Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Adventure Theater shows a 40-minute film with highlights of Niagara's history as
well as stunning helicopter shots of the gorge and falls. It depicts the mythical “Maid of
the Mist,” a Native American woman whothrew herself over the falls (supposedly to either
savehertribeortoavoidaforcedmarriage),alongwithearlyEuropeanexplorersanddare-
devils who challenged Niagara. The 275-seat theater is comfortably air-conditioned. The
main entrance for the park is found along Prospect Street, across from the Hard Rock Café
near the bus drop-off loop.
MM
Maid of the Mist
There are few experiences like the
Maid of the Mist
(Niagara Falls State Park, 716/
284-8897,
www.maidofthemist.com
,
10am-5pm Mon.-Fri., 10am-6pm Sat.-Sun. Apr.-mid-
May and Sept.-early Oct., 10am-6pm daily late May-late June, 9am-8pm daily late June-
early Aug., 9am-7:30pm daily early Aug.-late Aug., 10am-5pm daily early Oct.-late Oct.,
$17adults,$10children6-12).Whatbeginsasagentle,20-minuteboatridesuddenlytrans-
forms into a journey into the heart of the falls. From the safety of the vessel, you are buf-
feted by heavy mist. It's awe-inspiring to see the 17-story-high thundering wall of water
thatslamsintotheLowerNiagaraRiver.Formorethan150years,thisridehasthrilledmil-
lions of tourists and is the top attraction in Niagara.
Once you're aboard the boat, relax and enjoy the view. After the boat pulls away from
the dock, it passes American Falls. Notice the stairs along the left (north) side of the falls.
This is part of the Crow's Nest, and can be accessed after the boat ride.
As the boat moves onward, you'll approach Bridal Veil Falls, flowing between Luna
Island and Goat Island. You'll see brave folks underneath this waterfall, experiencing the
Cave of the Winds. There's a deceptively calm stretch of water, the quiet before the storm.
Thousands of waterfowl can be seen resting or building nests in the rocky ledges of the
gorge.
The chatter of the birds gives way to the ominous din of Horseshoe Falls. As the boat
enters the basin beneath the falls, water thunders down from a precipice 17 stories above.
Wind whips mist from all sides as the boat bobs upon a boiling cauldron of water. For five
intense minutes, the boat fights the surging waters and the unpredictable wind dictates vis-
ibility.
Riders on the upper deck or in the lower bow area receive the brunt of the mist. People
looking to avoid getting soaked can find limited shelter on the lower deck in the middle of
the boat. How wet you get depends mostly on the wind's velocity and direction, so there's
