From charming castles to cruises steeped in history, the 1000 Islands welcomes groups
Scattered throughout the St. Lawrence River bordering northern New York and southeastern Ontario, the 1000 Islands provides stunning scenery, abundant history, and never-ending opportunities for exploration. Easily accessible via Interstate 81, the Thousand Islands Bridge, and Ontario’s Highway 401, this unique region has been welcoming vacationers for more than 150 years.
“The 1000 Islands has a long-standing reputation as a trusted tour destination,” says Tillie Youngs, sales manager for Visit 1000 Islands. “Groups are encouraged to explore by land or by water, visit unique historic sites, and enjoy our local food and drink. No matter what your group’s size or interest, the scenic 1000 Islands makes an ideal destination.”
While winter is filled with many outdoor adventures, the best time to visit the 1000 Islands is May through October, says Youngs. Below are just a few of the highlights that groups visiting the U.S. side of the region will want to make sure are on their itinerary.
There are actually 1,864 islands that make up the 1000 Islands region and includes more than 50 miles of waters that were once patrolled by pirates and Prohibition bootleggers.
The easiest way to see the most islands is with Clayton Island Tours and Uncle Sam Boat Tours, both of which offer daily sightseeing, lunch-and-dinner, and themed cruises.
The easiest way to see the most islands is with Clayton Island Tours and Uncle Sam Boat Tours, both of which offer daily sightseeing, lunch-and-dinner, and themed cruises.
Groups can take a guided tour of the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton, N.Y., where docents will share history and personal stories of the region.
Built in 1827 and located at the beginning of the St. Lawrence River, Tibbetts Point Lighthouse in Cape Vincent, N.Y., is the perfect stop for tour buses.
Groups will see costumed reenactors when they tour the battlefield and naval yard in Sackets Harbor.
Turn Back the Clock
A great place to start your exploration of the 1000 Islands is at Sackets Harbor, a picturesque village overlooking Lake Ontario. On the guided Sackets Harbor Experience tour, groups will tour the Battlefield State Historic Site, where two battles of the War of 1812 took place, and discover why the village’s position on Lake Ontario was essential to our nation’s security and home to the U.S. Navy Headquarters on the Great Lakes during that time. Throughout the summer season, costumed interpreters reenact the War of 1812 and other eras in American history.
Nearby, the Pickering-Beach Museum depicts home life in Sackets Harbor during the 1800s. Open mid-June through August as well as for special seasonal events, the house was built in 1818 by a naval and commercial shipbuilder and today offers guided tours and a large collection of artifacts.
1000 Islands Insider
A Memorable Meal
Clayton Island Tours hosts a specialty meal cruise recreating a traditional shore dinner. The boat meets a local fishing guide at a scenic location—which could be on an island—and the guide makes a wood-fueled fire to cook his catch and share stories.
If you think this locale is where the tangy, orange-hued salad dressing originated, you are right. Some historians say a fishing guide’s wife created the recipe as a fish sauce but there are other theories. Look for Thousand Island salad dressing to accompany your shore dinner.
Lodging
Both of the following lodging choices welcome motorcoach tours.
Riveredge Resort, Alexandria Bay, has an indoor pool and a restaurant with stunning water views on three sides.
Capt. Thomson’s Resort, Alexandria Bay, offers an outdoor pool, and the Blu Anchor serves all three meals.
New and Noteworthy
Boldt Castle changes every year. The castle is always a work in progress, says Tillie Youngs, sales manager for Visit 1000 Islands. Visitors keep coming back because there’s a new room or project on display annually.
Hidden Gems
Browse through the 1000 Islands Arts Center, home of the American Handweaving Museum, the nation’s only museum centering around fabric. Take a class on watercolor, pottery, quilt design, pebble art, weaving, or almost any artistic expression available. The museum holds public exhibitions and provides groups with personalized tours.
Cruise to Two Castles
Embark on Uncle Sam Boat Tours’ Two-Castle Cruise from their dock in downtown Alexandria Bay. Enjoy captivating views of the St. Lawrence River and personalized narration while making your way to Singer Castle and Boldt Castle.
Frederick Bourne, fifth president of the Singer Sewing Machine Company, built Singer Castle in 1905 as a summer retreat for his family. Located on Dark Island, the castle is a popular stop for groups thanks to its original furnishings, working clock tower, dungeon, secret passageways, antique sewing machine collection, gift shop, and plenty of intrigue and mystery.
Boldt Castle, a popular attraction on Heart Island, was built in part by hotel magnate George C. Boldt for his wife, Louise. When she passed away suddenly in 1904, he was heartbroken and stopped all construction. Seventy years later, the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority took over renovations and improvements and is bringing Boldt’s vision to reality.
Explore Marine Life and a Lighthouse
Hop on board the glass-bottom boat run by Clayton Island Tours in Clayton for the treat of a lifetime. A tour guide will tell you about the fish and aquatic life that share the St. Lawrence River. Be ready for Instagrammable moments, as you may catch a glimpse of a great blue heron or hear the mysterious call of a loon.
When the boat docks at Rock Island Lighthouse State Park, the historic lighthouse tops the agenda, and with that comes a short stair climb to the Lantern Room where the source of the light emitted. Although this lighthouse no longer directs boat traffic to and from Lake Ontario through the St. Lawrence River, it remains an important landmark to boaters. The site also includes the lightkeeper’s house, where visitors learn about the men and their families who called this tiny island home.
Vary the Pace
Action aficionados will love the whitewater rafting trips through the gorge of the Black River, led by Whitewater Challengers. This company also provides guided inflatable raft tours, perfect for first timers and student groups.
For those who prefer keeping their feet on solid ground, all of the 1000 Island communities and villages in New York are safe, walkable, and the scenery changes frequently so tour guests can meander on their own, explains Youngs. Shop, dine, take an easy hike, and watch for wildlife such as white-tailed deer, Canada geese, osprey, the occasional eagle, and more.
“Our groups love visiting the picturesque 1000 Islands region,” says Lauren Grote, tour planner/director for Rill’s Bus Service, a motorcoach and school bus operator headquartered in Westminster, Md. “From scenic boat cruises to historic castles and lighthouses, the area offers captivating views, historic charm, and a wide variety of group activities to enjoy. A trip to the 1000 Islands is sure to delight tour groups and create a memorable adventure.”
To customize your motorcoach tour, log on to visit1000islands.com/group-tours or contact Youngs at (315) 482-2520.
1000 Islands International Tourism Council | visit1000islands.com, (315) 482-2520
Heather Larson is a writer based in Tacoma, Wash.
Photo Credits: 1000 Islands; George Fischer Photography; Paperkite.
