History of Maid of the Mist
Just a short distance downriver from the Falls, a rowboat ferry service to cross the Niagara River was in operation as early as 1818. In 1846, the first Maid of the Mist steamboat operation began. This photo shows a Maid of the Mist boat near the American Falls circa 1890.
The original coal-fired, wooden boat was later replaced by steel, diesel-powered ships that in the present day are capable of carrying 300 to 600 passengers per trip. The present Maids – there have been seven boats in total - carry hundreds of thousands of passengers each year, taking them on a spectacular, never to be forgotten trip.
This world-famous attraction has been in continuous operation since 1846, making it one of North America’s oldest tourist attractions. For over 150 years, millions of visitors including royalty, state leaders and celebrities from around the world, have been captivated by this half-hour cruise.
