Overlooking the St Lawrence River, Alexandria Bay forms part of the Thousand Islands region on the United States border with Canada. Originally settled around 1817, it emerged as a popular resort town in the late 19th century, with steamers transporting holidaymakers here from the nearby village of Clayton.
Alexandria Bay is renowned for its beautiful old properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places, such as the 1866-built Cornwall Brothers' Store. Also of note is the Shingle-style Church of Saint Lawrence and the Richardsonian Romanesque Holland Library that now houses the Alexandria Bay Chamber of Commerce.
Adjacent to Boldt Castle is the magnificent George C. Boldt Yacht House, which was built to house the many vessels of hotelier George Boldt. Today, it exhibits vintage boats on loan from the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton, such as the 1892-built “Kestrel” steam yacht.
Getting there
Alexandria Bay is around 35 minutes’ drive from Watertown International Airport, which has regular flights to Philadelphia. The much larger Syracuse Hancock International Airport is 1.5 hours away. Renting a car is the most convenient way of getting to Alexandria Bay and the village is small enough to explore on foot.