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
What to do and see in Thousand Islands New York, Thousand Islands New York: The Best Things to do Good for Couples
Discover the best top things to do in Thousand Islands New York, United States including Heart Island, Adirondack River Outfitters, Whitewater Challengers - Black River, The Cape Winery, Sail Ontario, Dark Island Spirits Distillery & Winery, Nav's popcorn shop, The Escape Works Inc., Tibbetts Point Lighthouse, Boldt Castle and Yacht House.
Restaurants in Thousand Islands New York
1. 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!
2. Adirondack River Outfitters
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 84 reviews
Whitewater raft trips ranging from family fun to high adventure. ARO has been providing whitewater adventures for 34 years. We have trips on the Black River in Watertown and the Hudson River in the Adirondacks.
3. Whitewater Challengers - Black River
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 91 reviews
Whitewater Challengers offers thrilling Class III, IV, V rapids on guided Black River whitewater rafting trips. Established in 1975, Whitewater Challengers offers skillfully guided trips by expert river guides. We offer a close to home adventure with personalized, friendly river guides to navigate your raft past the Black River Canyons. On-river snack and after trip dinner are included with every rafting trip. Trips are available select days May-October. Trip times and availability vary daily.
4. 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.
5. Sail Ontario
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 75 reviews
Sail Ontario is in the happiness business, one of the only US based sailing charter opportunities on the North-East side of Lake Ontario. AND WE'RE GROWING! Starting in 2018 we'll offer twice as many captained charters, offer sailing lessons (short or long course), and have sailboats for rent. If you're looking for a special sailing charter opportunity, looking to get out on the water and experience the joy of sailing, you've come to the right place. At Sail Ontario, you will get the attention and personal service you've come to expect and enjoy during your half-day, full-day, multi-day or even international cruise. Happiness comes to those who recognize and cherish the power of the present moment and make their moments memorable. Come aboard!!
6. 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.
7. Nav's popcorn shop
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 34 reviews
Located in the heart of Alexandria Bay, Navs popcorn is a unique destination for people of all ages. The amazing smells of popcorn will bring you into the rustic popcorn shop where you can savor samples of over 30 different HANDMADE unique flavors of popcorn. Enjoy sampeling the delicious popcorn packaged in a variety of containers. Gobble up a "grab & go" bag or tear through a "tin tab" in 3 different sizes. Purchase a souvenir tin with a beautiful image of the 1000 Islands and enjoy discount refill. Nav's customer service and passion for popcorn will make you a return customer.
Reviewed By itilrun - Rochester, United States
Stopped on a day trip to A BAY. Pleasantly surprised by all the choices. And grabbed a couple bags for the ride home. Wolfe island caramel and peanut butter and dark island caramel dark chocolate and sea salt!! Yummmmm they have a ton of choices. Make sure you stop in and try NAVS out!!! As you can see Wolfe is a super hit. Gone!!!!
8. The Escape Works Inc.
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 41 reviews
Premier Escape Room Experience! Escape rooms are immersive physical adventure game in which you are locked in a room with friends, relatives or coworkers and you try to escape in 60 minutes. Our rooms are themed around a storyline in which you participate by following clues, solving puzzles and accomplishing tasks in order to succeed. Come escape with us! It's a great thing to do with friends and family when you are looking for fun things to do in Watertown!
Reviewed By 613jeremyd - Pound, United States
We had an opportunity to take the soon to be groom to an Escape Room the day before his wedding! We were greeted with a big smile. We ran a few minutes late and were thankful that the owner was kind enough to still give us the full time for the room. We did the Bank Heist room and were pleased with the elements in the room. We were a little nervous with a 30% success rate but we still ended up completing the room! We had a blast and continued discussing the room for days. You won't be disappointed in any of the rooms that are offered here! Have a blast, hopefully you make it out before the time runs out! Enjoy!
9. 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.
10. 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.
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