Singer Castle at a glance
Singer Castle sits on Dark Island in the Thousand Islands. You visit it by boat, with a guided tour of the castle. It is not a medieval European castle: it was a home, and Frederick Gilbert Bourne, president of the Singer Sewing Company, lived there.
Visits in 2026 ran until 18 October. That does not mean daily openings until that date, so check the current schedule before you plan. The easiest way to go is a boat trip from Alexandria Bay. Our Thousand Islands boat tours guide compares the options.
The tour from Alexandria Bay
What the listed trip includes.
Length
The trip takes 3½ hours in total. One of those hours is a guided walk through the castle.
Price
The 2026 list price is $50.75 for adults and $34.25 for children ages 5 to 12. Younger children are listed as free. The price covers the boat and the castle admission. It is not a separate price for a private boat plus castle ticket alone.
Optional Boldt stop
At the end of the trip there is an optional stop at Boldt Castle, but only during Boldt's season. Boldt admission is extra.
Boldt Castle guide →Accessibility
The operator describes Singer Castle as not wheelchair accessible. There are many stairs and a lot of walking.
Our picks: Singer Castle from the water or air
None of these goes inside Singer Castle; the guided castle visit is the Alexandria Bay boat tour described on this page. Take the flight if you want Dark Island from above, or the 2-hour Ivy Lea cruise if you prefer the water.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Scenic helicopter flights from Gananoque
- Window seat and headset
- Commentary in six languages
The 20-minute flight passes Boldt Castle and the 30-minute Two Castle flight adds Singer Castle. It departs in Canada and includes no castle admission.
Check availability →Ivy Lea sightseeing cruise past the castles
- Boldt Castle scenic cruise
- Singer Castle on 2-hour option
- Free parking at the harbour
A boat ride only, with no landing at either castle. It departs in Ontario, so you cross the border before boarding.
Check availability →Singer Castle and Thousand Islands tours
Castle tours and river cruises from Alexandria Bay and nearby towns, with live prices and availability.
Singer Castle history in brief
The castle is linked to Frederick Gilbert Bourne, the president of the Singer Sewing Company, who lived in the house. It is an American house on a river island, not a medieval European castle.
Plan for it as a guided house tour of about an hour. The rest of the trip is time on the river between the islands.
Booking, boarding and who it suits
Practical points for the Alexandria Bay departure.
Book ahead
The Alexandria Bay operator recommends booking sightseeing tours in advance. The Singer Castle trip is a special tour, so plan to reserve your place before you travel.
Boarding and parking
Boarding starts 15 minutes before departure. The operator's parking lot at 45 James Street in Alexandria Bay is free for guests.
Ages
The price list treats ages 5 to 12 as children and ages 13 and up as adults. Younger children are listed as free.
Stairs and walking
The castle has many stairs and a lot of walking, and it is not wheelchair accessible. Think about this if you travel with small children or with anyone who finds stairs hard.
Passports
The operator says its own tours from the American shore, with no landing abroad, need no passport or visa. That does not cover a landing in Canada or entry into the US from abroad.
Singer Castle or Boldt Castle?
Both are visited by boat in the warm season. They work differently.
| Singer Castle | Boldt Castle | |
|---|---|---|
| Island | Dark Island | Heart Island |
| Access | By boat | By tour boat or private boat only |
| 2026 season ended | 18 October | 12 October |
| What you pay | $50.75 for the boat and the guided tour (adults) | $14 castle admission (adults), plus the boat |
| Time on the tour | 3½ hours in total | 2¼ hours for the Two Nation Tour with an optional stop |
For most visitors, the Two Nation Tour with an optional Heart Island stop is the shorter outing at 2¼ hours. Choose the Singer Castle tour when you have half a day and want a guided walk with the boat fare included.
Singer Castle: frequently asked questions
Where is Singer Castle?
On Dark Island in the St. Lawrence River, in the Thousand Islands. You reach it by boat.
How much is the Singer Castle tour?
The 2026 list price for the 3½ hour trip from Alexandria Bay is $50.75 for adults and $34.25 for children 5 to 12. Younger children are listed as free. The castle admission is included.
When is Singer Castle open?
It is a seasonal visit. Visits in 2026 ran until 18 October, but that does not mean daily openings until then. Check the current schedule before you book.
Is Singer Castle wheelchair accessible?
The operator of the boat trip describes it as not wheelchair accessible. There are many stairs and walking distances.
Does the Singer Castle tour include Boldt Castle?
Only as an optional stop at the end, during Boldt's season. Boldt admission is paid extra.
Is this the official Singer Castle website?
No. It is an independent guide with no connection to the castle or the boat companies. Check current times and prices with them before you travel.