By HP Wilder
Some Saturdays, the best thing you can do is toss your phone in the glovebox, roll the windows down, and just go. That’s what my wife and I did last weekend—no agenda, just a full tank of gas and a craving for something scenic. Turns out, you don’t have to go far from Watertown to feel like you’re a million miles away.
Let me take you along for the ride.
Morning in Thompson Park
I started my day right in the heart of Watertown. Thompson Park was waking up with the birds—mist rising off the grass, early dog walkers on the trails, and that quiet kind of peace you only get before the rest of the city catches up. I stopped by the overlook near the zoo and just stood there for a while, watching the fog burn off over the Black River Valley. Sometimes, the best views are the ones you’ve seen a hundred times already.
West Toward Sackets Harbor
Next stop: Sackets. It’s only a quick 15-minute drive, but it feels like entering a postcard. The harbor was calm, sailboats bobbing gently, and the breeze coming off Lake Ontario had that early summer softness. I wandered the old War of 1812 battlefield and tried to imagine what it must’ve sounded like with cannons echoing across the lake. Then I grabbed coffee and a breakfast sandwich from a cozy little spot near the marina, sat by the water, and watched the town slowly come alive.
Up the Shoreline to Cape Vincent
From there, I followed the shoreline north. The road to Cape Vincent twists past sleepy fields and old barns, the kind of countryside that doesn’t care what year it is. I stopped at Tibbetts Point, where the lighthouse stands quiet and proud, marking the place where the lake becomes the river. You can see Canada from there, if the sky’s clear. I didn’t say much—just stood and listened to the waves lapping at the rocks.
Clayton and the Antique Boat Spirit
Clayton came next, and let me tell you—this town knows how to charm. The downtown strip was buzzing with art lovers, antique hunters, and folks just wandering with ice cream cones in hand. I poked around a few shops, then wandered into the boat museum. You don’t need to be a sailor to appreciate those sleek wooden classics. They feel like stories carved into mahogany.
And the river? Crystal-clear. I swear, the Thousand Islands are one of the best-kept secrets in America.
Across the Islands
From there, I crossed over the Thousand Islands Bridge. Even if you’re not heading into Canada, the drive alone is stunning. Island after island dots the water below, each one with its own little cabin, dock, or secret cove. It’s like driving through a dreamscape.
On the American side, I pulled into Wellesley Island State Park and wandered a few trails at the nature center. No cell service. Just trees, birdsong, and the occasional deer. I sat on a bench overlooking the marsh for a good twenty minutes and forgot, for a moment, that I ever had responsibilities.
Boldt Castle, Because Why Not
With time to spare, I hopped on a boat to Boldt Castle. I’ve seen it before—but every time, it still feels like a storybook. The stonework, the gardens, the tragic love story behind it all… it makes you feel like you’ve stumbled into another century. I took too many pictures, none of which do it justice.
Evening in Alex Bay
I ended my day in Alexandria Bay. There’s something about the light there in the evening—the way it hits the water, the hum of boat engines slowing down for the night, the smell of fried food and river air mixing just right. People were laughing on patios, music spilling out of open doors, and everyone looked like they were exactly where they wanted to be.
Back Home
I got back to Watertown just after sunset. Tired, a little sunburned, but full in a way only a good day can fill you.
So if you’re ever feeling restless in Watertown—don’t overthink it. Pick a direction, hit the road, and let the North Country show you something beautiful.
You won’t have to go far.
