Thousand Islands vacation rentals

Thousand Islands offers plenty to see and do

The countless islets and rocks that pepper the channels of the St Lawrence River have long inspired the wonder of travelers. Some are but a clustering of stone above the water, their lone trees silhouetted against red-pink sunsets in the evening. Others are large, topped with dramatic Gothic castles or mysterious fraternity lodges. Others are enticing getaways, with Thousand Islands vacation rentals with timber decks and private coves. And others are given over entirely to nature, with blue heron rookeries and fish-laden creeks dotting their backcountry.

Castles and forts in the Thousand Islands

Transport yourself to the tumultuous times of 1812 and the Revolutionary War with a visit to the Sacket Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site, or the Fort Ontario State Historic Site _ places where great conflicts of American history have unfolded on the St Lawrence waters. Then, be sure to hop between the local cider farms, maple syrup presses, or wineries, sipping on the finest Thousand Islands tipples. And no matter how inebriated you are after it all, Boldt Castle is not to be missed _ get ready for fairy-tale turrets and Gothic towers galore.

Hopping between the Thousand Islands

Get ready to hit the water on that trip to the Thousand Islands. With so many places to see, it would be a crime not to board a boat tour and weave from shore to shore seeking out the sights. Keep your eyes peeled for great herons and majestic country castles as you go _ they lurk in the forested coves. Cider tasting sessions or cooking lessons with the fruits of the regional orchards are a great way to while away days in the harvest season, while summertime can also be about sunning yourself on the hidden sand beaches.

Thousand Islands thaw and freeze

There's no question that Thousand Islands vacation rentals are at their most coveted in the middle of the North American summer. That's when visitors from all over Ontario and New York State flock to the boat harbors to ride the waves of the St Lawrence River, enjoying the warmth of months like June, July, and August as they go. However, don't discount a winter trip to these icy parts _ some islands look like veritable wonderlands in the snow, and ice rinks pop up all over the shores from December to March.

Surrounded by water in the Thousand Islands

The Thousand Islands peak their heads over the waters of the mighty St Lawrence River as it gushes between the Great Lakes and the Atlantic. Much of the Canadian side of the archipelago is protected under the Thousand Islands National Park, which has rare freshwater turtle species, forested shorelines, and wild camping spots aplenty. In the US, the region is spattered with more state parks than you can shake a hotdog at. You could get Thousand Islands vacation rentals on Wellesley Island to go glamping on the edge of untouched lakes, or settle in Keewaydin State Park for something a little closer to civilization.