Instead of traveling to Toronto to catch some live music, you may want to cross the Queenston-Lewiston bridge. It could save you gas and money.

ArtPark, located in Lewiston, N.Y., sits atop 150 acres of New York State Park overlooking the Niagara River gorge. The venue features a 2,400-seat mainstage theatre and adjacent seating lawn with room for more than 1,800 as well as an outdoor amphitheatre.

One of the main attractions at ArtPark are the free weekly concert series, Tuesdays in the Park and Wednesdays on the Gorge. In fact, these free concerts attract such large crowds that before Michael McDonald of the Doobie Brothers performed July 23, people were already choosing their lawn seats at three in the afternoon for the 6 p.m. show.

But this isn't early compared to last year, said George Osborne, president of ArtPark. They had to change the rules so that people couldn't enter the park until after 2 p.m. because before that they would show up at 7 a.m. while ArtPark employees were trying to get ready for that evening's show.

"You have to come early if you want to sit in the front," said Osborne.

Most of the concerts are staged outside in the amphitheatre where visitors can get food from various vendors and buy beverages from numerous beer tents. They even have a Tim Hortons on site.

Some concerts are also held in the theatre that can seat up to 12,000 people. The Tragically Hip recently played a packed house in the theatre.

"That was the most beer we ever sold in one day," said Osborne.

The theatre is home to a combination of Broadway musicals, dance and big band shows and special events concerts. During the weekends in July, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra takes up residency in the theatre. The Broadway musical, Beauty and the Beast will run from Aug. 14 to the 24 in the theatre.

The only problem ArtPark seems to face is the lack of Canadian visitors. In 2007, only 10 per cent of the audience came from Canada. With so much to offer, as well as only being a hop, skip and a jump away from Niagara, ArtPark is hoping to spread the news of their programs so that Canadians can experience what so many Americans already have.

"We want people to rediscover ArtPark," said Maureen Kellick, director of marketing. "And other things they can do here."

As well as the free concert series and theatre programs, ArtPark also offers kids programs like children's art and theatre camps. And if you want to catch a concert you can bring along your children.

"The types of bands we bring in draw a family-friendly crowd," said Michael Freedman, director of communications.

The park even offers kids arts activities from 6 p.m. till 8 p.m. during the free concert series on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to keep children occupied before the main act hits the stage.

In 2007, Artpark drew more 220,000 visitors to scheduled events. Freedman said that some of the biggest concerts in the past were Styx in 2006 which was "just packed" with more than 22,000 people and Kansas with a crowd of 15,000. He said he would be shocked if McDonald's crowd didn't reach that number.

Even in the rain, the show must still go on. Kellick said that sometimes people from Buffalo may be wary to drive out to Lewiston for the show if it's raining where they are. They don't realize that sometimes the weather is different down in Lewiston, she said. But really the crowd outcome depends on the show.

"It's so worth it to come," said Kellick. "It's an event and an experience."

And it doesn't hurt that the concert-goers can view one of the "prettiest vistas of the lower river in the whole park" according to Kellick.

The bands also love the view, said Osborne. When they're on the stage they can look down and see the river right below them.

There are five Tuesday and five Wednesday shows left in the 2008 free concert series season. The Tuesday shows include Gov't Mule on July 29, Dickey Betts and Great Southern on Aug. 5, Celtic Night featuring Leahy on Aug. 12, Joe Bonamassa on Aug. 19 and War on Aug. 26. The Wednesday shows include Sam Roberts Band on July 30, Walter Trout with special guest Watermelon Slim on Aug. 6, Kim Mitchell on Aug. 13, Donna the Buffalo on Aug. 20, and Sass Jordan on Aug. 27.

But be advised, arrive early if you want close seats and don't forget your lawn chairs as the outside amphitheatre only provides lawn seating.

"You won't be able to see the ground," said Freedman, referring to the open space at 3 p.m. before the Michael McDonald show actually began.

For more information on shows and programs visit www.artpark.net or call 716-754-4375.