The Thousand Islands archipelago — 1,864 islands straddling the Canada-US border — reaches its romantic apex at Boldt Castle, an unfinished 1900 Rhineland fantasy built for love and abandoned overnight. A private boat charter explores the islands, lighthouses, and the castle itself.
What to expect
Your captain threads between islands barely large enough for a single cottage and others crowned with Victorian mansions, before anchoring at Heart Island for Boldt Castle — six storeys of turrets, tunnels, and unfinished grandeur frozen in 1904, its love-story history told in every stone. Back on the water, a parade of lighthouses, border buoys, and autumn-coloured maples creates a quintessential St. Lawrence tableau. The golden late-afternoon light on the water is simply magical.
Good to know
Best accessed from Kingston, Ontario or Clayton, New York port calls. Castle entry fee is included in most tour rates; confirm when booking. Allow 3–4 hours for the full experience. The castle is open May–October — check seasonal schedule before booking.