The Thousand Islands
Boldt Castle
1000 Islands Road Trip
I wanted to plan a surprise, budget-friendly trip for my fiancé’s birthday. A road trip was cheaper than flying, so I opened up Google Maps and realized Canada was only 6 hours away from Harrisburg, where I recently moved. I had heard of the Thousand Islands of course, but never really thought about visiting until I realized how close they were… and looked at Google images.
I originally planned for 3 nights, but found so much for us to do that I added an extra night! We stayed in Kingston, ON, took a boat tour to see castles, visited a natural island and made a day trip to the capital to see Canadian Parliament. Here was our itinerary for a 5-day, 4-night trip to The Thousand Islands.
What to Do in the 1000 islands
Castles
Castles without the European trip price tag? Yes, please!
The two most notable castles in the 1000 Islands are Boldt and Singer Castle. We took a boat tour to see both from Alexandria Bay in New York.
Boldt Castle
Boldt Castle's history is a tale of tragic love. It was built by millionaire hotel mogul George Boldt for his wife Louise. He renamed the island from “Hart” to “Heart” Island and added romantic details to the castle to represent his love.
Us at Boldt Castle, and a shot of my engagement ring at Hochelaga Inn looking extra beautiful that day.
Construction began in 1900. Tragically, when Louise died suddenly in 1904, all work on the castle was halted, leaving it unfinished. The castle remained abandoned for over 70 years.
In 1977, the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority took over the property and began restoration efforts to bring Boldt Castle back to its former glory.
The castle features opulent rooms, beautiful gardens, and a striking structure that showcases Boldt's love for his wife. Visitors can tour the main castle, the Alster Tower, the Power House, and other buildings on the island.
Singer Castle
Singer Castle
The Singer Castle features medieval-inspired architecture, including secret passageways and hidden doors. Located on Dark Island, it is also allegedly haunted.
The castle was built between 1903 and 1905 for Frederick Bourne, president of the Singer Sewing Machine Company.
The architecture plans were inspired by Sir Walter Scott's novel "Woodstock," a story about the loyalty of the Lee family to the Royalist cause during the English Civil War.
The Library at Singer Castle
2. Boat Tours
The best way to see the castles is a boat tour from Alexandria Bay. We took the Singer Castle Tour from Uncle Sam’s Boat Tours, but there are so many options. Notable sights are Millionaire’s Row, lighthouses, the Skull and Bones Society secret meeting places, bridges, seaways and wildlife.
3. Kingston, Ontario
Explore Kingston! Nicknamed the "Limestone City," It is home to many historic buildings constructed from local limestone. Kingston served as the first capital of Canada from 1841-1844 and is known for its rich history, vibrant arts scene, and beautiful waterfront.
Kingston also has a reputation for being one of Canada's most haunted cities, with legends and ghost stories associated with its historic buildings and sites - including the inn where we stayed: Hochelaga Inn.
Hochelaga Inn
I am a huge skeptic of the supernatural… but while staying at the Hochelaga Inn, I felt… something. So I Googled, “Is the Hochelaga Inn haunted?”
The search results were full of ghost encounter stories and paranormal investigations at the inn. I guess I wasn’t the only one who felt something supernatural.
Hochelaga Inn Courtyard
The Hochelaga Inn is a beautiful three story French-Victorian mansion built in 1879. A fresh, delicious breakfast is included every morning and there is a lovely private courtyard and garden.
WHAT TO EAT
The fish & chips are SO GOOD in The Thousand Islands. My fiancé tried them from three different places, and they were some of the best fish & chips we’ve ever had.
WHERE TO EAT
Casa Domenico
We chose this Italian restaurant for my fiancés birthday dinner. It was romantic, cozy and central - right next to Kingston City Hall.
The menu, food and service were perfection. We ordered the Caprese Salad special and Carpaccio to start, then two pastas: Raviolo di Casa and Aragosta. Next time, I would love to try the Polpo Alla Griglia (octopus) and the Arancini!
HARPER’S BURGER BAR
One of the best burgers in Kingston! Harper’s handcrafted burgers are made with local Enright Cattle Co. beef with plant-based options available. Indoor and outdoor seating available.
MIO GELATO
Mio (Making it ourselves) Gelato is an artisan frozen dessert shop. Inspired by both Italian and local ingredients and recipes, desserts are homemade on site daily.
Gelato tastes better (IMO) and is a healthier alternative to ice cream!
4. Wolfe Island
Wolfe Island, the largest of the Thousand Islands, is known for its natural beauty, the Big Sandy Bay Beach and one of the largest wind farms in Canada. Bike trails, hiking trails and beach walks make leisurely exploration the best way to experience the island.
The island is accessible by a free ferry that runs year-round between Kingston and Wolfe Island. The ferry ride offers beautiful views of the lake and the Thousand Islands region. In the warmer months, another ferry operates between Wolfe Island and Cape Vincent, New York, providing a connection to the United States.
5. Thousand Islands Tower
The Thousand Islands Tower offers stunning panoramic views of the region and the Saint Lawrence River. The top deck is open-air, providing an unobstructed view.
Wellsley Island State Park
The woman running the tower recommended a stop at the nearby Wellesley Island State Park - the first exit after the border crossing, and so would I!
6. Day Trip to Ottawa
Ottawa is about two hours from Kingston. We explored Parliament Hill and its buildings in the Gothic Revival architecture. The Peace Tower looks much like Big Ben. The neighboring Major’s Hill Park is a nice place to take in the area and the architecture.
View of the Fairmont Hotel from Major's Hill Park
Afterwards, we got fish & chips and dessert at the ByWard Market, a neighborhood and farmers’ market with a mix of international cuisines, farm-to-table restaurants, and Canadian dishes.
Luckily, we were also there for the Canadian Tulip Festival. We got to experience spring all over again, since our tulips bloomed in April and they bloom in mid-May in Ottawa.
During World War II, Canada provided a safe haven for the Dutch royal family. In gratitude, the Netherlands sent 100,000 tulip bulbs to Canada, starting a tradition of tulip planting in Ottawa in 1953.
