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Uncle Sam Boat Tours: 1000 Islands Boat Tours in Alexandria Bay NY

Uncle Sam Boat Tours Thousand Islands, New York

Any of our daytime tours offer an optional stop at Boldt Castle at the end of the tour. If you choose to disembark at the castle you can purchase the castle admission at the ticket booth on the island.

Come explore one of America’s greatest vacation getaways, the Thousand Islands, in Alexandria Bay, NY. Here you can find magnificent homes, including historic American Castles and modern mansions, all carefully placed throughout one of nature’s most picturesque settings. Uncle Sam Boat Tours is family-operated and has been navigating these waters since 1926!!!

Contact our office with any questions at 315-482-2611 ext. 131 or [email protected] . 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

Tis’ the Season for Gift Certificates!

Give them something more, give them an experience! Explore the St. Lawrence River & 1000 Islands aboard one of our famous cruises. And don’t forget the Castle’s!

About Uncle Sam Boat Tours

Uncle Sam Boat Tours invites you to cruise the St. Lawrence River and explore the famous Thousand Islands. Uncle Sam Boat Tours has been providing guided tours of the Thousand Islands for nearly 100 years from our downtown Alexandria Bay location, directly across from Boldt Castle.

Uncle Sam Boat Tours provides a variety of regularly scheduled 1000 Islands sightseeing cruises as well as luncheon  and  dinner  cruises. We are also the ONLY tour company that allows guests an unlimited visit to Boldt Castle and Heart Island. It’s not just a tour; it’s an unforgettable experience!

The most popular option is the 2 Nation Tour. Departing from the heart of the Thousand Islands, Alexandria Bay, NY. This narrated tour offers you historic and scenic wonders of American and Canadian waters; no passport required! At the end of each trip, there is an optional stop at the world-famous Boldt Castle on Heart Island for an unlimited self-guided tour. Click here for more information about Boldt Castle .

Join us for a wonderful time on the water!

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Unclesamboattours.

Uncle Sam has been providing scenic cruises of the Thousand Islands for over 85 years from its downtown Alexandria Bay, NY, location.

Boldt Castle: Hours, admission, tours and more information on the Alexandria Bay landmark

• Updated: Apr. 22, 2015, 4:20 p.m. |
• Published: Apr. 22, 2015, 3:20 p.m.
• Mike Waters | [email protected]

Historic Boldt Castle has a story to match its beauty and grandeur.

The castle is situated on Heart Island in the middle of the St. Lawrence River's Thousand Islands region in Alexandria Bay .

George C. Boldt, a millionaire hotel magnate, began construction of the castle in 1900 as a tribute to his wife Louise. It was to be their summer home. But Mrs. Boldt passed away in 1904, just months before the completion of the castle. Her distraught husband immediately halted construction of the home.

The property remained vacant for over 70 years.

In 1977, the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority acquired Heart Island and the nearby yacht house. Boldt Castle has been and continues to be restored. Now, each year thousands of visitors stroll the grounds of Heart Island and the many rooms of Boldt Castle.

On a trip to Boldt Castle, visitors can see the grand staircase, George Boldt's bedroom, the indoor pool and more, but there is more to Boldt Castle than just the castle itself. In addition to the castle, there are five other structures on Heart Island, including Alster Tower (or The Playhouse), the Arch, the Hennery, the Gazebo and the Power House.

The grounds outside the castle are just as beautiful and impressive. Allow enough time to take it all in.

1 Heart Island, Alexandria Bay, NY 13607 Phone: (315) 482-9724

Boldt Castle: May 9th-June 26th: 10 AM - 6:30 PM June 27th-Aug 30th: 10 AM - 7:30 PM Aug 31st-Sept 27th: 10 AM - 6:30 PM Sept 28th-Oct 12th: 10 AM - 5:30 PM Oct 13th-Oct 18th: 11 AM - 5:00 PM

Special Hours: The Castle will remain open until 7:30 PM on May 23rd and 24th and September 5th and 6th. In addition the Castle will remain open until 6:30 PM on October 10th and 11th.

Boldt Castle Yacht House; May 9th - Sept 27th: 10:30 AM - 6:30 PM Sept 28th-Oct 12th: 10:30 AM - 5:30 PM Oct 13th - Oct 18th: 11:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Visitors to Boldt Castle can tour the castle and its grounds. This is the castle's grand staircase.

Visitors can purchase tickets to see Boldt Castle, the Yacht House or both. Tickets are priced accordingly and can be purchased here.

Boldt Castle and Yacht House

Adult (13 and up) $11 Child (6-12) $7 Infant (Under 5) free

Boldt Castle only

Adult (13 and up) $8.50 Child (6-12) $6 Infant (Under 5) free

Yacht House only

Adult (13 and up) $5 Child (6-12) $3 Infant (Under 5) free

Parking is available at the locations of the various tour boat operators who provide transportation to Boldt Castle. For a complete list of tour boat operators, click here.

Family Fun Day Saturday, June 20th, 2015 10 AM to 3 PM

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Touring Boldt Castle in Alexandria Bay, NY

The Thousand Island region of the St. Lawrence River is known for its many incredible private island homes, but few are as well known as Boldt Castle.

Boldt Castle is located on Heart Island just a short distance from Alexandria Bay, New York. In fact, this castle can be seen quite well from this riverfront community.

However, while this castle is incredibly impressive and looks fit for a king, it was never lived in and for many years sat abandoned. That’s because the story of Boldt Castle is one of love and heartache that makes the site significantly more remarkable.

George Boldt, manager of the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City and the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel in Philadelphia purchased Hart Island at the turn of the 20th century. For a while, Boldt, his wife Louise, and their two children lived in a home that was located on the island when they purchased it.

Soon, however, Boldt decided to build an impressive castle, similar to those found along the Rhine River in present-day Germany. The castle was to be a monument to his love for his wife, and the building incorporated many hearts in its design.

In fact, Boldt even went so far as to blast the island to give it a heart shape and changed its name from Hart Island to Heart Island.

However, in January 1904, just one month before Boldt was going to present this new home to Louise, she died in New York City. Heartbroken, George Boldt told the workers to stop, and the castle sat abandoned for many years and was never completed.

Eventually, the island was sold, and tours of the castle were offered over the years. However, without protection from the elements, the castle began to deteriorate. Fortunately, in the 1970s, the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority took ownership of the castle and both preserved it and worked towards restoring its grandeur.

Today, Boldt Castle is one of the most prominent landmarks of the Thousand Islands region and a must-visit destination while in the area.

While Boldt Castle sits close to Alexandria Bay in Jefferson County, New York , it is located on an island, which means that it must be accessed by a boat. While there are facilities for private boats to dock at the island, most visitors opt to reach Heart Island via one of the boat tour operators in the region.

The closest boat tours are run by Uncle Sam Boat Tours . They offer both shuttles that run throughout the day on the short trip to the castle from Alexandria Bay, as well as more extensive tours of the region that include a stop at the island. You can also reach the island with Clayton Island Tours .

Once at the island, tickets give visitors the chance to take a self-guided tour of the grounds and a small portion of this 120-room castle.

To start my tour, I decided to head first for the castle. This may or may not be the best decision depending on the number of boats that have recently docked at the island. Despite its location in the middle of the river, hundreds (if not thousands) of tourists visit the island daily, so things can get quite crowded.

It may be best to wait a few minutes before starting your tour so you can avoid the worst of the crowds.

While tours of Boldt Castle are self-guided there are audio guides you can rent on the island or you can download the Boldt Castle app which offers great information on the site. If you are just looking for the highlights, there is signage in most rooms that both tells you a bit about the room and shows you what it looked like prior to restoration.

One definite stop on your tour should be the 15-minute video about the history of the castle that is played on a rotating basis on the second floor. On busy days, there may be a wait to see the film. However, this really is a great overview of the castle, island, and Boldt family that is worth seeing during your visit.

The two lower floors of the castle feature a series of rooms that you can walk through and look as they may have looked had the Boldt family ever stayed in the home. Each room has undergone extensive renovations, and they are beautifully decorated with period furniture.

The third and fourth floor of Boldt Castle has largely been left as it looked when the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority took possession of the island in the 1970s (Though they obviously undertook stabilization projects).

These upper floors provide a great contrast to the lower floors and give you an idea of how complete the castle was when George Boldt walked away from it after his wife’s death. In several rooms, you can also see some of the original blueprints for the castle, which is quite interesting.

A short climb up from the 4th floor, there is a balcony that you can head out onto. This provides fantastic views of both the roof of the castle, as well as the St. Lawrence River and Alexandria Bay. Definitely take a few minutes to enjoy the view from this spot.

After touring the castle, take some time to explore the grounds and outbuildings on this five-acre island.

Alster Tower, also known as the Playhouse, is located on the southern end of the island and looks more like a historic defensive castle than a modern one. Much of the building is closed due to renovations but during my visit, I was able to enter the ground floor and see a bit of the interior of this incredible building, including its historic bowling alley.

On the northeastern end of the island, the Power House was where the island’s power and water were generated. Today, it is more of a museum that highlights how this was done in the early 20th century. The exterior of the building is incredible and has a clocktower that features a carillon that was once in the Wanamaker Building in Philadelphia .

Of course, it’s not just the buildings on Heart Island that are worth seeing. The five-acre island is incredibly manicured and spots like the Italian Gardens are incredible to stroll through and think about the grand vision that Boldt had for this island.

While it’s not attached to the island, the Yacht House is a short boat ride away. A small additional charge gets you a ferry ride to and from this historic building and the chance to see the incredible boats housed inside, some of which were owned by the Boldt family.

Boldt housed his incredible two-story houseboat, La Duchesse, here until it sank while stored in the Yacht House. Today, it has been restored and is located in the Antique Boat Museum in nearby Clayton, New York.

Without a doubt, Boldt Castle is worth the trouble and crowds to see for yourself. I’ve visited many homes, and even a few castles, in New York, and this stands as one of the most remarkable places I’ve had the privilege of exploring.

So, the next time you find yourself in Alexandria Bay and the Thousand Islands region, don’t miss a tour of Boldt Castle.

A Few Things to Keep in Mind when Visiting Boldt Castle

Since it is on an island in the middle of the river and near the Canadian border, there are a few things to keep in mind.

First, your ticket to tour the island does not include a boat ride to the island. Several local operators provide boat tours and shuttles that stop at Heart Island. There are also docks for private boats on the island.

Second, the castle is located on the United States side of the border. Tours from Canada do visit the island, but you will need to have your passport if you want to step foot on the island. US Immigration officers are stationed on the island to process international visitors.

Note: My visit to Boldt Castle was hosted by the site. However, the opinions expressed are my own.

Looking for more places to visit nearby? Check out the Hawkins Point Visitor Center , the Remington Art Museum , Wood Boat Brewery , and Rock Island Lighthouse State Park .

Boldt Castle

More nearby places worth exploring.

How to Get to Salmon River Falls in Oswego County, New York

Touring the Silas Wright House in Canton, New York

Visiting Tibbetts Point Lighthouse on the St. Lawrence River

How to Get to Bog River Falls on Tupper Lake in the Adirondacks

Find more things to do in the thousand islands.

Jim Cheney is the creator of Uncovering New York. After spending 5.5 years exploring Pennsylvania, Jim discovered a love for New York and is excited to spend time exploring this great state and uncovering the best things to do here.

5 thoughts on “Touring Boldt Castle in Alexandria Bay, NY”

Thanks for this article. It’s always amazing to me how so many of these massive estates and castles that took years to create never got to be fully appreciated by the people that built them.

I grew up in Alexandria Bay. One of our many pleasures was taking my 16 foot Glastron over to the castle and explore. This was before 1970 and the T.I. Bridge who acquired it. It was amazing as a ruin and beautiful now.

to be clear to visit the Boldt castle you do not need a passport. but if you go to the boat house you need one? also does a federal approved driver’s license work in lieu of a passport?

You only need a passport if you are entering on a boat from Canada. If you are taking a US-based boat, like the one mentioned in the article, no passport is required.

Visited here many years ago when castle ws just as he left it I m so glad to see the restoration Thank you for the pictures

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Uncle Sam Boat Tours

Email: [email protected]

Uncle Sam Boat Tours offers a variety of tours through the scenic 1000 Islands. Featuring 1-hour and 2 1/4-hour sightseeing cruises, luncheon, dinner, charter and craft beer and wine cruises plus Singer Castle tours. All our daytime tours offer an unlimited stop at Boldt Castle. Passports or other identification is never required. In-season: Daily 10am-7pm; Off-season (early season and late season): Daily 10am-5pm.

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Boldt Castle

• 1 Heart Island
• Alexandria Bay, NY 13607
• (315) 482-9724
• Visit Site | E-Mail
• Secrets of the Thousand Islands-Seaway

An official Path Through History Site! This 120-room Rhineland-style castle and yacht house are one of the Thousand Islands' top attractions. In 1900, millionaire George Boldt commissioned a six-story castle for his wife, Louise. When Louise passed in 1904, Boldt was too heartbroken to continue construction. In the 1970s, the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority restored and completed the castle, now accessible to visitors by tour boat, water taxi, and private watercraft. Boldt Castle is located in the US, so passengers arriving by boat from Canada must provide proper identification for US Customs and Border Protection clearance.

Things To Do

Accessible amenities, blind/low vision.

• Audio Tour: Yes
• Signage: Yes
• Elevator with Braille or Raised Print Buttons: Yes

Deaf and/or Hearing Loss

• Portable Listening Device: Yes
• Closed-Captioned Films/Videos: Yes
• Accessible Car Parking Onsite: Yes
• Assistive Equipment: Yes
• Service Animal Relief: Yes

Mobility/Wheelchair Access

• Accessible Bathroom: Yes
• Accessible Entrance: Yes
• Accessible Route: Yes
• Accessible Elevator: Yes
• Seating/Bench: Yes

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The Ultimate Heart of 1000 Islands Sightseeing Boat Tour

• Local naturalist guide
• Sightseeing boat cruise
• Picnic Lunch is included in this tour. Lunches are prepared for each reservation. Contact Clayton Island Tours to confirm lunch choices
• Admission to Boldt Castle
• Admission to Rock Island Lighthouse
• Opportunity to walk along TWO of the 1000 Islands
• Restroom on board
• Entry/Admission - Boldt Castle and the Boldt Yacht House
• Entry/Admission - Rock Island Lighthouse State Park
• 39611 Chateau Ln, Clayton, NY 13624, USA
• Service animals allowed
• Stroller accessible
• Transportation is wheelchair accessible
• Wheelchair accessible
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Most travelers can participate
• No passport required
• Please arrive 30 minutes prior to departure to allow for parking and ticket redemption. Boarding begins 15 minutes prior to departure.
• This Tour Departs from and returns to Clayton, New York, United States
• This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
• This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 50 travelers
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
• Boldt Castle and the Boldt Yacht House
• You'll start at 39611 Chateau Ln 39611 Chateau Ln, Clayton, NY 13624, USA See address & details
• Pass by Clayton Thousand Islands New York Wellesley Island Alexandria Bay Thousand Islands Bridge
• 1 Boldt Castle and the Boldt Yacht House Stop: 75 minutes - Admission included See details
• 2 Rock Island Lighthouse State Park Stop: 60 minutes - Admission included See details
• You'll return to the starting point

• Kitty52_10 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Pleasant stop on a boat tour. Beautiful building with excellent views. Interesting history in that no one ever lived in the mansion. The castle was included as Pat of our boat tour through the Thousand Islands. Made a fun day. Read more Written March 16, 2024
• SteveD2204 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Wonderful Thousand Island and Bildt Castle Tour We were so happy that we chose this event and this company! The crew was courteous and so willing to share their knowledge and love of their "home". They were fun, too! Thousand Islands is an amazingly beautiful gift. we thoroughly enjoyed the tour and Boldt Castle. Read more Written October 30, 2023
• 84zawm 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles AMAZING EXPERIENCE VERY ENJOYABLE TOUR. i NEVER HEARD OF BOLDT UNTIL THIS TOUR TRAVEL GUIDE IS VERY EFFICIENT, KNOWWLEDGABLE, I WILL RECOMMEND MY FRIENDS Read more Written October 13, 2023
• J6319RNdavidw 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Recommended Nicely narrated boat tour to and from the castle. This was a smaller tour boat than others that we observed - we were not packed in like sardines. The castle was very impressive and we could have used a little more time there. This trip is recommended. Read more Written October 8, 2023
• F1192DVmarians 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Glass Bottom boat was Fantastic Tour! What a fantastic tour! The captain and tour guide were both very friendly and very informative. They answered all of our questions and were very comical too! A bag lunch was offered and was a great idea to have on the trip and inexpensive. Tour of the lighthouse was wonderful! Overall I would rate this tour a 10/10 and would do it again! Highly recommend it. Read more Written October 6, 2023
• Deette B 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Well worth the visit! Great tour - castle looks beautiful, grounds look beautiful, fun visit! Haven't been you at least 15 years and the restoration progress was astounding! Read more Written October 5, 2023
• Kitty52_10 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Well worth the cost of the ticket Great way to see the islands. The captain was very knowledgeable about the islands and clearly loved the area. The pilot was skilled. Dress in layers. Even at only 20 mph the lake breeze was cold. You have plenty of room to bring a bag or backpack to old your layers. Read more Written October 5, 2023
• 948anchitak 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Boldt Castle and 2 Nation Tour The boat tour guide was entertaining and took time to answer all guest questions along the ride. Very kind and accommodating staff! Read more Written October 2, 2023
• deborahkA5767TG 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Boat Tour My wife and I enjoyed sharing part of our 23rd Wedding Anniversary with Captain Joe and the narrator. Boat very comfortable and history of the river and homes on the islands was very informative. Could have used another half hour at Boldt Castle and the boat engine noise at times made it difficult to hear the narrator, but overall a truly memorable experience. Read more Written October 1, 2023
• MemPortland_OR 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great Tour! This tour was wonderful. The boat was clean and well taken care of. Captain Matt and 1st Mate Michele were helpful, entertaining, and extremely professional. The information they provided as we went up and down the river was very interesting and informative. All in all, it was a great day. Read more Written September 29, 2023
• I1131YRdavev 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles The best tour! Clayton Island Tours is by far the best tour company on the St. Lawrence River. The boats are the perfect size. Not a big crowd of people. You can easily see in every direction. The captains and the narriators are locals and are stellar at their jobs. I have gone on their tours more than once and would never think of going with any other tour company. The couple that went with us had never been to the Clayton area. They loved the river and so much enjoyed the tour. They learned many interesting things about the area and took in all the beauty the river has to offer. Thank you Clayton Island Tours for giving us such a wonderful experience on the beautiful St. Lawrence River! Read more Written September 25, 2023
• E D 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Excellent tour boat experience! Fun and friendly crew. The guide was informative and charismatic with a lot of great stories to share. We all really enjoyed the more intimate setting of this tour, rather than being on one of the big boat tours with tons of people. Read more Written September 24, 2023
• mare682020 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Cruising on the River The cruise around the Islands and Boldt Castle was amazing. We had a beautiful day for it. Our guide Michelle was very informative and both he and the Captain were very friendly. Will be going back next year !! Great cruise for the money and Boldt Castle was so beautiful !! Read more Written September 23, 2023
• שרון א 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Very enjoyable Very friendly crew. Guide very knowleged. Very smooth ride. A bit cold so need to dress well, also the boat had blankets for the visitors. The castle was really nice, do as the guide suggests ans start with the video. When we finished we crossed the bridge to the canadian side where the is a tower with observation deck - a nice adition to see all from above Read more Written September 21, 2023
• O5725QCmicheler 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Loved it Beautiful views. Great tour guide…Liam! Really enjoyed our time on the river! Castle is gorgeous and so interesting Read more Written September 21, 2023

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

The Ultimate Heart of 1000 Islands Sightseeing Boat Tour provided by Clayton Island Tours

Adventures with our little explorer

Guide to visiting Boldt Castle in the Thousand Islands

The Thousand Islands Region is dotted with elaborate mansions and storybook castles along the St. Lawrence River. One in particular is Boldt Castle, which is located on Heart Island.

This Castle in the 1000 islands is absolutely beautiful, and is so worth the visit if you ever plan an Upstate New York trip.

On the blog, I will share our guide to visiting Boldt Castle in the Thousand Islands, and how to make the most of your visit.

*Read the Top things to do in the Thousand Islands New York here. I share all the best places to explore in the 1000 islands.

This post may contain affiliate links. Affiliate links are no extra charge to you, but I may earn a small commission if you choose to make a purchase.

History of Boldt Castle 

George C. Boldt, who was the proprietor of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City, built this castle for his beloved wife, Louise.

Construction began in 1900, but ended a few years later when tragedy struck the family. His wife had died unexpectedly and he commanded the workers to stop all construction.

 Heartbroken, Boldt never returned to the island, and the castle remained vacant for 73 years. Since 1977, millions of dollars have been invested in the restoration of the Castle and the Yacht House.

READ NEXT: How to spend one day at Biltmore Estate

How to get to Boldt Castle 

Uncle sam boat tours.

Boldt Castle is located on Heart Island, and is only accessible by boat. One of the best boat tours we have used is the Uncle Sam Boat Tours from Alexandria Bay. 

The Uncle Sam Boat  tour lasts about a couple of hours, which takes you on a tour of the Thousands Islands, and ends with a visit to Heart Island, where you can explore Boldt Castle for a few hours and take the boat tour back to Alexandria Bay. 

There are a few Uncle Sam Boat tour  ticket options , with the  American Narrows Tour being the most popular ticket.

This international tour takes you on a 22-mile journey through what is considered the heart of the Thousand Islands and into American and Canadian waters.

You can also book a  Thousand Islands dining cruise , where you can have an unforgettable meal as you cruise along the Thousand Islands.

Another ticket option is a  boat tour with admission to Singer Castle , which is another castle you can visit in the thousand Islands. 

*There are some refreshments for sale on board, as well as some snacks. I suggest packing some food and snacks as well, especially when visiting Boldt Castle with kids. 

Where to get tickets to Boldt Castle 

When planning your visit to Boldt Castle, you can purchase your tickets onsite, but I suggest purchasing tickets online to avoid the lines.

Boldt castles hours are usually from about 10 AM – 6:30 PM, there are days when the castle closes at a specific time, visit the website for more info. 

Boldt Castle ticket prices

Boldt Castle tickets only -Adults (13+ years)– $10.00 Children (5-12 years)– $7.00, and kids (4 years and under) are Free.

Tickets for both Boldt Castle and the Yacht House – Adult (13+ years) – $13.00, Children (5-12 years)– $7.50 , kids (4 years and under) are Free.

Capture the beauty of Boldt Castle and the Thousand Islands with these photography essentials :

How to spend the day on Boldt Castle 

On your visit to Heart Island, go on a self-guided tour of Boldt Castle. Make sure to download the Boldt Castle app for more information on the history of Boldt Castle. 

You should also spend some time exploring the grounds of Boldt Castle. There are six impressive structures to explore on Heart Island. There is also the Power House, the Alster Tower, the Hennery, the Arch, and a stone Gazebo. 

This five-acre island is fully handicapped accessible, with public restroom facilities, several picnic areas, a gift shop, and a food and beverage concession stand.

Boldt Castle tour 

As you make your way into the castle, the first thing you will see is the grand staircase. 

The first level of the Castle has been turned into a museum, filled with exhibits dedicated to the lives of the Boldt Family. 

There are 120 rooms in this mansion and was built to replicate the Rhineland castles of Germany. 

The Power House  is Boldt Castle’s most photographed structures on Heart Island. This structure used to house two generators that would supply electricity to the entire island. 

Today, you can visit the Power house where there are photos and displays depicting the lifestyle of the people in the 1000 Islands at the turn-of-the-century.

The Alster Tower  was referred to a playhouse, because this is where the family entertained guests when visiting the island. The basement housed a bowling alley and plans for the upper floors contained a billiard room, library, bedrooms, cafe, grill and kitchen.

The Hennery was the first structure built on the island. The tower once housed an elevated water tank which supplied water to the island structures. It was topped with a dove house where they collected fancy fowl. 

The Arch  was modeled after Roman monuments and was used as the formal entry for launches, delivering guests from larger yachts anchored in the deep water.

The Stone Gazebo was our little ones favorite spot on Heart Island. There is a hotdog stand nearby where you can have a picnic underneath this beautiful gazebo.

Boldt Castle Yacht House  

There are a few ticket options when visiting Boldt Castle. You can either purchase just a visit to the castle itself, or with a visit to the  Boldt Castle Yacht House  as well. 

You can take the free shuttle from Heart Island to the Yacht house, and explore where the  Boldt’s family yachts and enormous houseboat were housed.

Inside the Yacht House, you will find a collection of antique wooden boats on display.

*Boldt Yacht House Shuttle Begins running at 10:30am, and is open from 10:30 AM – 6:30 PM, May 9 – September 20.

Where to eat on Heart Island 

When visiting Heart Island, you will find food and beverage concessions on the island. They sell things like ice cream, drinks, snacks, and coffee, as well as hotdogs and sandwiches. 

You can also pack a lunch and have a picnic on the lawn overlooking the St. Lawrence River. 

Recommended Thousand Islands Hotel:

Thousand islands Hotel Options:

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Yacht House

The Boldt Yacht House on Wellesley Island is open to the public and for modest additional fee is a recommended tour during your visit to Boldt Castle.  Visitors are invited to take the free shuttle boat from Heart Island for easy access to this imposing structure on the river’s edge.  The Boldts’ family yachts and enormous houseboat were housed here in the slips 128 feet long.  Towering bay doors on the decorative facade provided access to the river.  The building, rising 64 feet, also featured a shop to build racing launches and quarters for crew and staff.  The grandeur of the Gilded Age is fully embodied in the structure’s shingle-style architecture, tremendous towers and spires and the steep-pitched gables.

The Boldt Yacht House interior bays prior to restoration circa 1980.

Inside the Yacht House, you will find a collection of antique wooden boats on display – courtesy of the  Antique Boat Museum located in Clayton NY.  Some of the boats on display are from the original Boldt fleet.  The intricately-designed service bay features custom-crafted steel trusses, mechanical over-head traveling cranes, screw jacks and more.  This grand landmark, first opened to the public during the summer of 1996, represents some of the 1000 Islands Region at its finest!  The Boldt Castle Yacht House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Yacht House also features a 1892 Steam Yacht.  In the late 1800’s just before the dawn of the gasoline era many private steam yachts plied the waters of the St. Lawrence and Hudson Rivers, Long Island Sound and many large lakes in the region, including the Great Lakes.

The Kestral was designed by D. Crawford and built by George Lawley at his South Boston shipyard in 1892.  Her first owner is not presently known, but the first available written records indicate that she was sold on June 14, 1899 to Samuel Keyser of Baltimore, Maryland.  After a succession of owners who lavished money and care on her, she was sold to James A. Trowbridge of Norton, Connecticut on February 19, 1937.  Mr. Trowbridge enjoyed her for nearly 33 years and her ship’s log shows  many short trips up and down Long Island Sound with a favorite stop at Northport, Long Island.

After purchasing the Kestrel in 1988, the owner chose to have the steam engine completely repaired by the renowned Conrad Milster at his boiler room at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York.  In 1990, she was taken to Kettle Creek Yacht Services at Tom’s River for final finishing.  Some of the individual items that were salvaged and could be reused were her 1967 boiler and cylinder blocks, part of the engine shaft and assorted hardware.  She now has four pineapple finials atop her compound engine.

Her interior has been completely redesigned and painted white.  She has sixteen “Wylie” ports with decorative wedges, ten 22-inch deck cleats, and a compound curved sliding hatch on the forward deck.  Her outward appearance shows a semi-permanent canvas awning with roll-down protective panels around her fantail stern.  Her new five foot stacks displays Mr. Luhr’s private signal and brass decorative dolphins adorn her railends.  Her capstan is original, while her galley has all modern conveniences and the head has a very unique brass faucet with shower attachment.  During a period of five years Mr. Luhrs completed her final restoration at St. Augustine Marine Center in Florida.

The steam yacht Kestrel is representative of the period and vessels owned and operated by George Boldt.

On July 30 of 2009 Mr. Luhrs generously donated the Steam Yacht Kestrel to the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority for permanent display at the Authority’s Boldt Castle Yacht House facility for the enjoyment of present and future generations.

**We accept major credit cards and US cash.**

Web site courtesy of the: Thousand Islands Bridge Authority / Boldt Castle PO Box 428, Collins Landing Alexandria Bay, NY 13607

In Season: 315-482-9724 Off Season: 315-482-2501

Coordinates: +44° 20' 40.29" N, -75° 55' 21.27" W