Maid of The Mist: Niagara Falls Boat Tour

The tour can be enjoyed from either the New York side of the falls in the United States or from Ontario, Canada, and the trip can be taken on an organised tour of up to three days or by simply purchasing tickets for a twenty-minute, twenty-minute experience of the world's most famous waterfalls.

There is so much to see in Niagara Falls, it can be difficult to plan a trip on your own, so an organised tour becomes the best option.

One of the advantages of guided tours is that you don't have to worry about anything, as accommodation and transfers are usually included, along with many meals and sightseeing. Add to this the fact that a visit to Niagara Falls Park includes experiences such as admission to Cave of the Winds or the Maid of the Mist boat ride, and you've got yourself a package deal.

Guided tours are available to suit different tastes and budgets, from basic backpacker tours to 5-star luxury and all-inclusive guided tours. Ideally, book tours in advance as they tend to be quite busy:

• Day trip: Visit Niagara Falls from New York and board the Maid of the Mist or Cave of the Winds.
• Two-day tour: This option includes an overnight stay with breakfast near Niagara Falls National Park.
• Three-day tour: In addition to the Maid of Mist trip, you can visit the 1000 Islands National Park.

Be prepared to get wet: the Maid of the Mist practically plunges you under the falls and many say it's one of the most fantastic ways to experience the splendour of Niagara Falls. In fact, it's one of the best things to do in the region.

After purchasing tickets, a lift takes passengers to the pier. Passengers are given a plastic poncho to keep them from getting soaked, but you'll still get soaked so don't hesitate and find a spot by the railings for the best (and wettest) views.

As you approach the falls, look downstream towards the 50 metre high walls of the Niagara Gorge, sculpted over hundreds of thousands of years as the waterfall eroded the rock. Gradually, the sound of the water will turn to thunder and you will also hear the screams of amazement from the passengers as if you were on an amusement park ride.

Highlights of this cruise

• Each boat holds up to 600 people and it's quite a crowded experience, so it's not recommended for the claustrophobic.
• Before boarding you'll see staff ready to guide you and there are toilets before you queue for boarding that you can take advantage of.
• While the memories that will be created on this trip will last a lifetime, the experience itself lasts 20 minutes at most.
• When you get on board you will see some passengers rushing to pick the best seats, which are the ones on the top floor for the best view.

What other tourists say about the Maid of the Mist boat trip

Recent visitors say that you can't leave Niagara Falls without taking a ride on the Maid of the Mist. Apart from the incredible views, tourists were also pleased with the length of the ride (20 minutes) and the low price of the ticket. If you have travelled to New York and don't want to miss out on this natural gem, I recommend booking a Niagara tour in advance.

Tickets for the Maid of Mist are sold directly from 9 A.M. at the port inside Niagara Falls State Park. There are several pre-sales available directly on their official website, but these sell out quickly and are only available seasonally.

The advantage of these tickets is that they do not have a specific date, but you have to wait in line anyway, even if you have pre-ordered the tickets as you need to exchange your purchase receipt for the tickets themselves.

Maid of the Mist boat tour dates and times

Maid of the Mist tours run from April to October each year, depending on weather conditions. Boats can be boarded from the US side of the falls, every 15 minutes during peak season.

Maid of the Mist boat tour ticket prices

Depending on the season, tickets for the Maid of the Mist can cost up to 25 euros for adults and up to 12 euros for children aged 6-12. Children under 5 are free, but there must be a minimum of 1 adult present for every 4 children.

How to find the Maid of the Mist boat stop within the park

The Maid of the Mist boat dock is located on the Lower Niagara River at the site of the former Schoellkopf Power Station in Niagara Falls.

• From the visitor car park at Niagara Falls State Park you will only have to walk a little more than 300 metres to reach the harbour where the Maid of the Mist docks.
• You need to face east, looking for the Niagara Adventure Theatre which faces the falls.
• Then, past the Niagara Falls Fireworks Observation Point, you can see the location of the harbours.

• Don't do it on a hot weekend. Lines can last up to two hours and the high summer temperatures can ruin the experience.
• If you go on a holiday weekend and it's very hot, it's best to wait until later in the day when there are fewer people in line.
• Bring water and an umbrella. I would suggest a small umbrella that you can fold up and put in your bag or backpack. They let you take things like that, although you can confirm it on their website.
• If your physical condition allows it, I recommend climbing the steps up to the side of the falls. You will get wet, but the views are AMAZING.
• Watch out for the kids! I'm not kidding. There are some potentially dangerous places where a person could get hurt. Be aware of your surroundings and secure your children's hands or secure them in the pram.
• Carry a waterproof camera if you have one handy or, if not, be careful not to get your phone too wet.

Best parking spots in Niagara Falls

Entry is through Niagara Falls State Park, you'll be greeted with flags from various businesses directing you to their own private car parks. Try the state park car parks first ; they are cheaper and closer to the falls.

There is a year-round car park at Prospect Point. There are also two car parks on nearby Goat Island. The entrance fee for vehicles is 6-9 euros, depending on the season. Parking is free if you have the annual state park passport.

Traveller Tip

If the day is nice and you want to enjoy a picnic in the area, there is space to do so if you come well prepared. This can also be a good way to save money.

The Maid of the Mist tour has been a favourite attraction at Niagara Falls State Park for over 150 years. The ride will take you through the rushing waters of the falls and over the massive rock formations:

• The tour begins at the Observation Tower, where visitors receive a souvenir rain poncho and board the double-decker Maid of the Mist tour boat.
• From there, the boat passes the base of the American Falls and arrives at the Horseshoe Falls basin.
• The majestic view of Niagara Falls is the main attraction of this tour, to which words alone cannot do justice.
• You can choose to stand on the deck or stay on the boat to enjoy the view of the waterfall.
• The highlight of the trip is when the captain drives to the centre of the waterfall as far as the weather conditions make it possible, giving the tourist an enviable and unrepeatable view.
• The trip ends when you return back to the American side at Niagara Falls State Park.

A similar boat trip is offered on the Canadian side: the Hornblower Niagara Cruises. The biggest difference between the Maid of the Mist and the Hornblower is the story behind it. Although the Hornblower has been around for over 35 years, it has only been offering cruises on the Niagara River since 2014. The route followed by both boats is the same, with the only difference being that the Hornblower also offers night cruises, complete with illumination and fireworks.

You can combine both tours, but if you have to choose, location is the best way to decide when you're torn between the Maid of the Mist and the Hornblower:

• If you find yourself staying on the US side of Niagara Falls, choose the Maid of the Mist.
• If you're on the Canadian side, choose the Hornblower Niagara Cruises, which is basically the Canadian Maid of the Mist.

Price difference

Hornblower Niagara Cruises tickets for adults cost around €20, and the adventure pass, which includes the trip behind the falls, the whitewater ride and the 4D Niagara Fury experience, costs around €28. This pass also includes a two-day transport pass for the WEGO transport system and vouchers for Niagara Parks restaurants and shops.

The price difference for cruises may be greater if you have children. The Maid of the Mist is free for children 5 and under when accompanied by an adult, while the Hornblower only lets children 2 and under board for free. It's a minor detail, but if you have several children, it can make a big difference.

Difference in dates and duration

They also differ in itineraries: The Hornblower runs its daytime cruises from 1 April to 30 November, weather permitting, while the Maid of the Mist ends its season in early November.

These cruises last 40 minutes and sell out quickly, so it's wise to buy tickets in advance. The evening cruise is more expensive than the daytime cruises because it is longer, but it is one of the most romantic experiences your trip to Niagara Falls has to offer.

There are so many things to do in Niagara Falls in the United States that it can be difficult to take it all in, but if you have limited time (e.g. a weekend getaway), it's best to opt for a short list of things you can't miss. And definitely getting on the Maid of the Mist is one of the experiences you can't miss.

We don't normally like to recommend activities where you have to wait in long lines, but this cruise is definitely worth your time and money. However, check out the best time of year to get the most out of your visit to Niagara Falls.

Seeing the falls from river level is a great experience in itself, but getting into the heart of this mighty waterfall, hearing the roar and feeling the force of the water crashing around you is simply spectacular.