Maid Of The Mist Boat Tour
Operating since 1846, the Maid of the Mist is the one and only tour boat fleet whose captains have safely navigated the mighty waters of the Niagara Gorge for over 100 years. This iconic boat ride operates only on the U.S. side of the Falls and has officially launched two new all-electric, emission-free passenger vessels. Guests from around the world will now enjoy a smoother, quieter and greener ride when visiting the nation’s oldest state park. Access the Maid of the Mist via the Observation Tower and journey along the Niagara River to the base of the American and Horseshoe Falls and witness the thundering roar of 600,000 gallons of water. This spectacular ride lasts a half hour and creates a lifetime of memories with each voyage. Blue rain poncho provided.
- ADA Compliant
- Niagara Falls State Park, Prospect Park
- Niagara Falls, NY; 14303
Maid Of The Mist Tickets
For Maid of the Mist, you can purchase tickets online in advance here but they are not for a specific day or time.; For 2020, adults tickets cost $22.25 USD and children tickets are $13.00 USD.; Remember children 5 and under are free. If you are looking for a Maid of the Mist discount and plan on seeing other attractions on the New York side of the Falls, you may want to purchase the Niagara Falls USA Discovery Pass.
After the cruise, we may be wet but we were all smiles!
Maid Of The Mist Boat Ride
The boat tour starts from the base of Niagara Gorge on the US side. The elevators at Prospect Point Tower in Niagara Falls State Park will take you to the base of the gorge where the boat docks are located.
Blue rain ponchos will be given to all passengers boarding the Maid of the Mist. Enjoy the view of the Niagara Gorge and the Falls as the boat passes close to the American and Bridal Veil Falls and then to the base of the massive Horseshoe Falls.
The boat ride takes about 20 minutes. All boats are wheelchair accessible.
Also Check: How To Clean Boat Canvas Mildew
Hornblower Cruises Niagara Falls Boat Tour Price Niagara Falls Canada
If you are touring Niagara Falls in Canada, you will need to take the Hornblower Niagara Cruise for a view of the Falls from the Niagara River.
Hornblower Niagara Cruises offer day and night tours of Niagara Falls.
The daytime cruise is a 20-minute exhilarating boat ride where passengers are taken past the American and Bridal Veil Falls and into the basin of the Horseshoe Falls. The sight of the American and Bridal Veil Falls as they crash into the bed of rocks on the shores of the Niagara River is pretty amazing. You can see the Prospect Point Observation Tower and Terrapin Point on Goat Island in Niagara Falls, NY from the Hornblower Boat.
As the boat passes the American Falls, you will notice that the water current gets stronger and the boat ride becomes rather bumpy. The Horseshoe Falls can be heard before it comes into view. The roar of the Horseshoe Falls is deafening and sort of draws you to the Falls. When the Hornblower catamaran enters into the choppy waters near the Horseshoe Falls, you will be awestruck by the sheet of water dropping over the cliff and the horseshoe shape of the Falls. The spray from the Falls will drench you; your complimentary poncho will keep you somewhat dry.
Hornblower Niagara Cruises offer nighttime tours where you can see the illuminated Falls reflecting a colourful display from LED lights across the river. There is also a nighttime cruise to view the fireworks show put up on select days between May and September.
Duration: 20 minutes
Maid Of The Mist Boat Ride With Adventure Tour Provided By Niagara Falls Adventure Tours
- Instant confirmation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- Admission to the Maid of the Mist Boat Ride
- Ponchos at the Maid of the Mist
- One-Hour Maid of the Mist behind the Scenes Tour
- Entry/Admission – Niagara Falls
- Hard Rock Cafe, 333 Prospect St, Niagara Falls, NY 14303, USAYou will meet your guide in front of the Hard Rock Cafe. We have found this to be an easy centralized location with available parking close by.
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 24 travelers
- Admission to the Maid of the Mist Boat Ride
- Ponchos at the Maid of the Mist
- One-Hour Maid of the Mist behind the Scenes Tour
- Entry/Admission – Niagara Falls
- Parking Fees
- Hard Rock Cafe, 333 Prospect St, Niagara Falls, NY 14303, USAYou will meet your guide in front of the Hard Rock Cafe. We have found this to be an easy centralized location with available parking close by.
- Returns to original departure point
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 24 travelers
- Face masks required for travelers in public areas
- Contactless payment for gratuities and add-ons
- Face masks required for guides in public areas
Recommended Reading: What Removes Mildew From Boat Seats
What Is Included In The Maid Of The Mist Price
- the 20-minute Niagara Falls boat tour
- a complimentary poncho
- access to the Observation Tower
- use of the elevator down to the dock
I seriously brought my blue poncho home for my daughter. She exclaimed that this was the best souvenir EVER!
The last day of operation for the 2018 season is November 4, 2018.
The 2019 opening date has not been announced just yet, but you can typically get a ride on the Niagara Falls boat tour starting in late April or early May.
How To Choose The Best Niagara Cruise
Since the differences between the two Niagara Falls boat tours are insignificant, the deciding factor is which side of Niagara Falls you are on. ;Border crossing does take time, and there are fees whether you walk across the Rainbow Bridge or drive across the border.
If you are on the American side, then do the Maid of the Mist. ;If you are on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, then it makes more sense to do the Hornblower Cruise Niagara Falls. ;We were staying on the Canadian side, so we decided to take the Hornblower. ;We could have also done the Maid of the Mist if we would have done the boat ride the same day we did the Cave of the Winds since that is on the American side of the falls.
Additionally, the season for Hornblower cruises is slightly longer than the Maid of the Mist. ;Hornblower operates their daytime cruises from April 1st until November 30th, weather permitting. ;Maid of the Mist ends their season in early November.;
Luckily, regardless of what boat you choose, it will be an experience you will always remember. ;We had a great time!
You May Like: How To Register Your Boat With The Coast Guard
Niagara Falls Maid Of The Mist Boat Ride
Niagara Falls Maid of the Mist is an absolutely epic experience that is a must-do for those visiting Niagara Falls!;Thank you to Maid of the Mist for sponsoring this post. As always, all opinions are my own. #ad #Iconic #MaidoftheMist #NiagaraFallsUSA
If you follow me on Instagram, you may have already seen the photo above recently.; It’s one of my favorites from our trip! Seeing Niagara Falls from the Maid of the Mist gives you a whole new perspective on the enormity and power of the Falls.; From the United States, this is the only way to view the American Falls head on and truly get a sense of it’s majestic beauty.; This was truly one of the biggest highlights of our trip to Niagara Falls!!
How Much Does The Maid Of The Mist Cost And What Is Included In The Price
The Niagara Falls boat tour can be purchased in advance online at?
I walked right up, however, and purchased the same day tickets. I also lucked out and boarded right away.
Boats leave the dock every 15 minutes- and it was approximately a 15-minute walk from the ticket booth to the Observation Tower, down the elevator, and to the boat boarding.
Plan on a good hour to hour and 15 minutes for your full experience; a little longer during the summer months when you might be waiting a bit longer to board the boat.
Recommended Reading: Should I Get Boat Insurance
Private Niagara Falls American
This private & exclusive Niagara Falls tour features all the beauty and natural wonder that is Niagara Falls, USA. Youll experience the breathtaking Cave of the Winds, ride aboard the;Maid of the Mist;and see mesmerizing views of Niagara Falls with your own personal Tour Guide!
Tour Times: 10:00AM
Niagara Falls Tour Packages
Niagara Falls, New York is the home to the American side of one of the most famous natural landmarks in the world Niagara Falls. Situated between the American-Canadian border between two cities both named Niagara Falls one in New York and the other in Ontario connected with the Rainbow Bridge. ;The various attractions in the area are designed especially for tourists to experience the falls from different ways and at practically every angle. You can find tours that offer an aerial view of the falls, close-up views of the falls, and even tours that take you behind the falls.
The best way to experience Niagara Falls is with a deluxe sightseeing tour that gives you, your family, and friends a private one-day experience narrated by a licensed tour guide. The Maid of the Mist tour also gives you an up close view of the falls from a boat and provides another great tour experience. Youll find these and all sorts of other tours from either the American side or Canadian side. Book a tour to add to this unique experience and create memories youll cherish forever!
When is the best time to visit Niagara Falls?
Maid Of The Mist Launches The Season With New Electric Boats
BUFFALO, N.Y. When the Maid of the Mist launches for the season at 9 this morning, it will be the first full season with their two brand new boats in the water. They’re all-electric, emission-free, and the only of their kind in the U.S.
The new boats have been in the works for a few years. They were built on-site in 2019 and 2020 and had a test run during the final month of last year’s season. All they take to run is a seven-minute charge in between rides.;
The new boats will give guests a new experience onboard, with more room to spread out, unobstructed views from the upper deck, and for the first time in the attraction’s more than 175-year history, a completely quiet ride, with no engines to compete with the roar of the falls.;
“Not only do you hear just the roar of Niagara Falls, but you’re also going to hear wildlife. There are just thousands and thousands of birds who call this lower gorge home, and you can hear them,” Spokesman Kevin Keenan told 2 On Your Side. “So it’s totally different, and it’s really a comfortable ride. There’s no noise, there’s no vibration. People will really get to experience Niagara Falls like they’ve never been able to before.”
We are four days away from Opening Day! Vessels are in the water. The first tour launches Thursday morning at 9! #itselectric
Recommended Reading: What Pitch Prop For My Boat
Buying Niagara Falls Boat Tour Tickets
Unlike many other popular tourist attractions, you do not need to buy tickets for the Maid of the Mist or the Hornblower in advance.; The boats run frequently and carry hundreds of people, so that dont sell out.; While you can buy tickets online, you cannot book a specific tour time for daytime cruises.; We bought our tickets at the booth in front of the Hornblower Cruise when we were ready to do the boat ride.
It may seem like there is a long wait for the tours, but since boats are large and run every 15 minutes the lines will move reasonably fast. ;During peak days, I would recommend going early to minimize your wait time.
It wasnt crowded when we went, so we could have gotten right on when we got to the dock but we decided to wait and be the first people to board the next boat. ;That way we could get the best seat well, place to stand. You dont need to worry about where you end up standing though. Visibility is limited and youre going to get wet anyway!
What To Expect On A Niagara Falls Cruise
My experience on my Niagara boat tour was different than I expected. ;I thought that as we got close to the Falls the water would get pretty rough. ;That wasnt the case. ;The water seemed to be pretty calm but the mist and wind were much more powerful than what I expected.
You need that poncho and you need to tie it tight. ;I had to hold on to poncho in order to keep my hair somewhat dry. ;Even with holding onto my poncho my hair did get wet though!
Since you will get wet anyway, it could be a good thing to do when it is raining in Niagara.; Looking back it would have been nice to have some waterproof covers for our shoes .; Even with shoe covers, you still need to allow time for the rest of you to dry!; We were happy we were able to go back to the hotel and change before dinner. ;If you do your Niagara boat tour on a chilly day, you will want to get out of your wet clothes as soon as possible.; Ladies, you will also want to be sure to bring waterproof mascara!
I should mention there is no storage for your belongings. ;Please dont bring things that are not waterproof. ;If you plan on using your cell phone to take photos, you should bring a waterproof phone case. ;You can actually find some good quality ones that are affordable on Amazon;.;We used a GoPro Hero 5 Black for our video. ;It is waterproof and great for capturing action video like this. .
Check out my practical tips for visiting Niagara Falls and my packing guide for more helpful information to plan your trip.
Don’t Miss: What To Use To Clean Vinyl Boat Seats
Tips For Niagara Falls Maid Of The Mist
Lines for Niagara Falls Maid of the Mist can be long in peak season, so go early in the day if possible.; The weekends are busier as well, so try mid-week for the shortest wait time.; Employees will provide you with a blue poncho.
Here are some tips:
- I recommend having a waterproof case for your phone so that you can still take photos – the views are unlike any you can get from the top of the Falls!
- A waterproof camera or disposable camera is also nice to have.
Check out this video I took of the Falls from the Observation Deck one evening:
Some of the items below contain affiliate links; I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. However, I only promote things that I love and think you will love, too.; For more information, please see our website.
Information About Maid Of The Mist Niagara Falls Ny
Maid of the Mist is one of the most famous attractions of Niagara Falls on the American side. Attracting thousands of tourists every year, this boat tour is an experience worthwhile.
There is an interesting story about the origin of the name of the attraction. Most likely it is related to a legend coming from the ancient tribe Iroquois. The story is about a girl named Lelawala who fell in love with the god of lightning who lived behind the waterfalls. After he saved her from death from the waters of the falls, Lelawala became the first Maid of the Mist.
Through the years Maid of the Mist was also visited by celebrities such as Marilyn Monroe, Princess Diana and Prince Charles, Mikhail Gorbachev.
The boats used for the tour are with two floors, and you can aim for the lower deck to be more protected from the splashes. The starting point is the Observation Tower, and there are usually tours every 30 minutes.
During their stay in the boat, the visitors receive a blue-colored waterproof poncho to protect their clothes and shoes from water jets . Wheelchair access has also been considered for people with reduced mobility. The trip lasts about half an hour leading to the middle of the American Falls and Horseshoe Falls.
The ticket for an adult costs $22.25, and for a child $13. As at other Niagara Falls attractions, children under the age of 5 are admitted free of charge.
Recommended Reading: Can I Register My Boat Online
What To Wear To Niagara Falls For A Maid Of The Mist Tour
It probably should go without saying, but you get wet on Maid of the Mist boat tours. You also walk down a long gangway to the boat. The best clothes to wear for a Niagara Falls boat tour include:
- Shoes with a good grip so you dont slip on rocks or wet places. Ellie wore tennis shoes, and I wore my favorite Keen Sandals.
- Lightweight, quick dry clothes. Jeans get wet and stay wet all day, so I dont recommend them! Some options to consider:
- Active kids outdoor pants/shorts
- Quick dry shirts whether long sleeve for sun protection or cool weather or short sleeve, loose fit or athletic cut. LOTS OF OPTIONS! But, quick dry means more comfort!
Remember to pack sunscreen, sunglasses and/or a hat with a brim to protect your eyes. The suns glare on Niagara Falls can be pretty intense.
