Boldt Castle was built out of love and is perhaps one of the most special attractions we can recommend near Montreal. Half Scooby-Doo, half romance, the story of this castle built on an island in the middle of the St. Lawrence River is incredibly romantic.
Technically, the castle is located in the United States, in the state of New York, and is part of the city of Alexandria. You can visit it by taking a boat from either the Canadian or American shores.
The castle’s visiting season opens on May 9, 2026 —that gives us time to research the medieval revival and, perhaps, find ourselves a pair of little pointed shoes like in those princess and knight movies.
Boldt Castle—Italian gardens, weathered stone, and love with a capital “L”
In 1900, millionaire George C. Boldt—owner of the luxury Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York—decided to build a Rhineland-style castle on one of the thousand islands of the famous 1,000 Islands region on the St. Lawrence River near New York State.
A “Rhenish castle” is a castle built in the German style of the region now known as Rhineland-Palatinate. And the reason for such a luxurious and extravagant undertaking, of course, is love with a capital “L.” Boldt had the castle built as a gift for his wife, Louise.
300 people worked day and night to build the castle: 6 stories, 120 rooms, tunnels, a drawbridge, Italian-style gardens, a dovecote, and a power plant.
In 1904, tragedy struck the Boldt family when Louise died suddenly. Heartbroken, Boldt ordered construction to cease immediately and abandoned his half-built castle—his love was gone.
The castle remained suspended and untouched until 1977, when the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority decided to finally complete its construction and open it to visitors.
Practical Information
Where? Boldt Castle, Heart Island, Alexandria Bay, New York
When? Starting May 9, 2026
How? Tickets to visit the castle: adults – $14 USD / children – $10 USD
From the Canadian shore, you can reach Heart Island and the castle with these ferry companies;
Gananoque City Cruises, Gananoque, Ontario, Canada
Website: www.cityexperieces.com/gananoque
Phone: 888.717.4837
Rockport Cruises, Rockport, Ontario, Canada
Website: www.rockportcruises.com
Phone: 613.659.3402, 800-563-8687
