Thousand Islands 1 Day Itinerary with Kids (Tested Plan)
Craving a road trip that feels like a mini vacation? This Thousand Islands 1 Day Itinerary with Kids is just what you need.
This trip was our first time in Alexandria Bay NY, a quaint little town in the Thousand Islands region of New York. (It’s Alex Bay to the locals.)
The magic formula? One boat ride, one castle, one small town to explore… plus plenty of ice cream.
We wandered Heart Island, stepped inside the famous Boldt Castle, and soaked in some of the best views in North America along the St. Lawrence River.
Plus our kids never got bored, and neither did the grandparents!🤣
It’s a wonderful location with hidden gems, good food, and a pace that makes the whole family actually slow down and have fun.
👉Jump to: 1-Day Itinerary | Boat Tours | Exploring Heart Island | Inside Boldt Castle | Alexandria Bay | FAQs
Why the Thousand Islands Are Great for Families
When you’re a mom trying to plan a trip that will please everyone, including your extended family (even Papa Jim), you need three things:
- Activities that are interesting to a wide variety of ages.
- Places where you can go at your own pace.
- Easy access to food (preferably with yummy desserts).
The Thousand Islands checks off all three boxes.
The best way I can describe it is “vacation light” — you’ll all get to see something cool and go into familiar-feeling tourist shops, without a ton of prep or coordination.
Plus, there are sweet little picnic areas, hiking trails, and even sandy beach spots all around town if you visit in the summer.
For us, it was about mixing one big “wow” activity with lots of unscheduled time that just let us relax as a family.
That’s the sweet spot for traveling with kids who want a tiny bit of novelty but who also get tired when they’re pushed too hard.
Our Exact 1-Day Itinerary
Our big activity was Uncle Sam Boat Tours to Heart Island for a self-guided tour of Boldt Castle. Then we left the rest wide open. Here’s exactly how it went.
Morning: Uncle Sam Boat Tour Ride
We started the morning bright and early at the dock in Alex Bay. Actually, we got there a bit too early, they hadn’t even opened (oops!). Do yourself a favor and triple check the times!
One confusing part for us? The tickets.
A ton of the boats are all owned by Uncle Sam Boat Tours that go up and down the St. Lawrence River. They share the same dock, but they each have their own unique twist. (I.e. Lunch, Sunset, Destinations)
Here’s the breakdown of your ticket strategy:
- Looking for just the shuttle? Buy tickets in person at the ticket booth. The booth opens at 9am but the first tour doesn’t depart until 10:30am. (lesson learned!)
- Want a longer cruise? You can buy tickets in person, but they sometimes sell out. Booking online and printing your ticket is the safest bet here (I know, it’s pretty old-school, but it works!).
- You can find the full schedule, plus all the ticket info here.
Once your tickets are sorted, the shuttle takes you across the river to Heart Island.
It’s a quick trip, with beautiful views! (And no passport required since it’s still in the United States.)
On our way, the kids kept pointing out houses on the tiny islands, imagining how cool it would be to live there. (Note to my future self: Figure out how to book an island using AirBNB!)
Exploring Heart Island – Towers, Flowers, & Disney Vibes
The real magic started the second we stepped onto the island and saw Boldt Castle up close.
It’s a self-guided tour, so there’s no rush and no tour guide to follow. You can download an app for an audio guide, but we just wandered around the property ourselves without it.
Everything is close together, but there are a few hills and stairs to pay attention to. So plan accordingly.
What surprised me most? All the extra buildings on the property! There was one that was like a miniature castle.
Another looked like Rapunzel’s tower. I was imagining myself as a “Disney princess” and so were my kiddos!
Everywhere we looked, the landscaping was beautiful too.
Our fav? Topiaries spelling out cheerful words like “Welcome.” The kids thought they were great!
Plus there are benches scattered around so we could just sit back, relax, and watch the boats go by. It was great for my parents (a.k.a. Papa and Grandma) to stop and take a quick rest.
Feeling Hungry?
There are two spots to grab lunch: a smaller stand close to the castle with premade wraps, hotdogs, and ice cream. Or, back by the dock there’s a bigger stand with a few more options.
Lunch even ended up being our silliest moment of the trip: The kids cracked up when Papa Jim ate ice cream for lunch instead of “real food”!
Boldt Castle – Impressive and Full of Hidden Stories
Inside the castle, the restoration work is incredible. There’s a partially refurbished swimming pool, a jaw-dropping stained glass ceiling, and whole floors restored to original finishes.
The kids were fascinated by the servant quarters and bedrooms, imagining where people slept and ate. And they got a kick out of comparing the finished rooms to the still-unfinished top floor.
The history here adds a sweet (and bittersweet) touch — the castle was built by George Boldt for his wife, but he stopped construction when she passed away. Throughout the island, you’ll notice tiny hearts hidden in the landscaping, carved into railings, and tucked into furnishings. It’s a quiet nod to their love story.
There’s even a room with a short video explaining the island’s history and some fun facts. (Who knew Thousand Island dressing was started here?!)
The castle is part fairy tale, part outdoor play. And those unfinished spaces almost act as “interactive exhibits” for your curious kids!
As I like to remind my brother: Kids don’t always need amusement parks to have a good time.
Afternoon in Alexandria Bay – Shops & Grandpa’s Ice Cream Rule-Breaking
Boats return to Alexandria Bay NY every 30 minutes.
Once back, we decided to wander the downtown area.
Alex Bay has that small town charm where everything’s within walking distance. There’s souvenir shops, restaurants, and (most importantly) ice cream stands.
And Papa Jim just couldn’t resist those sweet treats – he got ice cream again! The kids thought it was hilarious that Grandpa was “breaking the rules” not once, but twice in one day.
There’s always some signature snack we find on this type of trip, and Alex Bay did not disappoint. This go-around, it was Nav’s Popcorn. They let you test out the fun flavors like pickle and PB&J. The kids are still talking about it!
Evening in Alexandria Bay – Cozy Airbnb & Dinner with a View
We stayed in a sweet little Airbnb just a short walk from the main street.
Here’s the thing about Airbnbs here: they’re almost all quaint, full of personality, and often in historic homes. But they can be close to neighbors — so if you’re traveling with a rowdy crew, pick your spot carefully.
For us, the location was perfect. We could walk to dinner, stroll along the waterfront to check out the cool antique wooden boats, and pop back into shops we’d missed earlier. We ended the day with a casual meal at a cute pizza shop that had live music next door. There are tons of pubs and different options.
Unfortunately, my family’s motto is “If it comes from the sea, I leave it be…”, but there’s tons of options for fresh seafood lovers like me as well!
What We’ll Do Differently Next Time
This day trip gave us a taste of what the Thousand Islands have to offer, but there’s so much more we didn’t get to do. Next time, we’re considering:
- Visiting Singer Castle — a real-life hidden gem with a fascinating history.
- Trying Clayton Island Tours, which offers a different perspective of the area.
- Exploring the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton (great for boat lovers or kids who enjoy engines).
They might take up a lot of my time on our next trip — and I’m fine with that. We’re just going to mix and match based on our mood!
FAQ: Planning Your Own Thousand Islands 1 Day Itinerary with Kids
When’s the best time to visit the Thousand Islands? The best time is June through September, when the weather is warm, the water tours are running, and everything’s open.
Can I bring my own boat to Heart Island? Yes, if you have your own boat, you can dock at Heart Island. But for most families, the best way is to take a tour with Uncle Sam Boat Tours or Clayton Island Tours.
Is Boldt Castle good for younger kids? Absolutely! The self-guided tour means you can skip anything that doesn’t hold their attention. Plus, there’s plenty of outdoor space to run around.
Is one day enough or should we plan an overnight? One day works perfectly if you stick to one or two main activities and don’t have a super long drive home. If you want to add optional stops like Wellesley Island State Park (with its sandy beach and picnic areas), or catch more live music in the evening, staying overnight makes it more relaxing. 2-3 days would be the max for most families though.
Final Thoughts on the Perfect Thousand Islands Day Trip…and What’s Next
We soaked up every minute here — from the postcard-perfect views to the little surprises you only find when you slow down and wander. If you just need an easy escape that keeps the whole crew happy, the Thousand Islands delivers.
Does your day trip include a drive? We love connecting over games and asking eachother wacky questions!
And if you’re dreaming up your next adventure, you’ll find even more family-friendly itineraries, insider tips, and can’t-miss Northeast getaways (Top 19 NY stops here!✨) waiting for you over on the blog — your go-to for turning busy weekends into unforgettable memories.
👉Click here to explore more day trips in Upstate NY.
Meet Amanda Cave Jackson
NY Day Trip Expert for Busy Moms
Amanda helps busy moms by sharing doable, memorable trip ideas across New York and the Northeast. A full-time engineer and mom of two, she’s used to juggling.
Read her story: “From Working Non-Stop to Finding Work-Life Balance through Tiny Trips.”
