Thousand Islands

Despite the region’s name, there are actually 1,864 islands, from tiny private isles containing a single residence to larger islands open to the public with campgrounds, parks, cottage rentals, and more. Take a boat tour to see Gilded Age mansions and castles, intricate island geography, lighthouses, and other waterfront sights while learning about the history of the area from an onboard guide. Alexandria Bay, Clayton, and Sackets Harbor are some of the more popular towns to stay in or visit on the US side. If you’re interested in heritage and culture, check out the Cornwall Brothers Museum, Antique Boat Museum, or Thousand Islands Arts Center.

• If you wish to cross the border into Canada, you’ll need a passport or another approved form of documentation. This includes boat travel, although some boat tours do not require documentation if passengers are to stay on the boat for the duration of the tour.

• Wellesley Island is reachable by car on the Thousand Islands International Bridge, which connects the US to Canada. Wolfe, Howe, and Simcoe islands can be accessed by ferry.

• There are a number of New York state parks that offer camping, picnic spots, fishing, and other recreation. These include Waterson Point State Park, Wellesley Island State Park, and Keewaydin State Park.

The town of Alexandria Bay is 350 miles (560 kilometers) north of Manhattan. If you’re arriving by road from New York destinations, travel times are about 90 minutes from Syracuse, 3.5 hours from Albany, four hours from Buffalo, and 6.5 hours from New York City.

Summer is the high season, perfect for outdoor activities such as boat tours, fishing, and picnicking. Go in the winter for a quieter atmosphere and to see the beauty of islands covered in snow.

Located on Heart Island near Alexandria Bay, Boldt Castle is one of Thousand Islands’ top attractions. Commissioned in 1900 by George C. Boldt, the millionaire owner of Manhattan’s Waldorf Astoria Hotel, the 120-room, 6-story castle features tunnels, a drawbridge, and Italian gardens but was never used by the Boldts due to the sudden death of George’s wife. Today, it’s open to visitors from May through October.

Thousand Islands in upstate New York consists of more than a thousand tiny islands—1,864, to be exact—that sit across the US-Canada border where the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario meet. They’re located in the St. Lawrence Seaway and are a popular summer getaway.

Among the best things to do in Thousand Islands is to take a boat tour to see the area’s array of mansions, castles, and lighthouses. Other attractions include the Cornwall Brothers Store Museum, Antique Boat Museum, and Thousand Islands Arts Center.

Yes, there are boat tours available of Thousand Islands, offering one of the best ways to sightsee in the area. You can spot more from the water than you can on land, as the area boasts so many islands of varying sizes.

The best time to visit Thousand Islands is in the summer, which offers the best opportunity to enjoy its many outdoor activities. However, the winter is much quieter, so head then if you want to miss the high-season crowds.

There is a wide variety of wildlife you can see in Thousand Islands. Some of the most common animals are osprey, minks, white-tailed deer, great blue herons, and map turtles. If you book a tour with a guide, they’ll advise you on the best areas for wildlife spotting.

Yes, there are many accommodation options in Thousand Islands to choose from. Options range from high-end hotels to more laid-back resorts and cottages, as well as private and public campgrounds.