Small-town charm, history and commuter access in Wheatfield Township
Eighteen miles north of Buffalo, Wheatfield Township is known for its Eastern European heritage, close-knit community and agricultural roots. "It's a very welcoming and friendly community," says Kathleen Harrington-McDonell, town clerk. "People support each other." Neighborhoods are split between new developments, established suburbs and rustic areas. "We still have some working farms," Harrington-McDonnell says. The Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station is a major employer, and commuting to Buffalo is common. "It's convenient to various parts of Western New York," Harrington-McDonnel says.
Diverse housing market with suburban and rural options
Wheatfield Township's housing market strikes a balance between suburban growth and rural roots, offering a diverse mix of housing styles and settings. Construction spans from the late 19th century to the present. "We probably have about 50 new construction homes a year," Harrington-McDonell says. "They're single-family homes — smaller, average-sized lots."
In the southern half of town, neighborhoods developed over the past 60 years feature split-level, Colonial Revival and ranch-style homes along wide, sidewalk-lined streets. Many include attached garages, decks and well-kept lawns. Scattered among them are mid-20th-century ranches with red brick exteriors and the occasional historic farmhouse with wood siding.
Further north, the landscape opens up. Custom-built homes sit on larger, tree-lined lots, offering privacy and a more pastoral atmosphere. "Some of that is farmland, others [are] … just a nice, large lot with wooded areas," Harrington-McDonell says.
Prices generally range from $200,000 to $600,000, with smaller properties occasionally selling below that range and larger estates commanding higher prices.
Play sports, picnic and fish in the Niagara River
Wheatfield Township's parks offer a mix of small-town charm and rugged, outdoor adventure. Fairmount Park serves as the town's central recreation hub, offering an inclusive playground, a ballfield and courts for tennis and volleyball. The 50-acre green space also includes a fishing pond that ices over for skating in the winter. Nearby, the dog-friendly Oppenheim County Park spans over 90 acres, featuring a splash park and picnic shelters with grills. For quieter afternoons, Mario Park's 12 acres offer another playground and sports such as soccer, baseball and basketball.
The Niagara River borders the town, and Gratwick Riverside Park, less than a mile away, provides a boat launch and a fishing dock, where largemouth bass get reeled in. Eight miles away, Niagara Falls is nicknamed the "Honeymoon Capital of the World" for its breathtaking views.
Eastern European eats, farm-fresh groceries and nearby Fashion Outlets
Shops and restaurants are concentrated along Niagara Falls Boulevard. To start the morning, Salisa's is a laid-back spot serving all-American diner fare, along with a few Eastern European specialties, such as the Polish Surprise Omelette, which features sausage, home fries and onions. Nearby, the historic Sawyer Creek Hotel is known for its late 19th-century, Old West style with comfort offerings like jumbo Bavarian pretzels and seafood-stuffed Hungarian peppers smothered in provolone. Olympia is another highlight, serving authentic Greek cuisine, including baklava cheesecake. Pellicano's Marketplace is an Italian grocer and butcher carrying specialty ingredients, like Hatch pepper Gouda and Delmonico steaks. Goodman's Farm Market provides a variety of seasonal flowers, fruits and vegetables. "A lot of people have farmstands on their properties," Harrington-McDonell says.
Two miles away, there's a Wegmans with grocery essentials and the Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls USA — an indoor mall with over 100 businesses, including Pandora, Columbia and Adidas.
The Wheatfield Family Picnic and German heritage
The Wheatfield Family Picnic has been a town-wide tradition for over 40 years. Held in August, the all-day affair at Fairmount Park features a petting zoo, hayrides and a kids' carnival with face painting and a dunk tank. There's also a performance from the Bergholz German Band, who don lederhosen and dirndls to play traditional German oompah music. "People look forward to hearing the German band," Harrington-McDonell says. "There's a lot of history and culture with the German community established in Wheatfield."
In the mid-19th century, the hamlet of Bergholz was settled by German immigrants. Today, Harrington-McDonnell says the hamlet features some of the town's oldest homes, including the Das House Museum. "It's an 1843 log home … and there's a reconstructed barn house using original timber," she says.
Academic opportunities at Niagara-Wheatfield Senior High
Wheatfield Township is part of multiple school districts, including the Niagara-Wheatfield Central School District, which is rated A-minus overall and ranked the second-best district in Niagara County by Niche. Kids may start at the A-minus-rated Errick Road Elementary School before moving to Edward Town Middle and Niagara-Wheatfield Senior High — both are rated B-plus. At the latter, teens may explore their interests in extracurricular activities like the songwriting and board game clubs. The high school also offers dual-enrollment opportunities through SUNY Niagara.
U.S. Route 62 grants access to Buffalo and Niagara Falls
Wheatfield Township's streets are generally sidewalk-lined and bike-friendly, but residents often drive to get around. Niagara Falls Boulevard/U.S. Route 62 passes through town, providing a direct route to Niagara Falls and connecting access to Buffalo. Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority buses also stop in the area. Niagara Falls International Airport is in town, and Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center is 11 miles away.
