Charming Clayton is tucked away in Upstate New York’s Thousand Islands region. Occupying a promontory that juts into the mighty St. Lawrence River, the views in Clayton are among the best in the region. Colorful heritage buildings and lonely lighthouses evoke nostalgia for an earlier era and the village is a perfect destination for sailing and other water sports—fishing enthusiasts will find an array of bass, muskie, walleye, and pike in the St. Lawrence’s sparkling waters. Whether it's a water- or land-based adventure you seek, you’ll find plenty of things to do in Clayton, New York.
Clayton sparkles in the summer when warm weather invites outdoor adventure and the village’s calendar fills up with concerts, farmers’ markets, and festivals. The fall season (September-October) is also a great time to visit to see the village’s trees burst into the vibrant reds, yellows, and oranges of their fall foliage. In June, the annual Great New York State Food and Wine Festival gathers food and wine vendors from around the state.
The village itself is compact and walkable. However, to truly experience the magic of the Thousand Islands, you should get out onto the water. Numerous boat tours depart from Clayton during the summer months (typically May to October), including boat tours to Boldt Castle, perched on Heart Island.
Clayton is notable for its collection of unique museums. The Antique Boat Museum is home to North America’s largest collection of fresh-water recreational boats; the Thousand Islands Museum has exhibits of hunting decoys from the past and present; and the Thousand Islands Arts Center exhibits a beautiful collection of handweaving.
