Did someone say Wine O’Clock? Wine down after a long day on the River and grab a drink at one of these 1000 Islands spots!
Swan Bay Wine + Spirits Tour, Select Dates Available! Hop aboard our Shuttle Bus and discover the Thousand Islands Seaway Trail. Sip your way through: Dark Island Spirits, Thousand Islands Winery, Coyote Moon Vineyards, and Otter Creek Winery. Shuttle Pickup: 43615 NY-12, Alexandria Bay, NY Call Swan Bay Resort to Reserve your Seat Today! (315) 482-7926
Grindstone Island Winery Grindstone Island Winery is only accessible via private boat, water taxi or a Clayton Island Tour boat. There are two public docks; Upper Town Landing in Aunt Jane’s Bay (3.4 miles from winery) or Canoe Point State Park (2.5 miles) with a 1.5 mile walk to a pickup point. RSVP required to catch a ride on our bus from the Upper Town Landing. CLICK HERE for water taxis. (315) 686-3566
Otter Creek Winery One of NNY’s original farm wineries! Vineyard: 33109 Rudes Road, Philadelphia, NY Tasting Room: 43750 NY-12, Alexandria Bay, NY (315) 777-7991
Thousand Islands Winery Scenic property with a large gift market & seasonal events! TI Wine Slushies are sold at Swan Bay’s Why Knot Tiki Bar. 43298 Seaway Avenue, Alexandria Bay, NY (315) 482-9306
Coyote Moon Vineyards Free Tours, Flea Market Sundays & Wine Cruises! Vineyard: 17371 County Road 3, Clayton, NY On the River: 524 Riverside Drive, Clayton, NY (315) 686-5600
The Cape Winery Fine wines at a serene setting on a family farm! 2066 Deerlick Road, Cape Vincent, NY (315) 654-3218
Northern Flow Vineyards Tasting room & Patio at DeLuke’s Garden Center. 40635 NY-12, Alexandria Bay, NY (315) 686-4769
It’s BEER:30 and you’re right on time! Are you an eternal hoptomist? If so, check out the best places for a cold one in the brewtiful 1000 Islands.
Wood Boat Brewery Beer & Brick Oven Pizza 625 Mary Street, Clayton, NY (315) 686-3233
The Hops Spot Craft Beer, Burger Bar & Poutinerie 507 Riverside Drive, Clayton, NY (315) 686-2337
Cape Vincent Brewing Company Nano Brewery with Craft Beers & a Local Flare 126 S James Street, Cape Vincent, NY (315) 501-4157
Garland City Beer Works Where Craft meets Community 321 Howk Street, Watertown, NY (315) 782-2337
Adventure runs on all sorts of Whiskey…When the sun goes down, head to these local Distilleries for some liquid sunshine.
Dark Island Spirits Enjoy Spirits that have been Musically Matured with different genres of music! 42 Church Street, Alexandria Bay, NY (315) 482-2059
Clayton Distillery A farm based distillery! Homegrown. Handcrafted. 40164 NY-12, Clayton, NY (315) 285-5004
St. Lawrence Spirits Distillery & Chateau Craft Spirits, Scenic Grounds and Restaurant Downtown Tasting Room: 510 Riverside Dr., Clayton, NY Distillery + Restaurant: 38289 NY-12E, Clayton, NY (315) 285-7733
1000 Islands Region Annual Events
Every June | The Great New York State Food & Wine Festival in Clayton, NY This is an event celebrating quality “Made in New York” food & wine products including candy and cheeses, nuts, sauces, herbs & spices, maple syrup and other maple products, apple cider, cookies and ice cream and of course, NYS wines. Participating exhibitors will come from Long Island to Buffalo and the Finger Lakes to the upper reaches of the state along the Canadian border.
June 3rd | 1st Annual Taste of the 1000 Islands Festival at Swan Bay Resort in Alexandria Bay, NY Join us for an outdoor food, craft and beverage festival featuring local businesses such as Bechaz Cheese, Nav’s Popcorn and Dark Island Spirits.
Every September | Wine Festival & Farmer’s Market in Alexandria Bay, NY Enjoy your tastings overlooking the beautiful St. Lawrence River and iconic Boldt Castle. Tastings, including wine by the glass and bottles for purchase, farmers’ market, specialty vendors and live entertainment. Must be 21+ to attend. Check out more things to do in the 1000 Islands.
Take a Clayton Island Tour on a Glass Bottom Boat through the islands, you never know what you’ll find lurking beneath the water!
Renta Pontoon Boat, Fishing Boat, Paddle Boat, SUP, Kayak, Lily Pad or Bike to enjoy on a hot summer day from Swan Bay Resort
Cruise through Millionaire’s Row an array of Islands and Islands homes which was once the playground of the rich and famous at the turn of the 20th Century.
View Cargo Ships passing through the Main Channel coming from all over the world! You can find out their locations and schedules, here. For Daily cargo ship schedules come visit the Main Office and then head on down to our Marina to watch the ships go by.
The Rift Boutique at Swan Bay Resort RV Camping & Marine Supplies, River Souvenirs, Apparel, Pet Supplies, Jewelry & More! 43615 NY-12 Alexandria Bay, NY – Swan Bay Resort’s Main Office (315) 482-7926
The Mason Jar Home Decor & River Themed Items 521 Riverside Dr. Clayton, NY (315) 285-5588
Directions to Alexandria Bay, NY: When exiting Swan Bay Resort, take a Left onto Route 12, after 3.5mi take a Left at the Light onto Church St. to go under the “Welcome to Alexandria Bay” sign. Continue straight until you reach James St. which is Downtown Alexandria Bay.
Things To Do In Downtown Alexandria Bay
Visit Wellesley Island State Park and enjoy their beach, onsite activities, and walking trails for hiking, snowshoeing, or cross-country skiing at the Minna Anthony Common Nature Center.
Go Golfing at multiple different locations within a 5-10mi drive of Swan Bay Resort
Take the Kids to Alex Bay 500 Go-Karts where they can spend time racing each other and then enjoy a game of Mini-Golf right after!
Sign up for an ATV Tour of the regions’ trails through RiverGate Wheelers
Casino Island is a destination for the whole family. Pack a lunch and enjoy a picnic under the Pavilion over looking the River, hang out at the small Beach, play on the playground, or explore the small island over the bridge. No matter what you do, the gorgeous River views never end! It’s so great, we even named one of our Cottages after the Island.
Rent a Boat or Jet Ski from local businesses to enjoy!
Take that rental, or your own boat, and go through Millionaire’s Row, an array of Islands and Island homes which was once the playground of the rich and famous at the turn of the 20th Century.
View cargo ships passing through the Main Channel coming from all over the world! You can find out their locations and schedules, here. For Daily cargo ship schedules come visit the Main Office and then head on down to our Marina to watch the ships go by.
Enjoy a day of fishing with a unique Lunch/Dinner experience afterwards while on a Fishing Charter
Take on a major adventure & look for shipwrecks with Scuba Diving!
Gift Shops in Alexandria Bay, NY
Swan Bay Resort – The Rift Boutique RV Camping & Marina Supplies, River Souvenirs, Apparel, Pet Supplies, Jewelry & More! 43615 NY-12 Alexandria Bay, NY – Swan Bay Resort’s Main Office (315) 482-7926
The Ship Gift Shop River Souvenirs & More! 22 James St. Alexandria Bay, NY (315) 482-6311 (315) 482-4648
Buoys Boutique River clothing & More! 6 James St, Alexandria Bay, NY
Good Dog Charlie’s The place to sport the River & your Pup! 29 James St. Alexandria Bay, NY (315) 482-3631
Welcome to the 1000 Islands, where the the drinks are cold, the water is warm, and the pirates come to play! The River Life is nothing short of endless land and water adventures suited for all ages. Throughout the year, there are Annual events that go on in Alexandria Bay to our left, Clayton to our right, and even right here at Swan Bay!
Alexandria Bay Annual Events
Just a 3 mi. (5-7min) drive on Route 12. Take a Left out of Swan Bay Resort!
Open May through October – Only accessible by Boat.
Boldt Castle- Alexandria Bay, Thousand Islands Region
At the turn-of-the-century, George C. Boldt, millionaire proprietor of the world famous Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City, set out to build a full size Rhineland castle in Alexandria Bay, on picturesque Heart Island. The grandiose structure was to be a display of his love for his wife, Louise. In January 1904, tragedy struck. Boldt telegraphed 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. Boldt never returned to the island, leaving behind the structure as a monument of his love.
Embark on an adventure to the historic Boldt Castle in the 1000 Islands, one of northern New York’s most popular attractions. Only accessible by water, begin your journey to Heart Island by boat. Built by George C. Boldt to honor his wife, allow yourself to fall in love with the story behind the castle. Explore the mansion’s grounds, which include a stunning grand staircase, indoor pool, the Alster Tower, Yacht House and much more. Make plans to lock in your lovely journey to this breathtaking attraction!
The Yacht House
The Boldt Yacht House on Wellesley Island is open to the public and for modest additional fee is a recommended tour during your visit to Boldt Castle. The Boldt’s family yachts and enormous houseboat were housed here in the slips 128 feet long. The building, rising 64 feet, also featured a shop to build racing launches and quarters for crew and staff. The grandeur of the Gilded Age is fully embodied in the structure’s shingle-style architecture, tremendous towers and spires and the steep-pitched gables. Visitors are invited to take the free shuttle boat from the Castle itself for easy access to this imposing structure on the river’s edge.
Plan Your Visit To Boldt Castle
Boldt Castle is only accessible by water. From both Canada and the U.S., visitors may find transportation on either a tour boat (a list of providers can be found at the bottom of this page) or by personal pleasure craft. *Passengers arriving from Canada must provide proper identification. For further information please refer to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection web-site www.cbp.gov. *Boldt Castle has wheelchair accessibility options available.
Tour Boat Operators from the U.S.:
Uncle Sam Boat Tours, Alexandria Bay, New York, USA Phone: +1-315-482-2611 or +1-800-253-9229 Daily Shuttle Departures: Every 30 minutes beginning at 10:00am
Clayton Island Tours, Clayton, New York, USA Phone: +1-315-686-4820 Please call for Schedule.
Specialty Events at Boldt Castle:
Annual 4th of July Fireworks over Boldt Castle Hundreds will watch from the shores of Alex Bay or from their personal boats, make sure to set up early! Once dark hits, watch the fireworks brighten the night sky over Boldt Castle.
Fairytale Adventure Day Fairytale Princesses & Pirates will take over Heart Island. Visitors will be able to take advantage of free face paintings. Participants can also learn proper princess etiquette, dance in Boldt Castle’s Ballroom or cross swords with a real Pirate on the shores of the St. Lawrence River & more!
Address: 1 Heart Island Alexandria Bay, NY 13607 USA
Open April thru October – Only accessible by Boat.
Frederick Bourne was the fifth President of the Singer Sewing Machine Company, which is where the name “Singer Castle” came from. When the Bourne family summered there, it was called “The Towers” which comes from the inspiration that Ernest Flagg, the architect whom designed this structure, had after reading the book Woodstock by Sir Walter Scott. This castle is full of mystery which might also include… secrets and hauntings. It’s not called “Dark Island” for just any reason.
Fun fact: If you’re interested in upping your adventure a little bit, become a King or Queen for the night when you book a stay in The Royal Suite. The Royal Suite is an entire wing of the castle and can sleep up to six people. As you journey down the corridor, you discover the first bedroom of the wing, which overlooks the American channel and our south boathouse and features a Queen-sized canopy bed, an antique full-sized bed, and small sitting area. You’ll have to stay to find out what else you might find!
Plan Your Visit to Singer Castle
Singer Castle is only accessible by water. The tour guides will provide you with a 45-minute walking tour and narrative of the historic structure. Visitors will be treated to four floors filled with furnishings and artifacts original to the castle. You will see the entrances to many of the secret passages, and of course speculate on their purpose. There are 80 steps up from the Great Hall, so wear your walking shoes! *Singer Castle is not wheelchair accessible and requires steps/walking ability.
The tour guides will provide you with a 45-minute tour and narrative of the historic structure. Visitors will be treated to four floors filled with furnishings and artifacts original to the castle. You will see the entrances to many of the secret passages, and of course speculate on their purpose. There are 80 steps up from the Great Hall, so wear your walking shoes!
Tour Boat Operators from the U.S.:
Uncle Sam Boat Tours, Alexandria Bay, New York, USA Phone: +1-315-482-2611 or +1-800-253-9229 Shuttle Departures: Select Days May-Oct.
Schermerhorn Harbor Shuttle, Hammond, New York, USA Location: Schermerhorn Harbor Marina Phone: +1-315-324-5966 Shuttle Departures: Select Days May-Sept.
Private Boaters & Charter Groups are welcome to dock for FREE at Singer Castle with an additional entrance fee. Call ahead or use marine radio channel 16.
Address: Singer Castle on Dark Island BOX 59 Chippewa Bay, NY 13623 USA
phone: +1-315-324-3275 or Toll Free at +1-877-327-5475 website: https://www.singercastle.com coordinates: 44° 27.156 N, 75° 48.689 W
Uncle Sam Boat Tours is your destination for cruising along the St. Lawrence River and exploring the famous Thousand Islands. Uncle Sam Boat Tours has been providing guided tours of the Thousand Islands for over 85 years from downtown Alexandria Bay, directly across from Boldt Castle.
Uncle Sam Boat Tours provides a variety of regularly scheduled sightseeing cruises as well as Luncheon and Dinner cruises, the Sip ‘n Sail, and their most popular 2 NationTour. Uncle Sam Boat Tours is also the ONLY tour company that allows guests an unlimited visit to Boldt Castle and Heart Island. It’s not just a tour; it’s an unforgettable experience!
The most popular cruise is the American Narrows Tour, a cruise departing from Uncle Sam Boat Tours’ homeport in the heart of the Thousand Islands, Alexandria Bay, NY. This narrated international tour offers you historic and scenic wonders in both American and Canadian waters; no passport required! At the end of each type of tour, there is an optional stop at world-famous Boldt Castle on Heart Island for a self-guided tour. Learn more about the history of Boldt Castle.
JUSTIN SORENSEN n WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES
Ron Thomson, owner of Uncle Sam Boat Tours in Alexandria Bay, stands in the pilot house of the Alexandria Belle with a photo of his Grandpa, who started the business in 1924.
Available Tours
Uncle Sam Boat Tours offers a variety of tours through the scenic 1000 Islands. Featuring the1hrMillionaire’s Row Tour, a quick 10min Shuttle to Boldt Castle, specialty cruises such as the luncheon or dinner charters and Sip N’ Sail, plus another famous Castle on the River with the Singer Castle Tour. All of the daytime tours offer an unlimited stop and pick-up at Boldt Castle, where there is an additional fee for Entry. Passports or other identification is never required. Boldt Castle Hours: In-season: Daily 10am-7pm; Off-season (early season and late season): Daily 10am-5pm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find lunch/dinner after my Tour? Check out their restaurant, Riley’s by the River, directly next to the boat tours!
Do they have any private tours?
Yes! They are called Private Charters. These are perfect for private events to celebrate Birthdays, Weddings, Bachelor/Bachelorettes, Anniversaries, and more. You can even request that they pick you up directly from the Swan Bay docks!
Is entry into Boldt Castle included in a Tour ticket?
No, you will have to pay an additional fee when you arrive at the Castle. To Note – All daytime tours make a stop at Boldt Castle.
What if we don’t have a vehicle with us to get to Downtown? Swan Bay offers free Shuttle Bus services! Our Shuttle Bus will pick you up and drop you off in the towns of Clayton and Alexandria Bay throughout the Summer months. Call our Main Office at (315) 482-7926 to check out our schedule in the days leading up to your tour!
Address: 45 James St. Alexandria Bay, NY 13607 USA
Located on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, the Antique Boat Museum features the largest collection of antique and classic boats on display in North America! While visiting the museum you can learn about boating history on the St. Lawrence River, row a St. Lawrence skiff in French Bay, tour George Boldt’s historic two-story houseboat, and take a speedboat ride through the islands in a triple cockpit runabout. The Antique Boat Museum provides a welcoming space for all, with wheelchair accessibility. Expect to spend 1.5-2hrs at this premier freshwater boating museum.
1000 Islands Boat Tours
The Antique Boat Museum offers the opportunity to roam through the popular Boat Museum and Museum Store. The Museum not only offers a walking tour of the antique boats but it also offers multiple cruise tours; a boat ride without any stopping, just a nice boat ride with a view.
Ride the river for 45min in a 30′ Triple Cockpit Hacker-Craft
Enjoy a 2hr Sunset Cruise through the 1000 Islands
Where can I find Lunch/Dinner after my visit? We highly suggest The Wood Boat Brewery for delicious pizza just across the street! You may find them at 625 Mary St. You may also find many other options in Downtown Clayton in just a short 5-10min walk around the corner.
What if we don’t have a vehicle with us to get to Downtown? Swan Bay offers free Shuttle Bus services! Our Shuttle Bus will pick you up and drop you off in the towns of Clayton and Alexandria Bay throughout the Summer months. Call our Main Office at (315) 482-7926 to check out our schedule in the days leading up to your visit!