Maid of the Mist is a boat tour of Niagara Falls. (The actual boats used are each named Maid of the Mist, followed by a different Roman numeral in each case.) The boat starts off at a calm part of the Niagara River, near the Rainbow Bridge, and takes its passengers past the American and Bridal Veil Falls, then into the dense mist of spray inside the curve of the Horseshoe Falls. The tour is available starting from either the Canadian or U.S. side of the river, returning to the starting point in each case.

All passengers wear a blue Maid of the Mist poncho.

History
The first Maid of the Mist was launched in 1846 as a ferry service between the Canadian and American sides, pre-dating by two years the construction of the first suspension bridge at the site. However, with the opening of the Whirlpool Rapids Bridge further downriver in 1848, the ferry service lost business, and by 1854, became a tourist attraction instead with the launch of a more luxurious boat.

Financial difficulties and the impending American Civil War forced the boat to be sold to a Montreal firm in 1860, and formal service was not restored until 1893, when two new boats were constructed and launched under a new partnership, Maid of the Mist Steamboat Company. These boats sailed the lower river until April 22, 1955, when they burned in a pre-season accident. Later that year, they would be replaced by the type and style of boat still seen today.

The Maid of the Mist is well known for its role in the July 9, 1960 rescue of Roger Woodward, a seven-year old boy who became the first person to survive a plunge over the Horseshoe Falls with nothing but a life jacket. The boat involved in the rescue (known as Maid II) was retired from service in 1983 and relocated to the Amazon River, where it served as a missionary ship for years after.

Access to the river-level attraction on the United States side was provided by the Maid of the Mist Incline Railway, a funicular railway, between 1894 and 1991 to travel between street level and the boat dock. As this service proved increasingly inadequate in transporting the growing passenger base of the 1990s, four high-speed elevators replaced the railway by the start of the 1991 tourist season. On the Canadian side, the dock is reached walking down a ramp to river level.

The following is for departures from the Canadian docks only. Times and rates all subject to change.

Admission Prices are shown in Canadian dollars and include taxes. $14.50 Adults (13+ years), $8.90 Children (6 to 12 years). Children 5 and under are FREE!

Dates of Operation: Opening date for the Season is weather dependent. Closes for the winter starting October 24.

Hours of Operation: Each day the last tickets are sold at the closing times shown:

April - May 16, weekdays 9:45 am to 4:45 pm, weekends 9:45 am to 5:45 pm
Victoria Day Weekend 9:45 am to 7:45 pm
May 19 to 23 9:45 am to 5:45 pm
Memorial Day Weekend 9:00am to 7:45pm
May 26 9:00 am to 7:45 pm
May 27 - June 20 9:45 am to 5:45 pm
June 21 to August 8, 9:00 am to 7:45 pm
August 9 to August 28, 9:00 am to 7:15 pm
August 29 to August 31, 9:00 am to 7:00 pm
Labour Day, September 1 9:00 am to 4:45 pm
September 2 to October 3 weekdays 9:45 am to 4:45, weekends 9:45 am to 5:45 pm
October 4 to October 24 9:45 am to 4:45 pm

Available from early May (start date is weather dependent) to October 24 each year, admission to the Maid of the Mist is included with the Niagara Falls & Great Gorge Adventure Pass, departing from the Canadian docks only.

Location

The entrance for Canadian departures for Maid of the Mist is at 5920 Niagara Parkway, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. This is at the north end of Queen Victoria Park, close to the Rainbow Bridge and Oakes Garden Theatre at the foot of the Clifton Hill tourist area.

This attraction is wheelchair accessible.

Attraction Facts & Figures

A powerful diesel-engined boat will take you from the Canadian docks past the base of the American Falls, then into the basin of the magnificent Canadian Horseshoe Falls. Operating from late April/early May (weather dependent) to October 24 each year, the Maid departs every 15 minutes. Two 600-passenger boats, Maids VI and VII, are each 80-feet long and have two 350-horsepower engines that carry the vessels against the powerful current. A recyclable souvenir raincoat is provided free with admission to help keep you dry from the mist and spray.

The Maid of the Mist Steamship Company is privately owned and leases the land for its Canadian operations from The Niagara Parks Commission.

Steamship departures from the Canadian side of the Niagara River are located at the Maid of the Mist Plaza. Previously the location of the Princess Elizabeth Building , the Plaza was built in 1991 and is unique in that it is set into the gorge wall, with all buildings below ground level. The large brown stone tower, covered in split brick mosaic carvings of vines, houses four high-speed elevators that take passengers down to the docks at the river’s edge. Taking a few steps up to the top of the tower provides a wonderful panoramic view of Niagara Falls and it is a very popular location for photographers.