english  russian  Niagara falls Niagara Falls is a set of massive waterfalls located on the Niagara River in eastern North America Maid of the Mist The Maid of the Mist is a boat tour of Niagara Falls. The boat starts off at a calm part of the Niagara River and takes its passengers past the American and Bridal Veil Falls. Skylon Tower The Skylon Tower is the tallest structure that overlooks both the American Falls, New York and the Horseshoe Falls, Ontario from the Canadian side of the Niagara River Journey Behind the Falls Journey Behind the Falls is an attraction located in the Table Rock House Plaza beside the Canadian Horseshoe Falls. Maid of the Mist Maid of the MistThe 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 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 US side of the river, returning to the starting point in each case. The first Maid of the Mist was launched in 1846, but the focus on tourists did not begin until 1854 and continues to be a draw for tourists wanting to be close to the Falls. The Maid of the Mist is the longest running tourist attraction in North America. Maid of the Mist I Years of Service: 1846-1854 Type: double stack steamboat ferry Engine: 1 sidewheel steam Maid of the Mist I Years of Service: 1854-1860 Length: 72 ft Type: single stack steamer Engine: paddle boat Maid of the Mist I Years of Service: 1885-1955 Type: steam boat Engine: N/A Maid of the Mist II Years of Service: 1892-1955 Type: white oak steam boat Length: 89 ft Engine: 2 engine steam Maid of the Mist I Years of Service: 1955-1990 Length: 66 ft Engine: 200 hp diesel engines Passengers: 101 Maid of the Mist II Years of Service: 1956-1983 Type: all steel boat twin of I Engine: 200 hp diesel engines Passengers: 101 Maid of the Mist III Years of Service: 1972-1997 Length: 65 ft Weight: 65 tons Engine: single 250 hp diesel Passengers: 210 Maid of the Mist IV Years of Service: 1976-present Length: 72 ft Weight: 74 tons Engine: two 250 hp diesel Passengers: 300 Maid of the Mist V Years of Service: 1983-present Length: 72 ft Weight: 74 tons Engine: two 355 hp diesel Passengers: 300 Maid of the Mist VI Years of Service: 1990-present Length: 80 ft Weight: 145 tons Engine: two 350 hp diesel Passengers: 600 Maid of the Mist VII Years of Service: 1997-present; twin of VI Length: 80 ft Weight: 145 tons Engine: two 350 hp diesel Passengers: 600 Mini Maid A small tug like vessel found at the docks on the Canadian side.   2006 Travel-Niagara-Falls.com