Discover the 1000 Islands, NY, as a Group

A group tour through legends, landmarks, and scenic waterways in the 1000 Islands

The St. Lawrence River carries water from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic, flowing graciously between picturesque islands…more than 1800 of them. For centuries, this river has been used as a merchant highway and playground for the Gilded Age rich and famous, as well as visitors from around the world. The first European to discover the St. Lawrence was Jacques Cartier in 1535, but it was settled by the Iroquois decades before. The western end of the river was called the“Garden of the Great Spirit ”by the Iroquois due to its abundance of beauty and food supply. It was later dubbed “Les Milles iles” or translated to English“the 1000 Islands” by explorer Jean Desbayes in the late 1600s.

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Limestone City

As the resources of the St. Lawrence became better known, its people learned to make their living from it. Fishermen and boatbuilders alike settled here, followed by hoteliers, shopkeepers, and support services. Distinguished visitors flocked to the 1000 Islands in the late 19th Century, and the area became widely known as a summer resort. The rich and famous of the day built lavish homes on the islands and steamboats provided extensive tours of the river.

Today, century-old traditions are still practiced, and we invite groups to enjoy some time in our Garden of the Great Spirit.

Limestone City

The city of Kingston, Ontario (Canada) is the largest city in the 1000 Islands region. Also known as the “Limestone City,” Kingston is at the entrance of the St. Lawrence River from Lake Ontario. Kingston was the first capital of Upper Canada.

Alexandria Bay, New York (U.S.) was settled as a boat-building community. The section of the St. Lawrence just offshore from “The Bay” is known as Millionaire’s Row. Construction began on Boldt Castle’s 120-room summer home in 1900 as a gift for Louise Boldt, the wife of George, operator of New York City’s famed Waldorf-Astoria. Due to her Louise’s untimely passing, Mr.Boldt never completed the project, and it stands today as one of the most romantic monuments of a man’s love for his wife. Open from mid-May through mid-October, Boldt Castle welcomes thousands of visitors each year.

Thousand Island Tower

Hill Island, between two spans of the 1000 Islands International Bridge, is home to the Thousand Islands Tower. The high-speed elevator carries visitors 450 feet in the air for a bird’s eye view of the 1000 Islands from one of the three enclosed observation decks…great for the photographers in your group. Opened in 1938 by Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King and President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the Thousand Islands International Bridge stands as a shining symbol of the goodwill and alliance between the U.S. and Canada. It provides easy passage between the two countries, linking I-81 in New York and Highway 401 in Ontario. The unique multi-span bridge includes a soaring 4,500-foot suspension bridge over the American Channel. It continues and touches down on a series of islands and crosses the international border between American Wellesley Island and Canadian Hill Island, where several island communities and parks are located.