6 Unforgettable Experiences in the Thousand Islands, New York
The Thousand Islands, a scenic region along the St. Lawrence River, offers endless adventures.
People often associate the name Thousand Islands with the famous salad dressing. It more so refers to a waterside region bordering southeastern Ontario, Canada and northern New York State.
Made up of 1,864 islands dotted along the St. Lawrence River, the Thousand Islands has been a summer vacation spot since the Gilded Age. However, especially on its New York side, it’s home to towns and villages with year-round residents.
While tourist attractions often close down in colder months, the islands’ communities keep on going at their own pace. When planning a visit, here’s what to experience on the New York side of the Thousand Islands.
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1. Visit beautiful Boldt Castle.
Near Alexandria Bay, Boldt Castle was commissioned by George C. Boldt, a hotelier best known as the proprietor of the Waldorf Astoria in New York City. Built around 1900, this summer residence on Heart Island was encouraged by Boldt as a grand gesture of love for his wife, Louise.
Sadly, this Rhineland castle was never finished. Boldt’s beloved suddenly died before its completion; a heartbroken Boldt halted and abandoned this project and the property that would sit vacant for seven decades. That changed when the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority acquired the property in 1977, and this preserved landmark became a seasonally-opened tourist attraction. It is open seasonally from May through October.
Accessible only by boat, local tour operators offer excursions to and from the castle, where visitors can see its interior and walk along the grounds. Take a look at the Power House and Clock Tower, medieval-looking facilities that provided electricity to the island.
2. Learn about the history of boating at the Antique Boat Museum.
This Clayton attraction teaches about its boating history in both the Thousand Islands and North America.
The Antique Boat Museum showcases temporary and permanent exhibits on boats and related artifacts, along with ongoing educational programming and on-the-water experiences. Various classes and lectures encourage visitors to learn more about subjects like sailing or rowing or involving hands-on building projects.
The museum also schedules rowing, sailing and speedboat excursions along the St. Lawrence River, such as a ride onboard Pardon Me!, the world’s largest runabout. Or take a guided tour aboard the La Duchesse, a Gilded Age houseboat that belonged to Boldt.
Among other events, the museum puts on a major Antique Boat Show and Action in August.
3. Experience a traditional Shore Dinner.
Along with the Thousand Islands, it is a major destination for recreational fishing along the St. Lawrence River, where local businesses offer excursions. This activity also connects to a longtime culinary tradition called the Shore Dinner.
Since the late 19th century, local fishermen in the Thousand Islands have offered their services as guides in leading fishing excursions out on the river. By custom, these guides would bring their customers ashore on one of the region’s islands in order to prepare a three-course meal. It would involve them setting a cooking fire and incorporating ingredients in a picnic basket along with the day’s catch.
Traditionally, the meal starts with a Fatback Sandwich consisting of plain white bread, a cut-up onion and bacon fat grease. It’s also paired with a tossed salad that’s made with Thousand Islands dressing. The fresh-caught fish is then fried and served with roasted potatoes and corn on the cob. The meal is polished off with a dessert involving a French toast paired with a fruit pie.
Today, fishing charters in the Thousand Islands still maintain this culinary practice. The Antique Boat Museum also puts on an event relating to Shore Dinners, too.
4. Whet your whistle with a wine tasting.
Cold-hardy grape varieties such as Frontenac and Marquette thrive in the cooler climate of the Thousand Islands region, so much so that the northern New York side is home to several locally-owned wineries.
Having turned an abandoned 400-acre farm into a vineyard, the family-run Coyote Moon Vineyards in Clayton produces various red and whites with vibrant bottle label art.
Popular choices can include red and white versions of their Fire Boat and Twisted Sister, a red made with Frontenac. The staff also applies their wines toward making special flavored slushies and ice cream.
The winery has a tasting room, bakery and a patio area with a next-door food stand manned by Chef Christian Ives. Called “Tacos & Tings,” Ives’ stand serves up fun and flavorful fusion orders. Try “Holy Mole,” an ancho braised brisket with a house-made chili mole, cotija cheese and a pickled white onion-radish-cilantro relish.
Now imagine heading out on a river boat to a remote island to visit a winery. That’s how you get to Grindstone Island Winery, a seasonally-opened vineyard and production facility. After arriving by boat or water taxi service, the next step is to take a shuttle service that brings visitors to and from the property.
The trek is worth it, with a rewarding sampling within their tasting room! Their wines are aged in French and American oak wines and then further an extra two or three months to perfect with bottle aging.
The staff holds an annual harvest where locals lend their hands in tending to their three-and-a-half-acre vineyard. The vineyard often features Baco Noir, Marquette, Frontenac, La Crescent, and Prairie Star grapes.
Thousand Islands Winery in Alexandria Bay started when wine-making in the region was a fairly new concept. Founded by a retired U.S. Army major and his wife, this winery produces 23 varieties across five categories: dry, sweet and semi-sweet. Its main red barn hosts tastings and regular events, and wine bottles come in different sizes.
5. Spend some time at Thousand Island Park.
Known locally as “TI Park,” Thousand Island Park has a fun history as a hamlet originating as a Methodist campground in the 19th century. It evolved into a religious, cultural and recreational summer resort with hotels and private cottages.
Today, TI Park remains largely a summer vacation spot with visual reminders of its past largely through rows of longtime cottages still standing. Walk or bike along the streets, passing these revitalized homes with vibrant colors and architectural details. Stop in front of the fittingly nicknamed “Watermelon House” and head inside the park’s charming public library.
Get to TI Park by taking about a half-hour drive from Clayton.
6. Explore the Thousand Islands’ Lighthouses.
Lighthouses played an important role in the Thousand Islands’ New York side with ship navigation and visitors can reach them either by boat or on land. Some also belong to state parks.
The Tibbetts Point Lighthouse in Cape Vincent is incredible for scenic walking along its grounds that face the entrance of the St. Lawrence River from Lake Ontario. A historical society manages it, and you can find out more about this still active lighthouse through the visitor’s center and museum.
Rock Island Lighthouse State Park in Fisher’s Landing is where this lighthouse helped to guide ships to and from Lake Ontario. Visitors can climb its steps and tour the keeper’s quarters.