THERE ARE LOTS of things to do in the North Country and southern Ontario. Here are selected day trips in the region.

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SINGER CASTLE ON DARK ISLANDChippewa Bay, NY in the St. Lawrence Seaway. A contemporary of George Boldt, Mr. Frederick G. Bourne of New York City, had this castle built as a 'hunting' retreat for his family. Italian stonecutters cut granite to shape this 3-story, 28-room castle with a 5-story clock tower and elaborate boathouse. Scheduled boat tours run daily 9am-4pm. Transportation to the castle is through Alexandria Bay, NY and Morristown, NY. For departure times and costs of transportation call Empire Boat Lines 1-888-449-2539 or Uncle Sam Boat Tours, 877-253-9229. There is also limited public docking. Charter group tours can also be arranged. For more information, call 1-877-327-5475, or visit our website at www.singercastle.com.

UPPER CANADA VILLAGE Authentic buildings comprise this village from the 1860's. Period costuming and activities capture the seasons and cycles of rural village life. www.uppercanadavillage.com. May 21 through Oct. 9, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Morrisburg, Ontario, Canada. 1-(613)-543-3704.

FORT HENRY, KINGSTON ONTARIO Both museum and spectacular historic site of 19th Century British military fortress. Experience the realm of 19th Century military life, guided tours, performances and demonstrations. www.forthenry.com. May 22 through Sept. 25, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Kingston, Ontario, Canada. 1-(613)-542-7388.

GREAT CAMP SAGAMORE, 4 miles south off Route 28, Raquette Lake, www.sagamore.org., Adirondack Great Camp, former summer of Alfred Vanderbilt family, built in 1897 by William West Durant, 29 buildings, 26 fireplaces. Open daily July 4 through fall, by appointment the rest of the year, 354-5311.

AUSABLE CHASM 2144 Route 9, Ausable Chasm, 518-834-7454, wonders, nature trails, scenic vistas, rafting, www.ausablechasm.com.

RAQUETTE LAKE NAVIGATION COMPANY, Raquette Lake, www.raquettelakenavigation.com, cruise and dine, scenic excursions, moonlight cruises, fall foilage, great camps of J. P. Morgan, Vanderbilt, Huntington, 518-354-5532.

ENCHANTED FOREST/WATER SAFARI, 3183 Route 28, Old Forge, www.watersafari.com. Fifty water rides and attractions including "Tidal Wave Pool" and the "Amazon," a family river ride. June through Labor Day, daily, 369-6145.

ADIRONDACK FISH HATCHERY, Old Route 30, Lake Clear, state fish hatchery raises land-locked salmon, open April through December daily, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., 518-891-3358.

WHITE PINE CAMP TOUR, White Pine Road, Paul Smiths, two hour guided walking tour of historic Adirondack Great Camp, served as summer White House in 1926 for Pres. Calvin Coolidge, public tours in July and August Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., 518-327-3030, www.whitepinecamp.com.

ADIRONDACK SCENIC RAILROAD, destinations from Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, Old Forge and Utica, www.adirondackrr.com. Experience the golden age of railroading, a time when the Adirondack line played host to the rich and famous on their way to their great camps. Check the website for schedules, 800-819-2291.

FORT TICONDEROGA, Fort Road, Ticonderoga, historical renactments of battles from 7 Years' War and American Revolution, overlooking Lake Champlain, May through October, daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., www.fort-ticonderoga.org.

SIX FLAGS GREAT ESCAPE AND SPLASHWATER KINGDOM, Route 9, Lake George, www.thegreatescape.com. Over 135 rides, shows, and attractions. Memorial Day through Labor Day, 9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. daily, 518-792-3500.

SANTA’S WORKSHOP, off Route 83, Wilmington, www.northpoleny.com, Alpine village with Santa Claus, helpers, live reindeer, animal park, storybook characters, children’s rides, crafts, musical shows, 1-800-806-0215.

WATER SLIDE WORLD, exit 21 off I-87, Lake George, wave pool, 35 water slides, hot tubs, Adventure River, 518-668-4407, www.adirondack.net/tour/waterslideworld.

BLUE MOUNTAIN LAKE BOAT LIVERY, Rte. 28, Blue Mountain Lake scenic boat trip, 1916 wooden launches, tours, rentals, instructions, sailing, 518-352-7351. www.boatlivery.com.

ADIRONDACK MUSEUM, museum’s exhibits and programs tell the stories of how people have lived, worked, played and traveled in the Adirondack region since the early 1800s. Twenty buildings on 32 acres of grounds and gardens, house exhibits on logging, boats and boating, mining, outdoor recreation, transportation, rustic furniture…, and on-going programs and special events offer a variety of interesting activities for the whole family. Route 30, Blue Mountain Lake, 518-352-7311, www.adirondackmuseum.org.

ADIRONDACK PARK VISITOR INTERPRETIVE CENTER, Route 30, one mile of intersection with Route 86, Paul Smiths, www.northnet.org/adirondackvic, information on ecology, diversity of park, nature exhibits, interactive displays, theater program, interpretive trails, butterfly house. 518-327-3000.


NEW YORK STATE LIVING MUSEUM, 1 Thompson Park, Watertown, North American animals in native habitat, children's zoo, swimming poool, playground, walking trails, 10 a.m.to 5 p.m. daily, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during winter months, www.nyslivingmuseum.org .

ADIRONDACK FLYING SERVICE, Route 73, Cascade Road, Lake Placid, 20-minute scenic flights over Adirondack High Peaks, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. during July and August, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. through June, www.flyanywhere.com , 518-523-2473.

SUNFEATHER SOAP FACTORY TOURS, 1551 NYS Hwy 72, Parishville, tour location where 4,000 pounds of handcrafted, vegetable-based soap is created weekly, by apointment, 265-3648 or www.sunsoap.com .

AKWESASNE MOHAWK CASINO, Route 37, Akwesasne, open 24 hours seven days a week, 1-877-99CASINO or www.mohawkcasino.com .

EVANS MILLS SPEEDWAY, NYS Hwy 11, Evans Mills, 3/8-mile asphalt oval, pro late model, legend, street and pure stock and four-cylinder classes, info: 629-RACE.

HANDWEAVING MUSEUM & ART CENTER, 314 John St., Clayton, gallery exhibits, craft shows, events, www.hm-ac.org, 686-4123.

ADIRONDACK CRAFT CENTER, 2116 Saranac Ave, Lake Placid, crafts of 300 Adirondack north Country artisans, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, extended hours during summer months, www.adirondackcraftcenter.com, 518-523-2062.

AMERICAN MAPLE MUSEUM AND HALL OF FAME, Main Street, Croghan, artifacts and maple syrup manufacturing equipment, logging tools, antiques, Memorial Day through June, open Friday, Saturday and Monday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; July to early September, open daily except Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; 346-1107. CHATEAUGAY FISH HATCHERY, off Route 11, Chateaugay Lake, brook, rainbow and brown trout. Daily 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., 518-497-6151.

LAKE PLACID OLYMPIC SITE, Lake Placid-Wilmington area, www.orda.org, 1932 and 1980 Olympic Museum and Hall of Fame, Olympic ski jump complex, Mt. Van Hoevenberg Olympic Sports complex, 1-518-523-1655.

WHITEFACE MOUNTAIN MEMORIAL HIGHWAY, Wilmington, whiteface.com/index-flash.cfm, 4,867 feet above sea level, scenic eight mile toll road, elevator to summit. Daily 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., June through October, weather permitting, 518-946-7175, 1-800-462-6236.

BOLDT CASTLE, on Heart Island, Alexandria Bay, www.boldtcastle.com. accessible by boat, six-story replica of a Rhineland castle belonging to George Boldt, Waldorf-Astoria owner, begun as a gift for his wife, but abandoned at her untimely death. Undergoing magnificent restoration. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. daily May through October, 482-2501 or 1-800-847-5263.

CLAYTON OPERA HOUSE, performance and community center, 405 Riverside Drive, Clayton, 686-2200. Variety of performances throughout the summer season. www.claytonoperahouse.com,

AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM, Route 180, six miles south of LaFargeville. Nataional Register of Historic Places, eight buildings, 38 acres, 1837 meeting house, two-story jump-press, carriages, wagons, farm kitchen, looms, 9 a.m - 4 p.m. June through September, 658-2353.

ANTIQUE BOAT MUSEUM, 750 Mary St., Clayton, www.abm.org, North American freshwater craft, engines, nautical memorabilia. Library, boat building classes. Antique boat and speedboat rides. May 14 - Oct. 11, daily 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 315-686-4104.

OLD MCDONALD’S CHILDREN’S VILLAGE, North Harbor Rd., Sackets Harbor, www.OldMcDonaldHasAFarm.com, children’s farm animal village with Wizard of Oz hayride, pony rides, mini-golf, pumpkins, Daily, May-Oct., 583-5737.

SCI-TECH CENTER OF NORTHERN NEW YORK, 154 Stone St., Dulles State Office Building, Watertown, www.cs.sunyit.edu/~riccim/scitech/introduction.html, . Hands-on science/technology museum with a variety of exhibits, 788-1340.

MINNA ANTHONY COMMON NATURE CENTER, exit 51 off I-81, Alexandria Bay, members.lycos.co.uk/scantrail/map7.htm, .. Bird walks, guided hikes, canoe program, trails, activities, evening concerts. Environmental education visits, 482-2479.

UNCLE SAM BOAT TOURS, 45 James St., Alexandria Bay, www.usboattours.com, 482-9611. Tours of the St. Lawrence Seaway and Thousand Islands. For departure times: 1-800-253-9229 or 315-482-9611.

ALMANZO WILDER HOMESTEAD, 177 Stacy Rd., Burke, near Malone, home of Farmer Boy, real life character of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House book. Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Last tour at 3 p.m. each day. Open Memorial Day through September. Off season by appointment, 518-483-1207 or 1-866-438-FARM, www.almanzowilderfarm.com.

JOHN BROWN FARM STATE HISTORIC SITE, Route 73, Lake Placid. Home and burial site of famed abolitionist, farm-nature trail. Wednesday through Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sunday 1 - 5 p.m., late May through late October, 518-523-3900.

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