a nice size, and the staff were helpful answering questions. Parking was $5 per car.
We enjoyed the outdoor venue, and were pleasantly surprised there were food options, and drink vendors. There were plenty of port-a-potties for the crowd, although we didn't use them.
Being from out-of-town, we aren't familiar with Artpark and the activities that take place here. We were happy that it's easy to find by car, and easy to get around once you're there.
Finding Artpark was easy, with signs pointing you in the right direction. The parking lot was a nice size, and the staff were helpful answering questions. Parking was $5 per car.
We enjoyed the outdoor venue, and were pleasantly surprised there were food options, and drink vendors. There were plenty of port-a-potties for the crowd, although we didn't use them.
Being from out-of-town, we aren't familiar with Artpark and the activities that take place here. We were happy that it's easy to find by car, and easy to get around once you're there.
Written August 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Tim B
Welland, Canada1 contribution
Jun 2013 • Couples
My wife and I went to see the band Chicago at Artpark on Tuesday, June 25, 2013. The concert itself was great. However, accessibity for handicapped persons and communication by Artpark staff members was deplorable! My wife recently had knee surgery and she was using crutches when we went to the show. While we were driving to the show we saw a sign which said a "handicapped shuttle" was available to the show from the upper parking lot. After parking in the upper lot, there was no shuttle in sight. We asked one of the Artpark staff members who was directing traffic and he said that to his knowledge, there was no handicapped shuttle. After walking ALL the way to the entrance gates, we again asked an Artpark staff member about the shuttle in the hope of taking the shuttle back to our car after the show. Again, this staff member said she knew nothing about any "handicapped shuttle". We set up our chairs with many other people on a brick laneway and the show began. A short time later, a security guard came by and said that everyone sitting on the brick laneway would have to move, as it was an emergency vehicle pathway. There were no signs indicating that spectators were not allowed to sit in this area. However, the security guard said my wife and I could remain seated in the brick laneway because my wife was obviously disabled. A short while later, a SECOND security guard came along and told us, rather rudely, that we would have to move or else an emergency vehicle might "run her over." Following the concert, we started walking back to our car. In the distance I could see a golf cart transporting a few concertgoers. A couple of people got off the golf cart but I couldn't catch up to it, as it started moving again and it was too far away. So we walked all the way back to the upper parking lot. As a result my wife was in a lot of pain. I offered several times to skip the concert, but she really wanted to see the show. After we got home, we checked Artpark's website and there apparently is handicapped access from Parking Lot B, but there were no signs on the property or along the nearby city streets to indicate that handicapped persons should go to Parking Lot B. And again, none of the Artpark staff members we talked to knew anything about a handicapped shuttle. In the future I would hope that Artpark would get its act together and inform its employees about available services for handicapped persons.
Written July 17, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
PMC456
Burlington, Canada79 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
Repeat visitor to ArtPark. I've always enjoyed it. Great venue for concerts, whether outside on the hill (bring back Ian Hunter!) or inside the hall. Food and beer are bit more pricey. I've read the complaints about security - they all seem to be about security doing their job! The complaint about parking is valid - it's expensive and limited. It's not all that friendly for anyone with physical challenges to get up that hill. Part of the park last year only took cash, so plan ahead.
Written May 28, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Lindsay C
St. Catharines, Canada6 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
Surly, usually unhelpful security. Usually bent on harassing people blocking aisles, checking that you are in your proper ticket area, or stopping you from bringing in even your own full water bottles. Police and security are always on the lookout for anyone drinking off site or in parking lot. When leaving, your driver MUST be sober. Police often stop and check suspect drivers. Police are everywhere and hate you hanging around after any concert. Trouble is, it's a half hour wait on a single road to get out of ArtPark. Or a half mile or more walk if you park outside ArtPark. Parking is badly placed, and long walks are needed to even reach ArtPark. Parking lots can fill completely for popular events. Parking lots and roads and paths are badly lit and very dark at night. ArtPark is very hilly and not suitable for any handicapped person. Unless you bring chairs you have to sit on the grass. Toilets are a long walk from anywhere. Food and drinks are pricey and basic. If it rains anytime, concert is cancelled with no refunds. Aside from all that, you can get to see great entertainment at reasonable prices.
Written April 9, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
We have tickets for the concert tonight, but have a 2 hour drive to get to the venue. Being a work night, is there a recommended parking lot to use for the quickest exit after the concert? Thank-you!
Marie R
Niagara Falls, Canada1,108 contributions
Park in front of Apple Granny’s restaurant on the main road coming into Lewiston. Then (facing Apple Granny’s) walk to the lights to the left and turn left. Walk straight into the concert venue (about a 15 min. walk). When the concert is over, you’ll miss all of the outgoing traffic and already be on the main road to leave Lewiston.
Can you bring food and drink into the concert?
marysS5285IT
Rochester, NY10 contributions
No, you can not bring food or drinks into the concerts. When they started the Tuesdays in the Park the concerts were free and the vendors help off set the costs. Over the years the costs have gone up, bigger acts so they started charging admissions. Several food choices, and beer and wine/hard cider. Supporting the vendors helps keep the prices down and it is less to drag in and out for the patrons of the concert.
Can you bring your purse into the concert
marysS5285IT
Rochester, NY10 contributions
Yes you can but small purses are better. They will check it at the gate and now have size requirements. You should be able to check their website for more information.
FP7020
Niagara Falls, Canada113 contributions
What’s the difference between the Main Stage Theatre and the outdoor concert theatre?
I have lawn seats for the Main Stage Theatre. Are they the same stage?
marysS5285IT
Rochester, NY10 contributions
No they are not the same thing. The Main Stage is an indoor venue that had doors that that open in the back for lawn seats. I have never sat there only on the inside. The outdoor venue is in a different area of the park. The stage backs up to the Niagara river gorge. Beautiful sunsets.
How close to downtown?
Richard N
Oakville, Canada5 contributions
Yes it is a long walk to Artpark. I usually just parked downtown, had a beer and walked the fifteen minutes or so to the park. Yes a long walk -- and very dark at night (limited lighting). The line-up and security pat down will take another 15 minutes of your life. No water at the gate! no knives
Gangurltraveller
26 contributions
We bought tickets for SRO section. Does that mean that they wont allow us to bring lawn chairs in with us?
marysS5285IT
Rochester, NY10 contributions
That is correct. SRO is in front of the stage. Then reserved seating and then general admission where you can bring your chairs. One per person.
sandyschellenberg
St. Catharines, Canada3 contributions
What are general admission bowl seats
Richard N
Oakville, Canada5 contributions
General Admin tickets -- the sound will suck and there will be a lot of people trying to get a bit or real estate to sit down. There are two video monitors but not enough to go around. It used to be a lot easier to relax but everyone is jammed in now
MicheleDingman
Ontario
Hello: Can you tell me if you can bring the same items into the general admission bowl as you can the lawn? I am trying to decide whether to buy lawn tickets which I have had before or to try to be closer in the bowl.
marysS5285IT
Rochester, NY10 contributions
Yes you can.
What is “the bowl” at artpark theater? I want to get close to the stage but I can’t figure out what section I want to buy.
jback1131
Allegany, NY73 contributions
Hello,
I have never been to Artpark. I have tickets for the front of the stage. general admission. My questions are, How early would to recommend to get to the park to be able to get a decent spot, and are you able to bring a chair in to this section? Thank you.
Artpark (Lewiston) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Artpark
- Artpark is open:
- Sun - Sat 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM
- Hotels near Artpark:
- (0.41 mi) The Red Coat
- (0.40 mi) South Landing Inn
- (0.67 mi) Everheart Country Manor
- (1.88 mi) On the 6 Bed and Breakfast
- (0.61 mi) Niagara Crossing Hotel & Spa
- Restaurants near Artpark:
- (0.56 mi) The Village Bake Shoppe
- (0.70 mi) Silo Restaurant
- (0.45 mi) Queenston Heights Restaurant
- (0.58 mi) Brickyard Pub & BBQ
- (0.55 mi) Apple Granny