Niagara Falls 2-Day Tour: Maid of the Mist & Cave of the Winds

Ride into the mist, then walk to the base of the falls

A 2-day small-group tour from Buffalo (maximum 13 guests) with one night hotel accommodation, professional guide, and a full day at Niagara Falls on the U.S. side. Day one offers either a Buffalo morning tour of City Hall and the Martin House, or an evening Niagara Falls tour with a guaranteed fireworks show on scheduled days. Day two includes the Maid of the Mist boat ride into the spray at the falls' base and the Cave of the Winds, where you walk right up to the Bridal Veil Falls with water cascading overhead.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and Buffalo or Niagara tour

• Airport pick-up at Buffalo Niagara International
• Option 1: Buffalo morning city tour
• Option 2: Niagara Falls night tour with fireworks

Day 2: Full day Niagara Falls exploration

• Maid of the Mist boat ride
• Niagara Scenic Trolley tour
• Visit Goat Island and Luna Island
• Cave of the Winds experience
• Alternative: Niagara Falls Day Tour and Whirlpool Adventure

The experience

Two days gives you time to arrive without rushing and spend a full day at the falls themselves. Complimentary airport pickup runs from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM at Buffalo Niagara International Airport, so you can choose your arrival window. Depending when you land, you either join a morning tour of Buffalo's landmarks: City Hall (30 minutes inside), the Martin House (25 minutes), and the Theater District (15 minutes), or opt for an evening tour of Niagara Falls with entry to see the fireworks display on scheduled nights. Both options require a minimum of two people and are subject to availability if you book during the tour itself.

Day two is built around the water. The Maid of the Mist takes you by boat right into the mist thrown up by the falls, with more than 6 million cubic feet of water pouring over the crest every minute during peak hours. You'll also ride the Niagara Scenic Trolley (ticket included, 15 minutes) and spend 45 minutes on Goat Island and Luna Island. The Cave of the Winds is optional but worth the hour: you walk on decking right up to the base of the Bridal Veil Falls with water crashing down on you and flowing beneath your feet. When the Maid of the Mist closes seasonally, it's replaced by a 30-minute Niagara Falls Day Tour and the optional 20-minute Niagara Whirlpool Adventure.

You stay one night in either the Wyndham Garden at Niagara Falls or the Aloft Buffalo Airport area (hotel choice depends on which option you select at checkout). Rooms accommodate 2–4 guests with either two full/double beds or one king/queen bed based on availability. Breakfast is included, and a professional driver-guide handles all transportation in a vehicle sized for your group. The tour operates year-round, though some attractions may close in winter and will be swapped for alternatives.

What’s included

• Professional vehicle transportation sized to your group.
• one night hotel accommodation at either the Wyndham Garden at Niagara Falls or Aloft Buffalo Airport area.
• breakfast on day two.
• complimentary airport pickup between 10:00 AM and 9:00 PM.
• professional driver-guide.
• Niagara Scenic Trolley ticket.
• fuel surcharge.

Options for this experience

4 options

Buffalo Hotel + Tour Only (APBN2)Guide in English · 12 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 21:00This price option does not include the Niagara Falls Night Tour, the Buffalo Morning Tour, Cave of the Winds, the Maid of the Mist Boat Tour, or Whirlpool. Travelers will stay at the Aloft Buffalo Airport and Lockport Hotel. Pickup is included.

Niagara Hotel + Tour Only (APBN2)Guide in English · 12 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 21:00Travelers will stay at the Wyndham Garden at Niagara Falls. This price option does not include the Niagara Falls Night Tour, the Buffalo Morning Tour, Cave of the Winds, the Maid of the Mist Boat Tour, or Whirlpool. Pickup is included.

Buffalo Hotel + Tickets (APBN2)Guide in English · 12 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 21:00Travelers will stay at the Aloft Buffalo Airport and Lockport Hotel. This price option includes the Niagara Falls Night Tour, the Buffalo Morning Tour, Cave of the Winds, the Maid of the Mist Boat Tour, and Whirlpool. Pickup is included.

Niagara Hotel + Tickets (APBN2)Guide in English · 12 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 21:00Travelers will stay at the Wyndham Garden at Niagara Falls. This price option includes the Niagara Falls Night Tour, the Buffalo Morning Tour, Cave of the Winds, the Maid of the Mist Boat Tour, and Whirlpool. Pickup is included.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesMonday and Friday12 departure times: the first at 10:00, the last at 21:00

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Infant (under 6)

GroupUp to 13 · max 4 per booking

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Jupiter Legend Corporation

Is this one for you?Choose the option with tickets included if you want the Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds covered upfront. Pick tour-only if you prefer to decide on those activities after you arrive and see the conditions. The Niagara hotel puts you closer to the falls for day two. The Buffalo hotel is near the airport if you're catching a flight the morning after.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 12 years); Infant (under 6).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the difference between the Buffalo morning tour and the Niagara Falls evening tour on day one?

The Buffalo morning tour visits City Hall (with an inside visit if open, or Naval Park as backup), the Martin House, and the Theater District, and requires you to meet the guide before noon. The Niagara Falls evening tour takes you to the falls and guarantees you'll see the fireworks show on scheduled nights, and requires you to meet the guide before 4:00 PM. You pick one based on your flight arrival time.

Is the Maid of the Mist boat ride included, or do I pay extra?

The Maid of the Mist is optional on day two, meaning you can choose to do it or skip it. If you select a purchase option that includes tickets, the boat ride is covered. If you select tour-only, you'll pay for it separately through the guide. When the boat closes seasonally, a Niagara Falls Day Tour replaces it at no extra charge.

What happens on day two if I don't want to do the optional activities?

Day two includes the Niagara Scenic Trolley ride (15 minutes, ticket included) and time on Goat Island and Luna Island (45 minutes). The Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds are optional add-ons you can choose or skip. You're free to explore the falls area on your own or pick and choose which activities suit you.

Do I need to arrange my own hotel, or is it booked for me?

Your one night of hotel accommodation is included in your booking. You choose between the Wyndham Garden at Niagara Falls or the Aloft Buffalo Airport area when you select your purchase option. Rooms are assigned based on availability and sleep 2–4 guests.

What's included in the price, and what costs extra?

Included are hotel accommodation, breakfast, professional transportation, the Niagara Scenic Trolley ticket, and the guide. Admission fees for attractions like the Maid of the Mist and Cave of the Winds depend on which purchase option you select: some include them, others don't. Meals beyond breakfast, gratuities, and personal expenses are not included.

Can I book this tour if I'm arriving with a large group?

The tour accommodates a maximum of 13 guests per departure. For groups exceeding four people or those needing separate hotel rooms, you'll need to create separate bookings. Provide all confirmation numbers once booked so the operator can try to seat you on the same bus.