Alexandria Bay, New York

Known as the “Heart of the Thousand Islands,” Alexandria Bay is one of Northern New York’s most recognizable waterfront destinations. Nestled along the St. Lawrence River in northern Jefferson County, the village serves as a gateway to the world-famous Thousand Islands, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year for boating, fishing, sightseeing, dining, shopping, and outdoor recreation. Despite its small year-round population, Alexandria Bay has become one of the region’s most important tourism centers and one of New York State’s premier waterfront communities.

Settlement in the area began during the early nineteenth century as pioneers recognized the strategic importance of the St. Lawrence River for transportation, trade, and commerce. By the late 1800s, Alexandria Bay had evolved into one of America’s great summer resorts, welcoming visitors arriving by steamboat to experience the beauty of the Thousand Islands. During the Gilded Age, wealthy industrialists built magnificent summer estates throughout the region, helping establish Alexandria Bay as an internationally known vacation destination that continues to thrive today.

No landmark is more closely associated with Alexandria Bay than Boldt Castle, the six-story Rhineland-style castle built on Heart Island by hotel magnate George C. Boldt as a tribute to his wife, Louise. Construction abruptly stopped after her unexpected death in 1904, leaving the castle unfinished for decades before extensive restoration transformed it into one of the Northeast’s most visited historic attractions. Along with nearby Singer Castle, Boldt Castle has helped define the identity of the Thousand Islands and remains a symbol of the region’s history and architectural heritage.

Today, Alexandria Bay serves as both a vibrant waterfront village and a hub for recreation on the St. Lawrence River. Tour boats depart daily for sightseeing cruises through the islands, marinas welcome recreational boaters from across North America, and charter captains guide anglers pursuing bass, muskellunge, northern pike, walleye, salmon, and lake trout. The village is also home to waterfront restaurants, boutique shops, seasonal festivals, live entertainment, and community events that draw visitors throughout the boating season.

Although tourism is the primary driver of the local economy, Alexandria Bay is also a year-round community with schools, healthcare services, municipal government, and businesses that support residents throughout the region. Its proximity to the Thousand Islands Bridge and the Canadian border makes the village an important gateway for international travel and commerce between Northern New York and Eastern Ontario.

The Watertown Post provides continuing coverage of Alexandria Bay’s local government, business development, waterfront projects, tourism, boating, fishing, public safety, community events, environmental issues, and cross-border news. Whether reporting on village initiatives, river conditions, major festivals, or the latest developments affecting the Thousand Islands, our mission is to provide comprehensive coverage of one of Northern New York’s most iconic waterfront communities.

Quick Facts

Official Name: Village of Alexandria Bay

Nickname: Heart of the Thousand Islands

County: Jefferson County, New York

Town: Alexandria

Region: Thousand Islands

Population: 924 (2020 U.S. Census)

Founded: Early settlement began around 1817.

Waterway: St. Lawrence River

Nearby Border Crossing: Thousand Islands Bridge to Ontario, Canada

Government: Village government with an elected mayor and board of trustees

Primary Industries:

• Tourism
• Hospitality
• Marine Services
• Charter Fishing
• Retail
• Restaurants
• Recreation

Major Attractions:

• Boldt Castle
• Heart Island
• Scenic Boat Tours
• St. Lawrence River
• Thousand Islands
• Marinas
• Waterfront Parks
• Fishing Charters

Popular Activities:

• Boating
• Fishing
• Kayaking
• Sailing
• Sightseeing Cruises
• Shopping
• Dining
• Photography

Related Topics

• Thousand Islands
• St. Lawrence River
• Jefferson County
• Town of Alexandria
• Boldt Castle
• Heart Island
• Singer Castle
• Wellesley Island
• Thousand Islands Bridge
• Clayton
• Cape Vincent
• Gananoque, Ontario
• Kingston, Ontario
• Tibbetts Point Lighthouse
• Recreational Boating
• Fishing Reports
• War of 1812
• Lake Ontario

Latest Watertown Post Coverage

Browse below for the latest Watertown Post reporting on Alexandria Bay, including local government, tourism, boating, fishing, waterfront development, business, community events, public safety, cross-border news, and everything happening in the Heart of the Thousand Islands.