Thousand Islands
Thousand Islands
4.5
About
Located along the border between northern New York and southeastern Ontario, Thousand Islands is a group of over 1,800 islands. It's home to picturesque archipelagos, world-class wineries, and stunning scenery. You can camp under the stars, book a cozy motel, a beautiful riverside villa, or a full-service hotel to stay the night—there's something for everyone. Don't miss visiting the 120-room Boldt Castle on Heart Island. You might also want to hop on a narrated boat tour that departs from several communities along each border, taking you between islands and past castles and historic lighthouses.
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4.5
556 reviews
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5
Sierra
Atco, NJ2 contributions
Oct 2022
My husband and I went to Thousand Islands for a fall getaway on October 17th. The area is beautiful and we stayed at the Riveredge Resort, Alexandria Bay, which was also very nice. The room was great and the view overlooking Boldt Castle was wonderful. However, much to our disappointment, in researching the trip and attractions and restaurants, we did not see anything that mentioned that after Columbus Day nearly every attraction and restaurant close for the season. We were so disappointed to learn we were not able to visit Boldt Castel, even though we could see if from our room, because of the closure. The Uncle Sam Boat Tours was still running under a much reduced schedule. We were able to do the 2 hour tour which was very nice and I would recommend. The fact that most of the restaurants in the town of Alexandria Bay were closed was also a disappointment. I think this should be noted so that people realize that going after Columbus Day is not really worth the trip. One person said I should have researched better, however, I explained that I would be standing in front of a restaurant that on their website still stated OPEN but was closed for the season. Just wish the websites were updated with the information of everything being limited after Columbus Day. I would have rated this trip higher except for the limited availability of the attractions.
Written January 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John Doe
Clayton, NY1 contribution
Mar 2021
1000 Islands New York is taxing my family to death from town water and sewer project we are NOT connected to or using. This place will kill somebody you love with drug addiction and it supports alcoholism, Born and raised spending most of my days bored with hardly no job opportunity. This is where you come to die and collect disability and welfare. The weather sucks, the locals are stuck up and racist. We pay 40+ grand in taxes a year for muddy water front property next to a new scrap yard (solar panels). Highly DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS PLACE!
Written March 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter C
piedmont CA, United States3 contributions
Aug 2019
The islands and private homes are magnificent, but emphasis on the word "private". A lot can be seen from the mainland, boat tours and the few islands with car access. Accommodations are so-so. Clayton has a great new hotel. The NY State parks for camping are crowded but very nice. Most of the Canadian Park Islands are only accessible by your own boat (thats cool too). Two Island castles are open to the public with tour boat access. The Antique Boat Museum in Clayton is about the best in the world. Kingston Ontario is a charming old city with a fort from the 1700's. I'm sure I missed many sites. Oh yeah, the summer camp colony of Thousand Island Park on Wellesley Island is like stepping back into 1875, and you can drive there!
Written March 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TACOB0B
United States1,092 contributions
Oct 2020 • Couples
We drove around the area in late October. Most everything was closed up because the season was over. The wind was blowing like crazy. It is still a beautiful area to explore. I bet it is mobbed in season. If you have ever been to Maine it is similar to OOB.
Written October 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David G
East Springfield, NY3 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Cute town to visit but not much there. Most restaurants were closed. beautiful area to stop by briefly. We were on way back from Toronto. There were no tours available when we got there on a sunday afternoon. which was strange that this is considered a tourist town Don't plan an entire weekend here.
Written November 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PaleoGypsy
Philadelphia, PA2,347 contributions
Jul 2021 • Couples
There is a lot to do in this region of New York. The Thousand Islands are a hidden gem to many. Outdoor activities abound like boating, camping, birdwatching, hiking, fishing, and more. If you are into architecture, take a boat ride past Millionaire’s Row. Bring your scuba gear if you want to check out the shipwrecks. Go to the local museums, and learn about history. Put the app called Marine Traffic on your smart phone, and watch for the ships to sail in. Practice your photography. Visit the wineries and farms. Go for a hike or bike ride, and eat ice cream afterwards. So, what are you waiting for? What’s not to like? Go, and have a great time.
Written July 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carol Ann J
Germantown, NY3,040 contributions
Aug 2022
Thousand Islands is a beautiful area on the St. Lawrence Seaway. There is so much to see, and the area is very relaxing. One may take a boat tour, charter a boat, or bring their own boat to explore the islands and river. There are so many gorgeous homes on both Canadian and U.S. sides of the seaway. One could spend hours or days out on the river.
Written August 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
brian k
Lake Placid, NY55 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
Alexandria Bay is a great place. WE love less than three hours away and never went before; we will go again soon. We took a dozen photos on our weekend trip and everyone had water and boats in it.
Written July 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
faithfulfrank
western NY3 contributions
The Thousand Islands are indeed beautiful.
I will list Pros and Cons....
Pros.
Easy to drive to..(right up interstate 81..pretty and fast Hwy)
Waterways and islands should be in the 7 wonders of the world.
Boating is AWESOME, so is the fishing!
History abounds...sunken ships, War of 1812, etc.
Not crowded.
Bolt castle- a must see! Take the boat tours!
Cons.
No motel or restaurant chains, which could be good or bad. You get the feeling that if a few local families did not have control, it could be updated quite nicer. Accommodations were very expensive..cheapest were around $100, many were over $200-300. There are some very nice cottage/motels that although a bit more rustic than a resort type place, is by far your best value. I thought Alexandria Bay,(which many consider the hub of the thousand islands) seemed a bit run down and campy. The main drag, James street, seems like a run down carnival. A far better place to stay is just a few miles down the road, and still right in the islands, a town called Clayton. Much nicer, and the boat tour still runs from there. I wouldn't mind living there at all.
Best part of the trip is the Uncle Sam's boat tours. Take the twilight tour and one of the bigger tours. Best time we spent there. The history of millionaire's row, etc is fascinating. Doing a tour includes getting to Bolt castle, so it is the better way. Also Sacketts harbor is nice, about 20 miles upriver.
So, spend 1/2 day (at most) walking around Alex.Bay, take a boat tour, spend a few hours at Bolt castle. Spend time at Clayton, take another boat tour,(you'll want to) visit the museums in Clayton....and relax!
I will list Pros and Cons....
Pros.
Easy to drive to..(right up interstate 81..pretty and fast Hwy)
Waterways and islands should be in the 7 wonders of the world.
Boating is AWESOME, so is the fishing!
History abounds...sunken ships, War of 1812, etc.
Not crowded.
Bolt castle- a must see! Take the boat tours!
Cons.
No motel or restaurant chains, which could be good or bad. You get the feeling that if a few local families did not have control, it could be updated quite nicer. Accommodations were very expensive..cheapest were around $100, many were over $200-300. There are some very nice cottage/motels that although a bit more rustic than a resort type place, is by far your best value. I thought Alexandria Bay,(which many consider the hub of the thousand islands) seemed a bit run down and campy. The main drag, James street, seems like a run down carnival. A far better place to stay is just a few miles down the road, and still right in the islands, a town called Clayton. Much nicer, and the boat tour still runs from there. I wouldn't mind living there at all.
Best part of the trip is the Uncle Sam's boat tours. Take the twilight tour and one of the bigger tours. Best time we spent there. The history of millionaire's row, etc is fascinating. Doing a tour includes getting to Bolt castle, so it is the better way. Also Sacketts harbor is nice, about 20 miles upriver.
So, spend 1/2 day (at most) walking around Alex.Bay, take a boat tour, spend a few hours at Bolt castle. Spend time at Clayton, take another boat tour,(you'll want to) visit the museums in Clayton....and relax!
Written August 30, 2004
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JAD
1 contribution
Aug 2020
This should be on everyone’s one bucket list, NOT.
If you are a person who supports kindness, racial equality, BLM, the LGBQIA+ community, etc., etc., DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT visit. Yes the views are amazing, the history interesting, and the castles are enchanting, but it stops there. The local stores carry anti gay t-shirts and bumper stickers that are truly offensive, and pro Trump shirts are in abundance both, on the rack, or people wearing them.
We are a racially mixed family and are trying to get out of our reservations because we do not feel safe here since barely anyone has made us feel welcomed.
I have never written a review like this before and I hope I never have to again. When did the North become the Deep South.
If you are a person who supports kindness, racial equality, BLM, the LGBQIA+ community, etc., etc., DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT visit. Yes the views are amazing, the history interesting, and the castles are enchanting, but it stops there. The local stores carry anti gay t-shirts and bumper stickers that are truly offensive, and pro Trump shirts are in abundance both, on the rack, or people wearing them.
We are a racially mixed family and are trying to get out of our reservations because we do not feel safe here since barely anyone has made us feel welcomed.
I have never written a review like this before and I hope I never have to again. When did the North become the Deep South.
Written August 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi - We are thinking of heading to Alexandria Bay. Just myself and my husband and our dog. Do you think that is a nice area to stay? We have never been. Also, are there any breweries close to this area??
Thanks!
Written August 3, 2020
I’m not sure about breweries in the area. There might be some farther down near Syracuse or Watertown.
Alex Bay in the Thousand Island area is absolutely stunning. Depending on the time of year it might be crowded before Labor Day. But after, if you’re looking for a hotel I’m sure you’ll be able to find one. But there are plenty of houses for rent, B&Bs etc.
One of my favorite areas in the East!
Written August 3, 2020
Is there anywhere we can rent a golf cart or motorized scooter? I want to bring my dad but he can't walk long distances.
Written June 22, 2020
How far is abbey road studios from the London airport? where is a good area to stay if I want to visit Abbey road studios along with attractions in London?
Written September 19, 2019
Sorry, I have never been to London. Trip Advisor sent me your question because I recently went to Thousand Islands. Someone goofed.
Written September 21, 2019
A Tripadvisor member
Aurora, Colorado
Hi John, by chance do you know how long it takes to drive from Ontario Canada to Alexandria Bay where you pick up the Uncle Sams tour boat? Thanks so much!
Best, Connie
Written September 6, 2019
I came from Philadelphia so I can not answer this question. But Google can
Written September 19, 2019
Hi would you be able to tell me if there are any arrangements to spend a day or two for a family of three (including an elderly person) on of the islands on the USA side? Are there any resorts or places that can be rented? Is it safe and what arrangements are there for tackling any emergencies that may occur?
Written May 10, 2019
One thing I can say is there were a lot of older retirees there when we went
So .... that may mean there is a good emergency system in place
Written May 10, 2019
Is it nice to see in the fall when trees change? Are all the attractions and boat tours still operating.
Written August 27, 2018
Upper NY State and Ontario are beautiful in fall due to the variety of trees. Tours are still running into the fall. While I have not seen the islands in fall I have seen the foliage and can predict the sight will be worth the trip and time.
Written August 27, 2018
Hi. We are interested in visiting Thousand Islands over Labor Day weekend with our 9 year old daughter and are wondering if its best to rent an RV or a room in a hotel? The experience will be very different depending on what we decide. Do you know if there are nice full service campsites with showers? Also, if you don't have a boat, can you still get around easily? In an RV? Where would you recommend staying? Thanks in advance for your help.
Written August 17, 2018
To get around to the different islands, since many are privately owned, most do a boat tour through a tour company like Uncle Sam's so you can see either Boldt Castle, Singer castle and go through Millionaire's Row to go past the expensive privately owned houses on islands. Everything else is on the shore like restaurants, shops, zoo, museums, stock car races, etc. Alexandria bay in the main land is very drivable and has most restaurants and shops that you would want to see. Grassy Point State Park and Keewaydin State Park is in Alexandria Bay (It's a NY State park) and has camp sites available. You would need to call for fees and amenities. When we were there last it was clean, had a kids playground, a very small beach and restrooms/showers available but its been awhile so you should call. It's also nearby to historic Clayton that has an antique boat museum and some more shops/restaurants.
Written August 17, 2018
Hi, What would you like to know about this attraction?
Hi,
I'm single and not outdoorsy but I've wanted to visit the islands for a while. Which island do you think is best for someone like me who is more interested in walking around, boat tours, shopping and wave watching? Hotel recommendations appreciated. Thank you!
Written July 30, 2018
Alexandria Bay has every kind of accommodation from Plush to cheap. Nice touristy spot, beautiful area.
Written July 31, 2018
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