There are lots of reasons to head to the 1000 Islands: a stunning waterway, theatre, cruising, outdoor adventure all set in one of the most beautiful places in Ontario. But did you know they also have castles? I kid you not, they have two real life castles: Boldt Castle and Singer Castle. But, there’s a catch, you can only visit them by boat.

Cruising Castle Style

If you want to see a castle up close, the 1000 Islands has got you covered. The easiest option to visit these castles is to take one of the tours offered by a local boat cruise company. In the 1,000 Islands area there are some great options for this, Gananoque Boat Line or Rockport Cruises.  Both have cruises that stop at Boldt Castle and Rockport offers a cruise that will take you to both. 

A Bit About Boldt

Boldt Castle’s history sounds like something out of a storybook. The saga begins at the turn-of-the-century when George C. Boldt, millionaire proprietor of the world famous Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City, set out to build a grandiose structure for the love of his wife, Louise. He commissioned over 300 workers to build a 120 room castle. But, in 1904, tragedy strikes when George Boldt’s cherished wife Louise dies suddenly. Broken hearted and distraught, he commands workers to immediately “stop all construction.” George never returned to the island and the castle that held so much promise was abandoned for 73 long years before the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority took it over.

After an extensive and ongoing rehabilitation, today’s visitors get to experience Boldt Castle in all its glory. The estate has an array of structures to explore which include: the Power House, the Alster Tower, the Hennery, the Arch and a stone gazebo. But the main event by far is the 6-story high castle. Once inside, you’ll have the opportunity to tour various rooms that have meticulously reconstructed to show off how they would have looked over a hundred years ago. The décor has been chosen to reflect George and Louise Boldt’s intended interior.

Something to Sing About

Although Singer Castle doesn’t come with a tragic love story, it does have a lot of history to offer and a mysterious ambiance, complete with secret passages to explore. Commissioned in 1903 by Frederick Gilbert Bourne as a hunting retreat, the castle is a sight to behold. Mr. Bourne, a self-made millionaire and the fifth President of the Singer Sewing Machine Company stayed in possession of the castle up until the mid-sixties. It is the only remaining castle on the St. Lawrence River that was completed and resided in during its heyday. 

Today, Singer Castle is open to visitors for a guided tour to see the intricate architecture, beautiful furnishings and puzzling secret passages. And, if you want to feel like royalty for an evening there is even an option to spend the night in the Royal Suite. 

Two fascinating and elaborate castles to explore, each with their own fascinating history and intricate designs. If you’re heading over from the Canadian side, make sure you bring your passport as both Boldt Castle and Singer Castle are on US soil. You won’t want to miss out on these must-see attractions when visiting the beautiful 1000 Islands.