Maid of the Mist

If you're going to Niagara Falls Canada, the Maid of the Mist is a must. Get up and personal with one of the earth’s natural wonders. Time your visit so you're first on the boat. Head immediately to the bow and enjoy the ride.

Important: The comments express are mine and in no way intended to promote any product, service or tour. Also, I’m not here to write full ‘play by play’ reports on my experience simply to provide short first hand personal impression. As with all comments, reviews, recommendations on the internet, in books or magazines, they are SUBJECTIVE! We all have individual likes and dislikes and it is your responsibility to perform your own ‘due diligence’ and make educated choices. The bottom line… we live on an amazing planet and I’ve been fortunate enough to have explored a large piece of it. My only suggestion would be to get out there and enjoy every bit of it whenever you’re able.

When you are with the Niagara Falls you need to take the boattrip on the Maid of the Mist.
It is beautifull en the boat sailes very near to the Falls. The sound of the water falling is incredible and very loud. You get a free plastic bleu coat at the entrance. The entrance fee is not much, only $ 14 for adults, we thought it would be much more expensive.
Photos will be placed later.

A lot of people have been writing about the Maid of the Mist. You can choose to take the american side or the canedian side. For the boat trip is does not matter which one you take. The price in 2009 may was 14$. So not very expensive. In our case we visited the falls on the Canedian side. After you buy your tickets you have to walk down in a few rounds. If it is crowded, there are tv's hanging over your head to keep you busy. After this walk they will lead you to a big elevator which will bring you down to the Falls. Before that they offer you to take a picture. You have to walk beside that. Than they hand out the plastic Blue raincoat. And you will need it. Also make sure you cover your camera, because it will get wet. Than you can walk to the boat. The trip does not take very long, but long enough to see and hear nothing! But it is impressive, the sound of the water comming down. The moist of the fall upon your face. It is a very special experience. The closer you will get to the horseshoe fall the louder the noise, and more difficult to take your pictures. But enjoy it. We did! After the tour they will bring you back with the elevator, and guess where they stop? In the huge souvenir shop!

Like the brochure says "It´s not just a boat ride, it´s an adventure"! When I did this in Canadian side Falls it was raining and other stuff like wet snow was coming from the sky. But it was good, because it wasn´t so crowded that it usually is. It was really cool, and I would recommend it to anyone. But you will get wet in this for 100% sure.. But who cares? It´s THE Falls, you are suppose to get wet around there!:D

It costed $14,50 for adult, $8,90 for children (6-12 years) and children under 5 its FREE, so not that bad after all. And this is of course Canadian dollars.

It is also accessible to the physically challenged.

It´s open from May to October.

There is the basic info and more you can find from their website www.maidofthemist.com

The weather in October was perfect to go onto the boat! It wasn't cold nor warm. Luckily they gave us a poncho to wear because you will get wet on this boat ride. The ticket booth is near the tourist strip on the Canadian side (and I think there is a boat leaving from the American side as well). Once everyone is on the boat, it brings you pretty close to the American Falls to get great pictures! You will see many rainbows during the ride. Part of the boat ride is to talk to the other tourists on the boat! Also, during the ride the captain is giving some history of the falls. Once most of the boat has pictures of the American Falls, they take you to the center of the horseshoe falls. It is very difficult to take many pictures from this point because of all of the mist. At this point you do get wet!

Primeramente quiero que sepan que es fantastico estar ante una de las cuantas maravillas del mundo, es imponenete ver, escuchar y sentir la magnitud de las cataratas! les recomiendo mucho tomar el bote de Maid of the mist que se toma del lado de Estados Unidos. Tambien les recomiendo comprar el "Passport to the Niagara Falls" ya que ese pasaporte includye entradas a el acuario, para el trenecito y muchas mas atracciones que hay ai mismo en las cataratas del lado de Estados Unidos.

The Maid of the Mist boat ride at Niagara Falls has to be one of the world's most famous (and fun!) sightseeing attractions. The attraction has been in operation since 1848 carrying vistors and thrill seekers for an up close and personal view of Niagara Falls. It is defintely something thet you "have" to do when visiting Niagara Falls.

THe boats can be boarded on either the Canadian side at River Road in Niagra Falls, Ontario, or on the American side in Niagra Falls, NY. In either location, an elevator takes you down to the river level. As you board, you've given a blue plastic poncho to wear. But, you'll get wet anyway, it's part of the attraction! (Mind your camera.)

The boat will take you right up to the base of the Canadian Falls. You'll feel the mist, hear the roar of the falls, and sense the boat fighting the strong current of the Niagara River. There are also great views of the American Falls and Rainbow Bridge.

The Maid of the Mist operates April to October.

NIAGARA FALLS - ONTARIO -
As we were there in October it wasn’t as busy as it would have been in the Summer months.

We didn’t have to queue for very long but we stood in a line of very excited people waiting patiently for our Maid of the mist Macs, we were extremely pleased that we were able to keep the Mac as it was a great souvenir (even though it has been scrunched up at the back of the closet ever since, at the time we had great plans for them, they were of course going to be framed and hung with pride)

As the queue of excited people from all over the world donned their blue Macs we proceeded to the boat and made our way quickly to the front as if our lives depended upon it, knocking over slower people on the way (ok, we dint knock anyone over but we were excited ok..)
Did I mention were excited?

The boat pulled away and made its way towards the Falls, we had no idea how close it would go and we were very surprised to see it went right up to the Falls, so close that the sheer force of it took our breath away - it was unbelievable and we recommend that if you travel to Toronto you should make your way to the Falls.

We took the Greyhound, bus from Toronto which was very cheap and as always very reliable, our journey was somewhat dampened by a chap in the seat in front who seemed to have an issue with rectal gas, I’m guessing he was quite the meat eater and I can only imagine that the bus depot toilet at Niagara took a beating once he disembarked from the bus, of course I can only speculate. Incidentally the bus depot at Niagara is a freaky place and the walk down to the Falls has streets lined with Ghost Trains, not two or three but ten or twenty, I never knew the scary funfair ride was so popular and I still wonder why? Not why they are popular but why so many?

Greyhound Canada contact details =
Fare and schedule information
1-800-661-TRIP (8747)

Mailing address
Greyhound Canada Transportation Corp.
877 Greyhound Way SW
Calgary, Alberta
T3C 3V8

MAID OF THE MIST OPERATING TIMES

Admission Prices are shown in Canadian dollars and do not include taxes.
$14.00 Adults (13+ years), $8.60 Children (6 to 12 years)
Children 5 and under are FREE!

Hours of Operation Times subject to change
Season opening date is weather dependent. The following is for departures from the Canadian docks only. Closed for the winter October 24.

Open:
May 9 - May 18 weekdays 9:45 am to 4:45 pm
weekends 9:45 am to 5:45 pm
(note: opening date depends on ice conditions in the River)

Victoria Day Weekend 9:45 am to 7:45 pm
May 19 - May 20

May 21 - May 25 9:45 am to 5:45 pm

Memorial Day Weekend
May 26 Saturday 9:00 am to 7:45 pm
May 27 Sunday 9:00 am to 7:45 pm
May 28 Monday 9:00 am to 5:45 pm

May 29 - June 15 daily 9:45 am to 5:45 pm
June 16 - August 8 daily 9:00 am to 7:45 pm
August 9 - August 28 daily 9:00 am to 7:15 pm
August 29 to September 2 daily 9:00 am to 7:00 pm

Labour Day only
Monday, September 3 9:00 am to 4:45 pm

September 4 to October 3 weekdays 9:45 am to 4:45
weekends 9:45 am to 5:45 pm

October 4 to October 24 daily 9:45 am to 4:45 pm

**last day of operation for the 2007 season is October 24, 2007
Rates and schedule are subject to change without notice

Ticket Sales Close at:
April to May 18: weekdays 4:45 p.m., weekends 5:45 p.m.
May 19 & May 20: 7:45 p.m.
May 21 to May 25: 5:45 p.m.
May 26 & 27: 7:45 p.m.
May 28 to June 15: 5:45 p.m.
June 16 to August 8: 7:45 p.m.
August 9 to August 28: 7:15 p.m.
August 29 to Sept 2: 7:00 p.m.
Sept 3 to October 3: weekdays 4:45 p.m., weekends 5:45 p.m.
October 4 to 24: 4:45 p.m.