Receptive Services and Tour Planning
Clayton Island Tours Provides Full Itinerary Planning/Development and Receptive Services
Clayton Island Tours offers receptive services for charter groups and motor coach tours interested in experiencing the 1000 Islands Region and the St. Lawrence River. We provide complete planning and itinerary development and step-on-guide services.
Let our local highly knowledgeable and professional staff provide you with all the information you will need in planning that one of a kind experience among the 1000 Islands. Choose from an already existing itinerary or allow us to develop a unique itinerary just for your group.
We can plan and book your whole itinerary, or give recommendations. Let us assist you with as much or as little as you need. Service area includes Sackets Harbor, Watertown, Cape Vincent, Clayton, Alexandria Bay, Massena, Ogdensburg, and everything in between!
Receptive/Step on Guides are also available for your itinerary.
Groups always welcome to join our regularly scheduled boat tours May through November.
Details
- Planning services available year round
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“Vacationers have been coming to the 1000 Islands for more than 150 years to enjoy its breathtaking beauty. Waters that were once patrolled by pirates (yes … pirates!) and Prohibition bootleggers are now cruised by cottagers who enjoy serene bays and vacationers who tour aboard guided trips and hear the astonishing stories behind the islands.”
Castles, Lighthouses, Maritime Museums, Art Museums, History Museums, Historic Battle Grounds, Wineries , Breweries & Distilleries, Exceptional Restaurants, Festivals, Performances, Quaint Villages, boutique shopping…..and did we mention the Crystal Clear water of the St. Lawrence River dotted with the 1000 Islands (actually….1,864 Islands!) We have boat tours that get you closer to and among more of the islands than any other tour!
Whatever your looking for when visiting the 1000 Islands we have the itineraries, knowledge, experience and willingness to make sure your group has a superb experience.
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During the 1800’s there were six lights put up along the St. Lawrence River to guide traffic to and from Lake Ontario. Rock Island Lighthouse is located on Rock Island and guests can tour the island, visit the Keepers Cottage (now a museum and gift shop) and climb the circular stairway to the top of the lighthouse. Itineraries also include lighthouses along the shores of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.
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A trip to the 1000 Islands is not complete without a tour to a castle! Clayton Island Tours departs from Clayton or we can pick you up at any number of resort hotels, Clayton & Alexandria Bay village docks or even the Antique Boat Museum. We travel through both Canadian and US waters and passports are not required!
Boldt Castle and Boldt Castle Yacht House – George C. Boldt, millionaire proprietor of the world famous Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City, set out to build a full size Rhineland castle in Alexandria Bay, on picturesque Heart Island. This was to be a display of love for his wife Louise….tragedy struck in 1904 when Louise suddenly passed away. Today Boldt Castle, located near Alexandria Bay, NY in the famed 1000 Islands is once again becoming what it was always meant to be, the premier home and attraction in the region.
Singer Castle on Dark Island – A part of American history and local folklore meet at Singer Castle on Dark Island, located on the St. Lawrence River. Singer Castle is the only remaining/existing castle on our river to be completed, fully furnished and resided in during the heyday of the great builders and industrials in New York. Climb aboard one of our boats for an exclusive tour of Singer Castle just for your group! A day that includes this tour might also include the Remington Art Museum, a Fine Art Gallery, Lunch, Cocktail Cruise, and finally an Old Fashioned Shore Dinner on one of the 1000 Islands!
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DAY 1 – Arrive Clayton, NY where you will be greeted by your step-on-guide and spend time wandering the historic riverfront village with quaint shops and galleries, nationally known museums, wine and spirit tastings, and lunch on your own at one the many restaurants. Choose a colorful Adirondack chair located under the train station replica, step back in time as your guide shares history, legends and lore of the 1000 Islands as you watch the beautiful St. Lawrence River, home to pleasure boats and ocean going freighters.
After checking into your hotel, board the “River Loop,” one of Clayton Island Tours vessels for a cocktail cruise as we wind through many of the islands before stopping at one of the Beautiful Islands for an “Old Fashioned Shore Dinner.” Prepared by a local expert fishing guide, this meal has been an integral part of fishing the St. Lawrence River for over 200 years and is not complete without Thousand Islands Dressing and deep fried french toast with pure maple syrup for dessert.
DAY 2 – After breakfast board one of Clayton Island Tours boats for a narrated Two Nation and Boldt Castle Tour (no passports required) with a stop at Rock Island Lighthouse. “Picnic lunch included.” End of the day board the Motorcoach for home.
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Historical Tour of U.S. Army Fort Drum, 10th Mountain Division, Watertown, NY. Join us for this amazing opportunity to visit Fort Drum and witness first hand the transformation of the North Country over a 200 year period. The day includes; Professional Guide, Driving Tour of today’s Fort Drum, visit to the LeRay Mansion and LeRaysville, Lunch, and the 10th Mountain Division Museum and Monument Park.
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We will transport your guests to one of the 1000 Islands to enjoy a Traditional Old Fashioned Shore Dinner provided by a local expert fishing guide. This meal has been an integral part of fishing the St. Lawrence River for over 200 years. Guests enjoy the beauty of the island in a camp like setting with a roaring fire. This meal is not complete without Thousand Islands Dressing and French Toast with pure Maple Syrup!
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Craft beverages along the St. Lawrence Seaway have a few things in Common – The care that goes into their creation! From wineries, to distilleries, to breweries, each brew master, winemaker, and master distiller has a passion to create the perfect beverage. We can arrange a day of sampling along the St. Lawrence Seaway or add one or two to your itinerary. Food and Wine pairing dinners or lunch are an additional option.
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Day 1 – Wineries, Breweries, and Distilleries, oh my! We begin the first day tasting wine at the Yellow Barn Winery, “Built in the early 1800’s. Once a horse farm then a dairy farm now a winery, this barn has seen it all.” Next, on to Sackets Harbor on the shore of Lake Ontario for tastings and lunch at the Sackets Harbor Brew Pub. Continuing along the St. Lawrence Seaway we will stop at two more award winning wineries and one brewery before arriving at Dark Island Spirits in Alexandria Bay. Time for shopping and bar hopping in Alexandria Bay before checking into our hotel. Dinner at the hotel before heading back to downtown ABAY for anyone wishing to continue the party!
DAY 2 – After breakfast we will board the motorcoach and set out for Clayton, NY. Stopping along the way we will visit 3 Wineries and 1 Distillery, enjoying tastings, tours, and lunch. Coyote Moon Vineyards, St. Lawrence Spirits Distillery, Wood Boat Brewery, quaint shops and bar hopping await in Clayton!
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One of the best kept secrets of the Thousand Islands are our sunsets! Evenings on the St. Lawrence River are the best time to witness many bird species fishing for their evening meal and twilight exposes the beauty of the river like never before. We can arrange a relaxing sunset cruise, winding through the islands, take in a sunset, and get you away from the hustle and bustle of a busy life. We like to call it “River Time.”
If something lively is more of what you are looking for we suggest a Wine and Cheese Cruise. First stop in to a local winery for tastings, choose your favorite bottle of wine, our boat will pull up, climb aboard and have a great time! We can also arrange cocktail cruises, dinner, lunch, hors’ d oeuvres, craft beverage tastings….and so much more!
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Hiking one of our beautiful preserves (yes, some even on an island,) state parks, echo tours on our glass bottom boat, kayaking, zip lining, fishing with a local expert guide, a visit to the zoo, white water rafting, and more! We have itineraries for the adventurer!