How to Experience the Maid of the Mist
Niagara Falls is a truly amazing place to visit. If you are on the Canadian side, you can see the beautiful falls from a nice, paved path that runs along the Niagara River and is across from the American Falls and the Horseshoe Falls. But you can get even closer to this magnificent view by taking a ride on the Maid of the Mist, no matter which side you are on. The Maid of the Mist goes on several voyages a day, past the American Falls and to the middle of the Horseshoe Falls. When you are on board, you feel like you are almost underneath this powerful water. But when you are back on land, you see that the boats really don't get that close. If you go to Niagara Falls, one great way to experience this beautiful site is on the Maid of the Mist.
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Instructions
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Check their website (see Resources), for hours and pricing for the season when you are visiting. Maid of the Mist voyages run from the beginning of April until the end of October. There are no voyages in the winter months due to freezing. Maid of the Mist rides can be found on either the Canadian side or the American side of the falls. Children 5 years and under are free. The cost for adults is under $15.00 Canadian and varies depending on where you board. The website will have the most current information you need.
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Go to the bottom of Clifton Hill if you are on the Canadian side to find the ticket booth for Maid of the Mist. Clifton Hill is the street with all the tourist shops and exhibits such as Ripley's Believe it or Not, game rooms, the wax museum and a Burger King with a huge Frankenstein on top. Maid of the Mist Landing is right at the bottom of Clifton Hill, alongside the Niagara River, and it is hard to miss. This is near Rainbow Bridge and across from the American Falls. If you are on the American side, the Maid of the Mist boarding dock is at the entrance to the Observation Tower. For more information on where to purchase tickets and board, you can call (905) 358-5781.
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Do not make reservations in advance to ride the Maid of the Mist. In fact, it is impossible. If you are going during a heavy tourist season or holiday weekend, then you will probably have a long wait. You just wait in line after you purchase your tickets. The line moves pretty fast since each voyage takes several people at one time. During the spring and fall, the wait is usually shorter, especially during the week, and you can sometimes purchase your tickets and walk right on the boat without any wait.
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Put on the rain poncho the crew gives you when you board the Maid of the Mist. You will get wet. The voyage takes you near the falls, and you will get sprayed with water. If you have any electronics that cannot get wet, put them away or under your rain poncho. The experience of being that near the falls is amazing, but you don't want to leave Niagara Falls with a broken camera or watch due to water damage. The blue ponchos are part of the experience.
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Start taking pictures as soon as you get on the Maid of the Mist. You will see the falls and the landscape from several different viewpoints. The trip will take you along the American Falls and a pre-recorded voice will tell you some interesting facts about a woman who rode over the falls in a barrel and a boy who survived with just a life jacket. You will ride to the middle of the Horseshoe Falls, where there is so much mist, you can almost see nothing. Make sure to take pictures as you are approaching this point and you are close to the falls. You may even want to video record your experience to capture the narrator and his stories on tape. However you record your stay, you will not regret your experience on the Maid of the Mist.
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Tips & Warnings
You can keep your poncho after the voyage or you can recycle it once you get off the Maid of the Mist. It often rains in Niagara Falls, so you may want to hold on to it for use, not just for a souvenir.
