Antique Boat Museum
750 Mary St, Clayton, NY, 13624
On the banks of the mighty St. Lawrence River, just over the US/Canada border, Clayton’s Antique Boat Museum is home to North America’s largest display of antique and classic boats. Through extensive displays and historical context, the museum brings the 1,000 Islands’ boating heritage to life while highlighting efforts to preserve the region’s maritime history.
The basics
The Antique Boat Museum’s collection holds more than 320 unique boats and thousands of artifacts and archives related to the 1,000 Islands’ boating heritage and the growth of its tourism industry—from rowboats and motorboats to renderings and picture postcards. Visitors can also experience some of the museum’s on-the-water activities, from rowing a classic St. Lawrence River skiff to taking a sailboat ride, speedboat ride, sunset cruise, and riding in the world’s largest runabout, Pardon Me.
Things to know before you go
Rowing a skiff or a kayak is included with general admission; other on-the-water experiences require an additional fee.
The museum campus and exhibit buildings are wheelchair-accessible.
In summer, visitors can see a boat builder at work through the museum’s Builder in Residence program.
How to get there
The Antique Boat Museum is located on the southern bank of the St. Lawrence River in the village of Clayton, New York, around 90 minutes north of Syracuse. Traveling north, take Route 81 to Route 12 into the village of Clayton and onto James Street. Take the second left onto Mary Street and find the museum on the right at the end of the street.
When to get there
The museum is open seasonally from mid-morning until late afternoon and closed from November through April. Events are held throughout the summer, most notably the Antique Boat Show, which is held every August and draws a large crowd of vintage boating enthusiasts who create a festive atmosphere and displays of sleek wooden boats.
"La Duchesse"
One of the Antique Boat Museum’s most popular exhibits is the 106-foot (32-meter) houseboat La Duchesse, built for renowned hotelier George Boldt in 1903. For an additional fee, visitors can book a 30-minute guided walking tour of the houseboat and admire her luxurious interior and original furnishings while learning about the history of the unique summer home. Due to its historic nature, La Duchesse is not wheelchair accessible.
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