The Country's Most Impressive Rest Stop Is Hiding Right Here In New York
By John Williams|Published March 19, 2024
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John Williams
Author
John Williams is a writer based in New York City. He's been living in the state for over a decade. He loves nothing more than checking out some great regional cuisine and then taking a long walk in the park.
Not all rest stops are created equal. Case in point is the Western New York Welcome Center in Grand Island, New York. The rest stop, which is less than a decade old, features some of the best food and drink the region has to offer, as well as a striking design, great amenities, and a whole lot more. It might just be the best rest stop in New York. For details, keep reading below.
The design of the Western New York Welcome Center was inspired by the legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright, giving the space an elevated feel that separates it from most rest stops. The Welcome Center sees itself as the starting point to exploring all of the great destinations and sites that exist in the Western New York region.
The facility opened in 2018 and is the result of a $20 million budget. Its Grand Island location is located between Buffalo and Niagara Falls, making it a great hub for travelers in New York State. The rest stop is accessible from the Niagara Thruway on I-190.
Inside of the Welcome Center there is the Taste NY Market, which offers to visitors a variety of products made right here in New York. There are freshly made breakfast and lunch foods—soups, salads, sandwiches and deserts—many of which use ingratiations taken from local Western New York farmers and producers.
The Welcome Center is open 24 hours a day. It has a community room, an I LOVE NY “selfie wall,” a display of local historic artifacts, a floor map of various regional destinations, vending machines, and plenty of seating with tables.
Then there’s the area surrounding the Welcome Center, which comes with a children’s play area (it even has a Great Lakes shipwreck theme), an I LOVE NY Sculpture, and plenty of parking.
For anyone traveling through Western New York, the Western New York Welcome Center makes for the perfect pit stop at the best rest stop in New York. While in the region, why not check out one of these great flea markets in Buffalo? And for those looking for a place to stay in Buffalo, we recommend Holiday Inn Express & Suites Buffalo Downtown.
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