How to see Boldt Castle in the 1000 Islands from Canada
Boldt Castle in the 1000 Islands attracts visitors from all over the world. This impressive structure is a tribute to love, a tale of tragedy, and likely the grandest summer cottage you’ve ever seen! While Boldt Castle is located on the American side of the St. Lawrence River, there are several ways to see it from Canada — and only some of them require you to bring your passport.
Here’s a look at its history, why it’s worth visiting, and how to choose the best way to see Boldt Castle during your visit. The Thousand Islands region is part of our Kingston to Montreal St. Lawrence River road trip. Have questions about planning your visit to Boldt Castle? Join our Facebook community!
Produced in partnership with 1000 Islands Tourism
Why is Boldt Castle famous?
Boldt Castle is a well-preserved example of an American Gilded Age mansion. It was commissioned by an American millionaire named George C. Boldt, who made his fortune as proprietor of the famed Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City, and later as owner of the Belleview-Stratford Hotel in Philadelphia.
In 1900, Boldt acquired Hart Island in the Thousand Islands, located not far from his family’s estate on nearby Wellesley Island. Boldt had the island renamed to Heart Island and reshaped into the form of a heart. He undertook plans to build a Rhineland-style castle on it with six storeys and 120 rooms, plus tunnels, a powerhouse, and outbuildings. It was to be his ultimate tribute to his love for his wife, Louise.
The tale of Boldt Castle ends in tragedy, and construction was never completed.
Why was Boldt Castle never finished?
George Boldt’s wife Louise died suddenly in January 1904 before construction of Boldt Castle was complete. Her husband was so heartbroken that he abandoned the project completely. The property fell into disrepair over decades until it was bequeathed to the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority in 1977. It has since been restored and is now a popular tourist attraction.
Is Boldt Castle in Canadian or American waters?
In the Thousand Islands, the Canadian-American border cuts right through the middle of the St. Lawrence River. This means some of the region’s 1,864 islands are within Canadian waters while others fall on the American side. Boldt Castle, and Heart Island where it’s located, are within the territory of the United States.
If you’re arriving from Canada and want to visit Heart Island to walk through Boldt Castle, you’ll need to enter the United States at a border crossing. This is possible by car or via one of the Canadian cruise operators as detailed below. However, if you’re content with seeing Boldt Castle’s grandeur from the outside, there are several ways to do this from Canada that don’t require you to cross the border.
How to see Boldt Castle from the air
One unique way to see Boldt Castle from the Canadian side of the river is by helicopter with 1000 Islands Helicopter Tours. The 20-minute Boldt Castle tour departs from just north of the Canadian town of Gananoque. It offers breathtaking aerial views as you trace along the St. Lawrence River before crossing into American airspace. Once you reach Heart Island, the pilot will circle it to ensure everyone gets a clear look at George Boldt’s unfinished masterpiece!
Explore more things to do in Gananoque >
How to see Boldt Castle from the water
Boat cruises are the most popular way to see Boldt Castle. There are several tour operators who offer cruise excursions on both the Canadian and American sides of the St. Lawrence River.
From Canada, you can book a sightseeing cruise that circles around Heart Island and then returns to the mainland without stopping. This type of cruise typically lasts one to three hours, depending on your departure point. You don’t need to bring your passport if you book this type of cruise.
If you want to see the grandeur inside Boldt Castle, you’ll need to book a cruise that includes a stopover at Heart Island. These cruises typically depart from within or near Gananoque and take roughly four hours. There is a customs office on Heart Island where you’ll have your passport checked and be processed for entry into the United States. At the end of the tour, the same cruise operator will return you to your departure point in Canada.
Some of our favourite tour operators from the Canadian side include Rockport Boat Line departing from the village of Rockport, and City Cruises departing from Gananoque and Ivy Lea. You can also find tours operating from Alexandria Bay, New York (Uncle Sam Boat Tours) and Clayton, New York (Clayton Island Tours).
If you’re exploring the Thousand Islands region with your own boat, you can dock at Heart Island free of charge. Boaters originating from Canada will need to follow cross-border reporting requirements. When arriving on your own, you’ll need to pay an admission fee on Heart Island to access Boldt Castle.
How to choose a Thousand Islands cruise in Canada >
How to see Boldt Castle by driving to the United States
If you’d rather visit Boldt Castle on your own schedule, you’ll need to drive into the United States. From the Canadian Thousand Islands region, the closest border crossing is the Thousand Islands Bridge in Ivy Lea, Ontario. On your way across, stop to take in the views at the 1000 Islands Tower on Hill Island, one of the many places to explore along Ontario’s Thousand Islands Parkway.
When you drive to Boldt Castle, the closest access point by road is Boldt Yacht House, located just off Wellesley Island in upper New York state. Here, a ferry shuttle will take you across the river to the dock at Heart Island. You can disembark to walk on the island’s stately grounds and through Boldt Castle at your leisure. For a small additional fee, you can browse the historic boat collection housed inside Boldt Yacht House while you wait for the shuttle to arrive.
When is Boldt Castle open to the public?
Boldt Castle and the Boldt Yacht House are open to the general public from mid-May to mid-October annually. To figure out how to see Boldt Castle at other times of the year, note many operators offer a longer season for tours that circle but don’t disembark onto the island. Check with the tour operator that interests you for more details!
Explore more Ontario road trips >
