Water defines the Thousand Islands-Seaway region. Nearly 2,000 islands rise in a scenic 50-mile stretch of the St. Lawrence River.
Along with the sparkling blue bays of Lake Ontario, smaller lakes, streams, and 200 miles of picturesque coastline along the Great Lakes Seaway Trail, offer boundless adventures on water and land.
There are 25 state parks, great for fishing, boating, swimming and hiking. Wellesley Island has hundreds of campsites and a fantastic nature center. Campgrounds at Westcott Beach overlook the lake. This boater-friendly region also has many resorts, museums, parks and golf courses accessible by boat.
It’s no wonder that fishing is amazing here. There are few places where you can catch trophy-sized fish of so many species. Anglers come from around the world for trout, salmon and walleye on Lake Ontario. The St. Lawrence is famous for muskie, pike, bass and perch. Fishing guides will show you where the biggest ones bite.
The region also has many historic sites from the French & Indian War and the War of 1812. Visit other historic landmarks, like Boldt Castle in Alexandria Bay and Singer Castle on Dark Island, during a relaxed scenic cruise. Or try wild whitewater rafting on the Black River. Local dive shops supply everything you need for exploring historic shipwrecks in the St. Lawrence’s crystal-clear waters.
Head to the Seaway Trail Discovery Center in Sackets Harbor to learn about historic villages, lighthouses, and wineries along one of America’s most scenic byways.
THOUSAND ISLANDS SEAWAY MUST-SEES
Outdoors
• Black & Salmon rivers whitewater rafting | Watertown & Pulaski
• Champagne Balloon Adventures | Alexandria Bay
• Minna Anthony Common Nature Center | Fineview
• Thousand Islands Diving | Clayton
• Salmon River Falls Unique Area | Orwell
• Uncle Sam Boat Tours | Alexandria Bay
• Wellesley Island State Park | Fineview
• Westcott Beach State Park | Henderson
Art+Culture
• Antique Boat Museum | Clayton
• Boldt Castle | Alexandria Bay
• Frederic Remington Art Museum | Ogdensburg
• Safe Haven Museum & Education Center | Oswego
• Singer Castle on Dark Island | Hammond
History
• Fort Ontario State Historic Site | Oswego
• Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site | Sackets Harbor
• Tibbetts Point Lighthouse | Cape Vincent
Families
• New York State Zoo at Thompson Park | Watertown
• Aqua Zoo | Alexandria Bay
• Great Lakes Seaway Trail Discovery Center | Sackets Harbor
Shopping
• Towns of Alexandria Bay, Cape Vincent, Clayton and Sackets Harbour
