Thousand Islands, New York, USA

This group of about 1,800 islands in the St. Lawrence seaway is a great tourist or vacation destination. The international boundary meanders through them. Several companies offer boat tours of the islands and its many charming features. Visitors find the full range of environments here from the big city, Kingston, Ontario, to remote wilderness islands. You can camp, stay in hotels or bed and breakfast inns, or rent cabins or cottages.

Don't miss Bolt Castle or the QuaintVillage of Clayton, New York, where an inn claims to have originated thousand island dressing.

Location

At the east end of Lake Ontario
At the beginning of the St. Lawrence River
Map (Clayton, NY) Maps (Kingston, ON)

Population

Kingston, Ontario: About 145,000
Clayton, New York: About 1,850

Museums

Antique Boat Museum
1000 Islands Museum (Clayton, New York)
Frederick Remington Art Museum
Handweaving Museum and Art Center

(Clayton, New York)

New York State Living Museum

Parks

St. Lawrence Islands National Park (Canada)
Wellesley Island State Park

Minna Anthony Common Nature Center

Other features

Aqua Zoo (Alexandria Bay, New York) (aquarium)
Art galleries
Bed and breakfast inns (many)
Boldt Castle (Heart Island, Alexandria Bay, New York)

www.BoldtCastle.com

Cafes and restaurants
Campgrounds and RV parks nearby

Check Woodall's guide

Fine original crafts
Hiking (Seaway Trail, National Recreation Trail)
Hot Air Balloon rides
Hotels and vacation rentals

Advantage rate

HotelDiscount

Family Vacation Rentals

Lighthouses
Marinas
Rideau Canal (Canada)
Shakespeare theatre (live performances)

Prescott, Ontario, non-profit
www.StLawrenceShakespeare.com

Hours

Festivals

May: Watertown Home Show (Watertown, New York)

Harborfest (Oswego)

August: Festival of the Islands

www.FestivaloftheIslands.com

October: Autumn Antique Show and Sale

(Fort Henry, Ontario)

November: Holiday Parade (Carthage)

December: Country Home Christmas Tour

Recommended stay

2 days to 1 week

Tourist information

Official Thousand Islands-Seaway Web site

www.visit1000islands.com/seaway

Alexandria Bay, New York

www.AlexBay.org

Clayton, NY, Chamber of Commerce

www.1000islands.com/clayton/clayton.htm

Kingston, Ontario

Economic Development Commission

888-855-4555

City government

www.city.Kingston.ON.ca

Canadian Tourism Commission

613-954-1900

New York state travel

www.travelnewyorkstate.com

One-stop reservations (Airlines, hotels, resorts, car rentals, cruises, last-minute deals, etc.)

Car rentals

Budget

Enterprise

Thrifty

Maps, trip planning, driving directions, etc.

National Geographic travel
guides, maps, atlases, etc.

Discounts for U.S. veterans and active duty

Join Veterans Advantage and get discounts on Amtrak, Greyhound, hotels, car rentals, etc. Save up to 70%. Magazine. Many benefits.

Luggage and gear (Click buttons)

More travel accessories (Click to see separate page)

New York calendars, books, etc. (see ads in blue to the right)

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The information above may not be up-to-date.
Please check local sources for the latest official times, costs, availability, etc.
This page was last updated on 12/06/2008 .

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