From BellaOnline:
One of the classic attractions when visiting Niagara Falls, either on the New York or the Canada side, is to take a ride on the Maid of the Mist. As one of the oldest tourist attractions in the U.S. and Canada, operating since 1846, Maid of the Mist boats are the only way that you can get close to the thundering crash of Niagara Falls at the point where it falls into the Niagara River.
If you’ve never been to Niagara Falls, you might think that a trip aboard the Maid of the Mist is just one of those cliche things that tourists do when visiting this popular tourist destination. Sure, it’s cliche, but after you’ve experienced the trip, you won’t care. The chance to get this close to one of the wonders of nature is just too good to pass up.