Thousand Islands: A NY Paradise
I really fell in love with the outdoors this summer. Since we had to cancel our international travel plans this year due to Covid-19, my silver lining was immersing myself in the natural beauty that really isn’t too far from home.
For my anniversary, we took a couple’s trip to the Thousand Islands. I’m not the most travelled person, but Thousand Islands has to be one of the most scenic places that I’ve ever visited. Just less than a 3 hour drive from home exists this beautiful NY paradise, an archipelago in the St Lawrence River – literally more than 1000 islands. The views are almost unreal, and it seriously is so perfect for a romantic little getaway.
I needed this trip. Summer 2020 was so emotional for me, and a tad bit stressful balancing working from home with 2 busy body children. It was nice to just press pause for a day or 2.
I’d like to think that 25 year old Angela knew exactly what she was doing when she set her wedding date for early September. It feels good to celebrate love and family, ending the summer on such a high note, right before school begins, temperatures drop, and days shorten.
It was a brief trip, but it was a big reset for me. I came back to Rochester feeling refreshed, motivated, and most importantly happy.
But less about me, and more about these views and reasons why you need to visit the Thousand Islands!
Alexandria Bay
If you want to see the castles, and get up close and personal with the islands, you’ve got to visit Alexandria Bay. Alexandria Bay has all of the waterfront resorts, shops, dining, beautiful views, parks, tours and CASTLES to satisfy all of your tourist needs and desires.
Boat Tour
A boat tour is a must! The St Lawrence river is stunning, and the best way to experience it is on the water. There are a few boat tour options, including private boat tours, but I highly suggest Uncle Sam Boat Tours as an awesome, educational and affordable way to enjoy the scenic views of the archipelago, which also straddles the Canadian border. Due to Covid restrictions, the tour did not take us on the Canadian side, but I would be excited to visit Gananoque when Americans are allowed across the border again.
In true Covid fashion, we were masked up and ready for our boat tour. Masks were required, and 6 feet apart enforced. Amazingly, our tour guide was actually funny, and there was food, drinks and polarized sunglasses for purchase on board. I could go on and on about how gorgeous the islands are, but I could show you better with some photos I took on my lil iPhone 11. Not bad, right?
Boldt Castle & Boldt Yacht House
Tours of the Castle and the Yacht House are currently closed, and not reopening until Spring of 2021, so if you want to tour the castle, you’ll have to wait until next year!
This castle is located on Heart Island, which you can only access by boat. Uncle Sam Boat tours lets passengers off at Heart Island during the boat tour, but it is an additional fee to tour the castle.
While the gorgeous architecture, and picturesque gardens surrounded by beautiful blue waters are the main attraction, the history of Boldt Castle is quite a tale.
In short, this millionaire hotelier, George Boldt, was building this castle for his wife, Louise. The construction of the castle was in its 5th and final year of construction. Boldt had his heart set on taking Louise to Heart Island to see her new home on Valentine’s Day, when she suddenly fell sick and died in January of 1904, just a month before the glorious reveal (bruh). Stricken with grief, Boldt halted further construction of the castle, and to this day the construction of the castle has never been completed. Beautiful on the outside, unfinished on the inside. If you’re a historian reading this, I apologize for butchering this story, but brevity lol.
thousand islands-seAWAY WINE TRAIL
After visiting South Africa last December and regretfully forgoing the opportunity to visit their wine country, I am making it apart of my travel itineraries to visit at least one winery if I’m in a wine region! Thousand Islands has a lot to offer, and luckily we were able to visit 2 wineries.
I love visiting wineries because aside from tasting unique wines produced from the area’s vineyards, I find it so cool how each winery has its own aesthetic and feel. Wine tasting is the kind of fun that I’m learning to enjoy in my adult years, as I don’t really party or indulge in nightlife these days. Now that I’ve established an interest wine, it’s also become an educational experience!
Thousand Islands Winery and Coyote Moons Vineyards
The tasting room at Thousand Islands Winery definitely has a rustic aesthetic, located in a barn loft, with twinkly lights. I’m a big fan of blueberry fruit wines, so when I tasted the “Seaway Blues,” I had to buy a bottle.
We took a short drive to Clayton to visit Coyote Moons. I highly recommend this winery, especially if you can visit during the warmer months. The tasting tables were located outside, right in front of the beautiful vineyards, making it easy to social distance. The wine tasting came with complimentary wine pairing snacks: cheeses, grapes, and crackers. They even had onsite wine slushies, which were reminiscent of NYS Fair. The staff was so friendly and knowledgeable. Best of all, there was a food shack, and I ordered a fresh baked pizza. Pizza and wine, good conversation, and picturesque views while the kids enjoy being spoiled at grandma and grandpa’s house? Perfect.
Wellesley Island State Park
I’m a huge fan of New York State parks! Wellesley Island State Park is a nice, peaceful spot to explore and definitely a more relaxed vibe from the more touristy upbeat Alexandria Bay. This park is located in Clayton, NY and is the largest camping complex in the Thousand Islands. The beach area was closed for swimming, but I can imagine it being an ideal spot for swimming, kayaking, or whatever your choice of watersport when open. We didn’t spend too much time here, but if I came back to the Thousand Islands in the summer, I’d love to try some paddle boarding.
This was such an amazing trip, and to my hometown friends reading this, please do take the short drive to visit this wonderful place!