One of the biggest draws to Niagara Falls, aside from the gargantuan waterfalls, is the Maid of the Mist.
The Maid of the Mist is a diesel-engined boat that holds up to 600 passengers that departs from the Canadian docks past the base of the American Falls, then literally right into the center of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls. You are surrounded by the majestic beauty of the Niagara Falls no matter which direction you look! Two Maid of the Mist boats departs every 15 minutes. Maids V1 and V11 are each 80 feet long with 350 horsepower engines. The enormous force carries the vessels through the current with ease. Each passenger will receive a souvenir raincoat to keep you dry from the mist, as you will inevitably get wet being so close to the Niagara Falls. The duration of the ride is a half hour and is the ultimate experience in Niagara Falls fun!
Maid of the Mist Tickets
Adults: $19.75 CDN
Children: $12.65 CDN (6-12)
Children 5 and under are FREE!
*Group rates do apply when you have the specified number of people in your group. For more information on groups please contact: 905-358-5781.
Where is the Maid of the Mist located?
The Maid of the Mist is located at 5920 Niagara Parkway, Niagara Falls, ON. Canada L2G 3N4. Maid of the Mist Canada boarding dock is at Queen Victoria Park at the Maid of the mist Plaza River Road at Clifton Hill.
History of the Maid of the Mist
As the oldest attraction in Niagara Falls, the Maid of the Mist first set sail in 1846. It transported people, luggage, cargo and mail. When the Niagara Falls Suspension Bridge was built, the owners recast the ride strictly as a sight-seeing venture. After this began to flourish, the Maid of the Mist launched a second boat into the water. In June 1972, the Maid of the Mist III was lowered into the gorge and in 1974, Maid IV was done the same.
Some of the most famous people in the world have set sail on this attraction, such as Marilyn Monroe (during filming of “Niagara”), Mick Jagger, Brad Pitt, Hugh Jackman, Princess Diana with Princes William and Harry and most recently, singer and actress Katy Perry in 2012, who is now the most recent addition to Movieland Wax Museum of the Stars on Clifton Hill, Niagara Falls.
For a copy of the news story of Katy Perry on the Maid of the Mist click here!
The Maid of the Mist is offered in the Niagara Falls Adventure Pass which also includes a few other of the Niagara Parks most famous attractions such as the Niagara’s Fury, White Water Walk and the Journey Behind the Falls. This pass is perfect for anyone looking to get the most out of experiencing the Niagara Falls up-close and personal! Right now, if you stay at the Clifton Hill Niagara Falls Hotel the Niagara Falls Adventure Pass is included as part of the Build-A-Package option where you can save an additional 20%! Retail value is $53.05 for Adults and $39.49 for Children. By booking with the Comfort Inn Clifton Hill you can purchase the pass for $42.44 for Adults and $31.59 for Children! There is also a number of other discounts to choose from by looking into this Niagara Falls family package, such as discounts on the Clifton Hill Fun Pass (50% off!) which includes the Movieland Wax Museum, the Niagara Skywheel, Dinosaur Adventure Golf or Galaxy Golf, Ghostblasters Dark Ride, the XD Ride Theatre and tokens for the Great Canadian Midway, or a discount of 75% off tickets to the Greg Frewin Theatre!
The Maid of the Mist Schedule
The Maid of the Mist opened just a couple of weeks ago (being late April 2013) and runs until late October. They are open from 9:45-4:45 on weekdays and 9:45-5:45 on weekends from April until May 17th, 2013. During the week of Victoria Day, the Maid of the Mist runs from 9:45-5:45 during the week and 9:45-7:45 on May 18th and May 19th. On Sat., May 25th and Sun., May 26th they are open from 9:00-7:45 and Mon. May 27th is 9:00-5:45. From May 28th until June 21st they are open from 9:45-5:45 daily and June 22nd to August 8th they are open from 9:00-7:45 daily. August 9th to August 28th is 9:00-7:15 daily and August 29th to September 1st is 9:00-7:00. Labor Day (Sept 2nd) is 9:00-4:45 and lastly, September 3rd through to October 24th is 9:45-4:45 pm. Weekends in September are extended to 5:45.
Check out this fantastic video of the Maid of the Mist care of Cameron Lynch: