Wheelchair-accessible car park
Yes
Boldt Castle & Boldt Yacht House in Alexandria Bay
Categories
Location on the map
Alexandria Bay, Jefferson County, New York, US
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Yes
Amenities
Good for kids
Yes
Phone: +1 315-482-9724
Site: http://www.boldtcastle.com/
Site: http://www.boldtcastle.com/
Opening hours
- Monday:10:30AM–6:30PM
- Tuesday:10:30AM–6:30PM
- Wednesday:10:30AM–6:30PM
- Thursday:10:30AM–6:30PM
- Friday:10:30AM–6:30PM
- Saturday:10:30AM–6:30PM
- Sunday:10:30AM–6:30PM
Boldt Castle & Boldt Yacht House in other cities:
Comments (199)
Keeping History alive is essential for future generations. The restoration in progress is amazing! Such a beautiful love story 💕 I felt so at peace exploring and learning more while I was there. A destination to remember for this Pin Up Model as a photo shoot is in my future here! Definitely Kimmy-Sue Tested and Approved 💋🇺🇲
Great experience! Magnificent castle. There is no history in the castle but still happy to visit here.
What a wonderful historic building. I recommend the guided audio tour (app downloaded to your phone) to make the most of your visit. The first two floors are spectacular. The grounds are meticulously maintained. Please do note that to enter the Castle (because it is on an island) there is quite a hill. Persons with limited mobility should take note.
This was truly gorgeous. The castle itself is awe-inspiring n the grounds r beautiful...
Great getaway for the weekend ( or anytime ), Romantic Historic Nostalgic, Truly an amazing Love Story . . ..... Happy 17 Anniversary Jess #spontaneity
Absolutely amazing place to check out, there’s tons to see. Prices are extremely affordable. Can get a bit crowded at times but the crowds usually come in waves. No pets allowed so make sure to plan accordingly.
Place is stunning. The detail in the architecture is amazing. The history behind the castle is so cool, but sad. The boat ride and views from the castle are awesome! Definitely worth a trip to see!! We booked through Clayton Island Tours which gave you all the history of the islands as you make your way to the castle. If youre looking to spend more time at the castle then book with Uncle Sams boat tours!
Beautiful grounds. I only had an hr and was only able to see part of the castle. If visiting I would suggest 2 to 3 hours to really see everything
I strongly recommend taking the Uncle Sam Boat Tour to get to the island. Shuttles every half hour make it very easy to access the island. The castle tour is self guided. There is audio tour available to add detail and depth to the experience. The ground are very impressive and the story is quite charming and romantic. It makes a great afternoon excursion during a romantic weekend getaway. My wife and I enjoyed it immensely.
Interesting location with an interesting history.We came while in town to check it out and thought it was interesting. The castle is only minimally restored, but the areas completely restored are really well done. The exterior architecture is unique (read - odd) and the story about the castle is intriguing.I don’t think it was interesting enough to return again, but I could see that it’s worth the trip to learn a little about the history of 1000 Islands region. In fact, not including this as part of the story would be lacking.It’s also clear that they genuinely are trying to keep things progressively toward restoration, which must be incredibly challenging based on costs and logistics since it’s in an island.
Picturesque, clean, and friendly people ready to answer questions about the castle. Wonderful restorations are on-going. Perfect wedding locations.
As wonderful as I remember from my childhood, with so many improvements from the renovations made in the past 20 years!Will be elated to bring our future children back here to give them a chance to experience the wonder and beauty that was built into every floor and the grounds of heart islands little cottage
So beautiful and peaceful. They are still doing some renovation in most of the parts in the Castle but what is already finished is so beautiful. Furnishing and the whole set up gives a good idea about the lifestyle back then.There is a ice cream shop, cafe and bathrooms in premises. There’s also a gift shop.You can get tickets to both the castle and yacht house. There’s a free boat ride in every 30 min from Heart Island to Yacht House.
ABSOLUTELY GO. Our favorite stop of our entire trip. Relatively cheap, completely open to walking all over the grounds and castle, not too busy. The Uncle Sam Boat Tour makes everything very easy. You won’t regret this experience 🏰
We had a fabulous time on the Clayton Island Tours. Our tour guide Daniel was amazing! He shared past & current information on the islands & their owners. He had a great sense of humor & made it enjoyable. He shared lots of information on the Boldt Castle which was our main destination. We loved local information too! Our Captain as well as the young lady that checked us in was great also. We stayed in Alex Bay so it was a short drive to catch the tour. Highly recommend!
This is a must do activity if you are close. What an amazing story and all the Herculean efforts to build and restore this gem. The grounds are amazing! Note that you take a ferry from Alexendria Bay or drive over to the boat bouse on Wellesley Island.
The restoration and detail of this property are amazing! I thoroughly enjoyed the store guided tour with the app. The app is quite well done and gives good directions. Take special note when you exit the main castle as you go to explore the grounds. This is one area that you can get turned around. With the app, the self guided tour will take 1 1/2 hours. We were short on time and did not get to the yacht house. The rich detail and beauty is worth taking it a little slower and really look at it. The restoration has been done with excellent attention to the little things. It is possible that there could be a wedding in progress on the grounds, so youll want to be aware of that. It doesnt affect access to castle. The shuttle is easy to get to to get back to the mainland. Keto in mind, the shuttle might leave early. (We got on at 6:20 and it left at 6:23 rather than 6:30. Maybe they knew we were the last people??)
Great place to visit. I lot of history and a lot OJ f walking up and down hills. Access by water only. 6 floors with an elevator that goes to 4 of them, not much to see in the last 2 floors except the view. The castle is in a state of being repaired but you can see all the work that has been done. Grounds are beautiful and you can rest the garden for your wedding
We didnt get to go in, Not sure if you can or not, but beautiful sight for the day....... These are relics from the Castle.
The self guided tour was a great experience. We had been to Boldt Castle in 2006, when we got engaged. We came back because we wanted to see the changes/updates. It is a beautiful island and castle.
Boldt Castle has quite the storied past. I would highly recommend downloading the officical app from the app store prior to going. It has an interactive app with pictures, directions, stories about what you are seeing and more. Follow the numbered signs.Its sad the original owners never saw it get completed. The restoration work is amazing. They have completed the first and second floors to give a look on how the house was intended to look had it been completed. I dont want to ruin the story, so thats all I will share.It tookus a couple hours to walk the site. It could easiky take longer if you chose to and less if you blew through it. So 1-4 hours with 2-3 probably being what most would spend.If you have tour own boat there is dock space. Only water allowed inside. Now alcholic beverages on the island. They do have a couple locarions with snack options like ice cream (generous size cones), hot dogs etc.Worth the trip!
Went on the 3.5 hr 1000 Island tour with Boldt Castle on Clayton Tours. Excellent narration and spectacular views of many 1000 Islands. Excellent and friendly caption and first mate. Liked this tour best for their smaller boats providing easier entry and exit from boat. Youll need to pay extra $11 for Boldt Castle admission but it was worth the price. Two floors of total renovation was exquisite with excellent attention to details. I enjoyed the 10 minute video on 2nd floor which told the tragic love story about this Castle. Tour takes you into Canadian waters but no visa or passport was needed. Take a drink, binoculars, snack ( with small children) and light jacket for cool days as boat sometimes travels fast. Take a lunch to eat before or after as picnic tables are available. Those who bought lunch from the truck on premises seemed happy so that is another option. Clayton offers small military and senior discounts. Children under 5 are free. All in all, I recommend Clayton Tours.
Uncle Sams boat tours in Wellesly takes you on a journey along the Lawrence River where Boldt castle and boat house is located. A tragic love story unfulfilled. The castle on one of the islands 3/4 restored to its former glory. A masterpiece of architectural design for its time. A pool, bowling alley, formal and informal areas. Guest quarters, a ballroom, staff kitchen and quarters. Four stories high, surrounded by landscaped gardens and fountains and two pump stations. Across the waters a boat house, housing a fleet of different sailing vessels belonging to George Boldt. A true testiment of love for his wife Louise. Neither of them got to see the finished work as Louise died before completion and George couldnt and never went to the Castle again.
What a great job theyve done on restoration. If you havent seen the castle lately, you should go. Beautiful views.
Boldt Castle (1904) on Heart Island near Alexandria Bay, New York, was erected by millionaire hotelier George C. Boldt for his wife, Louise, who passed away before it could be completed. The Boldt Castle Yacht House (1903) is nearby on Wellesley Island.
Wonderful place and it is amazing to see how it was restored from 73 years of not being used. So much of hard work and dedication. Beautiful!
Beautiful gilded age castle. Makes my heart happy to see the continued restoration of this treasure. Highly recommend this as the highlight of any 1000 island trip!
Fun day. Good for Pokémon go, kids, etc. Stroller friendly. Nice little gift shop (can get to it via elevator as well)
Boldt Castle & Boldt Yacht House is a wonderful attraction in Alexandria Bay. The Castle is well maintained and the beautiful landscape takes you back in time. My favorite part was the Yacht house with all the wonderful old yachts inside.
The symbol of love but its tragic that Louise died before the construction. Big thanks to the authorities to complete this monument. One of the major attractions of the thousand island
Beautiful architecture. The story of Boldt Castle is so sad and romantic at the same time. I visited with my husband on our honeymoon and it was beautiful in early June. All the flowers on the grounds came out. It wasnt too hot or muggy. We definitely plan to return. We also picked up some cute souvenirs for fairly cheap. The t-shirt was 20 dollars. And keychains and smaller items were about 5 dollars. They even have Christmas ornaments!
This castle is what dreams are made of. Take an Uncle Sams Boat Tour to explore the castle! Highly recommended stopping by for a visit the 1,000 Islands! Did you know there are actually 1,864 islands in total?
This most recent trip was my third time at Boldt Castle, and it will always be an incredible experience. The gorgeous stonework and interior architecture are incredible, and the staff are amazing telling interesting points of the islands history. Definitely worth the price of admission!
Fascinating glimpse into the lifestyles of the rich and famous, gilded age. Well restored buildings and grounds, with enough unrestored areas to appreciate the workmanship that went into creating it.
I have visited the castle many times. Each time it has become more and more beautiful. George Boldts vision is slowly coming back to life. The grandeur and history of this magnificent place is not to be missed.
The TI Bridge Authority has done so much great work with the Castle and has really brought back a fantastic place with great views everywhere. We havent been to the castle in a couple of years but they really have done a great deal of work and it is such a great place.
Havent been here in about 5 years, but theyve made good progress on the restoration. Its truly an icon of the thousand islands (1864 to be exact) and worth a trip out of your way. A must see for any historian.
Ive been been to Boldt Castle a handful of times now and it is always amazing! There is so much history to learn about and every time I go, there is something new to see. The boats that take you to and from the island are often enough that it isnt really a huge worry. Expect to spend a few hours there to see everything. There is also a really fantastic self guided tour with an app that has so much more information and history.
Superb historical place in thousand island. Great to visit with family. Loved the architecture and views.
Who knew that there was this hidden gem in New York. A beautiful romantic story but sad at the same time. A must see , if you just want to get away. From the boat house to the castle it’s just breath taking. My husband and I stumbled into this place and just loved the story. You have to take a boat from the boat house to the castle but you will absolutely enjoy everything. A must see. ❤️❤️❤️❤️
This was the perfect place for our Wedding ceremony. It was like a fairytale come to life. There are so many photo ready spot on the island to fill our album. Guests were enchanted with the grounds and the many structures.
Beautiful day it was touring The Famous Bolt Castle.The Castle is open for tours. Located in the Heart ❤️ of the Thousands Islands.St. Lawrence River is a absolutely beautiful area to stay.Enjoy adventures cheers to a fantastic day everyone.
Such a beautiful island!! The renovations are coming along very nicely. The work thats already been done is amazing!
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! Very well taken care of and the grounds were spectacular! A definitely must see if you are in the area.
We really enjoyed our time visiting the castle. It was our first trip to the thousand islands and were happy to see that social distancing and mask wearing were a must! However we ended up paying to go to the castle twice as you can get dropped off and picked up if your do a boat tour. Not all boat tours stop at the island so you have to choose wisely. I love the fact that they let you just wonder around and take your time. There is a place to get some food and drinks. They have a limited menu but its cheap. We packed a lunch and had a picnic on one of the picnic tables that are places throughout the grounds. The flower gardens are amazing! You have the option of downloading a bolt castle map or using the paper map they give you at the door. Oh and dont forget to sign the book and watch the movie provided about the Bolt Castld History.
Lots to see. Great restoration work being done. Take time to see the beautifully maintained gardens
Absolutely must do while visiting Alexandria Bay!! The Castle is amazing, the grounds are kept so meticulous and the staff were all very friendly. Highly recommend taking a tour there ♡
This was a great place, it was gorgeous! There is a lot to discover on this little island. How house goes from finished and gorgeous to more run down at the top, it is awesome!
Great story and castle. Enjoy our visit every time.
Fantastic place to visit if youre around the area. I wasnt even aware of the history and all of the Gilded Age connections with the whole Thousand Islands area until I came here and heard all the stories.The castle is amazingly restored and one of the most scenic and well-kept places Ive seen. The story of it is very interesting as well. Check it out!
It is easy to see why Boldt Castle and Heart Island are the crown jewel of the 1000 Islands. The grounds were well-maintained, and the castle itself is a marvel to behold. The history behind the castle itself is an added bonus.
Absolutely gorgeous. The boat ride there was smooth and beautiful. The castle was amazing, beautiful scenery, tourists were so helpful! I highly, highly recommend for those looking for a vacation or somewhere to explore. I took many many photos for those who want pictures for them.
Visually stunning castle was worth the tour. The renovations are done well (except for gift shop in one of three rooms) and gives you a good sense of before and after so you can sample the history here. My seven year old daughter was very excited to explore the castle but my 11 year old boy was bored...
This is a beautiful, wonderful place with great history of a love story. You have to visit and keep going back to see the continued restoration. A must see!!❤
Excellent family outing. All day event. Much to see. Not too spendy. $$
It was absolutely beautiful. Lots to see, we couldve easily spent an entire day there. We stayed 3 hours and still didnt see everything. The story is wonderful, but so very sad.
Amazing Spectacular Place...Should not be missed by anyone...The Beauty ,Splendor, History and Architecture are just unbelievable !!! Love It !!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Nice castle, worth the ferry ride over! Plan to spend 1.5-2 hrs there to explore all the grounds. Beautiful plantings. Also check out the short 10 min history video playing on the upper floors in the house. Thought staff was friendly and did a good job enforcing wearing masks and social distancing. Plenty of sanitizer and public restrooms.
Even it is not completed, the castle is still a nice place for family day trip with everything you need on the small island.
Absolutely gorgeous castle built in the early 1900s and restored well. Tourist visitable and self guided tours. Great for both family and individuals. I couldve spent all day taking in the architecture, the views, and the place overall. Must do in the summertime as the St. Lawrence freezes over. Watch the history video in the theater to fully appreciate the location.
History and wealth. We spent 2 hours on the island. You can buy $10 tickets on the Boldt Castle dock. I have been here 3 times in 50 years and they keep refurbishing additional rooms every time. You must get there via boat. Uncle Sams was $10 boat shuttle.
We paddled over in kayaks and really enjoyed our visit. Its a beautifully restored site and its fun to just wander around. There is an audio guided tour and a 15-minute movie on the second floor.They have a picnic area if you bring a lunch. Its a beautiful setting and there is as much or as little historical information as youre interested in. The upper floors are open even though theyre not fully restored, giving a fantastic view as well as an idea of what rough shape the structure had been in.It was incredibly fun to get to the island on our kayaks. The lower height dock is kind of tucked in. When we had cruised around, we had seen the high docks for large powered craft but I called and confirmed that they also welcome paddlers. We went early were they were first open and there wasnt so much traffic. It gets quite busy and crowded both with the shuttle/tour boats and personal boats.
Very nice place. It is amazing from outside. But you should not expect much from its interior (Fall of 2019) and probably read the story of the place first. Only first two floors are restored while the rest looks quite defaced. Still this is beautiful historic place with breathtaking story behind it.Yacht House is also quite interesting and full of old vessels and artefacts.
An awesome example of the opulence in the early 1900s. This castle has been almost totally restored to its original grandeur. It is definitely worth the $10 entrance fee. I didnt have a chance to visit the boathouse, but I was told it is also incredible. Well worth your time!
Be prepared to wait for 2 hours at the dock for US customs to check everyones passport and arrive Canada app. This caused us to have only 40 mins on the island and the cruise line could not extend departure time. Online it advertises as a 2 hour stay on the island. The blame is to put on an inefficient system from US customs and City line. An expensive trip and we could not even see half of what the island offered.I will not be going back and I dont recommend it to anyone going there from Canada, unless you can choose when to leave.
It was nice to be able to enjoy this castle at your own pace. The dock area was very nice. About to easily get off the boat and make the trip up to the castle. Once at the top, you can this the castle at your pace or purchase the audio tour. I spent 1 hour and 15 minutes there but wished I had more time. Pack a picnic lunch to be enjoyed at the many picnic tables in the lawn. The dock area does have hit dogs and ice cream. The house was hot on the day we were there so dress accordingly. The employees did have fans running but it didnt help much on the upper levels. There is a gift shop upstairs and a short film to watch that is included in admission. It is air conditioned in the room where the film is being shown. Picture taking is allowed in the house and in the grounds. Really enjoyed my visit. Not as grand as The Biltmore inside but felt the exterior is much more beautiful and unique to study.
I have wanted to go to Boldt castle for a long time and I finallt got here. It totally lived up to what I thought it would be. The grounds are stunning, extremely well kept. The castle is breath taken with its old elegance. The views are amazing. The whole experience was wonderful. We spent hours exploring every place we could. Trying to find as many hearts as we could based off of Heart Islands story based history. Staff was helpful and friendly in the gift shop and they cleaned constantly throughout both gift shop and the castle due to Covid 19. Precautions were met thoroughly. Boldts wife entertainment room was my favorite and the bathroom. Thanks!
It’s amazing. Cool breeze & calm place. But The castle is unbelievable , the inside interior was awesome and the island 🌴 is very very beautiful. Perfect summer vacation. In summer bit crowded. My kids love the island. So many small island are there . We roam around 2 hours and very good service of uncle sam’s boat tour. Really good place. Recommended.
Not much more to say other than interesting. Visit well organized especially during Covid. Instructions and directions clearly marked, app available for audio. Fairly inexpensive. Restorations are coming along beautifully. Impressive to see how much the bridge authority has managed to do.
Beautiful historic castle built by a man with a huge heart. Intended to be gifted to his wife but she tragically passed away before the castle could be finished. The castle is very big and the grounds are very well kept. Everyone is extremely friendly in typical upstate NY fashion. Make sure you visit early in the day to explore the yacht house too. Highly recommended place to visit with kids and family.
This place is truly amazing and so beautiful. Every where you looked, the views were beautiful. You definitely need to see this place.
What a beautiful castle with an incredible storyline. I never knew there’s such a pretty Boldt Yacht with foods, drinks and lots of souvenirs, great prices , great services. $50 per person to cruises around lots of Islands and stop by the Beautiful Castle, and $10 to visit Castle. What a deal. They allows you 2 hours to visit Bolt castle. Wish I knew so I can take the early ride so we can stays longer. You should go at least once in your life time. 😜
The castle is magnificent and new construction is completed ever year. So, its worth the trip year after year to see which decaying room has been completed to its full glory. Theres not a bad view of the St. Lawrence River from any balcony or window.
Absolutely loved the castle. It was so beautiful. The island is super clean. The flowers looked amazing. The prices to get into the castle were worth it. The history behind the castle is interesting as well. I loved getting to walk around at my own pace and view the grounds without feeling rushed. I will be back. I love this place!
I LOVED this experience. Ive lived up north all my life and I didnt know something so beautiful and historic was just a town away. The restorations are wonderful and the history is phenomenal! If you get a chance, you HAVE to see it in person. No expense was spared and I cant wait to go back in a few years to see how the restorations continue.
Amazing and beautiful step into history. The experience of the old and the new architecture of this wonderful palace is really incredible. A nice activity to do with your loved one. They are still renovating the palace, which you can’t see all the rooms, but it is mostly done. A really nice view of the thousands islands too, fresh air near the water. Really worth the experience.
This has been on my bucket list of places to visit for quite some time. The grounds are beautiful and well maintained. I recommend heading to the second floor and watching the short film before exploring too much. It gave us the history and heartache of the Castle. Plan to spend all day here!
Romantic love story..the architecture is beautiful can’t wait to visit again when it’s fully renovated!Recommended to check out both castles at the same time!
The castle and the island just keeps getting better. More additions to the restored rooms. New features opened. Have been visiting since the 1970s, return every 3 to 5 years. Always amazed at the changes to the place. Recommend HIGHLY!
We very much enjoyed the castle. Wear comfy shoes. Theres an elevator that goes up four floors.
Absolutely gorgeous place! I will be visiting again. Reached the island after taking the two nations tour from Uncle Sam’s boat tours. The set up is nice. They pretty much give you free reign of the place. Staff is friendly and knowledgeable. There is a great short video history available that you don’t want to miss. Optional free audio tour available using an app on your smartphone. Snack bar on island by the docks and a gift shop is in the castle. If you don’t pay admission you only get access to the docks.
My wife and I really enjoyed the +4 hours that we spent on the island and the castle. It is really a tragic story but its history. Im glad the NY Bridge Authority took it on to restore it.
Went here with my mother, son and nephew for a little sight seeing. The cruise through the 1000 islands was awe inspiring as was Boldt castle. Unfortunately the boat house and power house were closed due to high water levels but the rest was great to go through. I would definitely send others this way and will come again when the water levels recede so I can tour the boat house and power house as well.
Love, love, loved this place. Something beautiful to see every where you looked. Silly me saw the Pump House in a AAA magazine and thought THAT was the castle, lol. Although it was cloudy the whole weekend we were there, the grounds were simply gorgeous!
Very scenic place located in the heart of beautiful thousand islands. Not very crowded, you can take an audio tour or explore the castle on your own.Castle is very splendid on the outside however the whole complex is still under construction. Only 2 floors and the basement of the castle are more or less finished, top floors are still abandoned with walls covered in graffiti, dont waste your time climbing up...the only reason to get to the top floor is to look at the scenery around the castle which is really nice.They offer hot dogs and ice cream there.Note for my fellow Canadians - take you passport with you and prepare to spend sometime in line waiting to clear the customs.Overall good experience, worth visiting once.
Boldt Castle has been well maintained and renovated while ensuring to keep the history and the story of this tragic story true and alive.It is inspiring and awe striking!The grounds have been improved over the years and are absolutely gorgeous.Although the water level is 2 feet higher than normal, the staff have kept this attraction in exceptional condition.There are only a couple of things that you are not able to access due to the dangerous water levels.. but you can still view them and appreciate them.Wonderful experience for all ages.
Amazing castle. Interesting tour. Take the shuttle over and explore the grounds and all the work that has gone into it to restore the property
Engaged here and returned to the beauty, majesty and history of this excellent landmark. Tour at your leisure and observe the luxury of Georges original plan for this valentines gift to his wife. Excellently restored and cared for, with beautiful country all around, we will definitely back again!
We have been to the castle many times. This time a lot of it was finished beautifully. We ate lunch on the grounds, had 14 of us altogether. Had a great time. Love Boldt Castle.
A wonderful experience. We havent been to the castle in close to ten years. The renovations since then are impressive. I highly recommend either downloading the Boldt Castle app or getting one of the little devices for the voice tour.
Great way to spend a few hours during this Castle. Amazing Story behind the castle. Many improvements have been made over the last 20 years to accommodate more tours. A lot of restoration work have been done also.
So lovely, they are really doing an amazing job of restoring the place. You are able to go around and explore your self. Well worth spending the day there, the landscape is beautifully and there are lovely picnic area around the island.
Great views from all sides, Beautiful place inside and out. Truly stunning. Lot of history and storys for all . Bedroom are very nicely displayed and restored. Fun time for all and is NOT TO BE MISSED..
What a wonderful experience, especially the romantic story of this castle. Even though, some part of the castle was not entirely finished when we visited. Its still a wonderful trip to visit this history of the past.
Absolutely loved this place! It can be crowded especially when a group of tourists from the cruise comes in, but you’re able to avoid the crowd if you come in on your own.There’s a free ferry shuttle between the island and the yacht house, and it comes every 15 minutes. The yacht house also have free parking!I recommend bringing over a lunch because the food stand there is very generic and expensive for what it is.
Beautiful castle and interesting storyI was amazed at the grounds and architecture of Boldt Castle on Heart Island. Well worth the time and money. The castle is beautiful! Each room has its own personality, with beautiful draperies and exquisite furnishings. Even the ceilings were uniquely designed for each room. The main staircase is quite a structure alone. The architecture is amazing and there is such an interesting story behind the home. Make sure you have adequate time to explore the main house and the grounds and other buildings. Bolt Castle is worth the trip to the Thousand Islands alone.The entry fee is only $8-10. So quite low. The castle, with its 365 windows, is stunningly beautiful.As an aside, the Boldt Yacht House is a tour worthy add-on. Just a short shuttle ride from the castle grounds its a building worth seeing. Built-in 1903 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.There is a love story as well. The castle was built as a summer home for his wife who passed away before the castle was completed. Mr. Boldt was so grief-stricken, he stopped the construction and the castle was never completed. There is a lovely heart shaped garden that reminds us of the original intent of the structure. Bolt Castle is a worthy place for a visit and the camera loves this place.
Awesome history behind this castle. Well worth visiting this historic place. Lovely gardens, amazing view and great restoration work done by Thousand Island. Plenty of opened spaces to led your kids run if not to much into getting into the castle.
Wow. He did this for love. Amazingly beautiful place! First rate architecture, beautiful gardens and grounds. Such detail and craftsmanship everywhere you look.
This place is AMAZING, the staff is extremely knowledgeable, the price is fair, and the grounds..........words fail me. Beautiful, opulent, incredible, and many other words come to mind, but somehow, dont quite cut it. The transformation the building has seen, and the story of the history is awe and emotion inspiring. Plus the fact that you can take your own boat and dock free during your visit is really nice and inviting. I will be back to check on progress in the future.
This is definitely NOT a tourist trap. The castle is beautiful and the staff is very knowledgeable and friendly. Reserve at least 3 hours to visit the entire place and make sure to download the Boldt Castle audio tour app before you go.
If youre a history buff, this place will not disappoint! Such a beautiful Castle. The boat ride is only 5-10mins and the design is just breathtaking!
A definite must see. I saw it back in the late 70s when it was crumbling down and vandalized. The Thousand Islands Bridge authority have done an amazing job.Still much to be done but, it takes time and money. The progress is exemplary.
A beautiful place to tour. The grounds are very pretty. One of the cool things about the grounds is the hearts they incorporated into the iron doors and on other parts of the home/grounds.
Beautiful attraction but so incredibly busy. It was hard to have any sort of solitude. Our visit was during high water in Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence so all the grounds were accessible.
We spent two and a half hours going through this property and we really didnt get to look at everything. We are planning on a trip out next summer to spend more time looking things over. The first two floors are reconditioned where the third and fourth floor are yet to be reconstructed. It is still a beautiful place in the picture what it could look like is amazing.
There is quite a bit to see in and around the Boldt Castle! The story of how the castle construction started and ended is bit of a tragedy. But its good to see the construction being completed now.I would suggest to keep a full 4 to 6 hours based on your interests to go through the experience of the castle and its various rooms/gardens etc. If you are lucky you can visit the projection room as well which I missed as they were running a brief show.Word of advice - download the Boldt Castle app beforehand and run through it to mark things of your interest. There is a souvenir shop within the castle itself.
This castle has amazing view and very beautiful. We received only two hours. However the time that we had passed too fast.
The history and architecture of the castle are amazing. There is ongoing referbishment and many different areas of the catsle and island are blocked off, but looking back and comparing the privious state to now, this minor inconvenience is insignificant compared to the state the castle will be in after referbishment is complete. Overall, the free-roam experiance and spectacular views and guilded age culture more than make up for the inconvenience of refurbishment.
Nice place to visit and spend a day. I can see why some people come every few years or more often. There are lots of things being restored all the time, so you will see something different each time.
It was good to visit. The upper floors arent done so not a whole lot to see. The outside area is pretty. The food vendors are decent for fast food.CANADIANS: when u get on the dock do NOT pass the yellow line on the dock. Its a $5k fine and boat gets taken away. Stay and wait for guard.
Amazing experience... so much to see and learn. Definitely plan to spend extra time here to look around & enjoy the views. In great weather - its a perfect place for a picnic.
Must visit if you are on the 1000 Island cruise tour. Remember to visit Boldt Yacht House for an additional $3 and see the collections of boats while you are there.
Such beauty all in one place! A fun place to get your steps in. I suggest going in off season or during the week for much less traffic. The staff are very helpful and keep the island inside and out.
If you live in the area, you owe it to yourself to pay Boldt Castle a visit! The castle and the grounds surrounding it are absolutely gorgeous and very fun to explore. Easily a great spot to bring the whole family! The gift shop was also rather inexpensive, great for picking up a souvenir or two.
Loved this story and castle. Staff was very friendly and informative. It had been years since I was last there and I was shocked to see they had more floors remodeled as it was supposed to be. Absolutely amazing castle and well worth the trip to tour.
Went to an amazing and beautiful wedding at this Castle. The bridegroom of course were spectacular and all their youth and love for each other. After the ceremony time to move around the castle read the stories see the views listen to the history from a true River Family the Gurlocks. This was a treat we got to hear a little more about the castle then everyone should know LOL.the castle was in Immaculate shape to include the Landscaping the grass the walks the restrooms the gift shop. They do a great job creating a nice tourist destination BTW thousand island dressing was invented here so of course I purchase some to take home to Arizona.Certainly from the river the castle is amazing to see the butt go inside and Im truly enjoy the architecture in the details of how this historic place was built the man truly wanted to let his wife know he loves her. Love Marches On
Incredible story of days gone by and loves that have died truly worth the visit,upper floors are in need of renovation but absolutely worth the trip.
Beautiful experience! Our whole family & friends enjoyed it. We came by private boat & had room to park for free. Entrance fee was reasonable.
Beautiful architecture and grounds. The upstairs is still being renovated but for now its cool to see the construct of the building.
Must stop here! I was so happy to learn this historic landmark was being restored. It’s worth the walk through the luxurious garden to see the beautiful interior and learn the history. We were even lucky enough to watch a wedding!
Beautiful location and castle. You can walk at your own pace and spend the day if youd like.
The history was a little lacking, but the ride itself was phenominal. Jamie and her fellow staff were the most absolutely hospitable group I have ever met in the service industry. Absolutely 10 thumbs up!!!!
Great place to visit and see the castle and the grounds. Beautiful architecture and views. Great for the whole family
Perfect trip everything was well done.
The renovations they have done are spectacular. Its a heartbreaking story but bring that castle back to its former glory is an admiral feat. I just wish people would stop writing their names in the unfinished parts. You want to leave you name leave it in the guest book.
The little island itself offers wonderfully relaxing views. The castle itself also adds to the aesthetic from the outside. I personally did not find the inside too interesting, but the flowers and layout of the surrounding is definitely worth seeing!
The gem of the Thousand Islands! We took a quick ferry ride out to Heart Island and were taken back in time to the turn of the century. Give yourself 2-3 hours to wander around the property and check out all the buildings. Also make sure you check out the theatre to watch the documentary on how and why Boldt Castle was built.
This is a gorgeous little castle. Visit it as part of the 1000 island cruise. The history is inspiring and the castle is simply stunning. Great views, food and history. You can make a day out of touring the castle and going around in the 1000 island cruise.
We took the 5h cruise with stop over at heart island. It was a very good experience, beautiful views and nice commentary. Also a bit long for the return trip.
A fairy tale story of Love and loss. George C. Boldt never realized his dream of completing a castle for his beloved wife Loiuse after she passed away. The castle was left unfinished and crumbling for over 7 decades. Through the efforts of the Thousand Island Bridge Authority and many talented historians, architects and skilled builds, Georges plans are being worked on and parts of the castle are being completed. A regular visit keeps one up to date on the progress.
A wonderful restoration project of an American castle. Every year the project is further along with new rooms and decor, and grounds and fountains. Great views of the river. If you like American history this is a must see. Some amazing things on the island: the dining room with silver and china displayed, the stove in the kitchen, the playhouse, and power house. The grounds are wonderfully maintained, lots of flowers. Admission is reasonable. Pack a lunch. Docking easy.
Great place and well done presentation between original and run down. Its a solid 3 to 4 hours experience with sort fun boat ride. The history and story around this place and the restoration makes it special.
Sure its a tourist trap. Its an unfinished Castle.... Nice side trip, great for architecture buffs or if you totally love the story of the castle. Got an extra few hundred bucks to drop on the family going, then well worth it.
Boldt Castle is a major landmark and tourist attraction in the Thousand Islands region of the U.S. state of New York.Open to guests seasonally between mid May and mid October.It is located on Heart Island in the Saint Lawrence River.Heart Island is part of the Town of Alexandria, in Jefferson County.Originally a private mansion built by American millionaire George Boldt, it is today maintained by the Thousand Islands Bridge Authorityas a tourist attraction.George Boldt, general manager of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City and manager of the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel in Philadelphia, and his family enjoyed an earlier frame cottage on Hart Island (the islands original name) for several summers, which they greatly expanded. In 1900, George Boldt launched an ambitious construction campaign to build a huge masonry structure, one of the largest private homes in the United States. He engaged the architectural firm G. W. & W. D. Hewitt and hundreds of workers for a six-story castle as a present to his wife. In addition, four other masonry structures on the island are architecturally notable.Equally distinctive is a huge yacht house on neighboring Wellesley Island, where the Boldts had another summer home and a vast estate, incorporating farms, canals, a golf course, tennis courts, stables, and a polo field.The construction of Boldt Castle ceased abruptly in early 1904 after the death of Boldts wife, Louise Kehrer Boldt. Boldt never returned to Heart Island, leaving this structure as a monument of his love.For 73 years, the castle and other stone structures were left exposed to the harsh winter weather and occasional vandals.The Thousand Islands Bridge Authority acquired Heart Island and the nearby yacht house in 1977, for one dollar, under the agreement that all revenues obtained from the castle operation would be applied towards restoration, so that the island would be preserved for the enjoyment of future generations.In the two decades after acquiring the property, the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority spent some $15 million for restoration and improvements here, and work continues annually.The initial goal of the restoration of Heart Island was not to finish what had not been completed, but to restore the island to the state it was in when construction was halted.Improvements have gone beyond that stage, however; a stained glass dome, marble floor, and grand staircase woodwork, for instance, now seen in the main hall, were not original but are modern innovations.
Such interesting history and restoration of this beautiful property! Really takes you back and makes you wonder how they lived and would have used the home to entertain. Beautiful grounds!
This is a well maintained castle and a must visit for everyone visiting Thousand Islands. It was part of our boat tour by Uncle Sam. It was very scenic and refreshing.
Amazing Castle! Dont wear sandles though. Ive never seen so much dog do-do (or Geese) in my life. They could use a little better directions there, but overall well worth the money. They have Ice Cream there, lunch options like pizza, and two bathrooms. Even an elevator for the elderly or handicap.
Beautiful castle.
The background story and the actual site are well worth the cost! That place was amazing!
Magnificent place. A must see. You can actually go in and walk around inside of the castle. There were staff memvers dressed as Disney characters taking pictures with kids. Highly recommend this place
They are doing a beautiful job restoring this amazing castle. I have always loved this place. It really takes you back in time.
Very beautiful place. History is very interesting. We went there with a shuttle service from Alexandria Bay (unncle Sams boat tour) so we were not stressed by the time we had to visit as we could take any shuttle back.
Beautiful, peaceful, antique, and symbol of affection. If you have plans for 1000 islands, Castle Boldt is surely must visit place. Otherwise, your trip is incomplete. Full of antique artifacts, beautiful gardens, decorated rooms. Dont consider your trip when its hot. Enjoy!
This was an adventure. It started as sunny and clear, but once inside the castle it turned dark outside and stormed heavily. Our boat was safe and secure tied up in the public docking area.
A trip to the Thousand Island region is not complete without a visit to Boldt Castle. The history of the castle, its story of Love and tragedy are enthralling. We make regular visits to see the amazing work that the Thousand Island Bridge Authority is doing to complete George Boldts unfulfilled vision.
If youre looking to just relax and enjoy a good weather, then this is the place you can think of visiting.
Never miss a year at Boldt Castle or you miss alot!! If you appreciate Heart Island & its beauty, do not let a year go by.
Amazing view and castle to explore! The boat ride is very nice as well, guides available and food and drinks everywhere as well. Make sure to take the 5 hours tour, its much more worth it.
So fascinating - an impressive location and a captivating story , all brought to life by Uncle Sams tour boat crew on a magical boat ride along the River
I was here around 30 years ago, before the remodeling was done. Wow, what a difference I saw!! Excellent work has been done to make the first floor so beautiful!!!
Took a bunch of photos of some furries and explored a castle.10/10, pretty solid castle.
Such a beautiful place wish Id had more time to explore it. The renovations so far are excellent.
This is one of my favourite places to visit. I have been here a few times over the years, going back 40 years. It has been nice to follow the restoration of the castle. It has come a long way over the many years. I could not believe the transformation on my last visit. They are doing such a wonderful job. Hearing the love story of how the castle never gets old. If you get the chance this is a must see.
Amazing experience and incredible history, cant reccomend the experience enough
Amazing!! So glad we got off the boat and decided to check this out! Definitely want to go again!!
Very beautiful Castell with history. Worth visiting.
I visit the Castle every couple years or soWell worth the trip. Lots of history.
A really nice program to enjoy the beauties of the lake and its Islands. The castle is gorgeous. Definetly worth it.
Such a wonderful visit. Make sure you go to the yaht club and visit Boldts boats and boathouse then catch ferry to Boldt Castle. Well worth the money and time!
We had a great time exploring the castle this past weekend! Its a shame that Boldt and his wife never got the opportunity to finish and live in it. Still, the areas that were finished and staged were very interesting to see. My only complaint was that although there is an elevator, the castle and much of the grounds are not exactly stroller friendly. So if you have young children bring a carrier or be prepared to carry them much of the time.
Nice to spend a day. We took Uncle Sams 2 nation tour of thousand islands and self guided Boldt castle tour. There was a 15 minute movie on 2nd floor about history of the castle. We picked blackberries on the island.It was a very nice experience overall.
I absolutely loved it!! The best restoration Ive seen and its not even complete yet. I actually felt saddened to leave.
We came here 2 years ago after not having been there for close to 30 years, and WOW! This year we thought it would be pretty much the same, but different areas were open and more renovations have happened. Im so glad to see the progress, and it has gorgeous views!
So much history and the restoration theyve completed is absolutely beautiful. I definitely want to go back and check it out again.
This place never fails to satisfy. The beautiful grounds work and the Beautiful improvements that they make inside the castle make this a destination worth visiting every year. You can also rent out parts of the property for weddings and special events. The castle itself is beautiful and continues to improve every year
If you like looking at old boats and a few letters you really cant make out except for the interpretation they give you then this is the place for you
I love boldt castle its absolutely breathtaking and theyve done soooo much with the renovations since I was a little girl!!!
Hard to believe these were constructed at the turn of the 20th Century, and the 1000 islands transportation authority has done (and continues to do) a wonderful job of restoration. Worth the price of admission (and more)!
Beautiful site. Rich history will be even better once restoration is complete.
Excellent trip! Very cool story and history at this location in Alexandria Bay!
Such a beautiful place, inside and out! Always get emotional when I go from the story behind the castle
Been here several times and this time stopped in as part of the uncle sam American narrows tour. Very well restoration project over the years. Beautiful views and tour.
A visit to Boldt Castle has become a traditional yearly trip for me and my grandchildren. We prefer to drive across the border to Alexandria Bay and catch the ferry over to the castle from there. It is less costly if you purchase tickets at the dock and just a short boat trip to the castle. I like that we can spend as much time as we like touring the castle and each year the restoration team aims to complete restoration and furnishing of one additional room, so there is always something new to see. The grounds are beautiful for walking around and the lineups to depart the island move quickly because the ferry boats dock and leave regularly. Highly recommended!
Beautiful way to spend an afternoon. You can spend as much time as you wish exploring the well cared for grounds. If your looking for a little more info the free app is simple to use, but youre going to need ear buds.
This whole place was magical such a good day out there really enjoyed it would definitely recommend
Lovely castle, enjoyed walking around. So much to see, definitely worth it. Highly recommend also going and seeing the boat house, there are some cool boats there
Such a great attraction. Make sure to visit the yacht house
Awesome experience! Will be etched in my heart for all of my life. Boldt castle is beautiful. The story behind it is very touching. 💕
A great love story. Beautiful island.
Beautiful place to visit for family and friends. A lot of history to learn. Tickets were inexpensive and worth it.
Gorgeous estate with whimsical tower and beautiful gardens. The story behind it is fascinating. Being restored is an ongoing process.
Lovely buildings and grounds. The landscaping was amazing. Interesting history. Definitely a must see
Its an awesome sight to see. The backstory to the castle is cool. Its beautiful.
Very beautiful place to visit, especially in the fall season. Great staffs as well. We lost our souvenir bag on the island, they found it and shipped it back to us!
Very charming! Took so many pics. Heres a few. Worth the visit!
Boldt Castle has an interesting story. Most floors were opened when we took the tour. Even the childrens play house was opened. You can download an app on your phone that will give you information or you can rent one out near the entrance.
Who doesnt love to see a castle? And at this price, its well worth it! Probably my favorite place on our NE trip.
Nice stop on the tour with friendly staff. Place was clean and had many photo opportunities.
Beautiful story and experience with many little hidden areas to find.
Total reviews rating 4.8
199 Reviews for Boldt Castle & Boldt Yacht House 2023:
Review №1
2022-06-17This place was so amazing! The castle is being restored and much has, but there are rooms that they have left to show the progress, which is very interesting.Boat tour over was fun as well, lots of cool things to see...Highly recommend this one to see while in the area.
Review №2
2022-05-22Beautiful place! Romantic story.The castle was left abounded for a long time. They did a great job reconstructing the first and second levels. You may also see how it was before on the upper levels.With a cruise ship, you have two hours to explore the castle and the grounds.They have a gift shop, cafe and lots of places for a picnic.If you are coming from Canada, you need to have a valid passport and ArriveCan with you.There was no lineup to enter the castle, but if you come on a cruise ship, you’ll need to wait 10-30 minutes on a border customs.No pets. No alcohol.
Review №3
2022-06-20The top thing to do when you visit the 1000 Islands and I see why. We were treated to a tour and private boat ride when we visited for a wedding.Block out some time and take a shuttle boat over to visit this gorgeous restored property. You probably need about 3 hours to get there and walk through. There are tours available and an extra excursion to the private yacht house as well if you are interested. There is a lot of history about the Boldt Family, the 1000 Islands area and the construction of the castle.
Review №4
2022-05-19Great old castle in the process of being restored/rebuilt to original plans. Friendly staff, always happy to answer questions, of which I had many! Youre free to wander around at your leisure, looking into almost every nook and cranny.
Review №5
2022-07-02We come visit annually and LOVE visiting this historic landmark to a time gone by! It’s a great love story and picturesque setting on the Saint Lawrence River… take the trip and enjoy the most amazing trip of your life!!!
Review №6
2022-06-08The place is amazing to take your family. The place is huge so you never feel like your crowded. We had a field trip attend the same time and barely saw anybody. Its free roam too, but there are plenty of people to help you if you have any questions of the castle.
Review №7
2022-06-14A beautiful location in the middle of the St Lawrence River. The castle is still being renovated, but the first and second floors are finished. Beautiful restoration. Its a shame vandals decimated the property while it was vacant.
Review №8
2022-03-12It’s a beautiful place! You have to take a boatride across the lake. There are stairs. They have food on the property. You can get married there.
Review №9
2022-07-04Amazing place to visit. Better to take your passport with you so you can land on the bold castle. Only for Canadian.
Review №10
2021-09-24Wonderful place to hang out for the day! The people that run the place created a self guided walk through tour that is very easy to follow along with in the app and in person.Can get crowded at times, but its a whole castle so just go explore! So many interesting things you can look at here