July 10, 2012 at 10:49 AM

Throw on your souvenir poncho and prepare to board the Maid of the Mist—a powerful diesel-engine boat designed to navigate the Niagara River and traverse the choppy water beneath Niagara Falls. 

At the onset of the tour, an elevator lowers guests into the Niagara gorge where they board the boats.  There are four vessels currently in use.  Each vessel is named the Maid of the Mist but each is distinguished by a different Roman numeral.

The 30-minute tour begins in calm waters near the Rainbow Bridge and continues past the American and Bridal Veil Falls. Passengers get an up-close look at the world-famous panorama as the rushing water cascades onto rocks below. An array of gulls swarms in hordes above the vista and adds to the splendor.

Nearing the Horseshoe Falls, ponchos begin to flap wildly as the boat enters the basin beneath the 175-ft. tall waterfall. The two powerful engines propel the boat against the current, bringing passengers fantastically close to the roaring cataract. Prepare to encounter mist and spray from the massive volume of water that spans a distance of 2,500 feet overhead. 

About 30 minutes after departure, passengers arrive back at the dock.  The observation tower deck at the top of the gorge allows guests to view stunning panoramas, often intersected by glistening rainbows.  The photo opportunities are endless and unrivaled.

The Maid of the Mist attracts guests from all over the world and is sure to please, inspire, and remind visitors of Nature’s power.

“It’s intimidating,” said Ewan Greenfield, 21, of Australia, as he recollected the fury of the Horseshoe Falls.

Steve Woodburn, 22, also of Australia added, “It’s excellent. It’s a pretty amazing place.”

In 1846 the Maid of the Mist was a steamboat ferry service between the American and Canadian sides but after the construction of the Niagara Falls Suspension Bridge became the popular tourist attraction that it is today.

Tickets are available for adults for $15.50 (USD) and children (6-12 years) for $9.  Entrance onto the Observation Tower deck is $1.

Boats leave the dock every fifteen minutes during the season which runs from April to May.

For more information, go to www.maidofthemist.com

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