St. Lawrence Seaway Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

A river with two cargo ships and a bridge in the background.
A river with two cargo ships and a bridge in the background.
A river winding through a densely forested area with a sunset in the background.
A turbulent river flowing over rocks in a forested area.
A house with a lighthouse on a lakeside.

Adventurous watersports involving shipwrecks and fast-flowing rivers make this a great holiday destination with skiing peaks, thousands of islands and forests nearby.

Explore the spectacular scenery of rivers, lakes and mountains around the St. Lawrence Seaway on the Canadian border near Ottawa. Hike through forests, cruise along waterways and dive in to see spooky shipwrecks.

The St. Lawrence Seaway is a 2,342-mile (3,768-kilometer) channel from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes of North America. The seaway opened in 1959 and is an important shipping route for several industries. It is also a popular recreation destination.

The St. Lawrence Seaway offers many water-based activities. Relax on a cruise and canoe on picturesque ponds, lakes and rivers. If you want something faster, try whitewater rafting on the Hudson River Gorge. Skilled divers can book a tour to explore the numerous fascinating shipwrecks in the seaway.

Tour the Thousand Islands region and stop at Wellesley Island where you’ll find several state parks. Go to Heart Island to see Boldt Castle.

Enjoy year-round outdoor fun at the Adirondacks region, a vast wilderness in northern New York. Hike through forests to the summit of Mount Macy, the tallest peak in New York State. The Adirondacks region features more than 2,000 miles (3, 219 kilometers) of hiking trails and some are wheelchair accessible. Ski through snow blanketed forests during the winter or swoop down the slopes of one of the ski resorts.

Also in the Adirondacks region, you can embark on a road trip along scenic highways and stop at villages and fun attractions. The Olympic Trail is a popular 170-mile (273.6-kilometer) route from the Great Lake Ontario to Lake Champlain. Drive south to the village of Lake Placid for wintersports.

Make your way over to Watertown on the Black River where you can visit the animals of New York State Zoo inside Thompson Park. Quench your thirst at Burrville Cider Mill, and if you are on this route during February, venture into the ice palace on the shore of Lake Flower.

Whether the sun shines or it rains or snows, a tour of the St. Lawrence Seaway and surroundings promises outdoor adventures and beautiful scenery.

Ramada by Wyndham Watertown/Thousand Islands NY

Ramada by Wyndham Watertown/Thousand Islands NY

2.5 out of 5
21000 NY State Rt 3 Watertown NY
The price is NZ$112 per night from 30 Oct to 31 Oct
NZ$112
30 Oct - 31 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Watertown. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
8/10 Very good! (1,120 reviews)
"The place meets minimal expectations. Primarily the room and bed were clean, which is what I needed most. The rest of the building is old (probably built in the '70's) so it shows its age in places. The hallway carpeting on the 2nd floor was pretty stained-up; could use a good shampooing. Not sure ..."

Reviewed on 29 Sept 2026

Ramada by Wyndham Watertown/Thousand Islands NY
Bonnie Castle Resort & Marina

Bonnie Castle Resort & Marina

3 out of 5
31 Holland Street Alexandria Bay NY
The price is NZ$183 per night from 18 Oct to 19 Oct
NZ$183
18 Oct - 19 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Alexandria Bay. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
6.8/10 (1,009 reviews)
"A very old hotel. TV was really small and blurry at times. Jet tub took forever to fill. Shower was okay. Balcony needed redoing. Refrigerator worked but made noises. Desk chair needed replaced."

Reviewed on 29 Sept 2026

Bonnie Castle Resort & Marina
Riveredge Resort

Riveredge Resort

3.5 out of 5
17 Holland Street Alexandria Bay NY
The price is NZ$195 per night from 1 Nov to 2 Nov
NZ$195
1 Nov - 2 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this resort in Alexandria Bay. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff in their ...
8.4/10 Very good! (1,002 reviews)
"beautiful views and beautiful weather."

Reviewed on 30 Sept 2026

Riveredge Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Angel Rock Waterfront Cottages and Vacation Homes

Angel Rock Waterfront Cottages and Vacation Homes

3 out of 5
34311 NYS Rte 12E Cape Vincent NY
Stay at this cottage in Cape Vincent. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Burnham Point State Park and Cedar Point State ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (100 reviews)
"Pricey but beautiful cottage, clean, spacious"

Reviewed on 21 Sept 2026

Angel Rock Waterfront Cottages and Vacation Homes
Super Clean, Pet Friendly Cottage! 3 Bedroom! NO EXTRA FEES!!

Super Clean, Pet Friendly Cottage! 3 Bedroom! NO EXTRA FEES!!

Alexandria Bay NY
Stay at this holiday home in Alexandria Bay. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Boldt Castle and Lil' River Fudge Co / 5&10 ...
10/10 Exceptional! (53 reviews)
"We had a great time in the cabin at Alex Bay. It was spacious, clean and really convenient to everything in the area. Bob was a friendly, fabulous host who responded immediately when we had questions and communicated clearly. We would love to return in the future and would absolutely book there ..."

Reviewed on 14 Sept 2026

Super Clean, Pet Friendly Cottage! 3 Bedroom! NO EXTRA FEES!!
Escape to the lake!  Lkfrnt cottage fish/boat/relax. 2 Mins to Salmon River

Escape to the lake! Lkfrnt cottage fish/boat/relax. 2 Mins to Salmon River

Altmar NY
Stay at this cottage in Altmar. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and patios. Popular attractions Salmon River Falls and Salmon River Fish Hatchery are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (159 reviews)
"The cabin was very cute with the most beautiful setting tucked in the woods overlooking the water."

Reviewed on 21 Sept 2026

Escape to the lake! Lkfrnt cottage fish/boat/relax. 2 Mins to Salmon River
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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