Sightseeing
Local GemBrockville
FreeOntario's City of the 1000 Islands, with a historic St. Lawrence River waterfront, trails and craft breweries.
Photo: Clément Bardot, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.
SightseeingHistory BuffDate NightFamily Favorite
Boldt Castle
Heart Island, St. Lawrence River, reached by boat · Alexandria Bay, NY
Why you should go…
Boldt Castle stands on Heart Island in the St. Lawrence River and can only be reached by water, on tour boats from the U.S. and Canadian shores or by private boat. Hotel magnate George C. Boldt began it in 1900 as a gift for his wife, Louise, and work stopped in 1904 after she died. You can walk through restored, furnished rooms on the first two floors. The grounds include the Power House and the Alster Tower, which holds a two-lane bowling alley.
- #castle
- #thousand islands
- #boat tour
- #historic mansion
- #gardens
Good to know
General sightseeing guidance
Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.
The forecast is part of the ticket
Haze, low cloud, and rain flatten a view. Clear-day visits are worth rearranging your plans for.
Golden hour sells out first
Sunset slots at observation decks and cruises are the first to go, so book those further ahead.
Dress a layer warmer
It is always breezier up high and out on the water than it feels at street level.
Timed entry is common
Plenty of landmarks release tickets in windows rather than at the door, so check before you walk over.
What's around here?
The closest stops to Boldt Castle, ordered by straight-line distance.
