Riding the Maid of the Mist in Niagara Falls USA (2025)

Q: How Long is the Maid of the Mist Tour?

The Maid of the Mist tour is 20 minutes of excitement . Starting at the base of the Niagara Gorge, the boat passes by the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls before heading into the Horseshoe Falls mist zone. After the 20-minute boat ride, guests can walk along the side of the American Falls for another view.

Q: Does the Maid of the Mist Go Behind Niagara Falls?

The Maid of the Mist does not go behind Niagara Falls . The boat travels alongside the American Falls to the bedrock of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls and into the mist.

Q: How Often Does the Maid of the Mist Run?

The Maid of the Mist boat tour runs every 15 minutes and departs from the US side of the Falls near the NY Observation Tower in Niagara Falls State Park. This frequent running time keeps waiting times to a minimum.

Q: Is the Maid of the Mist in the USA or Canada?

The Maid of the Mist is in the Niagara Falls USA . The Canadian version is known as Voyage to the Falls , operated by Niagara City Cruises by Hornblower.

Q: When Does Maid of the Mist Open for the Season?

The Maid of the Mist opens each year in either late April or early May . Once open, the boat ride runs until early November.

Q: Does Maid of the Mist Run in Winter?

No, Maid of the Mist doesn't run in winter . It is closed for the season from late November to late April.

Riding the Maid of the Mist is an adventure that will leave you with lasting memories and a deeper appreciation for Niagara Falls.

Not only do you get to see the falls from multiple perspectives, but nothing gets you closer to the Horseshoe Falls as the iconic Maid of the Mist boat tour.

Even after living in Niagara for 10 years, this is still my favourite attraction. Just make sure you tie your hair up so you don’t make my mistake, fighting with my hair in the high winds was no joke!

Let’s get right into everything you need to plan your Niagara Falls boat ride, including if it’s worth it, ticket and schedule information, and Maid of the Mist tips for the best experience.

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Melissa and her husband wearing blue ponchos, looking away from the camera and towards the Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side of the Niagara Falls, taken on a fairly sunny day. They are on a boat for the Maid of the Mist tour, which is a boat tour company that takes visitors across the Niagara Falls on both the US and Canadian sides.

History of the Maid of the Mist

In 1846, the Maid of the Mist steamboat started as a better and more profitable way to transport people, luggage, mail, and cargo, than the previous rowboats.

In 1848, the construction of the suspension bridge hindered business, and thus the Maid of the Mist adjusted to become a sightseeing adventure.

Throughout history, these boats have constantly been improving, from steam to diesel to now electric, all to have better performance and provide the best experience.

Today, it’s one of the most adventurous things to do in the Falls.

Photo of the Cave of the Winds in Niagara Falls, with its rock formations and Bridal Veil Falls spouting large mists on a sunny day. At a distance, you can see some tourists on the Hurricane Deck. The photo was taken from a tourist that is on a Maid of the Mist boat tour.

Riding the Maid of the Mist

The Maid of the Mist boat tour takes you right into the heart of Niagara Falls, where you’ll feel the mist on your face and hear the thunderous roar of the water.

The 20-minute ride begins at the base of the American Falls, then travels past the Bridal Veil Falls before reaching the breathtaking Horseshoe Falls. It’s the most unique perspective of Niagara Falls: on the water.

Start with a 175 ft (53 m) elevator ride into the Gorge. While the lines can get long in summer, it moves quickly.

You’ll be provided with a blue poncho to keep you dry-ish (or at least your backpack) as you get incredibly close to the base of the falls.

Top Tip: Head to the front of the boat to get the most wet or stay inside the cabin to stay drier.

Melissa wearing a blue poncho, looking away at the camera and looking towards the Horseshoe Falls at Niagara Falls on a cloudy day. She is on a Maid of the Mist tour boat. Since you're bound to get wet on the tour, there are specks of water on the lens, appearing in the photo.

At the Horseshoe Falls, the mist surrounds you while the boat fights the power of the falls to stay close. It’s so thick you can’t even see, but feeling it around you is an experience!

Scream in excitement about how close you are to the falls. You can’t get closer than this! I love standing at the front of the boat for this! It’s my favourite part! Feeling the power of the waterfalls up close.

View of the American side of the Niagara Falls, with huge mist sprouting out, on a sunny day. There are trees on top of the rock formation next to it. This photo was taken from the Maid of the Mist Tours, a boat tour company based in Niagara Falls. There are lines of people wearing blue ponchos at a distance in order to not get wet, as they are also a part of the tours.

Climbing the Stairs Beside the Falls

Exit the boat in the joy of what you just experienced, and learn it’s not over yet!

There is an area beside the American Falls to explore if you wish. Climb the wooden stairs alongside the falls from a different perspective. It’s a high wind zone, so feel the wind and the mist around you as you get closer.

When you’ve had enough, take the elevator back upstairs to view the falls again from above, this time on the NY Observation Tower.

Melissa looking away from the camera at the Niagara Falls and the NY Observation tower from Maid of the Mist, a boat tour company that takes visitors around the Niagara Falls. Near the waterfalls are filled with trees. It's a sunny day with some clouds.

Maid of the Mist Tickets

You can buy tickets online via their official website or at their ticket office for a same-day visit.

An adult ticket starts at $28.25 USD, with a discount available for youth and groups.

Maid of the Mist Tickets bought online are valid for the whole season, and tickets purchased at the office are only for same-day use.

Tickets do not reserve your entry time, and boats board on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Note: Tickets aren’t available once the season closes in November and reopen for purchase in January for the new year. So if you are visiting late November to early April, you will have to try one of the winter things to do in Niagara.

Melissa wearing a blue poncho, looking at the Horseshoe Falls in Niagara Falls on a sunny day. She is on the Maid of the Mist tour, a boat tour company that shows tourists around the Niagara Falls.

3 Best Maid of the Mist Tours

As part of a tour group, you will have express entry and can skip the ticket line. Here are the best tour options:

American-Side Tour with Maid of the Mist Boat Ride – a half-day tour of Niagara Falls NY including Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds (reader favourite)

Boat, Cave and Trolley Tickets with Guide – a guided tour of Maid of the Mist, Cave of the Winds, and Niagara Falls State Park (this is the tour I did)

Maid of Mist & Cave of Winds Combo Tour – a guided tour of Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds with skip-the-ticket line access

My Maid of the Mist Review

I had a blast while riding the Maid of the Mist and would highly recommend it while in Niagara.

I’ve experienced the Hornblower on the Canadian side twice, but I lucked out, and the boat was less crowded on the American side, so I found the ride even better.

Plus, with the ability to climb the staircase beside the American Falls, the US version offers more than just the ride.

Whether you ride the boat on the Canadian or American side, no adventure trip to Niagara is complete without a boat ride to the falls. There’s a reason I’ve gone multiple times over the years.

Melissa wearing a blue poncho, standing on the Maid of the Mist boat. Maid of the Mist is a boat tour company that takes people around the Niagara river. Behind Melissa, you can see the Horseshoe Falls with mist sprouting out higher than the falls! There are rock formations next to the falls, and this is taken on a sunny day

What to Wear on Maid of the Mist

Wear comfortable, waterproof shoes and quick-drying clothing.

Or bring a change of clothes for afterwards. Flip-flops will be slippery, so be careful!

The poncho helps, but you will still get wet!

Where to Stay in Niagara Falls, NY

voco the Cadence – a boutique hotel in downtown Niagara Falls, NY

The Giacomo – a luxury boutique hotel with free breakfast and parking

Sheraton Niagara Falls – a hotel with a pool and tunnel to the casino

Melissa smiling at the camera wearing a blue poncho to avoid getting wet in Niagara Falls. She is riding Maid of the Mist, one of the original boat tour companies in Niagara Falls, which takes you around both the US and Canada sides. It's a sunny day with some clouds, and the falls can be seen at a distance

Maid of the Mist Tips

Plan to wear clothing and footwear that can get wet. Your blue poncho won’t keep you dry, especially your shoes and pants. It will move in the wind the closer you get to the falls, exposing your legs to water. I got drenched during my boat ride, but it’s part of the experience.
Running shoes or adventure shoes work best. After the boat ride is an area beside the American Falls to explore. You don’t want to trip on the wet stairs.
Bring a waterproof phone case or use waterproof cameras/phones to take photos during your Niagara Falls boat ride.
Tie your hair up and wear sunglasses. It is windy on the boat ride, especially at the base of the Horseshoe Falls. Hair will blow everywhere, and it’s hard to see with the blinding sun and mist. Wearing sunglasses helped keep the waterfall’s mist out of my eyes.
The Maid of the Mist is busiest in the summer, particularly on holiday weekends. Visit outside of holiday weekends or on weekdays when possible.

FAQs

How Long is the Maid of the Mist Tour?

The Maid of the Mist tour is 20 minutes of excitement. Starting at the base of the Niagara Gorge, the boat passes by the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls before heading into the Horseshoe Falls mist zone. After the 20-minute boat ride, guests can walk along the side of the American Falls for another view.

Does the Maid of the Mist Go Behind Niagara Falls?

The Maid of the Mist does not go behind Niagara Falls. The boat travels alongside the American Falls to the bedrock of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls and into the mist.

No attractions on either the American or Canadian side take you behind the Falls, but attractions like the Maid of the Mist and the Cave of the Winds bring you up close and personal.

Do You Get Wet on Maid of the Mist?

You will get wet on Maid of the Mist unless you stay inside the cabin of the boat. How wet you get though is up to you, as it’s part of the fun of this thrilling attraction.

How Often Does the Maid of the Mist Run?

The Maid of the Mist boat tour runs every 15 minutes and departs from the US side of the Falls near the NY Observation Tower in Niagara Falls State Park. This frequent running time keeps waiting times to a minimum.

Is the Maid of the Mist in the USA or Canada?

The Maid of the Mist is in the Niagara Falls USA. The Canadian version is known as Voyage to the Falls, operated by Niagara City Cruises by Hornblower.

When Does Maid of the Mist Open for the Season?

The Maid of the Mist opens each year in either late April or early May. Once open, the boat ride runs until early November.

Does Maid of the Mist Run in Winter?

No, Maid of the Mist doesn’t run in winter. It is closed for the season from late November to late April.

So, Is Maid of the Mist Worth It?

The Maid of the Mist is worth it and an adventurous way to see Niagara Falls.

While seeing the Falls from land is beautiful, the best way to appreciate this natural wonder is by riding the Maid of the Mist.

While it is touristy, experiencing the Falls from an on-the-water view is a must-do activity. You can’t get any closer to the Horseshoe Falls than via a Niagara boat ride.

And if you want to get as close as you can to the Bridal Viel Falls, go to Cave of the Winds next.