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The Ledges Resort And Marina With Kids: What to Know Before You Book

ByKristi Updated on
A front view of the cottage we stayed in.

I stayed at The Ledges Resort and Marina with my 2.5- and 4-year-olds, along with my sister’s family, whose kids were 8 and almost 5, and we put this riverside resort to the test.

Between the floating house, Boldt Castle views, and the reality of keeping young kids safe right on the water, our stay was a mix of magical moments, a few maintenance hiccups, and some real safety considerations for families with little kids.

My husband wasn’t with us, so I was managing my two kids on my own for a lot of the trip. Because of that, I paid close attention to the details that make a stay like this feel easier, or more stressful, with young children.

In this honest review of The Ledges Resort and Marina, I’ll share what worked, what didn’t, and whether I’d recommend it for families visiting Alexandria Bay, New York, especially with little kids.

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Location: Right on the Water in Alexandria Bay

Boats docked on the river with Boldt Castle silhouetted against a vibrant sunset sky in Alexandria Bay.
Boldt Castle views like this are part of the magic of The Ledges Resort And Marina.

The resort sits in the heart of Alexandria Bay, New York, just a mile from the main strip of town. We could have walked into town in about 15 minutes, but with four kids, it was easier to hop in the car for a two-minute drive.

What makes The Ledges special is its position directly on the St. Lawrence River. Our cabin wasn’t just near the water. It was floating on it. From the deck we could watch ships pass, spot Boldt Castle across the way, and feel completely immersed in river life. It’s hard to beat that view.

We drove since we live just a few hours away, but if you’re flying, Syracuse Hancock International Airport is your closest bet, with rental cars available for the two-hour drive north. You could also easily make the drive from any of the New York City area airports.

Curious what The Ledges Resort and Marina costs for your dates or how it compares with other family-friendly stays in Alexandria Bay? The interactive map below shows current prices at The Ledges and nearby hotels. You can check availability, compare options, and book directly through the map.

Vibe and Amenities: River Retreat With Resort Comforts

Two young children sitting in Adirondack chairs roasting marshmallows at dusk at The Ledges Resort And Marina.
A quiet campfire moment at The Ledges, complete with marshmallows and a sunset backdrop.

This part of New York is all about boating, camping, and the outdoors, and The Ledges Resort And Marina leans into that vibe. Each unit has its own entrance, grill, and campfire area, so it feels more like a collection of cabins than a typical hotel.

Across the six acres of landscaped grounds, there are hammocks, gazebos, lawns for games, and a pool for swimming or sunbathing. Guests can take out kayaks and canoes for free, or rent a boat if they don’t have their own. Fire pits are stocked daily with kindling and firewood, making it easy to wind down in the evenings.

One of the things that stood out most to me was the staff. They were quick to respond and genuinely proactive. When we discovered a leak under the kitchen sink, someone was there within minutes to fix it. Another staff member came by mid-day to quietly check propane levels on the grill, making sure we’d never run out mid-dinner. And when my brother-in-law had to abandon a canoe downstream on a windy day, the resort didn’t hesitate to load up a truck and drive out with him to retrieve it. Those touches made the stay feel cared for in a way I really appreciated.

🏠 View photos and prices for The Lighthouse—the largest and most iconic unit at The Ledges Resort And Marina. 🏠

The Lighthouse: Big Space, Big Views, and a Few Surprises

Cozy living room at The Ledges Resort And Marina with water views through multiple windows and doors.
The open layout of the Lighthouse living room meant we could keep an eye on the kids while soaking up the river views.

We stayed in The The Lighthouse, which sleeps up to eight and is the resort’s largest option. The house is perched directly over the river, with wraparound views of Boldt Castle and the marina.

Inside, it felt like a proper home with a full kitchen, dining area, and living room, along with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Two bedrooms had one queen bed each, and the third had two queens, making it ideal for multiple families. The setup worked well for us, and the kids loved having space to spread out.

Upstairs bedroom with two queen beds in The Lighthouse unit at The Ledges Resort And Marina With Kids.
The upstairs bedroom had plenty of space for cousins to share and stretch out.

The decks were easily the highlight. Both the lower and upper levels had outdoor seating, with the lower deck featuring a dining table and grill. Both evenings we ate outside, watching the boats drift by as the kids darted in and out between bites.

Refillable bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash provided in The Lighthouse unit at The Ledges Resort And Marina.
I was pleasantly surprised by the quality and quantity of amenities stocked in the unit: shampoo, body wash, kitchen supplies, and more.

What surprised me most was how well-stocked the house was. The resort’s website doesn’t really make this clear, so I expected to have to bring more. Instead, we found:

  • Shampoo, conditioner, and body wash in both bathrooms
  • A wagon for hauling bags from the parking lot to the cabin
  • Full kitchen supplies for cooking (pots, pans, utensils, dishes)
  • Both a coffee maker and an electric kettle, with fresh coffee and tea provided
  • Plenty of towels for everyone
  • Plenty of other small supplies that made the stay easier

It really felt like they’d thought of everything.

That said, not everything impressed me. The downstairs bathroom door didn’t close properly, which meant zero privacy, which is tough when you’re sharing space with another family. Several fixtures felt neglected: sink hardware was coming loose, some balcony railing caps were missing or cracked, and the upper deck felt a little too rickety for comfort. It was disappointing at this price point.

Young child holding bread while watching ducks through an unlocked gate at The Ledges Resort And Marina.
The open gate to the water made for some beautiful views, and also one of the bigger safety concerns with toddlers.

And then there’s the reality of staying on the water with toddlers. The docks leading to the house had no railings. The balcony railings felt loose and flimsy. A gate opened straight to the river without a lock. We managed fine with three adults watching four kids, but if I had been the only adult there with my two, I would have been on edge the entire time.

Want to see what The Lighthouse cabin actually looks like inside? Here’s a quick tour video to give you a feel for the layout, the views, and how it worked for us with kids in tow:

Dining: Bring Groceries or Head Into Town

Full kitchen and dining table inside The Lighthouse unit at The Ledges Resort And Marina, perfect for families.
The full kitchen setup made it easy to cook meals and keep things simple with toddlers in tow.

The Ledges Resort And Marina doesn’t offer dining, but with the full kitchen we had plenty of flexibility. We brought groceries from home, though Alexandria Bay has several grocery stores if you’d rather shop on arrival.

If you want to eat out, the town is just a mile away and packed with restaurants, from casual diners to riverside spots with views.

🏠 Ready to kayak, grill, and watch the sunset from your private deck? Check availability at The Ledges now. 🏠

Pros and Cons

What I Loved

  • Incredible location on the river with Boldt Castle views
  • Spacious house with plenty of room for two families
  • Thoughtful extras stocked in the cabin
  • Private grills and campfires at each unit
  • Free kayaks and canoes, plus boat rentals on site
  • Attentive, proactive staff

What I Didn’t Love

  • Pricey, especially given the number of maintenance issues
  • Safety concerns with toddlers (unfenced docks, flimsy railings, gate to water)
  • Bathroom door that didn’t close properly
  • No on-site dining

Is The Ledges Resort and Marina Good With Kids?

Overall, I really liked our stay at The Ledges Resort and Marina. It isn’t my personal favorite type of vacation because I lean toward bigger cities and hotels, but for families who love the outdoors and want to be on the water, this is a solid choice.

The location is unbeatable, the staff genuinely go above and beyond, and the setup makes it easy to cook, grill, and spend time outside. But with little kids, the open water, unfenced docks, and loose railings are something to think hard about, especially if you’ll be the only adult supervising them.

For families with older kids, or groups looking for a mix of comfort and boating adventures in Alexandria Bay, The Ledges could be a wonderful option.

🏠 Planning your own family trip to Alexandria Bay? See what The Ledges Resort And Marina has to offer for your travel dates. 🏠

Have questions about this post or want help thinking through the logistics for your own trip? Join my free Facebook community for parents planning family travel. You can ask questions, share what you’re working through, and get real-life advice from other parents who understand how many little details go into traveling with kids.

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