24 hours in 1000 Islands, NY
If you only have twenty-four hours in 1000 Islands NY, let go of the idea of seeing all of it and choose to know a little of it well. We’ve learned that a morning on the St. Lawrence, with the water going silver and the islands appearing one by one, will tell you more than any checklist could, so these are the must-dos we’d build a day around. Come hungry, wear shoes you can wander in, and leave room in the hours for the unplanned detour, whether that's a quiet evening in Clayton or a slow turn past Boldt Castle, because that's so often the one you'll talk about later. One day won't hold everything this stretch of river has to offer, but it can hold enough to make you want to come back and stay longer.
Come with us to 1000 Islands NY.
Harbor Hotel for the night
1000 Islands Harbor Hotel | The perfect spot to extend your stay in the 1000 Islands is Harbor Hotel, located on the shores of the St. Lawrence River in Clayton. Cozy and lovely, its service elevates your experience. With the outdoor dining and drink options, its stunning view of the river will entice your summer adventures or warm your winter retreat. You’ll discover that there’s no better place to watch the cargo ships go by in their channel that from your room’s picture window. Morning service features Starbucks coffee located at the elevator area of each floor - a nice touch rather than coffee in the room, a guaranteed fresh brew each morning.
Bella’s for breakfast
Bella’s | Located on the St. Lawrence River in Clayton, Bella’s is the perfect beginning to your day. Serving breakfast and lunch, Bella’s conquers your sweet tooth with the french toast or tame your healthy wish with avocado toast. Grab a pastry to go if you need a little pick-me-up mid-afternoon. It doesn’t get any better than Bella’s.
Open seasonally | 602 Riverside Dr., Clayton, NY 13624 | Visit website for hours.
Tour the grandeur of Boldt Castle
Boldt Castle: Before you walk around the grounds, view the video presentation about the history of the island and its owner. It will put your walk into perspective. According to the website, construction began on Boldt Castle in 1900 at the bidding of millionaire hotel magnate George C. Boldt as a tribute to his beloved wife Louise. Boldt Castle was designed as their summer dream home. A castle rivaling those of Europe, built on the St. Lawrence River, in the heart of the 1000 Islands. Mrs. Boldt passed away suddenly just months before the completion of the castle. Mr. Boldt was inconsolable and immediately stopped all construction on Heart Island, leaving the property vacant for over seventy years. Originally called Hart Island, Boldt refashioned the island in the shape of a heart, making it a lasting tribute to his beloved. Boldt was also the proprietor of the Waldorf Astoria in New York. A visit to the castle, a masterpiece of Gilded Age architecture, is worth the trip.
Tour (ferry service) companies include Uncle Sam Boat Tours, Clayton Island Tours. Open May through October.
Learn about North American boat history
One of the most delightful experiences in Clayton is a vist to the Antique Boat Museum. Preserving history and boats from past decades, the museum has a stellar collection of photography and skiffs that share the area’s history. With a waterfront camus, it is a collection of buildings, housing artifacts, as well as educational programs for children and adults. Preseving the maritime tradition and its contribution to life in New England is forefont. A variety of exhibits are housed in the multiple buildings and you can watch a boatbuilder in residence. Education plays an important role featuring classes in boat safety or beginning to advanced sailing classes.
Once your tour is complete, book an excursion on an antique boat which will have you looking at boating in an entirely new light. There’s rowing and sailing, but there’s also “Ride the River” on Miss Thousand Islands III where a smooth ride at high speed rivals any boat on the river. And, you look cool doing it. Check the website for times and rates.
Ride the St. Lawrence River in style
Ride the River in an antique boat is an experience worth repeating each time you visit Clayton.
View the islands from Canada
1000 Islands Tower | First and foremost, don’t forget your passport. Pass into Canada for the best view of the 1000 Islands. Rising 400 feet above the river, an elevator will take you to an enclosed observation deck. A guide will provide information. It’s a short trip but one work seeing to picture the scope of the islands.
