48 Hours in Alexandria Bay and Clayton

Jul 28, 2024

You’ve heard of Thousand Island salad dressing, but did you know the Thousand Islands is an actual place? Not only is it real, but this region features MORE than a thousand islands – closer to 2,000 in fact! – in the crystal blue waters of the St. Lawrence Seaway along New York’s border with Canada. Two waterside towns, Alexandria Bay and Clayton, are only about 15 minutes from each other and have been welcoming visitors for years. They together with the surrounding area make for a 48-hour getaway that’s all about water: in it, on it and around it. Photo credit: @zymoshots on Instagram.

FRIDAY

3:00 PM Admire the ambiance of the St. Lawrence River

Arrive at Cedar Point State Park, one of the oldest state parks in New York, for your first scenic views of the St. Lawrence River. Camping, fishing, boat docks and picnic areas with grills are available, but you may just want to watch ships go by from the overlook area. Those looking for a more immersive experience (literally) can take a dip from the sandy, sheltered beach.

5:00 PM: Enjoy a warm North Country welcome

Check out New York State’s North Country Welcome Center to get your bearings. Inside the boathouse-themed building is a gallery, Taste NY snacks, historic artifacts and fun areas for creative selfies. A playground themed to the area’s island castles is outside for the kids.

6:00 PM Get cozy along the water

Credit: 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel

Check in at your accommodations. Just a few options include: Capt. Thomson’s Resort, which has waterside lodging right in the action of downtown “Alex Bay;” a luxurious waterside stay at the 1000 Island Harbor Hotel in Clayton; or camping, including at state parks like Wellesley Island, the largest camping complex in the 1000 Islands region, which also features the on-site Minna Anthony Common Nature Center with live animals and miles of hiking, making it worth a stop during the day even if you aren’t staying overnight.

7:00 PM Fuel up for a night of fun

Credit: @dylangibbsauthor on Instagram

Eat at one of the casual pub-style eateries in Alexandria Bay, like Riley’s By the River. Then partake in some classic evening resort-town activities at Alex Bay 500 Go-Karts, from mini golf to go karts to the Bay Drive-In Theater where you can catch a movie under the stars.

SATURDAY

10:00 AM: Get out on the water

Credit: @unclesamboattours on Instagram

Today’s the day to finally get on the majestic St. Lawrence and see the region from the water. Take a scenic cruise with a company like Uncle Sam Boat Tours to gawk at the houses along Millionaires Row, and make a visit to Heart Island to explore Boldt Castle. George Boldt, operator of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City, built this 120-room Gilded Age masterpiece for his wife, but halted construction, heartbroken, when she died suddenly in 1904. It was restored and completed in the 1970s. After your visit, you can return to the mainland at your leisure via water shuttle included with the price of the cruise.

3:00 PM Dive into boating history and sip craft beverages

Credit: @antiqueboatmuseum on Instagram

Head to Clayton to explore the Antique Boat Museum, home to the largest collection of antique and classic boats in North America – more than 300 of them over its 4.5 acre waterside campus! You can tour George Boldt’s houseboat, or even get onto the water in a skiff, sailboat or speedboat. If you’re lucky enough to be there in August, check out the annual boat show and auction, celebrating 60 years in 2024. Afterward, stop by one of the shops in downtown Clayton like River Rat Cheese, Lil’ River Fudge Company, Coyote Moon Vineyard, or Clayton Distillery for goodies to bring home. Don’t forget a bottle of the region’s namesake dressing!

5:30 PM: Indulge in waterside dining

Dinner with a view in Clayton allows you to leisurely watch vessels sail to the ocean while you enjoy the cuisine at restaurants like Channelside, DiPrinzio’s Kitchen or Shipwreck Eatery.

7:30 PM: Catch a show and savor a sweet treat

Credit: @booazeandburgers on Instagram

Check to see if there is a performance at the historic Clayton Opera House, where over a hundred acts every year ranging from musical groups to comedians take the stage in this beautiful four-story brick building. Or maybe take a stroll to The Scoop for ice cream you can enjoy while watching ships pass from Frink Park across the street.

SUNDAY

8:30 AM: Dig into a hearty breakfast

Credit: @lauriepickerd on Instagram

Koffee Cove is known as one of the best breakfast spots in New York State so you will want to stop by for a hearty omelet or pancake stack. Lunch and dinner menus with homemade items are available as well.

9:30 AM: Experience world-class fishing

Anglers from around the world come to the Thousand Islands to fish the St. Lawrence, seeking bass, northern pike, muskellunge, brown trout, and salmon. In fact, Bassmaster Magazine routinely dubs the St. Lawrence as the top bass fishing destination in the nation. Even novices can join a guided fishing trip with a professional company found through the Fishing Guides Association. The more adventurous might like to get under the warm and exceptionally clear water, scuba diving among shipwrecks that go back to the early 1800s with a local charter.

1:30 PM: Take a glass-bottom boat tour

Those without scuba experience can still see the sunken underwater ships by taking a glass-bottom boat trip, for example with Clayton Island tours. Trips may also include a visit to Rock Island State Park (pictured), accessible only by boat, where visitors have the chance to climb to the top of the historic 1847 lighthouse. The stunning views make for a perfect finale for your trip that will stay with you long after you arrive home.