With a population of 1,057 in the 2017 census, Alexandria Bay is fairly quiet in the winter. But between late spring and early fall, travelers and regular boaters drive the population to more than 15,000. Visitors can take daily boat tours of the bay and the St. Lawrence River.
Modern settlement of Alexandria Bay began in 1817. About 25 homes had been built in the small community by 1836.
Perhaps the most recognizable part of Alexandria Bay is Boldt Castle, a breathtaking 120-room mansion located on Heart Island near the village. Multimillionaire George C. Boldt invested more than $2.5 million to have the castle, a Rhineland castle replica, built for his wife, Louise. He planned to give it to her on Valentine's Day in 1904, but tragedy struck when she died in January. All work stopped on the castle, and it stood unattended for 73 years.
The Thousand Islands Bridge Authority purchased the castle property in 1977. The structures were restored at a cost of several million dollars. Today, ferries take visitors to the castle every day on an hourly schedule.
The 10-day Bill Johnston's Pirate Days is held in Alexandria Bay every August. Performers stage pirate battles, including a siege of the village by Canadian river pirate and smuggler Bill Johnston, who was dubbed the Pirate of the Thousand Islands for the destruction of the Sir Robert Peel in 1838.
Those attending are encouraged to dress up as pirates, like the actors lining the streets. The event has an educational element, with organizations offering presentations, displays, and galleries featuring weapons and ships from the Golden Age of Piracy.
When are the best times to visit Alexandria Bay, NY?
The best times to visit Alexandria Bay are between mid-May and the end of September when the weather is comfortable and the village is geared up for visitors. High temperatures will range from the mid-60s to the upper 70s during this time, with the height of the tourist season coming in the summer months of June through August. The temperatures will be at their warmest at the end of July. Hotel rates will be highest during the summer and will be slightly lower during late spring and early fall. Book early to save a little on room rates and to ensure that you can get a reservation.
Tourism is down in the cool seasons in early spring and late fall, when high temperatures drop to the 40s and 50s and lows in the 20s and 30s. Winter is not a popular time to visit Alexandria Bay, with highs in the 30s and lows in the teens and 20s. Room rates will be lower in the cool season and at their lowest of the year in winter.
Below is a chart of the current pricing seasonality of hotels and motels in Alexandria Bay, NY:
Averate Rates by Star Rating
Below are 3 charts displaying average price trends by star rating class in Alexandria Bay, NY. Analyze these line graphs to calculate the cheapest time to book a room in Alexandria Bay for your upcoming travels.
What are the luxury hotels in Alexandria Bay, NY?
4 Star Average Prices: $188.13
Bonnie Castle Resort & Marina, tucked along the St. Lawrence River, covers 18 acres in Alexandria Bay. You can enjoy gorgeous views of the river and Boldt Castle. Guests have three options for dining: a casual spot on the river called The Point, the Riverside Sports Bar, and the Manor House Restaurant for fine dining.
Rooms at the recently renovated hotel have comfortable beds with quality linens and flat-screen TVs. You can get a standard room, a poolside room, one of three levels of Jacuzzi rooms, or an apartment with a kitchen, bedroom, and living room. Take a dip in the indoor pool and relax in the hot tub, or go for the new outdoor pool. The resort also offers a full-service marina, a spa, and a fitness center.
Across the Canadian border, 12 miles from Alexandria Bay, you'll find the 4.5-star 1000 Islands Bed & Breakfast — The Bulloch House in Gananoque, Ontario. The four individually decorated guest rooms have pillowtop beds with Egyptian cotton sheets and private bathrooms with designer toiletries. Three rooms have access to a balcony. You can watch premium channels and Netflix on a 42-inch smart TV and make coffee and tea in your room. Outdoors, you can enjoy a terrace and garden with lovely views. The B&B also offers a business center and free Wi-Fi. Children 12 and younger are not permitted.
The Bulloch House was once owned by William Bulloch, an important industrialist in Ontario. The 30-room mansion is an especially historic and architecturally significant B&B. It features an antique shop for browsing and bicycles for guests to ride, as well as English breakfast, English afternoon cream tea, and an evening fireside social. You'll be next to the St. Lawrence River and near the Thousand Islands Bridge, the Thousand Islands Playhouse Theater, the Gananoque Boat Line, and the shops, art galleries, and restaurants of downtown Gananoque.
What are the affordable hotels in Alexandria Bay, NY?
3 Star Average Prices: $146.29
If you're willing to stay 20 miles from Alexandria Bay, you can save a substantial amount on your hotel bill. Days Inn by Wyndham Evans Mills/Fort Drum is in Evans Mills, a six-minute drive from Evans Mills Speedway and a three-minute drive from Fort Drum. You can save on food with your in-room microwave and refrigerator and the barbecue grills outside. Rooms are also equipped with coffee/tea makers, flat-screen TVs, deep soaking tubs, and free wired and wireless internet connections. This highly rated value hotel also provides a fitness center, a 24-hour business center, free newspapers, and a complimentary continental breakfast.
You can get even lower rates in nearby Calcium. Motel 6 Calcium, NY - Fort Drum is about 6 miles from the Jefferson County Historical Society. Rooms have refrigerators, microwaves, coffee makers, flat-screen televisions, and free Wi-Fi. Outdoors, you'll find a picnic area and barbecue grills. The hotel also offers a 24-hour business center.