The 1000 Islands region was home to not only significant skirmishes between the U.S. and British-controlled Canada during the War of 1812, but its history as a vacation destination traces back to the Gilded Age, when many of world’s most wealthy and famous treated the region as their private playground. That history, along with major roles in the U.S. Prohibition and maritime ingenuity, has led to visitors trekking to the 1000 Islands to experience authentic heritage sites and attractions. War of 1812 battle sites and military fortifications still line the shorelines and are open for guided and self-guided tours.

Sackets Harbor, overlooking Lake Ontario and sheltered on Black River Bay, was the main location for a military fort and boat building station during the War of 1812. Now the tree-lined streets of this heritage community welcome visitors to discover its unique history and charming architecture. Modern construction and heritage buildings blend to create a picturesque village of antique shops, boutiques and waterfront restaurants. A visit to the State Battlefield Historic Site brings history to life on the shores of Lake Ontario.

Gilded Age grandeur is no more prevalent than at the fairytale castles that stand today as visitor attractions. Learn how the rich and famous of the early 1900s enjoyed the 1000 Islands by visiting these formerly private island mansions.

The region’s maritime history is on display at several sites, including North America’s largest collection of antique and classic wooden boats in Clayton. Museums dedicated to the region’s fishing and boating history, as well as military past, keep a true sense of why this area is so unique in its connection to water and wilderness.

Visual and performing arts are abundant in the 1000 Islands with many venues and special arts events presented by local organizations. Throughout the summer, visitors enjoy a lively schedule of theater productions, gallery exhibits and special museum shows.

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1000 Islands History Museum

10th Mountain Division & Fort Drum Museum

Fort Drum Museum Entrance

Agnes Etherington Art Centre

Alexander Corners Veterans & Pearl Harbor Memorial

Antique Boat Museum

Aquatarium at Tall Ships Landing

Art of Fire New York

Arts Association of Northern New York

Arts in the Park

Battle of the Windmill National Historic Site of Canada

Bay Drive-In Theatre

Bay House Artisans

Bellevue House National Historic Site

Boldt Castle and Boldt Yacht House

Boldt castle aerial view at night

Breakwater Art Gallery

Brockville Arts Centre

Brockville Museum

Brockville Railway Tunnel

Burrville Cider Mill

Cannamore Orchard

Cape Vincent Historical Museum

Clayton Opera House

Cornwall Brothers Store Museum

Disabled Persons Action Organization Concerts

Fort Henry National Historic Site

Fort Wellington National Historic Site of Canada

Frontenac County Schools Museum

Fulford Place Museum

General Jacob Brown Mansion

Glengarry Pioneer Museum

Grand Theatre

Henderson Harbor Performing Arts Association, Inc.

Henderson Historical Society Museum

Historic Murals of Athens

Historical Association of South Jefferson

Homewood Museum

Jefferson County Historical Society – Paddock Mansion

Kelly Curry’s Studios featuring St. Lawrence Pottery and Born on a Buoy Art Gallery

Kingston Pen Tours

Kingston Symphony Association

Lost Villages Historical Society and Museum

Mallory Coach House

Michael Ringer’s St. Lawrence Gallery

Michael Ringer’s St. Lawrence Gallery

Miller Museum of Geology

Murney Tower National Historic Site

Museum of Health Care at Kingston

New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation

Nor’Westers and Loyalist Museum

Old Stone Mill National Historic Site

Pickering Beach Museum

Rideau Canal National Historic Site of Canada

Rock Island Lighthouse

Roswell P. Flower Memorial Library

Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site

Sackets Harbor Visitor Center

Save Ontario Shipwrecks – 1000 Islands Chapter

Singer Castle

St. Lawrence Shakespeare Festival

Stone Mills Museum

Studio22

The Gallery – Fine Art

Thousand Islands Arts Center, Home of the Handweaving Museum

Thousand Islands Boat Museum

Thousand Islands Museum

Thousand Islands Playhouse

Tibbetts Point Lighthouse

Tisa Gallery

Upper Canada Village