This is a CAN'T MISS experience! I guarantee the first question that your friends will ask you…read moreafter your Niagara Falls vacation will be - "did you ride the boat?" Boarding experience was efficient. They have attendants to usher you into one of several elevators. Then a short walk down to the platform while you wait for one of two boats so the wait is not long. Red ponchos given to you which are complimentary. PRO TIP: you'll get the best pictures if you're lucky enough to be able to get a spot on the upper deck near the railing. We were so lucky to be "cut off" from the line ahead of us for one boat and had to wait for the next boat, which turned out to be excellent for us. I wonder if you can request to wait if it looks like you're going to be the last ones on a boat. Surely the last in line will be towards the back of the boat or on the lower deck. But even if that's you, don't be worried - the boat sails in, and then turns around to go out. So even if you are in the back, there will be an opportunity for a picture. No announcements from the captain. No demonstration of putting on life jackets or at least told where they are located. Any boat tour I've done in the US would typically have something like this. Guess it's different in Canada. Everyone loaded, the boat just goes. And what a spectacular view. Take your family pictures as you are getting close, because after a certain point, you will feel the power of the falls. Eventually all you'll be able to see is mist. And it will feel like you're caught in a rain storm. The crowd all yells, laughs, and screams in excited unison! At some point, you could even say you're just trying to survive. You'll be lucky if the poncho hood stays on your head and that it covers both of your arms. Our hats were soaked and shoes were drenched, but we had so much fun! Definitely an experience that my kids will remember for their lifetime! Highly recommend!

I'm going to get the bad news out of the way: do not, I must repeat, do not order a hot dog on…read moresite. It was one of the saddest, most repulsive things I've been served. Kid you not. Tasted like it had been boiled for hours then sprayed with grill marks. Simply awful. The one and only bite I took was already half way down my throat when I realized I wanted to get as far away from it as possible. That out of the way... Everything else was a charm! I boarded Niagara City Cruises with the confidence of someone who had never seen Niagara Falls and assumed the complimentary red poncho would keep me dry. Wrong. We got absolutely blasted by the falls! It was spectacular fun! The experience began innocently enough. The falls looked beautiful from a distance. People were smiling. Birds were flying. Families were taking photos. Then the boat moved closer and nature abruptly decided that everyone on board needed a shower. Literally thousands of gallons of water a second are crashing from the sky. The poncho performed admirably if its job was protecting approximately 60 percent of my body. My hair and face were soaked. My pant legs and shoes were drenched. My poncho kept bellowing in the wind. I looked around at one point and I saw that this was everyone's story. The closer we got to the falls, the less we could see. The magnificent view slowly transformed into a white wall of mist, wind and life choices. Conversations became impossible. Communication was reduced to pointing, yelling and laughing. The power is overwhelming. The noise is deafening. The mist is relentless. The memory is unforgettable. Yes, it was incredible and I wish to have this experience -- without the hot dog -- all over again!

When we got off the ferry and arrived on Centre Island just after labor day, the island was quiet…read more It was a weekday and Centreville was closed so we got to enjoy the quiet side of the island which was fine by us. We asked if there were good eats on the island as a few places looked close. Someone directed us to the marina and told us we could get fresh food her. When you get of the Centre Island ferry take a right a walk through the black gate. It's definitely off the beaten path. It was so quiet that day, we started getting worried that we were in one of those island horror movies like The Wickerman. However, after we passed the gate we ended up a nice local boating community with a large dock, general store, gas station for boats, and The Upper Deck. It was the hottest day of the summer and we sat out on the deck with loads of sunscreen. There were just a handful of people there. The waitress came to wipe off the table and we ordered food and drinks. I was totally excited when our food came. We ordered the the Cheeseburger with fries and the Turkey club with onion rings. Everything was amazing. The Cheeseburger was perfectly cooked, juicy, and had aged cheddar and a pickle on top. The club had just the right amount of mayo. Suprisingly the fries and rings were equally good. Definitely come here next time you visit the islands. Sure, the Carousel Cafe is good, but I can't imagine their food tasting as awesome as the Upper Deck.

I went to The Toronto Island Marina with my family a little while ago. I ordered the pesto pizza…read moreand my table also got a couple of drinks. After around 30 minutes we were yet to receive our food, and once we finally did, I was handed something unexpected. I was given an already cold and lame excuse for a pizza that didn't even have cheese on it. I'm not sure if the menu specified that, but I was very displeased. My meal consisted of pesto on bubbly, crunchy bread with a couple pieces of minced chicken. It was very mediocre. After the rest of my table was given their food, we still hadn't received the drinks we had ordered almost 40 minutes prior. Once we told the waitress she came back with them later but had been standing at the bar for a while since there weren't that many other customers there at the time. The drinks we ordered and the other food were decent but still undeserving of the hefty price we were charged. To top it all off, tip was already included in the bill, giving us no freedom to select our desired amount of gratuity. I was not angry, rather disappointed by this restaurant's nonchalance and unfairness towards its customers. I am not usually this forward, but I have made an acceptance on account of such behavior. If I could give this place zero stars I would, however I will grant it a one, as the views were quite exquisite.

Wow! What an amazing tour! My family and I booked a 1-hour boat tour with Toronto Harbour Tours…read morebefore our flight back home and we were very pleased with the service. The narrator had great energy and you can tell she either really loved her job or she enjoyed telling customers the history of the Toronto waterfront. I can't quite remember her name (apologies!) but our tour was on 05/27/19 at noon and our crew (especially the girl who gave the narration) had amazing humor, charm, and sass. We had also missed our 11am tour because we ran late in storing our luggage at a nearby storage locker and the staff person at the window had no issues rescheduling us for the 12pm tour. Amazing!

We did the 1 hour harbor tour and really enjoyed it! We had many great views of the skyline and…read moreenjoyed seeing the islands as well. The two person crew did a great job both driving the boat and talking about the sights we were seeing. I enjoyed learning a bit more about the city. One heads up...the stairs down into the main seating area are extremely steep. It's only a few, and the railings are sturdy, but for someone with balance or mobility challenges this could be hard. It might be worth calling ahead to see if space on the small back upper level is prioritized for those who can't navigate the stairs.

100% WORTH IT!!! If…read moreyou want to get up close to the falls and enjoy a nice view and feel the sun, mist and water from the beautiful Niagara Falls then I highly recommend Maid of the Mist! Tickets are very affordable and they provide ponchos for everyone.

How can you not love the Maid of the Mist? it is one of the quintessential Niagara Falls…read moreexperiences. You get to see, hear and feel the beauty and fury of the falls! There is some narration on the boat, but most people aren't listening because you are too busy being mesmerized by the falls. You get ponchos, but you may still end up wet (especially your feet that aren't covered) but it feels refreshing on a hot summer day. The one downside is that you are basically herded like cattle through most of the experience. You might get lucky and be at the front of a boarding group, but there is no way to guarantee that.. But even if you don't get a spot near the edge, people tend to move around some so you will still get great views.

I got soaked from head to toe and the boat went SUPER fast. The staff were super nice. They played…read moremusic so the vibe was also nice.

What a thrilling and fun adventure! I have taken a ride on these boats twice and both times were a…read morefantastic adventure. I have only done the open air boat, so this review pertains to that experience. It was like a natural thrill ride/roller coaster. ( Fast speeds and spins, but also some amazing views. One thing to note is make sure you keep your group close together so you can actually be seated together. If you live local, check for discounts online. At one point it was almost a $20 savings for having a local address! If you are looking for a unique, fun adventure, definitely check this out!

It aint Colorado but Kelson is a cool place to hike or mountain bike…read more You have to pay but for a one and done its okay

Close beach to the West of Oakville- nice for a day get away that is not too far. Great for small…read morechildren at the beach- as it is not huge.

We went on City Cruises as part of our city pass. We made a reservation the day before for the…read more6:30pm boat ride. The check in process was easy. We arrived around 6:15 and all the spots on the top of the boat were taken so we sat inside. When the cruise starts you can move around the boat which was nice. Our tour guide was friendly. She only spoke for about 20 min of a 60 min ride though. I thought for sure I would learn more about the city. That was a bit disappointing. There are drinks and snacks for sale on the boat and a restroom available. Overall the boat ride was relaxing but I most likely wouldn't do it again.

Took this tour as part of CityPass and it was one of the must do as a tourist if you are visiting…read morein summer. Went there during July and it was great respite from the heat. They take you by the Toronto islands. The narration covers the different land marks and you get to see the skyline from the water. It was relaxing.

We came on a quiet weekday and absolutely enjoyed our time here. The waters were calm, perfect for…read morekayaking, and the scenery was beautiful and peaceful. It felt like the ideal spot to relax, recharge, and connect with nature. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a serene outdoor escape.

I recently visited Guelph Lake using the Toyota sponsored GRCA annual pass, made available at no…read morecharge from the local library. The Guelph Lake is pretty big, if you enjoy boating you will have fun. This location features a number of campsites, some literally with a wake up view of the lake and a breeze. The trail has mostly bush, so wear covered clothing in case of ticks, and a beach. I was somewhat disappointed because the trails were rather "like walking a park" but I'm sure the boating and beaching would be fun when the weather warms up. Admission is roughly $7, with the grca annual pass it's free. The GRCA is not funded by tax payers so they charge for admission.

What a great experience! Like being on cottage lake in the middle of the city. Close to Old Mill…read moresubway station, the launch area is literally directly underneath the bridge the subway goes over. I've been twice this summer - early June in the evening and mid July for 9 AM kayaking. I enjoyed the early morning peace and tranquillity. We were guided by a long line of geese and also saw two egrets along the way. Very peaceful and they make it so easy as they drag the kayaks down to the launch beach. Getting in and especially out of the kayak is challenging. It would be great to have a pole or chair to grab onto to pull yourself up and out. But otherwise, a fabulous not expensive trip away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

They have kayak, canoeing and paddling Great experience and…read morefun to go with friends Kayak route is not too long and along the route there's lovely nature