The Last of a Fine Breed

Built in 1897, the Thousand Islands Inn was one of more than three dozen hotels built to accommodate those who discovered what the beauty and serenity the 1000 Islands region had to offer. Located in downtown Clayton, adjacent to the train station and just across the street from the beautiful St. Lawrence River, made it among the most popular gathering places.

Today, the Inn stands alone as the last of the original great full service hotels. Its' 13 quaint rooms, just completely renovated in a late 1800s decor, are available on a nightly bases and offer both nightly and extended stay discount rates. The Inn's dining room is the only national award winning dining room in the entire 1000 Islands. It features Early Bird and gourmet dinner specials daily and is widely respected as one of the region's finest.

Over the years, guests from around the world have dined and stayed at the Inn. Famous visitors include Admiral Richard Byrd, the first American ever to reach the South Pole and Maxine Andrews, of the popular Andrews Sisters singing team. In more modern times guests have included Country & Western Singers Johnny & June Carter Cash, Loretta Lynn and the late Conway Twitty. Visiting sports celebrities include baseball greats Warren Spahn and Boog Powell, and basketball Hall of Famer Al Cervi. Being a popular mecca for fishermen, the Inn has also played host to national fishing celebrities Orlando Wilson, Roland Martin, Larry Nixon and Babe Winkelman. The late actor, singer, comedian and avid angler Foster Brooks was also a frequent visitor.

Now in its second century of serving 1000 Islands visitors, the Inn has had only three owners and is presently operated by Susan and Allen Benas. Since purchasing the inn on its 75th anniversary, they have worked at a steady pace to update the facility while retaining its old time charm, that was the hallmark of the inns of yesteryear. Whether you relax in the dining room, where popular Thousand Island Salad Dressing was first introduced to the dining public, or spend an hour or two in the Inn's comfortable and friendly lounge, you'll quickly discover why the Inn is so popular. The camaraderie among locals and visitors alike is magnetic. You'll also watch in awe the huge freighters from around the world that pass by, just off shore, in the St. Lawrence Seaway.

Just across the street from the Inn is Frink Memorial Park, the sight of many community events, including Clayton's popular Summer Band Concert Series. Each week, popular north country bands feature a different kind of music from country & western to the sounds of the "Big Band" era.

All of Clayton's attractions are within a few blocks walk from the Inn. These include the Antique Boat Museum , North America's largest freshwater maritime museum and home of the nation's oldest and largest annual Antique Boat Show , held on the first weekend in August. Every even numbered year it also also hosts the gala "Antique Race Boat Regatta" on the third weekend in August. This is an action packed four day gathering of turn of the century Gold Cup race boats and their skippers, featuring daily "fly bys" in front of the museum on French Creek Bay. Action packed race boat rides are also afforded the visiting public at a nominal charge!

A three block walk through historic downtown Clayton will bring you to the Thousand Islands Museum of Clayton that houses the 1000 Islands Muskie Hall of Fame and one of the world's largest and most valuable collections of antique duck decoy displays, most locally created. Also nearby is Uncle Sam Boat Tours, which offers the most complete 1000 Islands boat cruise available, right out of Clayton. All of these attractions and more, including white water rafting trips on the nearby Black River, are included in the Inn's array of complete Vacation Packages.

Many visitors to the Inn opt for a fishing outing on board the Inn's own charter boat, "A.B.'s Office ." Custom built to the demanding specifications of Inn owner, Capt. Allen Benas, by an internationally known Florida boat builder, "A.B.'s Office," was designed expressly for sport fishing the the 1000 Islands.

Their 4 hr.Half Day Fishing Trips , from 7:45 AM to 11:45 AM, host Inn guests and visitors staying throughout the area for only $50 per person. It's a great chance to get out on the river with a professional fishing guide and share the beautiful scenery with new friends, with the ever present chance of catching a wall hanger bass or great northern pike.

For the more serious fishermen, the Inn offers the most extensive selection of complete Fishing Trip Packages in the Northeastern United States, including professionally guided fishing with their 1000 Islands Fishing Charters service.

With the waters of the 1000 Islands often referred to as "gin" clear, SCUBA Diving is quickly becoming one of the region's favorite passtimes. Thousand Islands Inn is at the forefront of this sport offering an array of diving packages on the St. Lawrence River, including dive master supervised wreck dives for divers of every experience level and unlimited waterfront bottle diving.

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