I went on the iconic Niagara Falls boat ride expecting a tacky tourist trap. I was totally wrong and I can't wait to do it all over again.

Insider's reporter boarded the Maid of the Mist during her first visit to Niagara Falls and was blown away by the experience.Joey Hadden/Insider

• I recently went on the Niagara Falls boat ride, Maid of the Mist, and found it was totally worth it.
• I was expecting a flashy, crowded tourist trap, but it was a small group with lots of room onboard.

When I went to Niagara Falls for the first time on a recent trip through Eastern Canada, I knew I had to try the iconic boat ride that takes you up close to the falls.

A view of the falls from the boat.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Source: Niagara Falls State Park

Within Niagara Falls, located on the boarder of the US and Canada, there's a boat tour known as Maid of the Mist.

An arrow points to the Maid of the Mist boat ride at Niagara Falls.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I first saw the Maid of the Mist boat tour in an episode of "The Office," back in high school. From the TV screen, it seemed like a flashy tourist trap, but still something I'd want to do once in my life.

Jim and Pam get married on board the Maid of the Mist in "The Office."      "The Office"/NBC

My journey began at the Observation Tower, where I got my ticket to ride, which cost $25.

The Observation Tower on the US side of Niagara Falls.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Then I followed a staircase down to the river where the boat was docked.

A sign directs visitors to Maid of the Mist.      Joey Hadden/Insider

On my way down, park workers handed out large, plastic ponchos to keep us dry from the misty waterfalls during the ride. It was gigantic on me, but there was only one size.

The author puts on her poncho.      Joey Hadden/Insider

As we got closer to the boat, the wind became fierce. It reminded me of being on the top deck of a cruise ship on a breezy evening.

People begin boarding the boat.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Once I boarded the boat, I realized I had two options: stand on the lower deck, where I would get pretty good views while being partially protected from mist by the roof above ...

The lower deck on board the Maid of the Mist.      Joey Hadden/Insider

... Or the top deck, where I would arguably get better views and likely wetter.

The top deck on board the Maid of the Mist.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I decided to go for the top deck, especially since I had this big poncho protecting my camera.

People make their way up to the top deck.      Joey Hadden/Insider

It wasn't the tourist trap I was expecting. The boat wasn't crowded at 6 p.m. when I boarded, and the lack of crowds made finding a spot on the edge easy.

A few people on the top deck of the Maid of the Mist.      Joey Hadden/Insider

I even had enough room to walk around the deck of the boat and take in the most spectacular views unobstructed by human heads.

The author takes a selfie on the boat in front of the falls.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Niagara Falls is actually three waterfalls: the Horseshoe Falls (also known as the Canadian Falls), the American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls. The Maid of the Mist takes visitors near all three.

A view of the falls from the boat.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Source: Insider

The 20-minute tour started and ended on the American side, briefly crossing into Canada to get to Horseshoe Falls next.

A boat takes visitors up close to Niagara Falls.      Joey Hadden/Insider

As we were passing the American Falls, I spotted a rainbow. At first, I thought I had just gotten lucky that my trip was timed with a sighting.

A rainbow in front of the American Falls.      Joey Hadden/Insider

But as the days went on, I realized that rainbows are plentiful in Niagara Falls because the sun shines through drops of water, "reflecting light into the colors of the spectrum," according to Niagara Falls Tourism.

The same rainbow viewed from a different spot.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Source: Niagara Falls Tourism

As we approached Horseshoe Falls, the air filled with mist, making it difficult to see.

Mist fogs the air near Horseshoe Falls.      Joey Hadden/Insider

At one point, I looked up and found myself engulfed by views of the U-shaped Horseshoe Falls.

The boat gets close to Horseshoe Falls.      Joey Hadden/Insider

Seeing the water crashing down right in front of me gave me a sense of thrill that I wasn't expecting from the boat ride. I felt like I was in a "Pirates of the Caribbean" film.

A view of the falls looking up from the boat.      Joey Hadden/Insider

By the end of the ride, I was completely soaked, but I managed to keep my camera dry. The sense of thrill I got from the ride made me want to go back with my loved ones to watch them experience it for the first time.

The author's poncho didn't keep the water away.      Joey Hadden/Insider