The Falls Hit Different From the Water
You can admire Niagara Falls from the railings up top, but nothing compares to riding a boat right to the base of the thundering water. The famous falls boat cruise is the single most popular thing to do at Niagara, and for good reason: it puts you in the mist, the roar, and the rainbows. As your guide to the falls, we make sure this ride is the centerpiece of your day.
Maid of the Mist and Niagara City Cruises
There are two boat operators, one on each side of the border, and both take you to the same breathtaking spot. On the United States side the boat is the Maid of the Mist, which has run since the 1800s. On the Canadian side it is Niagara City Cruises, formerly known as Hornblower. Both hand out a free souvenir poncho, both pass the American and Bridal Veil Falls, and both push into the wind and spray at the foot of the mighty Horseshoe Falls.
- USA side: Maid of the Mist, departing from Niagara Falls State Park.
- Canada side: Niagara City Cruises, departing from the Canadian shoreline.
- Both include a free poncho and an up-close pass of all three falls.
What the Ride Is Like
The cruise lasts about 20 minutes, but it is an unforgettable 20 minutes. The boat glides past the American Falls first, then turns toward Horseshoe Falls, where the water crashes down in a roar and the spray rises like rain. You will get wet, the poncho helps, and on sunny days rainbows seem to hang in the mist all around you. It is loud, wild, and genuinely thrilling for all ages.
Tips for the Boat Cruise
A little planning makes the ride even better. Go earlier in the day to beat the longest lines, and expect to get misted, so tuck phones and cameras somewhere they can stay dry. Wear shoes with grip for the wet deck, and stand near the rail if you want the full front-row experience. The boats run spring through fall, since the river ices over in deep winter.
Get on the Water
If you do only one thing at Niagara, make it the boat cruise to the base of the falls. Whether you sail as the Maid of the Mist on the US side or Niagara City Cruises on the Canadian side, you will feel the power of the falls in a way no overlook can match. We can build your day around the cruise, with options that add a helicopter flight, a Fallsview lunch, or the evening lights, just say the word.