BOLDT CASTLE & THE BOLDT YACHT HOUSE

Located on Heart Island, on the American side, this huge castle was built in 1900 at the request of George C. Boldt, a wealthy hotel magnate and owner of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York, as a token of love for his wife Louise. Hundreds of employees worked hard on the construction of the extravagant six-story mansion, when in 1904, Boldt ordered the work to be stopped following Louise's sudden death. Left abandoned for 73 years, at the mercy of the weather, the castle, which was never completed, was eventually purchased by the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority, which decided to open it to the public and use the proceeds to restore and preserve the six-story, 120-room heritage site, including tunnels, a drawbridge and beautiful gardens.

The island is only accessible by water, so you'll have to make your own arrangements. Check with an operator in Alexandria Bay (USA) or Rockport and Gananoque (Canada). They all offer tours to Heart Island. The neighboring island, Wellesley Island, is home to the Boldt's yacht house, a structure as unique as the castle, which served as the couple's boat house. Some superb old models are on display.

Important: Admission fees do not include shipping to Heart Island. Also check the conditions of entry into the United States.