The Maid of the Mist is a boat tour of Niagara Falls. (The actual boats used are each named Maid of the Mist, followed by a different Roman numeral in each case.) The boat starts off at a calm part of the Niagara River, near the Rainbow Bridge, and takes its passengers past the American and Bridal Veil Falls, then into the dense mist of spray inside the curve of the Horseshoe Falls. The tour is available starting from either the Canadian or U.S. side of the river, returning to the starting point in each case.

The Maid of the Mist is well known for its role in the July 9, 1960, rescue of Roger Woodward, a seven-year old boy who became the first person to survive a plunge over the Horseshoe Falls with nothing but a life jacket. The boat involved in the rescue (known as Maid II) was retired from service in 1983 and relocated to the Amazon River, where it served as a missionary ship for years after.

The Maid of the Mist, one of Niagara Falls most popular attractions, completed its final run on the Canadian side of the border Thursday, October 24, 2013.

The tour-boat excursions will no longer be sailing from the Canadian side of the iconic waterfalls. The business, which is owned by the Glynn family, will continue to operate from the U.S. side of the gorge and will depart from its dock just beyond the Rainbow Bridge.

Tours departing from the Canadian side will be operated by Hornblower, a California-based company. Starting in the spring of 2014, three luxury catamarans will ply the lower Niagara River. Two of the boats will carry approximately 700 people, and the third will be a smaller ship reserved for private functions. http://www.niagaracruises.com/tour-operators