Clayton (New York)

The original residents of this area were Algonquian and Onondaga native tribes, which were followed by Iroquois and by French explorers. US permanent settlement in the area began in the early to mid-1800s, years after the end of the War of 1812 which had been waged at points as local as Sackets Harbor and Gananoque. By 1873, the Clayton Division of the Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg Railroad (RW&O, later part of the New York Central) was carrying passengers and freight to Clayton's station and ferry terminal (now Frink Park) from New York City and Boston. At one point, five hotels on different islands were served by steamships based in Clayton. New York's millionaires used the 1000 Islands as their summer playground, building opulent structures such as Singer Castle and Boldt Castle (bankrolled by Singer sewing machine and Waldorf-Astoria hotel barons, respectively). Franklin Delano Roosevelt was in attendance for the 1938 opening of a magnificent international bridge across the St. Lawrence River, which landed at the midpoint of the (then under construction) 1000 Islands Parkway in Canada.

The last passenger train ran in 1951; the tracks to Clayton were removed after the last freight train in 1972. Frink Park now serves as a public venue for performances. Tour boats to Boldt Castle and the 1000 Islands depart seasonally from Alexandria Bay and Clayton. An international car ferry runs seasonally from Wolfe Island (Ontario) to Cape Vincent.

From Watertown and Syracuse, Interstate 81 northbound leads to the 1000 Islands bridge at Fishers Landing, between Clayton and Alexandria Bay. NY 12 follows the river east-west from Morristown to Clayton; NY 12E continues to Cape Vincent.

The region is accessible by cruising on small craft from the Great Lakes or the St. Lawrence Seaway.

The closest scheduled bus and air service is in Watertown (ART ^IATA). The closest Amtrak station is in Syracuse.

• 🌍 Thousand Islands Art Center, 314 John St, Clayton, ☏ +1 315-686-4123. M-F 9AM-5PM, Sa 10AM-4PM, store open seasonally. (updated Aug 2017)
• 🌍 Thousand Islands Museum, 312 James St, Clayton, ☏ +1 315-686-5794, fax: +1 315 686-4867. Tu-F 10AM-4PM. (updated Aug 2017)
• 🌍 Antique Boat Museum, 750 Mary Street, Clayton, ☏ +1 315-686-4104, fax: +1 315 686-2775. 

• 🌍 Cedar Point State Park, 36661 Cedar Point State Park Dr, ☏ +1 315-654-2522. 
• Clayton Island Tours, 39621 Chateau Lane, Clayton, ☏ +1 315-686-4820. Boldt Castle, Rock Island and river tours. 
• Clayton Opera House, 405 Riverside Dr, Clayton, ☏ +1 315-686-2200. May-mid Oct: daily 9A6. 
• TI Fishing Charters, 5108 Audrey Drive, North Syracuse, ☏ +1 315-952-6574. Charters depart from Alexandria Bay and Wellesley Island. 
• Uncle Sam Boat Tours, 45 James St, Alexandria Bay, ☏ +1 315-482-2611. 

• 1000 Islands Winery, 43298 Seaway Ave, Alexandria Bay, ☏ +1 315-482-9306, fax: +1 315-482-9302. 
• Clayton Farmers Market, Frink Park, Riverside Dr, Clayton, ☏ +1 315-686-3771. Summer only: Th 4-7PM. Farm produce, baked goods and homemade items. 
• Coyote Moon Vineyards, 17371 East Line Rd, Clayton, ☏ +1 315-686-5600. Vineyard open daily except Christmas. Wine & Craft Beer Lounge at 524 Riverside Road, Clayton (+1 315-686-4030) operates seasonally. 

• Blue Heron Restaurant, 12050 NY Route 12E, Chaumont, ☏ +1 315-649-2240. Bar and restaurant. $10-16. 
• Clipper Inn, 126 State Street, Clayton, ☏ +1 315-686-3842. Seasonal restaurant (and motel) with seafood, Mediterranean, Asian and vegetarian dishes. $20-35. 

• O'Brien's Restaurant and Bar, 226 Webb St, Clayton, ☏ +1 315-686-1110. 11AM-2AM. 
• Roxy Hotel, 111 East Broadway, Cape Vincent, ☏ +1 315-654-2456. Monaghan's Irish Pub, food and drink year round, outdoor patio, lake and river view. Sixteen-room hotel, five two-bedroom townhouse apartments. 

• 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel, 200 Riverside Drive, Clayton, ☏ +1 315-686-1100. Indoor pool, jacuzzi, fitness centre, 105 rooms, Seaway Grille steak and seafood restaurant, 1000 Islands Bar, seasonal riverside patio. 
• Bonnie Castle Resort and Marina, 31 Holland St, Alexandria Bay, ☏ +1 315-482-4511, toll-free: +1-800-955-4511. 
• Capt. Thompson’s Resort, 45 James Street, Alexandria Bay, ☏ +1 315-482-9961. 68-room waterfront motel. The same proprietors operate the Captain's Inn and suites seasonally. 
• Edgewood Resort, Edgewood Park Road, Alexandria Bay, ☏ +1 315-482-9923. 100-room waterfront hotel, dining and banquet facilities, marina. 
• Fair Wind Motel and Cottages, 38201 State Rt 12E, Clayton, ☏ +1 315-686-5251. 
• K's Motel, 1043 State St, Clayton, ☏ +1 315-686-3380, toll-free: +1-800-643-8622. Motel and cottages, river view. 
• Lanz's, 40033 NYS Route 12, Clayton, ☏ +1 315-686-5690. Motel, cottages and campground, outdoor pool. Seasonal (May-mid Oct). 
• Riveredge Resort, 17 Holland St, Alexandria Bay, ☏ +1 315-482-9917, toll-free: +1-800-365-6987. Conference centre, Holland Street Bistro, tiki bar, transient and seasonal dockage, wi-fi. 
• West Winds Motel & Cottages, 38267 NYS Route 12E, Clayton, ☏ +1 315-686-3352, toll-free: +1-888-WESTWND (9378963). Seasonal (May-Sept). 

• Hawn Memorial Library, 220 John Street, Clayton, ☏ +1 315-686-3762, fax: +1 315 686-6028. M W F 9AM-5PM, Tu Th 9AM-7PM, Sa 9AM-2PM. Small local library with wi-fi and Internet computers. 

• Thousand Islands
• Sackets Harbor