The St. Lawrence River, it's whatever floats your boat

A cruise through the St. Lawrence River’s 1000 Islands offers a scenic voyage along the New York–Ontario border, where 1,864 islands dot the water and the archipelago’s defining rule is that an island must stay above water year-round and host at least one tree. The Osprey tour boat, guided by Mike Cole, delivers breezy commentary as waves whip the deck and the heat climbs into the high 90s. The journey begins in Clayton, New York, with the region featuring lodging such as the 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel, a modern AAA Four Diamond property with 105 rooms from a base rate of $186.

The experience blends natural spectacle with local colour, from Grindstone Island to quaint riverside towns, where guests enjoy riverfront dining and expansive terraces that overlook the water. The overall mood is outdoorsy and relaxed, capturing a riverine landscape shaped by hundreds of islets, conservation lands, and evolving waterfront development that keeps the 1000 Islands a popular escape.