Niagara Falls Boat Rides 2023
Visit the Niagara Falls boat rides in Niagara Falls USA & Canada.
Niagara Falls boat rides are available on both sides of the Niagara River in the USA & Canada.
In Niagara Falls NY the boat ride is named “Maid of the Mist”.
In Niagara Falls Canada the boat ride is named “Hornblower Niagara”.
The boat rides will open for the 2023 season during late April or early May and close in October. View current hours.
Restrooms are available and giftshops nearby.
Visitors average 40-60 minutes here. The ride itself takes about 20 minutes.
Hours of operation are typically 8 am to 6 pm during the tourism season. Hornblower offers evening tours during July & August.
Paid parking is available nearby. parking information
The WeGo Shuttle in Canada & Niagara Scenic Trolley in the USA stop near the boat ride entrances.
At Niagara Falls you have two choices for boat tours below the falls. If you are visiting Niagara Falls Canada you will ride aboard Hornblower’s Niagara Cruises and in Niagara Falls New York the tour is named the Maid of the Mist boat ride. Both operators offer exciting rides up close to the cascades of Niagara Falls! You can purchase tickets right at the ticket window and there is no need to make reservations.
Typically the season starts in late April or early May and operates until October. Neither tour operates during the months of November through March.
2023 opening dates and pricing information will be posted here when it becomes available. Below is information from 2022
Maid of the Mist in the USA opened for the season on Friday April 29th 2022.
Maid of the Mist ticket price 2022: Adult: $25.25 Child: $14.75 US funds / 8% sales tax included
Hornblower Niagara Cruises in Canada opened on Friday May 6th 2022.
Hornblower ticket prices for 2022: Adult: $35.84 Child:$24.64 Canadian funds / 13% hst tax included
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS?
Q. Will I get soaking wet?
A. Every guest is issued a disposable plastic poncho to wear during the tour which will keep you reasonably dry. When the boat gets close to the Canadian Falls is where you will encounter the majority of mist. If you wish to stay dry simply move to another location on the boat where there is less mist.
Q. How long does the tour last?
A. The average tour lasts 15-20 minutes.
Q. What should I wear or bring with me?
A. Summer is for shorts and t-shirts. A pair of beach shoes or sneakers work fine but don’t wear anything you wouldn’t want to get damp. For Spring and Fall weather you need to dress appropriately for the local weather and just expect to get slightly damp. Usually you will have the ability to get great photos right up until you get close to the base of the Canadian Falls. Remember that even a slight mist on your camera lens will ruin any photo!
Q. Where do I purchase tickets and board the boat ride?
A. Tickets are available at the ticket window near the entrance to the boat ride on both sides of the border.
In Niagara Falls NY the boat ride is called The Maid of the Mist and the address is 1 Prospect St, Niagara Falls, NY. The entrance is located at the NY State observation tower at Prospect Point in Niagara Falls State Park.
In Niagara Falls Canada the boat ride is called Hornblower Niagara Cruises and the address is 5920 Niagara Pkwy, Niagara Falls, ON. Their entrance is in Queen Victoria Park less than a minute walk from the foot of Clifton Hill.
Q. Where can I park my vehicle?
A. New York State offers paid parking in their lot which is less than a five minute walk to the Maid of the Mist ticket window. Nearby One Niagara Center usually has parking available for substantially less than the NY State run parking lot.
Hornblower Niagara requires you to park in one of the Niagara Parks paid parking lots and typically you will ride one of their shuttle buses to Queen Victoria Park.
Q. I’m afraid of the water, is this ride safe?
A. Absolutely, our captains and crew are the best!
Q. When do the boat rides below the Falls open for the season?
A. The opening date is dependent on the ice melting on nearby Lake Erie. Tours typically start in late April and as late as the middle of May. The earliest opening date in the past 24 years was April 1st 2017 and the latest opening date was May 10th 2014.
This time lapse video was taken on the Rainbow Bridge and displays the American & Canadian Falls at sunset. You can also see the Hornblower Niagara Boat Ride taking an evening cruise to view the fireworks.
If you have taken the boat ride below the Falls previously and would like to try something really exciting check out the Whirlpool Jetboat.
To find out what attractions are open in Niagara Falls USA & Canada visit Now open in Niagara Falls.
Pictured below is the location of both boat tour operators ticket window locations. The Maid of the Mist docks are located at Prospect Point in Niagara Falls State Park in New York and Hornblower Niagara Cruises docks are accessible from Queen Victoria Park.
Please visit our homepage for the most up to date Niagara Falls tourism information.
