The village's Riverside Drive, with a collection of specialty shops and restaurants, backs up to the St. Lawrence, allowing diners to eat on decks overlooking the water. Both Bella's and The Channelside are great places to enjoy lunch or dinner while watching the river for birds, boats and the occasional massive cargo ship.
Located in the Thousand Islands on the St. Lawrence River, the Antique Boat Museum bills itself as the premier freshwater nautical museum in North America. The museum's has more than 300 well-preserved boats and thousands of recreational boating artifacts. Its 4.5-acre campus also features speed boat rides, boat shows, educational programs for all ages, special events and more.
Built in 1903, the Clayton Opera House has been a part of the Thousand Island's cultural history for more than a century. The four-story brick building right in the village was renovated and revived in 2007, bringing shows, music and acts back to the stage for the entire region's enjoyment. This summer's lineup includes orchestras, acoustic bands, magicians and comedians, as well as national acts like 10,000 Maniacs and Lee Ann Womack.
Just three miles outside of town, visitors can sample award-winning wines at the Coyote Moon Vineyards and Winery's tasting room. The family-run vineyard also lets visitors learn more about the wine making process by touring the bottling facility and fermentation room. Or they can just walk through the 18 acres of vines. As of summer 2014, Coyote Moon can now also be sampled and enjoyed right in the village of Clayton at their new Wine & Craft Beer Lounge on Riverside Drive.
With its identity as the cultural hub of the Thousand Islands, Clayton also serves as the home to several other organizations focused on the promotion of the arts and preservation of history. The Thousand Islands Arts Center on John Street offers a host exhibits, craft shows and educational opportunities. The center also serves as home to the Handweaving Museum, with many collections on the history of textiles.
Thousand Islands Museum has a slightly different take on local art, with a strong focus wildlife, including many duck decoys and a Muskie Hall of Fame. No matter which type of river art you prefer, everyone can agree that Clayton's Waterfront makes for a great place for the community to gather and celebrate.
A trip to Clayton is not complete without time spent perusing the many storefronts along Riverside Drive and James Street. One of the best and most quintessentially Clayton of all the shops is the 1000 Island River Rat Cheese store on James. Founded in 1981, and with fans all over the state, the company's home store in Clayton is the best place to find all their offerings, from squeaky-good cheese curd to their famous aged cheddar cheeses.
For those who prefer a stiffer drink, there's another local attraction just north of the village on route 12: the Clayton Distillery. Here, locally grown grains and fruits are turned into a host of spirits, including vodka, gin, moonshine, bourbon, and many flavored versions of these and other liquors.