This fantastic boat takes your right up next to the falls, and under the "mist" of Niagara Falls. It is totally awesome!
Don't just stand and look at the falls. Hop on the Maid of the Mist boat and ride right up to them to feel, smell and even taste (if desired) Niagara Falls. It is an experience you will never forget and something I recommend to everyone who can stand on a rocking tour boat.
Riding out to the falls is an experience in itself. Reaching the falls, where the boat stops and lingers under the Niagara Falls spray for a few minutes, is magnificent.
I loved every moment of it and would gladly do it again in a "New York minute".
View of Niagara Falls from the Maid of the Mist boat just before we
entered the mist
Maid of the Mist Boat Ride - Niagara Falls
The Maid of the Mist boat ride takes approximately 20 minutes.
On the July summer day we visited Niagara Falls, it was fairly crowded in
the Niagara Falls State Park, but the line for the Maid of the Mist was
reasonable. We only had to wait for the length of one boat ride before
we were boarding the boat. Therefore, our wait time was approximately 20
minutes and part of that time was spent receiving and donning the head to
toe rain poncho provided with the price of the ticket. The poncho makes the
perfect souvenir too!
I took my small travel camera so I could take pictures from the boat. However, I did tuck it inside my cape right before we entered the mist. Unfortunately, there is no way to photograph from within the mist without a waterproof camera. Next time, I will take an underwater camera!
If you look closely, you can see the boat in the (back) falls
mist
You can also see the walking trail on lower left side
The cost of the boat ride ticket includes admission to the observation deck. The elevator down to the boat docking area is the center section, that looks like a support beam, under the center of the observation deck.
Parking at Niagara Falls State Park
There are several parking lots for cars. As you enter the park, there
were at least two areas for parking for a picnic or just for viewing the
rapids.
In our case, we went to Niagara Falls State Park while moving our daughter
to New York. Therefore, we were in a fully loaded U-Haul truck.
At first, we were concerned for where we would be allowed to park, and for
good reason. Most of the lots accommodate standard car, SUV or van
size vehicles. Fortunately for us, and our camper vehicle friends,
there is a parking lot on Goat Island just for the longer, wider
vehicles. Plus, there is a reasonably priced trolley to the heart of
the park from the #3 parking area for those who would prefer to ride instead
of walk.
Simply pay attention to signs as you enter the park. It is easy to miss parking directions
because it is exciting to see all that is there, plus the need to watch out
for pedestrians.
Believe it or not, there is more to see at Niagara Falls State Park than
the falls. While Niagara Falls is clearly the main attraction, there
is an aquarium, hiking trails and the "Cave of the Winds" (a man made walk
along the bottom of the falls), as well as food vendors and souvenirs. There
is also a Top of the Falls Restaurant that overlooks Niagara Falls.
You can view
Niagara Falls at Night
too thanks to the colored lights which Mary Beth photographed and previously
published on Review This Reviews.
Explorer's Guide Buffalo & Niagara Falls (Explorer's Complete)Check Price
Bridge to Goat Island over the rapids that feed Niagara Falls
More to See at Niagara Falls State Park
See More Travel Reviews & Recommendations On
Review This Travel!
So glad you got to experience Niagara Falls, Mouse and that you enjoyed the Maid of the Mist boat ride. I remember one summer when we were driving from Nebraska to western NY to visit family and my hubby said 'while we are in New York State, let's go to Niagara Falls'. When I asked 'why'? he replied "because the kids have never been there!". Until he said that, it never occurred to me because I grew up within a one to two hour drive of Niagara Falls and it was a several-times-a-summer Sunday afternoon picnic spot for our whole family, including grandparents. A trip there was as common and easily done as going to a park in town. Something I never thought about and I guess just assumed that 'everyone' had been to Niagara Falls. It was just something we did frequently that we enjoyed and looking at the Falls never got old. LOL. So, yes, we went that trip, and took the kids.
ReplyDeleteGoing to Niagara Falls this year was a first for me. I had never been before even though we have been close when traveling in the past. Our previous travel schedules didn't allow time for the side trip. I'm so glad this one did. I loved park and Niagara Falls! I understand completely how we take local parks and attractions for granted. When it is something you do routinely, it is no longer a "unique" experience, even if it is enjoyable. I bet you have a lot of great memories of family events at Niagara Falls.
DeleteThanks for a great review and thanks for mentioning my nighttime photos.
ReplyDeleteYour nighttime photos of Niagara Falls are awesome Mary Beth! I was thrilled to be able to share them here.
DeleteMouse, this is an awesome review of what sounds like a phenomenal boat ride! Visiting Niagara Falls and experiencing it "up close and personal" on the Maid of the Mist is being added to my "bucket list," thanks to this terrific vicarious visit. Until my husband and I can make the trip in person, your wonderful photos and vivid descriptions will help us savor the anticipation.
ReplyDeleteSeeing Niagara Falls in person AND taking the Maid of the Mist boat ride are both "bucket list" worthy. As a matter of fact, I am adding them to my bucket list to do again :)
DeleteOh I'm so glad you got some time to do a little fun stuff while in the middle of a move! I imagine that a trip to the bottom of Niagara Falls would be refreshing to say the least! It's on my list of things to do soon too. Just need a little more time to get the knees ready for this!
ReplyDeleteI wish we'd had more time there when we saw the falls in 1989 on the way home from Massachusetts. I remember being in a small park where we had a view of the falls and saw the boat. I wish we'd been able to take the ride, but we still had miles to go before our stop for the night in Erie. Great review.
ReplyDeleteMiss Mouse, your pictures are stunning. Of course you know I live fairly close to Niagara Falls and have visited it many times. When the kids were little it was our go-to spot for daily getaways. We've also taken the Maid of the Mist Tour (from the Canadian side) and loved it. Holy moly do you get wet on that tour - which is fantastic on a hot day. Sure nice to read about your visit to Niagara Falls - nice to read about you taking a break and getting some down time too!
ReplyDeleteOh I would love to visit Niagara Falls and go on the the Maid Of The Mist Boat ride! It would be amazing to do that walking trail as well. I am not sure if we will ever get there but it was great to experience it through your review and your gorgeous photographs. Yes its a good idea when you go next time to take an underwater camera for even more wonderful photographs as it sounds like you get very wet! I am so glad you had the chance to experience this and take a little time out on your busy trip.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you made the trip to the Falls. We've been there many times and have done it all. Your photos are outstanding. There is nothing quite like the experience of the Maid of the Mist.
ReplyDelete