It’s under a half-hour experience, but hands-down, a true highlight of my recent visit to the area. 

One of the most unique ways to enjoy Niagara Falls is to hop on The Maid of The Mist, a timeless adventure that’s been happening since 1846. It’s ranked the #1 Best Thing to Do in Niagara Falls and pulls in at #11 for best guided tours in the region. 

Only two boat tours are available for a tour of the falls: Maid of the Mist on the U.S. side and Niagara City Cruises on the Canadian side. Earlier this month, I visited Niagara Falls, New York.  I am thrilled to have checked this off my bucket list. For those interested in the experience stateside, here’s what you need to know.

Niagara Falls & The History of Maid of The Mist

Located in the oldest state park in the US, Niagara Falls is the collective name for three waterfalls that overlap the international border between the United States and Canada. The individual waterfalls are the Horseshoe Falls, the Bridal Veil Falls, and the American Falls. 

Roughly 600,000 gallons of water travel down the falls per second and flow from four Great Lakes—Erie, Huron, Michigan, and Superior! 

According to their timeline, early voyages involved rowboats that ferried passengers across the Niagara River below the Falls. “By 1846, however, entrepreneurs decided a bigger craft could profit by transporting people, luggage, mail, and cargo. So, the first Maid of the Mist steamboat, large enough to carry a stagecoach and horses, was christened. In 1848, the construction of a suspension bridge curtailed business, and the Maid of the Mist was re-branded as a sightseeing adventure that still operates to this day.”

What Can I Expect?

After purchasing your ticket, you will use the stairs (or elevator) to get to the observation deck and then take the elevator down to the entrance of the excursion. There will be an attendant to receive your admission ticket(s) and provide you with a rain poncho. We had about a 10-minute wait on the dock before boarding. 

Once on board, claim your seat or standing spot on either level of the double-decker. It’s a quick process. For safety, there are some marked areas where seating is prohibited, and life jackets are available for anyone who would feel more comfortable wearing one. 

The experience is about 20 minutes, and you will get wet. The boat takes you directly under the falls. On a windy day, you’ll leave drenched, even with the included ponchos. It is my suggestion to wear closed-toe shoes. If you are visiting during the cooler months, stash a change of clothes.

During the tour, a recording plays overhead with fun facts about the falls and the boat. But the true highlight here is how breathtaking and invigorating this 20-minute ride will be. There is plenty of time for capturing selfies and videos of the falls. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch the most gorgeous rainbow.  There will also be stunning views of Canada from the boat, observation deck, and other sites throughout the park.

Something unique to note is that the vessels are electric and quiet. That means you won’t hear the hum of any engines or machinery that will obstruct the audio portion of the tour. Even more impressive, in just 7 minutes, the vessels are fully charged.

Is This Experience Handicap Accessible?

I occasionally travel with my mom, who uses a mobility aid. So, whenever I visit a destination or attraction, I evaluate it for accessibility. While I got my steps in using the stairs to the park, I was thoroughly impressed with the options for others. 

The falls are located at Niagara State Park and include several attractions on site that are accessible to persons with mobility-type disabilities, including being wheelchair accessible. Aside from Maid of the Mist, visitors can check out the Observation Tower, Niagara Scenic Trolley, the Niagara Falls Visitor Center, and Top of the Falls Restaurant. However, Cave of the Winds has limited accessibility. 

There is a ramp that allows wheelchairs onboard the boat and plenty of open seating options. The onboard bathrooms are also accessible. I am not sure if wheelchair users have access to the upper level.

Schedule and Ticket Information

While the park is open to the public year-round, Maid of The Mist is near the end of its operating season. Visitors can hop on the double-decker electronic boat from April to early November every 15 minutes. Until October 31, tours are operated daily from 9 am to 5 pm. Starting November 1, daily tours will be from 10 am to 4 pm. The last day of operation for the 2023 season is November 5.  You can keep up with any tour and schedule updates here. 

Tickets can be purchased in advance online or at the ticket booth at the base of the attraction. For adults (ages 13 and older), tickets are $28.25 per person. Children ages 6-12 are $16.50 each. Children under six years old are free. Your ticket includes access to the observation deck ($1.50 per person if you are not doing the ride) and a rain poncho. If you are looking for a group, view more information here.

If you can’t make it before the end of the season, check out the live cam!