Aug 21-23 Thousand Island, Howe Caverns & Green Lakes $289 (2 Nights)
Fri, Aug 21, 8:00 PMFrom NY Ski & Snowboard Club
**THOUSAND ISLANDS**
The **Thousand Islands** ([French](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_language): *Mille-Îles*, pronounced [\[mil il\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/French)) constitute a North American [archipelago](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archipelago) of 1,864 islands[\[1\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thousand_Islands#cite_note-First_Time_Visitors-1) that straddles the [Canada–US border](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada%E2%80%93United_States_border) in the [Saint Lawrence River](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Lawrence_River) as it emerges from the northeast corner of [Lake Ontario](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Ontario). They stretch for about 50 miles (80 km) downstream from [Kingston, Ontario](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingston,_Ontario). The Canadian islands are in the province of [Ontario](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ontario) and the U.S. islands in the state of [New York](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_(state)).
The islands range in size from over 40 square miles (100 km2) to smaller islands occupied by a single residence, or uninhabited outcroppings of rocks. To count as one of the Thousand Islands, emergent land within the river channel must have at least one square foot (0.093 m2) of land above water level year-round, and support at least two living trees.[\[2\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thousand_Islands#cite_note-WaPO_1000IslandsDef-2)[\[3\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thousand_Islands#cite_note-TourBook_Def-3) More on [https://visit1000islands.com/](https://visit1000islands.com/)
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**GREEN LAKES STATE PARK**
**Green Lakes State Park** is a [New York State Park](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_State_Park) located east of [Syracuse](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syracuse,_New_York) in the town of [Manlius](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manlius_(town),_New_York). The park is centered on two small [meromictic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meromictic) lakes, [Green Lake](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Lake_(New_York)) and [Round Lake](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Round_Lake_National_Natural_Landmark), which have an unusual blue-green color,[\[2\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Lakes_State_Park#cite_note-Hilfinger-2) and preserves the largest stand of old growth forest in Central New York.[\[3\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Lakes_State_Park#cite_note-terra-3) The lakes lie at the base of a gorge just over a mile long, both of which are remnants of the ice ages and exemplify the unusual geology of upstate New York. Green Lake has a surface area of 65 acres and a maximum depth of 195 feet. Round Lake has a surface area of 34 acres and a maximum depth of 170 feet.[\[4\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Lakes_State_Park#cite_note-hike-4) More on [https://parks.ny.gov/visit/state-parks/green-lakes-state-park](https://parks.ny.gov/visit/state-parks/green-lakes-state-park)
**HOWE CAVERNS**
**Howe Caverns** is a limestone [solutional cave](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solutional_cave), operated as a [show cave](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Show_cave), in the hamlet of [Howes Cave](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howes_Cave,_New_York), [Schoharie County, New York](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schoharie_County,_New_York). Howe Caverns is a popular [tourist attraction](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourist_attraction), providing visitors with a sense of [caving](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caving) or spelunking, without needing the advanced equipment and training usually associated with such adventures.
**Traditional Cave Tours - Every tour of Howe Caverns begins with a 156 ft descent below the earth’s surface…**
On your journey you will wind through limestone corridors, pass through cavernous galleries, walk under massive boulders, and take a serene boat ride on a subterranean riverbed carved over countless millennia. **The cave is 52°F (11°C) so a jacket or sweatshirt and closed-toed comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Flip flops are NOT permitted in the cave.** The cave tour consists of a 1.25 mile walk with a 0.25 mile boat ride. There are 139 stairs throughout the tour. More on [https://howecaverns.com/](https://howecaverns.com/)
**LODGING**
We will be staying in a house near Thousand Islands, 4 bedrooms, 7 beds (4 queen/double beds, 3 twin beds), 2 baths, a dedicated workspace, a large fully stocked kitchen with multiple tables, an office, a dining area & a living room. We will max out at 10 people. The house is 20-30 minutes drive to Thousand Island, Fort Drum & Lake Ontario.
**Features:** Outdoor furniture, BBQ grill, free WiFi, paid washer, paid dryer, microwave, coffee maker, hair dryer.
**Essential Provided:** Shampoo, conditioner, towels, bed sheets, soap and toilet paper
**DEPARTURE/RETURN SCHEDULE**
**Depart Date:** Shown above. Please arrive 15 minutes earlier. Van will depart sharply on time with or without you.
**Depart 4:00 PM from Queens (NEW):** (Northeast Corner of 39th Ave & College Point Blvd) 133-03 39th Ave, Flushing, NY 11354 ([Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/UJPJoXeaYCsrpndV6)). Subway lines (Main St-Flushing): 7. **(1/2 block from Asian Jewels)**
**Depart 5:00 PM from NYC:** ([Starbucks](https://maps.app.goo.gl/1EwXQerKMc4k8Lj67): Southwest Corner of 43rd St and 9th Ave) 593 9th Ave, New York, NY 10036 ([Map](https://maps.app.goo.gl/1EwXQerKMc4k8Lj67)) Subway lines (Times Sq-42 St): A, C, E, 1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, S.
**Depart 6:00 PM from NJ:** ([NJ Transit Ramsey Route 17](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ramsey+Route+17+Station/@41.0750296,-74.1475934,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x89c2e13fbc573bef:0xad57dfd3117782a1!8m2!3d41.0750296!4d-74.1454047)) 1 Spring St, Ramsey, NJ 07446 ([Map](https://www.google.com/maps/place/1+Spring+St,+Ramsey,+NJ+07446/@41.07393,-74.1462647,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x89c2e13f7bb9a821:0x1fd09b8000c42476)) $4 to $5 daily parking at the station's park lot. Meet at the big open space facing the garage entrance.
**Return Date/Time:** Depart on Sunday around 5:00 PM from and expect to arrive at NJ at 8:30 PM, NYC at 9:15 PM & Queens at 10:00 PM
**TENTATIVE PLAN** (Plan may vary depending on weather among other factors)
#### **FRIDAY 8/21 — Depart NYC 5 pm → Thousand Islands**
**Drive time:** \~5 hr 15 min from Midtown → Alexandria Bay / Clayton
**Arrival:** \~10:15–10:30 pm
#### Evening Plan
* Straight drive with one quick rest stop (I-81 corridor is easiest).
* **Grocery shopping & check into the house**.
* Early rest — Saturday is packed.
#### **SATURDAY 8/22 — Full Thousand Islands Day (Maximum Activities)**
#### 8:00 am — Depart for Alexandria Bay
#### 9:00 am – 12:30 pm — Combined 2‑Nation Tour + Boldt Castle Drop‑Off
### How This Works
* Board the **Uncle Sam Boat Tours 2‑Nation Tour** **(Extra $32)** in Alexandria Bay.
* The tour covers: U.S. + Canadian waters; Island clusters; Lighthouses; Millionaire’s Row; St. Lawrence shipping channel & etc.
* **Mid‑tour, the boat stops at Heart Island** and **drops off directly at Boldt Castle**. Self Tour Admission to Boldt Castle is **extra $14**
* After exploring the castle, take the **free Uncle Sam shuttle boat** back to Alexandria Bay whenever ready.
#### Timing
* **10:00 am – 11:45 am:** 2‑Nation narrated cruise
* **11:45 am – 1:00 pm:** Explore Boldt Castle at your own pace
* **1:00 pm:** Free shuttle back to Alexandria Bay
#### 1:15 pm – 2:15 pm — Lunch by the Water
* **Boat House** (Alex Bay) or **Channelside** (Clayton)
**Tip:** Sit outdoors for river views.
#### 2:30 pm – 5:00 pm — Pedal Boat Rental or State Park (Pick 1)
* [https://www.riverbayrentals.com/](https://www.riverbayrentals.com/) Pedal Boat $25 for 4 hours (return by 6 pm)
* Wellesley Island State Park & Minna Anthony Common Nature Center
* [https://boomerangbikeandkayak.com/](https://boomerangbikeandkayak.com/) 4 hours single kayak $40; 4 hours bike rental $25 (12:30 -4:30 pm)
#### 5:15 pm – 6:15 pm — Clayton Riverwalk
* Scenic waterfront path
* Ice cream + small shops
#### 6:30 pm — Dinner
* **Clipper Inn** (Clayton)
* **Dockside Pub** (Alex Bay)
#### **SUNDAY 8/23 — Return Day with Green Lake + Howe Caverns**
#### 8:30 am — Depart from the House
Drive: **House → Green Lakes State Park = \~1 hr 25 min**
#### 10:00 am – 12:00 pm — Green Lakes State Park
One of the most beautiful glacial lakes in New York.
**What to do:**
* Walk the **Green Lake + Round Lake loop** (easy, 2.5 miles)
* See the **turquoise water** (meromictic lake — rare)
* Amazing photos
#### 12:00 pm — Depart for Howe Caverns
Drive: **Green Lakes → Howe Caverns = \~1 hr 30 min**
#### 1:30 pm – 2:15 pm — Lunch2:30 pm – 5:00 pm — Howe Caverns Traditional Tour
Classic traditional underground cave experience.
**Includes:**
* Guided cave walk
* Underground boat ride
* Cool 52°F temperature
* Takes \~90 minutes to 2 hours
**Tip:** Book **Howe Cavenrs Traditional Tour** tickets ahead for the 2:30–3:00 pm slot **(Extra $29.50)**. For those having done Howe Caverns already, we can go to **Secret Caverns** instead **(Extra $20)**
#### 5:15 pm — Depart for NYC
Drive: **Howe Caverns → Midtown NYC = \~3 hr 30 min**
Midtown arrival target: **\~9:00–9:15 pm**
**COST (LODGING & TRANSPORTATION)**
**Early Birds:** $289 per person for first 5 spots or before 8/7 whichever comes first. **Regular:** $319 per person afterward. Upgrading from shared queen bed to own double bed is $30 extra.
**Cost Included in the Trip:** 2 nights shared accommodation (sharing a king/double bed) at a vacation house near Thousand Islands. Round trip transportation from NYC area & tolls, daily transportation between the house & activity destinations, & parking fee if any. $10 tips for the van driver is required & will be collected on the returning trip.
**Cost Not Included in the Trip:**
\* 2 Nation Boat Tour, admission to Boldt Castle, and Howe Caverns Tour
\* Pedal boat, Kayak or bike rental
\* Meals, snacks & drinks;
**BUY TICKET HERE**
[https://aug212026thousandislands.eventbrite.com/](https://aug212026thousandislands.eventbrite.com/) **Your spot is not confirmed until your payment is received.**
**REFUND POLICY**
\* Full refund minus $50 processing fee if cancelled 30 days in advance
\* 50% refund if cancelled 15 days in advance
\* No refund for cancellation or no show within 15 days; however, spots can be transferred to your friends with $50 processing fee.
**TRAVEL INSURANCE**
To protect your trip, consider buying travel insurance, around 5% to 7% of total cost, and you can get reimbursed 75% to 100% of the cost for any reason for cancellation or trip interruption. [https://www.travelinsured.com/](https://www.travelinsured.com/)
**VIDEO:** Thousand Islands - Upstate NY's Most Beautiful Spot
[https://youtu.be/OozWteM8y7w?si=9dM5sJ5gQ5vpz1FW](https://youtu.be/OozWteM8y7w?si=9dM5sJ5gQ5vpz1FW)
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