Top Things to do in Thousand Islands New York
Top Hotels in Thousand Islands New York
- 1. 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel
- 2. West Winds Motel & Cottages
- 3. Hilton Garden Inn Watertown/Thousand Islands
- 4. Hampton Inn Watertown
- 5. Best Western Watertown Fort Drum
- 6. Riveredge Resort
- 7. Bonnie Castle Resort & Marina
- 8. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Watertown-Thousand Islands
- 9. Fairfield Inn & Suites Watertown Thousand Islands
- 10. Ramada by Wyndham Watertown
The 10 Best Budget-friendly Things to do in Thousand Islands New York, Thousand Islands New York
Discover the best top things to do in Thousand Islands New York, United States including Antique Boat Museum, Heart Island, The Cape Winery, Dark Island Spirits Distillery & Winery, Tibbetts Point Lighthouse, Boldt Castle and Yacht House, Boldt Yacht House, Wellesley Island, Thousand Islands, Dry Hill Ski Area.
Restaurants in Thousand Islands New York
1. Antique Boat Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 423 reviews
This museum houses an impressive collection of wooden sea vessels.
Reviewed By spanglyanimal - Clayton, United States
Really amazing museum in the small vacation town of Clayton. Be sure to take an antique boat ride and to check out the race boat building. Wood Boat brewery is just across the street with amazing pizza and beer.
2. Heart Island
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 195 reviews
This five-acre island located in the Thousand Islands area is home to the Boldt Castle.
Reviewed By AudEE698 - Grafton, United States
We ended a boat tour on Heart Island and it is a beautiful island and a must see for anyone touring Alexandria Bay! The grounds are immaculate and it is extremely handicap friendly as they have carts that can assist with getting up to the crown jewel of the island, Bolt Castle. There are benches all over the island (in shade or sun, depending on your preference) where you can sit and watch the river traffic. There's a snack bar and an ice cream stand for refreshments as well. The Castle is also a must-see and there are elevators in the castle so you can go to the higher levels of the castle for the spectacular views of St. Lawrence Bay. The island was originally named Hart Island but the owner of the island changed it to Heart Island as he was building the castle for the love of his life, his wife. Alas, the castle was never completed as his wife passed away unexpectely. Such a tragic love story of the island the it's castle - highly recommend visiting if you are in Alexandria Bay!
3. The Cape Winery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 30 reviews
Family owned and operated farm winery specializing in wines made from the Cold Climate grapes. Currently the Tasting Room is closed, but re-opens on 30 Mar (2018) and is open 11 - 5 until December 31st (Closed Christmas Day
Reviewed By StephenB527 - Churchville, United States
My wife and saw the winery sign while motorcycling on Rt. 12E and decided to stop in. We were happily greeted by the owner and enjoyed sitting in the yard, learning the history of this vintage 1830’s homestead while being served some wonderful tasting wines. Visiting the inside tasting area provided an introduction to some interesting soaps and oils. This hard working family has definitely set the bar high for wineries in the region.
4. Dark Island Spirits Distillery & Winery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 65 reviews
A Craft Distillery with a beautiful co-located Tasting Room that features In-house distilled spirits as well as craft wines and beers from local brewers and wineries. Local artists are also on display, as well as local farm to market products such as NY State cheeses, jams, honey, maple syrup, etc..
Reviewed By 758vanessam - Ithaca, United States
My husband and I drove past this and thought, hmm, maybe we should stop? We are glad we did! Because of Covid, things were a little different but the staff was so friendly and accommodating. You can do liquor tastings or flights if you take them outside on the deck, and the bourbon was wonderful (says my husband) - he even bought a bottle to take home. They also have a huge assortment of slushies that you can add your choice of liquor too, so good and refreshing on a hot day. Very affordable as well, nice deck to sit on and watch people in the town. You can bring your own food if you'd like. I would definitely stop here if you're in Alex Bay or nearby.
5. Tibbetts Point Lighthouse
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 133 reviews
This lighthouse was erected in 1827 when its first lamps were fueled by whale oil; today the buildings and grounds serve as an historical and educational resource for the public to enjoy.
Reviewed By jtdriver - Amsterdam, United States
A great spot! We were fortunate to spend about an hour on a mild and sunny day with a breeze kicking up the waves from Lake Ontario. We enjoyed the exhibits in the building that housed the fog horn and looking through the "telescope" out across the lake and the river. It's too bad the area needs to be so fenced in and that walking to the top of the lighthouse is not permitted (as far as we could tell). Maybe in the future the big chain link fence can be replaced with something equally protective of visitors' safety but be much more attractive. In any case, well worth a visit.
6. Boldt Castle and Yacht House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,953 reviews
A visit to the magnificent Boldt Castle offers a glimpse into one of the most compelling love stories in history. At the turn-of-the-century, George C. Boldt, millionaire proprietor of the world-famous Waldorf Astoria Hotel in NYC, set out to build a full-sized Rhineland Castle in Alexandria Bay, on Heart Island. The grandiose structure was to be a display of his love for his wife, Louise. Beginning in 1900, Boldt's family shared four summers on Wellesley Island while 300 workers, stonemasons, carpenters and artists fashioned the six story, 120-room castle, complete with tunnels, a powerhouse, Italian gardens, a drawbridge and a dovecote. In 1904, tragedy struck. Boldt telegrammed the island and commanded the workers to immediately "stop all construction." Louise had died suddenly. A broken-hearted Boldt could not imagine his dream castle without his beloved. Three hundred workers laid down their tools. Boldt never returned, leaving behind the structure as a monument of his love.
Reviewed By burr6013 - Mississauga, Canada
Boldt Castle is the former, private mansion of American millionaire George Boldt, the past general manager of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City and the past manager of the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel in Philadelphia. Built between 1900 and 1904 on Heart Island (part of the Town of Alexandria in Jefferson County) in the St. Lawrence River, the six-storey mansion, built in the Châteauesque architectural style, is maintained by the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority and is both a tourist attraction and a major landmark. Boldt engaged the architecture firm of G. W. & W. D. Hewett and hundreds of workers to build the “castle” as a gift to his wife, Louise Kehrer Boldt. Construction ceased abruptly in early 1904 after the unexpected death of Boldt’s wife. Boldt never returned to Heart Island. Heart Island was later acquired by the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority in 1977, along with the nearby yacht house on Wellesley Island, for one dollar. Since then, the Thousand Islands Bride Authority has spent over $15 million restoring and improving the site. Boldt Castle is open to guests mid-May through mid-September. It is accessible by ferry, private boat, and by tour boat. For a fee ($13.00 for adults [13+] and $7.50 for children [5-12]), guests can explore most of the site’s buildings (Boldt Castle, Power House, Alster Tower, and George C. Boldt Yacht House) and grounds (operating hours vary by the time of the year). There is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection office on Heart Island as visiting the island is considered entering the United States (guests visiting from Canada require appropriate documentation). Most of the rooms on the castle’s first floor and many of the rooms in the second floor are furnished with modern pieces. Some of the rooms from the second floor up to the top floor house exhibits related to the Thousand Islands region during the era in which the Boldts lived. The basement is largely unfinished with a swimming pool, a bowling alley, and a long passageway to the Power House. Built to hold a generator to supply the island with power, the Power House now serves as a museum. Exhibits detail how power was obtained in the early 1900s. There are also exhibits in the Power House on how tools and equipment got to Heart Island to enable construction efforts. Budget about 90 minutes to appreciate everything Boldt Castle offers. A shuttle boat links Heart Island to the George C. Boldt Yacht House. Be aware that a visit to Boldt Castle involves extensive walking and stairways. Docking at Heart Island is free.
7. Boldt Yacht House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 166 reviews
Part of the Boldt Castle estate, this site on Wesley Island houses antique wooden boats.
Reviewed By ramyavis - Boston, United States
The yacht closes pretty early so check timings before coming. Captain Steve was awesome accommodating for us to take the ferry to Boldt castle and back - amazing day at the yacht house and castle
8. Wellesley Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 162 reviews
Wellesley Island is home to a state park, a nature center and museum with trails taking you through marshland, forest and shoreline and three golf courses.
Reviewed By SharonH764
This former Methodist camp is a must see. There are beautiful Victorian houses, historic buildings and views.
9. Thousand Islands
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 543 reviews
This area of 1,600-plus islands was discovered by French explorers in the 16th century.
Reviewed By AngelaC321 - New Jersey, United States
The Thousand Islands area is a must see travel destination. We will definitely be back. While visiting, boating is a must. If you rent a boat, avoid Bayside Marina! See my other reviews. We had to file a police report and a fraud report with our bank. There are several other much more reputable marinas in the area just make sure you check reviews. Wellesley Island state park in a beautiful place to camp and visit. Lots of wineries and breweries and of course, make sure you get a bottle of the original Thousand Island dressing. End your day with an incredible sunset and a gorgeous nighttime sky.
10. Dry Hill Ski Area
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 35 reviews
With a focus on family fun, this winter recreation area offers skiing, snowboarding and tubing for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages.
Reviewed By ikeee5 - Westfield, United States
My son and I brought his two children tubing who are 6 and 4. We thought that they would be scared but they absolutely loved it! The amusing thing was that my son and I each went down once and decided not to do it again. I am almost 60. He was getting ready to leave for a training and was worried he might get hurt. You go fast!!! The staff were very friendly and helpful. One helpful hint if you as the parent doesn't want to go tubing is to have one adult at the top and one adult on the bottom to help the kids get on and off. They are towed up the hill on their tubes which they thought was the coolest thing.
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