Scenery and fun on the St. Lawrence River in Alexandria Bay
Seasonal visitors, longtime residents and a few new faces come to Alexandria Bay to enjoy the scenic views, attractions and recreation. Just across from the Canadian border and along the St. Lawrence River, the village is a popular vacation spot where people can boat, fish and swim in the clear water; tour medieval-style castles; and hang out at local pubs and diners. “The river is a generational place. Properties stay in the family for 70, 80, 90 years. And we’re having a big influx of people from New Jersey, Washington, D.C. ... We’ve kind of been discovered,” says Cathy Garlock, Realtor at Garlock Realty and vice president of Alexandria Bay’s Chamber of Commerce.
Vacation homes at a variety of price points
Homebuyers can choose from properties on private wooded lots, along residential streets, or facing the St. Lawrence River in Alexandria. Home prices can vary dramatically. Manufactured homes or compact traditional-style houses can sell for under $200,000. Mid-size homes can sell for between $200,000 and $700,000, while custom-built, waterfront properties can go for over $1 million. Garlock notes that many sales are for vacation homes. “I get four or five people a year that buy because they have vacationed here their whole life,” she says. Several waterfront resorts and hotels are also in the town and serve seasonal visitors.
Scenery and watersports on the St. Lawrence River
The St. Lawrence River, which divides the U.S. and Canada, is at the center of outdoor recreation in Alex Bay. Anglers can throw out a line along the water during warmer months or try their hand at ice fishing in the winter. Visitors and residents can store or rent boats from marinas like JP’s Marine or utilize the public James Street Dock. “It has some of the best boating and fishing. The water quality of the St. Lawrence River is amazing. People travel here just because of the boating aspect,” Garlock says. Swimming is also popular. Snorkelers and scuba divers plunge in and discover historic shipwrecks in the deep, turquoise water, and Alexandria Bay Park Beach has wading areas and trails along the riverfront. Nearby Keewaydin State Park has more, including a public swimming pool, a marina and boat launches, and campsites. Although summer is the busiest time of year, winter sports like skiing and snowboarding are popular too. Watertown’s Dry Hill Ski Area is one of the nearby options.
Fairytale castles and antique boats in Alexandria Bay
There’s plenty to explore around the village. The scenic grounds and medieval-style architecture of the Boldt and Singer castles, both on small islands on the river, create a real-life fairytale atmosphere for tourists and locals. Down the road in Clayton, the Antique Boat Museum has several waterfront buildings with displays including antique racing boats, skiffs and sailboats. The community also hosts events like the Christmas in July parade and a winter carnival from late January to early February. The winter carnival features festivities like ice skating, sledding, live music, and competitions like trivia and bingo.
Small-town businesses recognize their regulars
Alexandria Bay’s small downtown has many casual bars, diners and coffee shops. Coleman’s Dock of the Bay serves seafood like shrimp tacos and salmon, and comfort foods like barbecue chicken and spare ribs, overlooking the water. Dockside Pub and Riverboat Bar serve drinks and pub grub in laid-back settings. For errands, Big M Supermarket is down the road, and Charles Garlock & Sons hardware and lumber store is among several locally-owned businesses. “It’s very community-based. Going into church or the grocery store, the hardware store, people get called by their first names,” Garlock says.
Children can attend Alexandria Central Schools
Alexandria Central School District serves the area and earns a B-minus from Niche. Alexandria Central Elementary School offers pre-kindergarten through sixth grade and Alexandria Central Secondary School teaches seventh through 12th grade. Both schools receive B-minus ratings. In late 2023, the secondary school opened its new Bud Bulger Gymnasium. This athletic facility includes an indoor track, basketball and volleyball courts, bleacher seating and batting cages.
Interstate 81 connects Alexandria to major cities and airports
Watertown, about 30 miles south, and Syracuse, about 100 miles south, are among the closest cities to Alexandria Bay and are accessible on Interstate 81. Both these metro areas have international airports. For medical care, River Hospital is located in the village. Alexandria’s CAP Index Crime Score is a 2, lower than the national average of 4.
![Faith Wakefield]()
Written By
Faith Wakefield
