1000 Islands Cruise + Boldt Castle Visit (Route 1)

This trip travels to the USA. Passports required!

Please join us on this day trip from Toronto to the 1000 Islands Region to discover the enchanting Boldt Castle nestled in the heart of the famed Islands. The boat cruise guides you through the picturesque landscapes, passing by Zavikon Island, Millionaire’s Row, the St. Lawrence Seaway, and the iconic 1000 Islands Bridge. During the 1½ hour narrated cruise, you'll be captivated by fascinating stories about the region's history.

The highlight of the tour is a 2½ hour stop at Boldt Castle, a timeless tribute to one man's love for his wife. This package includes admission to Boldt Castle and the shuttle boat ride to and from the Boldt Yacht House. Immerse yourself in the charm and history of this romantic destination, creating lasting memories of your 1000 Islands adventure.

For more information on Boldt Castle, please Click here for details.
For more information on the Boldt Yacht House, please Click here for details.
Note: ​This is a long tour day and depending on where you board the bus, it will be 12 to 15 hours before you return to your pickup location. 

Tour Dates

1-Day Trip
Sat June 1, 2024
​Sat June 22, 2024
​Sat July 6, 2024
Sat July 27, 2024
​Sat Aug 17, 2024
​Sat Aug 31, 2024
Sat Sep 7, 2024

Price

$189 per person
All prices are per person, in Canadian dollars. All taxes and tips are included!

Pickup Locations

7:45 AM Mississauga Hurontario & Courtney Park Drive
8:15 AM York Mills Station
8:40 AM Scarborough Town Ctr
To book over the phone, please call (866) 208-2950

Inclusions

  • Round trip transportation on deluxe bus with a washroom and WiFi.
  • 1000 Islands boat cruise (1.5 hours) with narration included.
  • 2.5 hour stop on Heart Island and admission to Boldt Castle included.
  • Visit to The Big Apple for lunch. Price of lunch is not included in tour.
  • Escorted tour with ShortTrips.ca tour director available during tour. 
  • All tips & taxes included.

Approximate Return Times

  • Scarborough 10:00 PM
  • York Mills 10:20 PM
  • Mississauga 10:50 PM

Deposits, Payments, Cancellations & Refunds

  • 100% full refund if you cancel at least 7 days before the trip departure date. 
  • Sorry but no refunds if cancellation is received less then 7 days before trip departure date. 
  • Your can transfer your seat to anyone else you know, up to the time of departure. without penalty. 

Travelling With Children

  • Children 10+ are welcome on this tour. Price is the same as adults. 

Trip Notes

  • ​We will be stopping at The Big Apple for lunch on the way to the 1000 Islands and stopping again at a highway service area for a dinner stop on our way home. Meals are not included in the tour price. ​

Travel Documents

  • US Immigration requires that all travellers MUST have a passport (or Nexus or EDL cards).  If you do not have a Canadian or USA passport, please make sure that you have the appropriate permissions or documentation to travel to the USA. 
  • Passports are checked before you board the boat. If you are denied permission to board the boat, sadly we will have to leave you at the dock. The group will return in 3½ hours and you will be able to return to Toronto with the group when the bus departs. 
  • Sorry but no refunds if you are denied boarding or entry to the  USA.

Emergency Medical Insurance

  • Emergency medical and trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended. Even though this is a one-day trip, the smallest visit to an urgent care centre or a hospital in the USA can be very expensive. If you were to get injured or incapacitated while at the Boldt Castle you will most likely be taken to the nearest medical facility in Alexandria Bay, NY.
  • If you are not covered by a workplace or some other blanket travel/medical insurance policy, please consider purchasing emergency medical insurance online from CAA or TD Insurance or RBC Insurance or Manulife.

Boldt Castle

Boldt Castle has an interesting history. 

Construction began on Boldt Castle in 1900 at the request of millionaire hotel magnate George C. Boldt as a tribute to his beloved wife Louise. Boldt Castle was designed as their summer dream home on the St. Lawrence River, in the heart of the 1000 Islands. Alas, it was never meant to be. Mrs. Boldt passed away suddenly just months before the completion of the castle. Mr. Boldt was inconsolable and immediately stopped all construction on Heart Island and never returned, leaving the property vacant for over seventy years.

Today Boldt Castle, located on Heart Island near Alexandria Bay, NY in the 1000 Islands is once again becoming what it was always meant to be, the premier home and attraction in the region. We will have a 2½hour stopover on Heart Island to allow you to tour this wonderful property as well as take the shuttle to the Yacht House ifg 
Our arrival time at Boldt Castle is 2:30 PM and departure time from the island is at 5:00 PM. There is a snack bar on the island but you are welcome to bring your own snacks and refreshments if you wish and use the outside grounds to enjoy your munchies as you take in the unparalleled views of the St. Lawrence. Please note that no food or drink is allowed inside the castle. 

By the way, George Boldt is credited with being involved in either the creation or promotion of 1000 Island Salad Dressing depending on which story you read. Here is the link to the Wikipedia article if you have further interest. Click Here

1000 Islands Cruise

Experience the icons of the 1000 Islands such as the International Bridge, the Statue of St. Lawrence, and Zavicon Island containing the smallest International Bridge in the world, during this cruise in the heart of the 1000 Islands.

We leave the dock at 2:00 PM and return at 6:00 PM. This includes 1.5 hours of cruising in the 1000 Islands and 2.5 hours of stopover at Boldt Castle. 

The Big Apple

On our way to the 1000 Islands region, we stop for a late breakfast/early lunch at the Big Apple. 

In addition to an extensive lunch menu, you also get a chance to shop for some delicious apple pies, apple bread, apple crumble, apple chips... well, you get the idea. They also have an extensive wine tasting and tea/coffee counter. And if you feel energetic, you can always climb to the observation deck at the top of the big apple to get a bird's eye view of the area. 

Cost of lunch is not included in the tour price. 

To get an idea of the facilities at The Big Apple, please click here.