Maid of the Mist sets sail for 2024 season

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Maid of the Mist has been sailing through the rapids of Niagara Falls since 1846 and has officially set sail for another season, taking visitors from all over the world on a voyage into the mist of the natural wonder.

“There’s nothing like it, I mean, you get so close to the falls and it’s just fantastic,” said Carol Mihalovich from Grand Island, who tells us it’s a family tradition. Every time they come to Niagara Falls, we do this.”

For others, like Adam and Laura Mallor, it was their first time seeing the Falls as they traveled from The United Kingdom.

“We didn’t know if this would be open or not while we were here, so it’s great that it’s open today,” said Laura Mallor.

This year, due to the lack of ice on the lake, they’re able to anchor away earlier in the season, just in time for spring break and the total solar eclipse.

The views of Niagara Falls attract more than a million tourists every year for the Maid of the Mist and on the day of the eclipse, they’re expecting crowds similar to Independence Day

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience this total solar eclipse here in Niagara Falls and you’ll see it right over the falls so the backdrop is going to be spectacular, you won’t get that anyplace else,” said Kevin Keenan, Spokesperson of the Maid of the Mist. “There’s going to be 600 lucky people that get the ticket and just happen to be in line at the right time.”

Keenan said that there’s no science behind making sure you’ll be on the boat during the totality of the eclipse. Instead, it will be the luck of the draw.

However, the views, even on a normal day can be an experience to remember and Keenan recommends people from out of town or those who haven’t visited in a while to come see for themselves.

Over the years the boats changed from steamboats to diesel, and now the two boats are electric. They recommend people to come see the two boats named “Nikola Tesla” and “James V. Glynn” which they say are the first electric passenger vessels of their kind, and are powered by the electricity made from the falls.

“These individuals made tremendous contributions to the community and to the world, they were honored in 2020 as these bolts were christened in their names,” Keenan said.

They will be extending their hours for Monday, April 8 from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. For more information, you can visit their website here, on how to purchase tickets.

Hope Winter is a reporter and multimedia journalist who has been part of the News 4 team since 2021. See more of her work here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.