Buy same-day, but expect a line.

You can absolutely buy a same-day ticket for Maid of the Mist in July. They hold back a lot of availability for walk-ups. But “can” and “should” are different things. July is peak season, and the queue for walk-ups can stretch an hour or more, especially midday.

Booking ahead lets you pick a time slot and skip the ticket line. If you’re flexible and hate waiting, spend the five minutes reserving online. If you’re on a whim and fine killing time, just show up early (first boat runs around 9 AM) or late afternoon when crowds thin.

Either way, bring a poncho.