Thousand Islands Seaway

The Thousand Island-Seaway Region is a four-season playground, locale of historic lighthouses, historic places and enchanting vacationing in exciting resorts, inns, B&B's and motels. A French explorer exclaimed this to be the land of a thousand islands, hence its name; however there are more than 1900 designated islands ranging from 2-square feet to 20-square miles. The region is the site of some of the fiercest and bloodiest battles during the War of 1812. The land is cleared farmland and wooded areas dropping in altitude 602-feet from the mouth of the St. Lawrence River to Lake Ontario. Boating, sailing, white water rafting, fishing, hiking, cross-country skiing and snow boarding provide outdoor adventure and family fun. There is nighttime entertainment, shopping, antique hunting, and appetizing dining. Come and enjoy, you will be glad you did. Things to See and Do Attractions Aqua Zoo in Alexandria Bay has more than 40 exhibits of marine life, fossils, shells, and coral samples from around the world. Boldt Castle in Alexandria Bay on Heart Island accessible by boat or ferry service. It is a six-story Rhineland Castle whose construction began in 1900, but abandoned before completion and never lived in. Restoration began in 1977. A landmark of the St. Lawrence River. Eisenhower Lock in Massena offers view of ships being lowered or raised 42 feet in the lock. Moses-Saunders Power Dam in Massena is a joint US/Canada project. Flags mark the international boundary in center of dam. Visitor Center with more than 40 exhibits reflecting discovery of the St. Lawrence River to film and computerized information on the production and use of electricity. Old McDonald's Children's Farm in Sackets Harbor provides hayrides, horse rides, animal feeding on a 1200-acre working farm. Uncle Sam Boat Tours in Alexandria Bay offers 2 hour 15 minute scenic cruises of the Thousand Island region including a stop at Boldt Castle. Luncheon and dinner cruises during summer. Historic Sites Fort Ontario State Historic Site in Oswego site of fort built by the British in 1775, later taken over by the French, and then used by America through World War II as the only site to house WWII Jewish Holocaust refugees. Costumed guides, picnicking. Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site where one of the first encounters of the War of 1812 took place when five British warships were repelled by one American ship and farmers on the shore with a single canon. Exhibits of sailors' life during the war. Guided/self guided tours. Museums Frederic Remington Art Museum in Ogdensburg displays the renowned artist's works-bronzes, oil paintings, watercolors, and pen and ink illustrations. Thousand Islands Museum in Clayton sits in the historic Town Hall Opera House. Artifacts from the turn of the 19th-century's Golden Age. Displays record muskies and award-winning decoys. Parks & Trails Robert Moses State Park in Massena is a 4122-acre park overlooking lock operations and offers access to the Moses-Saunders Power Dam. Information Center, Marina. Science/Nature Related The Science Center of Northern New York in Watertown is a hands-on science museum suitable for the young to learn from exhibits on light, sound , and electricity. Thompson Park Conservancy and Zoo in Watertown is a 35-acre zoo with North American animals in native habitat, a children's zoo, playground, swimming and picnicking. Scenic Drives Prospect Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway at Lake George (Route 9), a 5.5 mile scenic drive providing 100-mile view of the Adirondacks and Lake George. Summit reached by auto or hiking trail. Picnicking. Whiteface Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway in Wilmington is a 6-mile paved road leading up to a parking area near the mountain's summit. Panoramic view of the Adirondack High Peaks, St. Lawrence River, and Champlain and Placid Lakes. Toll road.

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