Planning a family reunion is mostly about finding things that work for everyone, from the 5-year-old to great-grandma. The Thousand Islands makes that easier than most places. Almost everything here happens on the St. Lawrence River, and a boat ride works for every age.
Here are reunion ideas that fit mixed ages, plus how to plan for a family bigger than one boat.
Why hold a reunion in the Thousand Islands?
- Something for every age. Kids can fish. Grandparents can cruise. Teens can try for a big pike.
- Room to spread out. Alexandria Bay has hotels, motels, inns, and cottage rentals. A big rental can be home base for the whole family. Summer weekends book up early.
- A meal that becomes a story. The Thousand Islands shore dinner is a river guide tradition since the late 1800s. Fish get fried over a fire, and everyone eats together.
- Easy side trips. Boldt Castle sits just off the docks. Wellesley Island State Park, right across the bridge, has a swimming beach and a nature center. See more things to do in Alexandria Bay.
Reunion activities that work for mixed ages
A kids' fishing trip. A 4-hour half day is the right length for most kids. Perch and rock bass bite often, which keeps little ones busy. Captain Richard Drake rigs the rods, baits the hooks, and nets the fish. Life jackets come in every size. New York State Parks says children under 12 must wear a life jacket (opens in a new tab) on a boat, and he has them on board. Kids under 16 don't need a fishing license. Read more about family fishing charters.
A private cruise for the ones who don't fish. A river cruise runs about 4 hours past Boldt Castle, the big summer homes on Millionaires' Row, and the shipping channel, where freighters pass close by. It's an easy pick for grandparents or anyone who wants a slow day. See Boldt Castle boat tours.
A shore dinner at your cottage. Captain Richard comes to you, within 20 miles of Alexandria Bay, and cooks the traditional meal: BLTs with local tomato, tossed salad with Thousand Island dressing, fried fish, salt potatoes with butter, French toast with local maple syrup, and campfire coffee. It's $50 per person, for up to 6. For a bigger crowd, ask him what he can do.
A shore dinner on an island. Fish in the morning, then eat on an island. It's the classic river day, and a good one for the fishing side of the family.
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How do you plan a reunion bigger than one boat?
Each boat holds up to 6 people. For more than 6, Captain Richard brings in a second guide from the Alexandria Bay Fishing Guides Association, with a second boat. Give him some notice.
A few ways to split a big family:
- By age. One boat for the kids and a parent or two. One boat for the teens and adults who want to fish longer.
- By interest. One boat fishes. One boat cruises.
- By time. One group goes out in the morning, and another goes in the afternoon or the next day. Then everyone meets for dinner.
Tell Captain Richard your head count, your dates, and who wants to do what. He'll help you sort the boats and send a quote.
A sample reunion weekend
Friday. Everyone arrives and settles into the cottage. Easy dinner, lots of catching up.
Saturday morning. The kids and their parents take a half-day fishing trip. Grandparents and anyone else take a private cruise past Boldt Castle.
Saturday evening. Captain Richard cooks a shore dinner at the cottage. Kept some fish that morning? Ask him about cooking them.
Sunday. Visit Boldt Castle, swim at the state park, or squeeze in one more morning on the water before everyone heads home.
How much does it cost?
Trips are priced by how many people are on the boat. More people means a lower share each.
| Trip | 4 people | 6 people |
|---|---|---|
| Half-day fishing (4 hours) | $550 | $600 |
| Full-day fishing (7 hours) | $800 | $900 |
| Half day + shore dinner | $870 | $1,030 |
| Private river cruise | $500 | $575 |
The shore dinner at your place is $50 per person. Add a shore dinner to a cruise for $45 per person.
Splitting the bill is up to your family. Some families have each household cover its own boat. Others put everything in one pot and divide it. Anyone 16 or older who fishes needs a New York fishing license. There's no deposit, and nothing is paid online.
Tips for booking
- Book the boats when you book the cottage. Summer dates fill up for both.
- Text Captain Richard at 315-836-5798. It's his favorite way to plan. Or use the booking form.
- Pick a backup day. If the weather turns, he reschedules rather than sending you out in it.
- Pack for the water. Layers, rain jackets, hats, sunscreen, and non-slip shoes. It's cooler on the river than on land.
- Bring a cooler if you want to keep fish. He'll clean and package them on request.
Family coming from out of town? Share the plan for a trip from Toronto or from Philadelphia.
Frequently asked questions
What are good family reunion activities in the Thousand Islands?
A kids' fishing trip, a private Boldt Castle cruise, a shore dinner at your cottage, a visit to Boldt Castle, and the beach at Wellesley Island State Park.
How many people fit on one boat?
Up to 6. For bigger families, Captain Richard brings in a second Alexandria Bay Fishing Guides Association guide and boat.
How young can kids be to go fishing?
Kids are welcome. A half day works best for younger kids. Life jackets come in every size, and New York requires kids under 12 to wear one on a boat.
Can you cook a shore dinner at our rental?
Yes, within 20 miles of Alexandria Bay. It's $50 per person for up to 6. For a bigger group, ask Captain Richard.
Do the kids need fishing licenses?
No. In New York, only anglers 16 and older need a license.
Ready to pick a date? See every trip and price, or call or text Captain Richard at 315-836-5798. No deposit.