1000 Islands Skydeck View

So not too long ago, hubby and I headed east along the waterway to see what we can see (aka: what I can photograph) and stopped off at Hill Island, one of the thousand islands in the St. Lawrence River. We didn’t stay there very long; we simply wanted to get a panoramic view of the famous 1000 Islands from the Skydeck located in the area.

First, we had to cross the Thousand Islands Bridge over the Saint Lawrence River that connects northern New York in the United States with southeastern Ontario in Canada. It was constructed in 1937 with additions in 1959, took sixteen months to complete and had a total cost of $3,050,000. In its early years of operation, the bridge typically had about 150, 000 vehicles crossing yearly; that annual total today is about 2,000,000. There is a toll fee. We paid $2.50 to get through.

Once we get past the bridge and end up in Hill Island, we head over to the Skydeck...

...which looks like this:

We are going to take the elevator all the way to the top (130 metres or (400') up) where there are three levels of observation decks.

To see this...

...and this...

There are 1,864 islands that range in size from over 40 square miles (100 km2) to smaller islands occupied by a single residence, or uninhabited outcroppings of rocks that are only home to migratory waterfowl.

To count as one of the Thousand Islands these minimum criteria had to be met: 1) Above water level year round; 2) Have an area greater than 1 square foot (0.093 m2); and 3) Support at least one living tree.

This archipelago (cluster of islands) straddles the Canada-U.S. border in the St. Lawrence River and stretches for about 80 kilometers (50 miles) downstream from Kingston, Ontario (where I live). The Canadian islands are in the province of Ontario, and the U.S. islands in the state of New York.

There is the bridge that we just crossed.

Like every else along this waterway, people love their water activities.

And taking cruises.

You’ll find small and large homes on some of the islands.

And some that are hidden. This is where I’d want to be; totally isolated.

I even spotted a helicopter that had landed near the Skydeck that I’d hoped to photograph up closer once we got down, but it took off before we descended.

The Skydeck offers an amazing view, but it doesn’t come cheap. It cost us each $9.75 plus tax to ride the elevator to the top. Children between the ages of 6 – 12 pay $ 5.75, which is cheaper. But all in all, this is rather pricey and could really add up if you want to go as a family.

In any case, even though I don’t see us returning for a visit any time soon, once was certainly worth it.