CLAYTON GUIDED TOUR FIELD GUIDE
A 1903 Houseboat Preserved: Step Aboard La Duchesse on a Guided Walking Tour
A 30-minute guided walking tour of the 106' 1903 houseboat La Duchesse, with all-day general admission to the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton.
A 1903 Houseboat Preserved: Step Aboard La Duchesse on a Guided Walking Tour.
Moored at the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton, La Duchesse is a 106-foot houseboat built in 1903 that recreates the gracious river lifestyle of the early 20th century; guided visits move through the vessel’s original furnishings while volunteer docents unfold the history of this hotelier’s summer residence.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
A 106-foot 1903 Houseboat
La Duchesse was built in 1903 as a summer residence for George Boldt and has remained an elegant seasonal home ever since; the boat’s scale and provenance are the principal draw for visitors.
Luxurious Original Furnishings
Visitors tour the houseboat’s luxurious interiors and original furnishings, which convey the comforts of turn-of-the-century river travel and domestic life.
History Told by Volunteer Docents
Guided tours rely on volunteer docents to relay the boat’s history—from its construction for a Waldorf‑Astoria hotelier to its donation to the museum—an interpretation that contributes to more than 20,000 annual visitors who come to see her.
What the day feels like
What the visit feels like
The visit is a focused, docent-led walking tour across the decks and into the houseboat’s interior spaces, a compact interpretation that places you inside a preserved summer home from 1903 and pairs the short guided experience with open all-day access to the museum.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who gets the most from this short, interpretive visit.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Tour reservations are tied to a specific La Duchesse tour time that you select when booking; general museum admission is valid for the whole day.
The operator’s guidance highlights the tour time selection and all‑day admission; no special equipment is required beyond what you would bring for a short walking tour.
Admission rates are published for Adults, Youth, Children, Seniors, and Families; consult the operator for current pricing and ticketing.
The experience is operated by the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton, New York; La Duchesse opened to visitors at the museum in July 2005 following donation by the McNally family.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the guided tour of La Duchesse?
The guided walking tour is 30 minutes long.
Does my ticket include museum access beyond the tour?
Yes — general admission is valid all day in addition to your selected tour time.
Who built La Duchesse and when did it open to visitors at the museum?
La Duchesse was built in 1903 for George Boldt and opened for visitors at the Antique Boat Museum in July 2005 after donation by the McNally family.
What are the admission rates?
Published admission rates include categories for Adult, Youth, Child, Senior, and Family; specific prices are provided by the operator.
How many visitors see La Duchesse each year?
Each year, more than 20,000 visitors view La Duchesse at the museum.
When I book, what does the selected time represent?
The time you select is the tour time for La Duchesse; general museum admission remains valid for the entire day.