History of the Niagara Falls boat tours

Quick answerThe Maid of the Mist started in 1846 as a steam ferry carrying passengers, mail and carriages across the river below the falls. When a suspension bridge took the crossing traffic in 1848, the boat reinvented itself as a sightseeing ride and never stopped. Hornblower took over the Canadian concession in 2014, and in 2020 the American fleet switched to zero emission electric catamarans.

1846: a ferry, not a tour

The first Maid of the Mist was a barge sized steam ferry linking the two countries before any bridge existed. The falls were the backdrop, not the product. Its crossing business collapsed within two years when the first suspension bridge opened, which forced the pivot that created the modern attraction.

Becoming the classic ride

From the 1850s the boats sailed straight toward the Horseshoe basin and the soaking became the point. Presidents, royals and film crews rode it through the 20th century, and the black rubber poncho turned into one of the most recognizable souvenirs in travel.

Hornblower and the electric era

In 2014 the Canadian concession passed from Maid of the Mist to Hornblower, whose 700 passenger catamarans now sail as Niagara City Cruises. On the US side, Maid of the Mist answered in 2020 with two fully electric vessels charged between each trip, among the first electric passenger fleets in North America.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Maid of the Mist the oldest boat tour in the world?

It is one of the oldest continuously running tourist attractions in North America, sailing since 1846 apart from wartime and winter pauses.

Why is it called Maid of the Mist?

The name refers to a local legend about a young woman and the spirit of the falls, adopted by the ferry company in the 1840s and kept ever since.

Are the current boats the original ones?

No. Fleets have been replaced many times after fires, winters and upgrades. Today Hornblower runs modern catamarans and Maid of the Mist runs electric vessels launched in 2020.