Along The New York State Side of St. Lawrence River

Cute Downtowns

Jul 29

Having heard people say how the Thousand Islands region was a gorgeous part of New York State, I felt a roadtrip was necessary. Nicknamed the “Venice of America” in the early 1900’s, amidst the gentle waters of the St. Lawrence Seaway lie the villages of Alexandra Bay, Clayton, the town of Cape Vincent and the city of Ogdensburg.

Alexandra Bay is a charming village on the south bank of the St. Lawrence Seaway. You can stroll down James Street with shops and restaurants or walk along the docks. You find boat tours offering narrated historical and scenic tours of the Thousand Island.

Clayton is described as the “Gateway to the Thousand Islands”. Substantial revitalization of the waterfront area has taken place in recent years including renovations of the historic buildings on Riverside Drive including the Opera House. There are boutiques, a selection of restaurants and galleries and a newly constructed riverwalk. Clayton offers island sightseeing boat tours.

Cape Vincent is a classic river town with a quaint downtown stretching along the St. Lawrence River with a diverse set of businesses. Cape Vincent has the only auto ferry across the St. Lawrence River to Ontario’s historic City of Kingston.

Ogdensburg, unfortunately, did not embrace the “oldest downtown in St. Lawrence County”. In the 1970’s they chose urban renewal, resulting in the razing of more than a dozen blocks of their architectural heritage in the downtown area.

Here is what caught my eye. I hope you enjoy!

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Boats may be a luxury elsewhere, but there is no way to live on an island without at least one. Thanks to the encouragement of Clayton’s Boat Museum, many islanders own wooden works of art like this one.

Explore Casino Island over the small pedestrian bridge.

You can tour the Thousand Islands by boat and view Boldt Castle and Singer Castle.

Uncle Sam’s Boat Tour shows off an array of islands and island homes.

Drydock in Alexandra Bay

Who doesn’t like ice cream?

Singer Castle on Dark Island

The Kitchen at the Captain Visger House on Church Street in Alexandra Bay

This shingle-style Church of St. Lawrence on Fuller Street in Alexandra Bay was built in 1889.

The sunset through the pedestrian bridge to Casino Island

Pack a lunch and enjoy a picnic on Casino Island

The Dancing Dog in Alexandra Bay

Colorful boathouse condominiums on the St. Lawrence in Alexandra Bay

Vintage 5 & 10 neon signs on James Street

The Homestead Restaurant’s vintage neon signs on James Street

Vintage neon sign for The Spot on James Street

When islands were first offered for sale, there were few takers. That changed after glowing reports of the area were written when President Grant visited the area in 1872.

Skiff Restaurant in Alexandra Bay

The Maurice J. Simpson Building on Fuller Street in Alexandra Bay was a former bank.

JP’s Marina, on the waterfront in Alexandra Bay, all aglow at night

Island properties are usually treated like heirlooms, staying in the same family for years, seldom offered for sale.

Alexandra Bay docks

Alexandra Bay sunset

Boldt Castle on Heart Island

The rockers outside each room at the Rock Ledge Motel in Alexandra Bay

Stone pavilion in Keewaydin State Park

Marina sunset in Keewaydin State Park

Keewaydin State Park

A quiet spot in Keewaydin State Park

Barn and silo on the road to Clayton

The river village of Clayton has a tradition of charm and hospitality which began more than a century ago when the Thousand Islands Region was the playground of the nation’s most powerful.

Commercial district doors

Restaurants with water views

A Clayton dock at twilight

One of the beautiful homes in Clayton

Colorful Adirondack Chairs on a cloudy day on the Clayton waterfront

Meticulously maintained Victorian home in Clayton

This street mural of a railroad train pays homage to Clayton’s past. The railroad was brought to Clayton in 1873, bringing people to the area seeking time away from city life.

Clayton storefont

Soaking up the small town atmosphere

Little Hawn Memorial Library

The Christ Episcopal Church, with fish scales slate roof, was completed in 1869.

Barn and silo sunset silhouette

I was contemplating mobile home living after visiting here.

Sunset over the field on the road

Mobile home property docks on the river

These islands were once the playground of the rich and famous at the turn of the 20th Century.

This white barn compliments the natural beauty

Local color

Countryside barn on the road to Cape Vincent

A Cape Vincent antique shop

This is Tibbits Point Lighthouse, built in 1854 on Cape Vincent. It has stood guard at the point where Lake Ontario flows into the St. Lawrence River.