Thousand Islands area boasts popular summer attractions

It's officially summer. Now what?

There are plenty of things to see in the Thousand Islands region, including a recently announced tour of farms and agribusinesses.

The most-visited places in Jefferson County, according to Gary S. DeYoung, executive director of the Thousand Islands International Tourism Council, are a mix of the best-known sites, such as Boldt Castle and the New York State Zoo at Thompson Park, and the emerging wine industry.

1. BOLDT CASTLE, HEART ISLAND, NEAR ALEXANDRIA BAY

Historic Boldt Castle often is referred as the gem of the Thousand Islands. The castle draws about 150,000 visitors to Alexandria Bay each year.

"The Boldt Castle remains as one of the primary historic attractions in the Thousand Islands region," said Shane K. Sanford, the facility's operations manager.

For 32 years, Mr. Sanford said, the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority staff has been reconstructing the castle of George Charles Boldt, who halted construction on the home after his wife, Louise, died in 1904.

"There's something new at the castle every year," he said. "We just finished up with the George Boldt suite on the second floor of the castle. The Louise and Clover suites are coming around very nicely, and we will open them up to visitors next summer."

The castle has welcomed 5.5 million visitors since TIBA acquired it along with the Alster Tower, which sits on the edge of the island, in 1977.

"The castle adds an incalculable value to the Thousand Islands tourism industry," Mr. Sanford said.

The 5.5-acre island is covered with flower beds and offers a great view of the river and the surrounding islands. The castle held a record-breaking 95 weddings last season and there are more than 70 weddings booked for this season.

The castle is open daily until Oct. 13 and will reopen for the weekend of Oct. 17 and 18. Its extended summer hours are 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. through Sept. 6.

The annual Fourth of July fireworks over the Castle will be on view from Alexandria Bay at dusk today.

2. WELLESLEY ISLAND STATE PARK

The 2,600-acre Wellesley Island State Park is the largest campground in New York, with 420 campsites.

The park attracts about 200,000 visitors annually and is home to the Minna Anthony Common Nature Center.

"We are host to over 110,000 camping patrons each year. Another 12,000 patrons enjoy our full-service cottage colony or rustic cabins in the park," said Kevin A. Kieff, regional director of the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

Mr. Kieff said the nature center holds several extensive environmental education programs year-round — such as the 16-person Voyageur Canoe program, which explores the waters and shorelines of Eel Bay.

The nature center's butterfly house is also popular.

The park is a major site for freshwater fishing and has a a full-service marina with four boat launches. The park also has an 80-year-old, nine-hole golf course, guided hiking, a beach, a picnic area, cabins and cottages.

"It's a very busy place in the summertime," Mr. Kieff said.

Deer and waterfowl hunting are permitted in season.

"In the wintertime, the nature center's miles of trails are extremely popular for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing," Mr. Kieff said.

He said the park just added four new toilet and shower buildings.

While the campgrounds are open only from late April through mid-October, the trails are open year-round.

3. NEW YORK STATE ZOO AT THOMPSON PARK, WATERTOWN

The New York State Zoo at Thompson Park attracts 50,000 people a year and is one of the favorite daytime destinations for all ages.

"It's a wonderful place to be with your family or social group," said John Scott Foster, zoo director.

At the zoo, visitors can discover 80 different species of animals that are found in, or once inhabited, New York state, including mountain lions, fishers, eagles, snowy owls, wolves and bobcats.

"We have many returning visitors because of the dynamic experience at the zoo," Mr. Foster said. "Our goal is to keep the experience fresh."

The zoo is finishing its North American River Otter Exhibit, which features four otters and an underwater viewing area. The otter exhibit is expected to open in the next few weeks, Mr. Foster said. Also new to the zoo is a baby elk, born Monday, he said.

To get the most out of the zoo experience, Mr. Foster said, people should come early. "Get to the zoo around opening time. That's when the animals are most active," he said.

From March through October, the zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week.

The zoo will host its first beer and food tasting event — Bobcats, Bears & Brews — from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 1.

4. ANTIQUE BOAT MUSEUM, CLAYTON

With hundreds of antique boats on display, the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton gives its visitors a glimpse of the Gilded Age in the Thousand Islands.

"The Antique Boat Museum is the largest freshwater nautical boat museum in the world," said John C. MacLean, the museum's executive director.

He said that each year, the museum attracts 40,000 visitors from all over the world with its new exhibits and boat rides. The museum has everything from canoes dating to the late 1800s to old rowboats, sailboats and racing boats and other unusual pieces of history.

The Antique Boat Museum has expanded its collection and campus. It now has eight exhibition buildings and recently opened its newest exhibit, "Made in Clayton," which features items created in the town.

"In the exhibit, we have antique paddles, information on boat builders, snowplows, pump organs and swimsuits which are all made in Clayton," Mr. MacLean said.

He said the museum also has been trying to make itself into a more attractive destination for families with boat shows, regattas, various children's activities, guided tours, boat-building classes and more.

Mr. MacLean said visitors to the museum can take a tour of the 106-foot 1903 houseboat La Duchesse or row the St. Lawrence skiff out on the river for free. Visitors can take a speedboat ride for an extra charge.

The museum's 45th annual Antique Boat Show and Auction will be July 31 to Aug. 2.

The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily until Oct. 12.

5. THOUSAND ISLANDS SEAWAY WINE TRAIL

"It's a great local attraction. People can get out and enjoy the beautiful countryside and get a taste of local flavors. It makes for a great day trip," said Stephen J. Conaway, president of the Thousand Islands Seaway Wine Trail and owner of the Thousand Islands Winery.

Altogether, Mr. Conaway said, almost 65,000 people visited the wine trail last year.

The 78-mile-long wine trail includes the Yellow Barn Winery in Sackets Harbor, Thousand Islands Winery near the Thousand Islands Bridge, Otter Creek Winery in Philadelphia, Seaway Coldhardy Grapevines & Vineyard in Evans Mills and Coyote Moon Winery in Clayton.

With Coyote Moon — which opened in June — added to the itinerary, the wine trail is projecting a total of 100,000 visitors this year, Mr. Conaway said.

To celebrate Wine and Grape Month in Jefferson County, the wine trail will host several events in July:

■ Wednesday — Otter Creek Winery will host an introductory grape-growing seminar from 6 to 8 p.m.

■ Saturday — Thousand Islands Winery will celebrate its sixth anniversary at its Birthday Bash from 2 to 6 p.m.

■ July 18 — Coyote Moon Winery will hold a grand opening from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 1:30 p.m.

■ July 22 — Coyote Moon will host an introduction to grape-growing seminar from 6 to 8 p.m.

■ July 25 — Seaway Coldhardy Grapevines & Vineyard will host a Tour a Vineyard Day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.