The water journey to Boldt Castle and local history at the Cornwall Brothers Museum give Alexandria Bay two distinct highlights. If you’re looking for hotels for a stay in Alexandria Bay, you can first decide whether sightseeing cruises, historical collections, or water activities should shape your trip. The occasion, timeframe, and season offer practical guidance.
Boldt Castle: History and the Water Route
Construction of Boldt Castle began in 1900 at the behest of hotel magnate George C. Boldt; the castle was intended as a tribute to his beloved wife, Louise. This personal motivation gives the castle’s history a clear historical context. Access is also an important consideration for your visit: Boldt Castle is accessible only by water, by excursion boat or private recreational boat. The journey is therefore part of the planning if you want to include the castle in your stay.
Cruises in Two Timeframes
Uncle Sam Boat Tours offers sightseeing-oriented cruises lasting one hour and two hours and 15 minutes. The day tours include unlimited time at Boldt Castle. The two cruise durations make it easy to compare how much time to set aside; on day tours, your time at the castle itself is unlimited. Since schedules and offerings may change, check the latest tour information before making plans.
Local History at the Cornwall Brothers Museum
The Alexandria Township Historical Association owns and operates the historic Cornwall Brothers Museum, dating from 1866. It is located at 36 Market Street in Alexandria Bay. Exhibits and artifacts document the history and way of life of the people of this river community, as well as the broader Town of Alexandria. The focus therefore extends from life in the river community to the larger town. While Boldt Castle is accessible only by water, the museum is at 36 Market Street.
The two cultural-history topics offer different perspectives: Boldt Castle links its history to a personal tribute to Louise, while the museum focuses on a community and the broader town. When planning the cultural part of your stay, you can consider whether you’d rather explore a personal story behind a building or delve into the history and way of life of a community.
By the Water: Seasonal Beach and Dive Park
Scenic View Park is on the St. Lawrence River and has a seasonal swimming beach. If you’re planning to visit the beach on specific travel dates, check its availability in advance.
The town’s dive park gives divers access to the Islander. It lies less than 100 feet from shore and at a water depth of about 40 feet. The distance from shore and approximate depth provide a useful guide to this dive site, which offers a different focus from the sightseeing-oriented cruises or the seasonal swimming beach.
Discover more destinations: Evans Mills, Calcium, Watertown, Carthage, Cape Vincent, Sackets Harbor.
Return to the regional travel overview: Jefferson County.
