The Antique Boat Museum (ABM), North America’s premier freshwater boating museum located in Clayton, is excited to announce the return of its beloved 1000 Islands Family FREE Day on Saturday, June 7, 2025. Visitors of all ages are invited to enjoy free admission all day, with a wide range of family-friendly activities taking place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Now celebrating its 26th year, Family Free Day was first launched in 1997 with a mission to open the Museum’s doors to the local community and increase accessibility for all. That mission remains at the heart of the event today.
This year’s Family Free Day offers a full schedule of engaging activities, including:
- Antique speedboat rides ($5 per person)
- Paddle painting
- Rowing a traditional skiff
- Cardboard Boat Racing
- Interactive obstacle course with soldiers from Ft. Drum’s 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment
- Children’s crafts and games
- Tours of La Duchesse, George Boldt’s historic houseboat
- Live performances from the 10th Mountain Division Band and local favorite Bad Husbands Club
In addition, a variety of local organizations will be on-site sharing their summer programs and activities, including: Zoo New York, Clayton Fishing Guides Association, JCC Zootechnology, Clayton Opera House, Thousand Islands Arts Center, Save The River, and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, among others.
Guests will also have a unique opportunity to meet the Great International Steamboat Flotilla, which will be docked at the Museum throughout the day. ABM is proud to host the Flotilla from June 7–13, and Family Free Day offers the best chance to see these stunning vessels before they embark on their 1000 Islands journey.
The Antique Boat Museum’s Trustees, staff, and dedicated volunteers are thrilled to welcome the community for a day full of discovery, fun, and connection by the water. Visit abm.org for more information.
Enclosures (4 JPEG) Speedboat Rides, 2024 Cardboard Boat Race Winner, Bad Husbands Club Performing at 2024 Family Day, $5 Speedboat Rides
About ABM
Located on the St. Lawrence River in upstate NY, ABM features a collection of over 300 antique and classic boats and thousands of recreational boating artifacts. Each summer the waterfront campus comes alive with numerous educational programs and special events, including the longest running antique boat show in North America. For more information, please visit the Museum’s website at abm.org.
