Arthur Child Heritage Museum of the 1000 Islands - Enhance your trip to the 1000 Islands with a visit to the Heritage Museum, and be transported through 10,000 years of history from the formation of the islands to the present. The building is reminiscent of the original island cottages and fabulous hotels that were built during the Golden Era. Experience a blend of 1000 Islands social, cultural and natural history in this quaint setting.
The Arthur Child Heritage Museum is on the St. Lawrence River in Gananoque adjacent to the Gananoque Boat line docks. More information: www.1000islandsheritagemuseum.com
Balleycanoe & Co. – Charming and magical, the original barns of this 1850’s farm are now filled with 19th Century architectural salvage, mainly from Eastern Ontario. The rural character of this material is what distinguishes Balleycanoe from the typical architectural salvage operation. Large quantities of doors, hardware, tin, porch posts, gingerbread, windows, stair parts, fire place mantles, trim, and many unusual decorative items are stored and displayed around the porperty. (Most stock is in original paint and form). Also located on the property is ArchifolkArt - Ceiling tin, barn boards, cast iron finials, wire fencing, porch posts, chair parts, sap buckets, fragments of stained glass, windows, etc. are used to create an endless variety of unique objects large and small.
Balleycanoe is located in rural Eastern Ontario just North of the Thousand Island Bridge between Gananoque and Brockville.
Bella’s for Lunch in Clayton, N.Y. – No deep fryer here! In the words of a local, Bella’s offers “ thoughtfully made sandwiches on home-baked breads, great lemonade, excellent coffee, all enjoyed with an unobstructed view of Calumet Island from the small deck overhanging the River”. Wow.
From Balleycanoe, travel back to the 1000 Islands Bridge, and cross to the U.S. Take exit 50-S off Route 81 southbound. Follow Route 12 going west for 7 miles into the town of Clayton. Bella’s is located at the intersection of Riverside Drive and James Street.
Remember to bring along a current passport, or a birth certificate and valid driver’s license to meet U.S. entry requirements.
Antique Boat Museum, Clayton – In the 1960's a small group of people who were determined to preserve the nautical and cultural heritage of the St. Lawrence River established the 1000 Islands Museum on the St. Lawrence River in Clayton, NY. Within the museum, the Antique Boat Auxiliary was formed, and organized the first show of antique boats in 1964.The boat show became an annual event, and today the Museum is renowned for it’s collection of over 200 antique boats – including La Duchesse, the 109' houseboat built in 1903 for millionaire hotelier George Boldt, manager of New York City's famed Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.
The Antique Boat Museum is located on the southern bank of the
St. Lawrence River in the village of Clayton, on Mary Street. More information:
www.abm.org
1000 Islands International Bridge – Opened in 1938 by Prime Minister
William Lyon Mackenzie King and President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the
Thousand Islands International Bridge stands as a shining symbol of the
alliance between the U.S. and Canada. It provides easy passage between
the two countries linking 1-81 in New York and Highway 401 in Ontario.
The unique multi-span bridge includes a soaring 4,500 foot suspension bridge,
which touches down on several islands where parks and communities are located.
For a stunning overview of the area, stop halfway at the 1000 Islands Skydeck.
Running continuously, the elevator takes 40 seconds to reach the first
of three observation decks and provides visitors with a spectacular photographic
opportunity and panoramic view of the 1000 Islands and St. Lawrence River.
Continue East on Route 12 from Clayton, and follow the signs for the 1000 Islands International Bridge to Canada. Once across the border, follow the 1000 Islands Parkway West back to Gananoque. More information and fees: www.tibridge.com , www.1000islandsskydeck.com