Checked against the sources listed below on October 17, 2026. Some operator pages could not be fully read; gaps are stated in the text.
Clothing advice for a boat tour is easy to overstate. Neither operator publishes a dress code, and nobody has published a measured temperature for the deck in the mist. What exists is what the operators say, the monthly weather normals at a nearby station, and visitor accounts. This guide uses them in that order. Everything marked "our suggestion" is our own reasoning, not an operator rule. For how wet the ride is, read the wet-ride guide first.
What to wear by month
The temperatures are Environment and Climate Change Canada 1981-2010 averages for the Niagara Falls station (the 1991-2020 means published elsewhere are within about 1 °C). They describe a weather station on land, not the boat. Maid of the Mist runs Apr 24 to Nov 8, 2026; Niagara City Cruises opened May 1 and has no published end date.
| Month | Avg high / low (°C) | Days with precipitation | Our suggestion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr | 12.8 / 2.2 | 12.6 | Warm base layer, insulated waterproof jacket, hat and gloves. Maid of the Mist opens Apr 24; Niagara City Cruises did not open until May 1 in 2026. |
| May | 19.4 / 7.7 | 13.5 | Layers and a waterproof shell; closed shoes. |
| Jun | 24.5 / 13.7 | 11.3 | Light quick-dry layers; a spare top in a zip bag. |
| Jul | 27.4 / 17.0 | 10.9 | Light quick-dry clothes; the poncho can feel warm. Sunscreen for the queue. |
| Aug | 26.0 / 16.2 | 10.8 | Same as July. |
| Sep | 21.9 / 12.3 | 11.2 | Layers; the evening is cooler than the day. |
| Oct | 15.1 / 6.3 | 13.0 | Warm layers under a waterproof shell; hat and gloves in the cooler weeks. |
| Nov | 8.7 / 1.1 | 13.0 | Winter-weight layers, hat and gloves. Maid of the Mist's last day is Nov 8. |
Because the table has no wind or deck-temperature column, it understates the chill. Boats are open to wind and spray, and an October or November ride in 8 to 15 °C air with a wet deck is cooler than the air alone suggests, though we cannot put a number on it. Dress for the coolest part of your day, not the warmest.
Bag rules for each operator
| Niagara City Cruises | Maid of the Mist | |
|---|---|---|
| Size limit | One personal item up to 17.8 x 38.1 x 40.6 cm (7 x 15 x 16 in) per the ticket page. The Know Before You Go page says small backpacks up to 16 x 20 in (40.6 x 50.8 cm) are generally permitted. The two pages conflict, so bring as little as possible. | Not published; check with the operator |
| Prohibited | Suitcases, carry-on and roller bags, coolers; bicycles, skateboards, rollerblades; weapons; drones; outside food and drink; tobacco, cannabis and vaping | Not published. Pets are not permitted |
| Cameras | Allowed; professional photo and video equipment needs authorization | Not published |
| Security | All guests and items are screened | Not published |
| Umbrellas, tripods, selfie sticks | Not found | Not found |
| Strollers | Small to mid-size infant strollers allowed; designated unsupervised stroller parking before boarding | Leave in provided stroller parking, retrieve after the tour |
| Service animals | Welcome and must stay with the guest | Trained service dogs welcome; emotional support animals reviewed case by case |
Umbrellas: nothing official was found for either boat. One unofficial planning page says umbrellas may be disallowed, and in a spray-filled open deck with wind they are of little use. Leave it behind. Tripods: no rule found; a visitor blog says do not bring one. If you plan to combine the boat with Journey Behind the Falls, that attraction limits bags over 56 x 36 x 23 cm and does not allow strollers.
Shoes, glasses and phones
Niagara City Cruises recommends waterproof or quick-drying shoes. Several visitor accounts mention slippery stairs and decks and soaked shoes, so closed shoes with grip are sensible. Our suggestion: avoid new leather and canvas. For glasses, one account reports fogging and droplets, so carry a cloth in a zip bag. Phones and cameras: a waterproof case or pouch and a wrist strap, corroborated by multiple accounts. A power bank in a sealed bag is our suggestion.
A simple layering plan
This is our suggestion, built from the temperature table and the operators' wet-ride statements, not an operator rule.
- Base: a quick-dry top. Avoid cotton, which stays wet and cold.
- Middle (April, May, September to November): a fleece or light wool layer.
- Outer: the free poncho over a waterproof shell. A shell with a hood lets you keep the poncho hood down in light spray.
- Legs: shorts or quick-dry trousers in summer. Jeans soak and take long to dry.
- Feet: grip shoes with quick-dry socks.
- After: keep a dry top, socks and shoes within reach.
If you are combining the boat with other attractions
Many visitors stack the ride with other stops. Check the rules of each: Journey Behind the Falls restricts bags over 56 x 36 x 23 cm and does not permit strollers; the Whirlpool Aero Car is not wheelchair accessible, has no seating and does not permit strollers; WEGO buses require folded strollers. Wet clothes from the boat will follow you into the next stop, so a spare top matters more than a spare coat. Our itineraries and accessibility guide help with the practical side.
Kids and strollers
Maid of the Mist has no age restrictions, and children 5 and under ride free (6 to 12 pay US$19.75). Niagara City Cruises requires a ticket for every rider including infants. Bring a spare full set of dry clothes and shoes for children, hold small children near the rail, and expect mixed reactions. The poncho is one size, and it is not stated whether child sizes are provided. Details are in our family guide.
Luggage
Niagara City Cruises prohibits suitcases, carry-ons and roller bags on board. Neither operator's luggage-storage arrangements were published on the pages we read, so assume there is none and check before you go if you are travelling between a hotel checkout and a flight. A day tour from Toronto with a luggage question is better handled through the contact form and our Toronto day tour page.
Checklist
- Quick-dry top and bottoms, plus a spare set in a zip bag
- Waterproof or quick-dry closed shoes with grip
- Waterproof layer in April, May, September, October and November
- Hat and gloves from October
- Waterproof phone pouch and wrist strap
- Tickets as a screenshot or mobile ticket (Niagara City Cruises tickets are scannable)
- One small personal item only
- Microfibre towel and a cloth for glasses
- Sunscreen and sunglasses in summer for the queue
- Dry clothes and shoes at the car or hotel
What not to bring
- Suitcases, coolers, roller bags, bicycles, skateboards and drones (Niagara City Cruises)
- Outside food and drink, tobacco, cannabis and vaping (Niagara City Cruises)
- A tripod or umbrella, unless the operator confirms it is allowed
- Pets (Maid of the Mist); service animals are welcome on both
- Valuables you cannot afford to get wet
For prices see the prices page; for the whole plan see the master guide and the best-time guide.
Frequently asked questions
What should I wear on the Niagara Falls boat tour?
Quick-dry layers, closed shoes with grip and clothes you do not mind soaking, plus a waterproof layer in cooler months. Both operators give a free poncho, but Maid of the Mist says you may still get wet. Nothing official sets a dress code.
Do I need waterproof shoes?
Niagara City Cruises recommends waterproof or quick-drying shoes. Visitor accounts report soaked shoes and slippery stairs and decks. Maid of the Mist does not state a shoe rule, but the same logic applies. Our suggestion: avoid new leather, and bring dry socks for afterward.
Can I bring a backpack on Niagara City Cruises?
The sources conflict. The ticket page allows one personal item up to 17.8 x 38.1 x 40.6 cm, while the Know Before You Go page says small backpacks up to 16 x 20 inches are generally permitted. Suitcases, carry-ons, roller bags and coolers are prohibited.
What are the bag rules on the Maid of the Mist?
They are not published on the pages we read. Strollers must be left in the provided parking and pets are not permitted. Check with the operator for bag, umbrella and tripod rules. Travel light, and treat the rules as unknown until the operator confirms; screening of all guests and items is documented for Niagara City Cruises.
Can I take an umbrella on the boat?
Neither operator's umbrella rule was found. One unofficial planning page says umbrellas may be disallowed. Given wind and spray on an open deck, an umbrella is of little use; a hooded poncho and a waterproof jacket do more. Ponchos are provided free on both boats.
Can I bring a stroller?
Yes, with limits. Niagara City Cruises allows small to mid-size infant strollers and has designated unsupervised stroller parking before boarding. Maid of the Mist asks you to leave strollers in its stroller parking and retrieve them after the tour. Strollers are not permitted at Journey Behind the Falls if you plan to combine attractions.
What should I wear in October or November?
Warm layers under a waterproof shell, with hat and gloves. October averages 15.1 °C high and 6.3 °C low; November 8.7 and 1.1. These are land-station averages, and the deck in spray will feel cooler. Hat, gloves and a waterproof shell are sensible, and Maid of the Mist's last day in 2026 is Nov 8.
Is there luggage storage?
Not on the boats: Niagara City Cruises prohibits suitcases and roller bags. Neither operator's luggage arrangements were found, so check with the operator before you travel with bags. Travelling light is the safest plan: the pages we read give no storage option, and this is a gap in the published information.
Sources and further reading
- Niagara City Cruises: Know Before You Go
- Niagara City Cruises: Voyage to the Falls
- Niagara City Cruises: FAQ
- Maid of the Mist: FAQ
- Maid of the Mist: schedule and pricing
- Environment and Climate Change Canada: climate normals (Niagara Falls NPCSH)
- Niagara Parks: Journey Behind the Falls
- Timeless Travel Steps: Niagara Falls Hornblower boat trips
- Seesight Tours: Maid of the Mist tips
Facts were last checked against these sources on October 17, 2026. Operator schedules, prices and conditions change; confirm with the operator before you travel.