Boldt Castle

On a beautiful, crisp, autumn day we ventured out with friends 

in our classic cars to Wellesley Island, NY.

  Our destination was Boldt Castle, situated on Heart Island.

The first stop was for lunch at Hackers Restaurant

 at the 1,000 Island Golf Club.

After a filling meal, we took a boat ride to Heart Island.

Construction of the full size Rhineland Castle began at the turn of the 20th century.  Millionaire owner of New York's Waldorf Astoria, George C. Boldt set out to build the grandiose structure as a display of love for his wife Louise.

Photo courtesy of Boldt Castle website

He built 'Alster Tower' as a 'play house' for his children,

 which even had a bowling alley.

Sadly, Louise died before the Castle was finished, so heartbroken George stopped all work and left it to ruin.  The '1,000 Island Bridge Authority' bought it in 1977 and started restoring it.  They furnished several rooms in the way that they envisioned it would have been if Louise had lived there.

The grounds are just as impressive as the interior.

This truly magnificent Castle is a must visit .