Located in Jefferson County in New York, Alexandria Bay is one beautiful destination that will make you feel relaxed and one with nature. It has many activities to offer and landmarks to explore, as part of the Thousand Islands area. One of the best areas to stroll around is the St. Lawrence River. It is a picturesque spot that features many shopping options and numerous dining choices. It is also a perfect place to bond with the whole family. In case you haven’t planned your itinerary and still looking for places to see and activities to join, read on, and discover our list of the best things to do in Alexandria Bay, New York.
1. Learn about Alexandria Bay at Cornwall Brothers Museum
A historic waterfront stone building, Cornwall Brothers Museum exhibits collections that focus on early trade system, the lifestyle of the local settler, and commerce. Together with it is a store where you can buy almost everything like groceries, hardware items, island essentials, and more. This structure has been almost torn down, but thanks to Alexandria Township Historical Society, who stepped up to save this historical gem.
Cornwall Brothers Museum
Address: 36 Market St, Alexandria Bay, NY 13607, USA
Website: Cornwall Brothers Museum
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 9am - 5pm; Sun: 12pm - 5pm
2. Buy handcrafted works at the Bay House Artisans
If you want to immerse in local arts and crafts during your stay in Alexandria Bay, you should make time to visit the Bay House Artisans. It is located in one of the oldest houses in the area and has six rooms that feature works of different local artists, and creatives. You would be delighted with the array of paintings, knittings, photographs, jewelry, herbals, as well as gourmet treats.
Bay House Artisans
Address: 21 James St, Alexandria Bay, NY 13607, USA
Website: Bay House Artisans
Opening hours: 9am - 9pm (daily)
3. Enjoy an aerial view of Boldt Castle (from USD 158.0)
The Boldt Castle is already a sight to behold when on land, but what more when you’re up in the sky? Experience the spectacular view of the castle and other points of interest in Alexandria Bay when you avail of this helicopter tour of the Thousand Islands area via Viator. The ride will last for 20 minutes, and you can choose among their many scheduled flights.
Boldt Castle and Thousand Islands Helicopter Tour
Duration: 20 minutes
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4. Play go-kart at Alex Bay 500 Go-Karts
Another great activity to do while in Alexandria Bay is riding a go-kart and playing mini golf with your kids at Alex Bay 500. Their track is 1-mile long (1.61 km), and you can ride as many laps as you want with a corresponding fee. Other features of the park include mini golf and the super arcade with lots of video and interactive games.
Alex Bay 500 Go-Karts
Address: 43772 NY-12, Alexandria Bay, NY 13607, USA
Website: Alexander Bay 500
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 11am 7pm; Sat: 10am - 9pm; Sun: 10am - 7pm
Price: 7.50 USD onwards
5. Watch movies under the stars at Bay Drive-in Theatre
If you’re looking for a date night idea during your holiday in Alexandria Bay, then you have to bring that special someone in The Bay Drive-in Theater and watch a double feature in their fully digital screen. Aside from the movie, one of the things people love about the drive-in is it has an indoor viewing area and a 1950s inspired cafe that will bring you back in time. You and your partner will surely love this activity.
Bay Drive-in Theatre
Address: NY-26, Alexandria Bay, NY 13607, USA
Website: Bay Drive-in Theatre
Price: 6.50 USD onwards
6. Learn how to scuba dive at All About Scuba LLC
Are you one of the people who always dream of exploring the underwater world? If so, why not learn it from the expert, here at All About Scuba LLC in Alexandria Bay. This establishment has in-depth knowledge about the activity and will teach you everything from the selection of gears up to diving. They offer summer and winter classes for beginners, advanced classes, and more.
All About Scuba LLC
Address: 45530 NY 12, Alexandria Bay, New York
Website: All About Scuba LLC
7. Try Uncle Sam Boat Tours
If you want to explore the water of Alexandria Bay as well as see its famous tourist attractions from the waters, then you have to choose a packaged cruise from Uncle Sam Boat Tours. They offer many kinds of tours from regular ones to dinner cruises, wine, and craft beer tours, and more. You will be cruising around the St. Lawrence River and the famous Thousand Islands, and along the way, you’ll see many scenic views as well as Pullman Island, Knobby Island, Florence Island, Belle Isle, Boldt Castle, and more.
Uncle Sam Boat Tours
Address: 47 James St, Alexandria Bay, NY 13607, USA
Website: Uncle Sam Boat Tours
Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (daily)
Price: 15 USD onwards
8. Have a picnic and catch a sunset at Scenic View Park
Poised on St. Lawrence River, Scenic View Park is a perfect picnic spot for the whole family. It features a seasonal swimming beach, picnic facilities, and a playground for the kids. Also, don’t forget to wait for the sunset before leaving, for it is something worth your time, especially if you want a romantic backdrop for a special occasion.
Scenic View Park
Address: 8 Fuller St, Alexandria Bay, NY 13607, USA
Website: Scenic View Park
Opening hours: 8am - 9pm (daily)
9. Enjoy a glass of wine at Thousands Island Winery
If you’re into wine, then you’ll surely wouldn’t want to miss the experience of visiting a historic farmstead and the largest winery in Alexandria Bay, Thousand Islands Winery. It is a scenic property where you can join a wine tasting activity or visit their gift shop and buy one of two of their wines. Also, they offer family events once in a while, so keep yourself posted for their upcoming events.
Thousands Island Winery
Address: 43298 Seaway Ave, Alexandria Bay, NY 13607, USA
Website: Thousands Island Winery
Opening hours: 10am - 8pm (daily)
10. Dig into homemade ice cream from Lil' River Fudge Co
Do you have a love-hate relationship with sweet? But, you’re on vacation, so you shouldn’t miss the chance to taste the sweet treats Lil River Fudge Co., Inc. is offering you. They make homemade fudge, old-fashioned candy, ice creams with a large selection of flavors, Caramel corn, and gourmet chocolates. Make sure to buy some for your loved ones back home.
Lil' River Fudge Co
Address: 24 James St # A, Alexandria Bay, NY 13607, USA
Website: Lil’ River Fudge Co
Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 9am - 9pm; Fri - Sat: 8am - 10pm
11. Go on a hike at Otter Creek Preserve and Nature Trail
Featuring 1.9 miles (3.07 km) of trail, the Otter Creek Preserve and Nature Trail is walking distance to the village of Alexandria Bay and offers a perfect spot for families who love to go nature tripping. The trail is good for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, with a bonus of scenic views of Otter Creek and Lynch Creek. Also, there’s a wildlife observation tower and a bridge that adds up to the allure of the place.
Otter Creek Preserve and Nature Trail
Address: 193 Church St, Alexandria Bay, NY 13607, USA
Website: Otter Creek Preserve and Nature Trail
Opening hours: 8am - 6pm (daily)
12. Try flyboarding at All in Adventures
Are you tired of doing the same watersport every time you’re on a beach holiday? Then why not try something different, something that will make you feel like flying but, no, you’re just flyboarding. Try flyboarding at the All in Adventures and be propelled by jets of water through the air. And for that very moment, channel your inner Iron Man and do some tricks to entertain your friends below.
All in Adventures
Address: 31 Holland St, Alexandria Bay, NY 13607-1000
Website: All in Adventures
Opening hours: 10am - 7pm (daily)
13. Fish like a pro with Alexandria Bay Fishing Guides Association
Fishing seems to be boring for many people, because of waiting for that big catch moment. But, when you know the ins and outs and the spots where the locals go, then you’ll be in for a surprise. You’ll also experience the thrill of catching a big fish. So when in Alexandra Bay get a guide from the Alexandria Bay Fishing Guides Association to give you tips about fishing and point you into the right direction. Also, you’ll surely be in safe hands with these seasoned fisher folks.
Alexandria Bay Fishing Guides Association
Address: St. Lawrence River, Alexandria Bay, NY 13607 USA
14. Play golf at the Alexandria Bay Municipal Golf Course
You don’t want to spend much on a fancy golf course? If so, worry no more, for Alexandria Bay Municipal Golf Course got your needs covered. It is a public golf course that features 9 holes, and its par 35 courses are spread across 3,044 yards (2783.4 meters). Apart from the course, it also has other amenities which include a tennis court, pro shops, club rental, and more.
Alexandria Bay Municipal Golf Course
Address: 111 Walton St, Alexandria Bay, NY 13607, USA
Website: Alexandria Bay Municipal Golf Course
Price: 12 USD onwards
15. Tour the grounds of the Boldt Castle
Have you always dream of living in a castle or visiting one when you grow older? When in Alexandria Bay, you can finally achieve this goal and set foot at the Boldt Castle, the most famous attraction in the area. It is located in Heart Island and can be reached by water taxi or helicopter. The castle is extremely beautiful with eleven other structures surrounding the castle. The structure is so lavished that most of its materials are bought from far away countries like Italy. George built this castle as a tribute to his marriage and loves for Louise his wife. But, he died so the castle remained unfinished.
Boldt Castle
Address: 1 Heart Island, Alexandria Bay, NY 13607, United States
Website: Boldt Castle
Opening hours: 10am - 6:30pm (daily)
Price: 10 USD
16. Try craft beers at Riverboat Bar
Located in a lofty space that has a covered patio, Riverboat Bar is a local favorite nighttime hangout, given that it is already an institution in the area. Its menu offers American comfort bites and bar grubs like burgers, fries, fish and chips, and more. Make sure that you come here with friends to have a more fun experience, or come alone and meet new friends along the way.
Riverboat Bar
Address: 15 Church St, Alexandria Bay, NY 13607, USA
Website: Riverboat Bar
Opening hours: Sat - Sun: 12pm - 10:30pm
17. Read a book at Macsherry Library
If you’re a book lover, you won’t surely let the idea of cheap books and library sale just pass by. The Macsherry Library in Alexandria Bay is a full-service library that caters to adult and children. They have storytelling, book clubs, computer access, and a lot more. They often also have book sale every year which come from donations of new books and like new books from a wide range of genre, from cookbooks to civil war up to children books and more.
Macsherry Library
Address: 112 Walton St, Alexandria Bay, NY 13607, USA
Website: Macsherry Library
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 9am - 5pm, 7pm - 9pm; Fri - Sat: 9am - 5pm (closed on Sun)
18. Go camping at Keewaydin State Park
Are you looking for a family activity that will make your children get off their eyes from their many gadgets? If so, why not bring them here at Keewaydin State Park? It is a park along the St. Lawrence River and offers many activities, like for summer they have boating and fishing, and on the winter season, you can go cross-country skiing as well as ice fishing. Another great amenity they have here is the 48 campsites, which you can use to make your family cozy during the night.
Keewaydin State Park
Address: 46165 NY-12, Alexandria Bay, NY 13607, USA
Website: Keewaydin State Park
Opening hours: 7am - 7:30pm (daily)
Price: 19 USD
19. Rent a boat at Aqua-Mania
Thinking of sailing or kayaking in the waters of Alexandria Bay, but don’t know where to rent? Stop searching and head to Aqua-Mania, you’re an expert guide to anything boat related. You can rent kayaks, deck boats, pontoons, and more. They can also give you free tips about where to go in the area and on boating.
Aqua-Mania
Address: 45765 NY-12, Alexandria Bay, NY 13607, USA
Website: Aqua-Mania
Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 400 USD
20. Enjoy a slice of freshly-made pizza at Korner Pizza
If you’re wondering where the locals get their pizza fix, then you don’t have to look far for Korner Pizza is located in central Alexandria Bay. It is a family-run restaurant that offers American comfort food like pizza, wings, and the like. As for the place, it has a traditional fast food vibe with a cozy atmosphere, which is great for hanging out with friends.
Korner Pizza
Address: 10 James St, Alexandria Bay, NY 13607, USA
Website: Korner Pizza
Opening hours: Sun - Tue: 10:30am - 9pm; Wed - Thu: 10:30am - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 10:30am - 11pm
Beautiful Alexandria Bay
Don’t forget to bring with you lots of energy, when you visit Alexandria Bay, for it will not let you sit all afternoon with anything to do. It has numerous activities that will be hard to resist, like paragliding, jet skiing, touring castles, and more. Check out our list of the best things to do in Alexandria Bay, New York, for your guide.
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