Alexandria Bay and Boldt Castle are a longer day trip from SureStay by Best Western Massena, usually best treated as a full river day. It is a good fit for guests who want the Thousand Islands experience without making the whole hotel stay revolve around the busiest tourism pockets.
Know the main thing first: Boldt Castle is on an island.
Boldt Castle is on Heart Island near Alexandria Bay in the Thousand Islands. You do not simply drive up to the front door. Most visitors use a tour boat or shuttle from Alexandria Bay, and private boats can also reach the island when conditions and docking allow.
That makes timing important. Check castle hours, tour boat schedules, weather, and seasonal opening dates before you build the day.
Drive to Alexandria Bay, take a boat or shuttle to Heart Island, tour Boldt Castle, leave time for the waterfront, then drive back to Massena before it gets too late.
Pair the castle with Alexandria Bay, not ten other stops.
The boat portion, island visit, photos, and town time can fill a day by themselves. If you try to stack too much onto it, the trip gets rushed fast.
A better plan is castle first, then Alexandria Bay for food, river views, and a short walk before heading back toward Massena.
Use Massena when you want quieter nights.
Staying in Massena can make sense when you are pairing Boldt Castle with other North Country stops: Robert Moses State Park, the Seaway, Akwesasne Mohawk Casino, Cornwall, or a university visit. It keeps the hotel base practical while still letting you do the bigger river outing.
If the Thousand Islands are the only reason for the trip, compare locations and drive times. If the trip has multiple pieces, Massena becomes a useful middle ground.
Planning links
Boldt Castle · Uncle Sam Boat Tours · Boat tour FAQ · Hotel info