Take Uncle Sam's Boat tours over to Boldt Castle and experience an attraction like no other. 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. It was designed as their summer dream home (6 stories, 120 rooms complete with tunnels, Italian gardens, a drawbridge, and a children’s playhouse). However it was not to be, Mrs. Boldt passed away suddenly just months before the completion of the castle. Mr. Boldt was inconsolable and stopped all construction on Heart Island, leaving the property vacant for years… For 73 years, the castle was left to the mercy of the elements and vandals. The Thousand Islands Bridge Authority acquired the property in 1977, and through the use of all net revenues from the castle operation it has reconstructed from the original blueprints for the enjoyment of future generations. Since 1977, several million dollars have been applied to restoring Heart Island.
Take a tour of the Thousand Islands on the water with Uncle Sam's Boat Tours. Uncle Sam Boat Tours has been providing guided tours of the Thousand Islands for nearly 100 years from our downtown Alexandria Bay location, directly across from Boldt Castle. Uncle Sam Boat Tours provides a variety of regularly scheduled 1000 Islands sightseeing cruises as well as luncheon and dinner cruises. The most popular option is the 2 Nation Tour. Departing from the heart of the Thousand Islands, Alexandria Bay, NY. This narrated tour offers you historic and scenic wonders of American and Canadian waters; no passport required! At the end of each trip, there is an optional stop at the world-famous Boldt Castle on Heart Island for an unlimited self-guided tour.
Sip some wine at the scenic Thousand Island's Winery tasting room or on the patio and enjoy a sampling of some of the best wines in the State. Taste some of the 25+ varieties of wine and wine slushy products. If you just want to take a walk around the grounds, they have various informational signs to help you learn more about the property and winery. For a more in-depth and personalized experience, choose between a selection of tours.
Looking to play a round of golf, there are several golf courses in the area. In the Watertown area there is Thompson Park Golf Course, Ives Hill County Club, Willowbrook Golf Club, and Highland Meadows Golf Course. In the Thousand Islands area you have Alexandria Bay Municipal Golf Course, Thousand Island Country Club (Old Course & Lake Course), C-Way Golf Course, Clayton Country Club.
Located in the town of Clayton this is a unique look at over 320 stunning antique boats and related artifacts. The 4.5 acre campus comes alive with speedboat rides and a working skiff livery.
Downtown Clayton is just one town over from Alexandria Bay and has a nice walkable downtown area with lots of restaurants, shops, and is right along the St.Lawrence River. Looking for a place in Clayton for lunch, we recommend Wood Boat Brewery!
We have more than one castle in the area! You can also check out Singer Castle on Dark Island which is open to the public to visitors who wish to have a guided tour of the intricate architecture, beautiful furnishings and puzzling secret passages of the magnificent 100-year old Castle.