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Maid
of the Mist Review
Review
of the best Niagara Falls attractions with pictures
Top ten tourist attractions in Canada
Maid of the Mist boat tour is the best tourist attraction in Ontario and Canada where you will experience the immense power of crashing Niagara Falls.
Why?
Very simple. This is not only the boat ride. It is the most exciting thing you will ever see and experience.
Why Maid of the Mist Boat Tour
So much water (mist) in the air, the thunder of the mighty waterfalls, the scenery, your excitement, and being soaked, is all what it makes this ride thrilled and life experienced.
Here is a great tip. Take the position on the upper deck of the starboard side of the boat (right hand side of the boat). Most of people will crowd on the other side, to see the American Falls first. Don't worry you will see it on your way back. By taking this position, you will be the closest person to Niagara Falls, Canada or Horseshoe Falls.
Where does the Maid of the Mist boat depart from?
The Maid of the Mist boat departures are from 5920 Niagara Parkway, Niagara Falls, Canada. The ticket booth and the entrance to the dock are located at the north end of Queen Victoria Park, close to the Rainbow Bridge, old Casino, Sheraton, Oakes Garden Theatre and steps away from popular Clifton Hill tourist area.
You cannot miss it.
If you are on the American side of Niagara, your Maid of Mist boat journey begins at the bottom of the Observation Tower and follows the same path as the boat from Canadian side (see picture above); through the Niagara River, past the American Falls and into the Horseshoe Falls.
This
great Niagara Falls attraction operates from April to October. The
boats depart every 15 minutes. If you are planning your trip during the
summertime, go for a boat ride early morning (9 am) to avoid huge
line-ups.
If you cannot come early, don’t be worried by the
long line-ups, it goes fairly quickly. In order to avoid hassle and
shorten your waiting time, be sure to buy a
discount Adventure pass, or
book one of the many Niagara
Falls vacation packages.
Our Maid of the Mist Tour Experience
It doesn't matter where you will take the tour from, Niagara Falls in Canada or the American side, you will go through the same excitement. Our recommendation is to use the Canadian side.
This
boat attraction tour is guided so you will be directed from the
start. You will hear a
little about a ride, history
and more.
The
Maid of the Mist boats as we said before, starts off near the Rainbow
Bridge, passes the
American and
Bridal Veil Falls and goes straight inside the curve of
the Horseshoe Falls. This is why you have to have a camera prepared for
some amazing Maid of the Mist tour photos, as you can see here or using
our Niagara Falls
pictures page.
There is an
elevator that takes you down to the tunnel.
The
tunnel connects the elevator waiting area and docks. It is slippery, so
be careful. As you are approaching the dock, where the Maid of the Mist is docked, you will be on the river
level, and across are American and Bridal Veil Falls.
This
boat that we took could accept few hundred people and was double
decked.
For
the best experience be sure to be on the top deck where you will have
an adventure of a lifetime and the most authentic experience.
You can stay
inside the boat as well, and that is our recommendation
for families with kids.
Don’t
forget to use your camera often. This is a life experience, and you have
to
record it. But, careful, there will be lots of the mist in the air, so
buy disposable, waterproof one.
The ride
itself is remarkable and there are seagulls flying everywhere.
It
is much better at water level than standing above them.
On
your way to the Canadian waterfall, pay attention on great
high
raised hotels, Skylon Tower and Fallsview Casino
Niagara Falls.
This area is very popular, because the best hotels are situated there and some great attractions.
The boat ride on the Niagara River and toward the waterfalls was nice, and as we were approaching my excitement was skyrocketing. I was not afraid but there was a strange feeling inside me and I couldn’t breathe.
As you get closer to the Horseshoe Falls it gets really windy and the mist from the falls becomes very heavy - feels like you're standing in a big rainstorm!
The sheer size and the thunder of the water rushing over the massive Horseshoe Falls is amazing.
I wanted to record it so eagerly, that I didn’t pay attention on my camera. It was not waterproof. Happily, everything was ok with the camera and my recordings.
The
boat almost stopped at the base of the Horseshoe Falls. The mist was
overwhelming and the thunder of the water was very intense
that it looked like you are in the middle of torrential rain.
When the
boat "stopped", we had enough time to admire the mighty waterfalls how
they are plunging down
with full power.
Aerial view of the boat and Niagara
You
can’t even breathe from all the moist, great water pressure and
wind, created by the surrounding waterfall.
The view of the immense cascades and rocky gorge cliffs is breathtaking. The mist created by crashing torrent causes rainbows to arc brilliantly in the haze.
Rainbow over Maid of the Mist and Niagara Falls
The boat ride lasted a little over 30min and the boat
stayed in
the
waterfall mist for about 10 min. It felt like an eternity.
Niagara Falls is miraculous attraction and $14.5 CAN is not much to
pay... and the result is ... an unbelievable experience.
You
will get a nylon poncho, and they are big enough to cover you backpack.
But, be ready, you will get wet. If your kids are from 6 to 12 you will
pay $ 8.9 CAN.
The poncho is definitely helpful, but I
wasn’t wearing it, so I was wet to the skin. It was sooo cool. I liked
it. It was refreshing, as it was very hot that day.
Maid of the Mist and kids
If you are considering bringing you kids with you, as long as they are comfortable being wet, and not afraid of the boat, go for it.
My
goddaughter had a blast, and she was only 5 years old. And she had a
free ride.
That was two years ago, and she is still talking about that experience.
Probably, she will remember it for the rest of her life.
Everything is about memories. Please don’t miss to create them.
Incredible boat ride experience for a little girl
After incredible boat ride, on your way out, you will have a chance to go through the gift shop and buy some presents, which will definitely remind you on your time spent here.
Since 1846 Maid of the Mist was carrying passengers, hundreds of thousands, like Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Marilyn Monroe, Nikola Tesla, Soviet Premier, Princess Diana… and other celebrities, so why not you.
Here are some recommendations for your best experience:
- Go early to avoid lines.
- Don’t carry to many accessories, clothes...
- Girls, forget about wearing makeup, high hills, fancy outfit, hair.
- Wear comfortable shoes that you don’t mind getting wet.
- Buy a waterproof camera, preferable in big retail store, for a better price.
- Be among first ones on the boat for the best spot, which is the front of the boat.
- Stand on the right side of the boat to be closer to the Falls.
For Travel Tips and Directions to Niagara Falls Canada click here
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