Valcour Inn and Boathouse Wedding: What to Know Before You Book
If you have always wanted a wedding on the water with mountain views in every direction, a Valcour Inn and Boathouse wedding is worth putting at the top of your list. Set on Lake Champlain in Peru, NY, this historic private estate is one of the most photogenic venues in the North Country, and as a team of photographers and videographers, we wanted to put together a guide covering everything from the property's history to what your day might actually look like here.
Where Is Valcour Inn and Boathouse?
Valcour Inn and Boathouse sits at 3714 Route 9 in Peru, NY, right on the shore of Lake Champlain. The location is convenient to Plattsburgh, Burlington, and Montreal, which makes it an easy fit for couples with guests traveling from both sides of the lake or across the border. The setting is what really sells it, though, with views across the water toward Vermont's Green Mountains from nearly every angle of the property.
A Property With Real History
Part of what makes a wedding here feel special is the story behind the place. The cove where the Inn and Boathouse now sit was once Port Jackson, a busy 19th-century shipping stop where canal boats and steamers loaded and unloaded goods along the lake. Everything changed in 1897 when a sitting congressman bought the land and built a grand residence along with the boathouse you see today. A fire later took that original home, and the version that replaced it in the 1920s is what now houses the Inn. Since the early 1960s, the estate has belonged to a SUNY Plattsburgh auxiliary organization, which still runs it for weddings, retreats, and community gatherings. Getting married somewhere with a century of stories behind it adds a layer of meaning that a brand new venue simply cannot offer.
The Boathouse
The Boathouse is the showstopper for a lot of couples, and it is easy to see why. This 1905 structure occupies a small peninsula jutting into the lake, so your ceremony can happen with water on nearly every side. Step inside and you will find soaring ceilings, exposed timber framing, and Victorian-era details that give the room a warm, storybook feel without trying too hard. The Boathouse seats up to 150 guests for dinner, and the surrounding grounds have plenty of room for a tent if you want to expand your outdoor space even further.
The Inn
If you are picturing something a bit more intimate, the Inn's connecting event rooms offer a cozier setting while still keeping you steps from the water. The Inn can seat up to 110 guests indoors, and the South Lawn gives you the option to add a tent for additional space or a beautiful spot for an outdoor ceremony overlooking the lake.
Staying On Site
One of the things we love most about a Valcour wedding is that your whole weekend can happen in one place. The Inn has nine individually named guest rooms, each with its own character and a nod to the property's history, from the Zephaniah Platt Room to the Sibley Room. Rooms range from cozy queens to the Valcour Suite, the largest and most luxurious option with a king canopy bed and sweeping views of the lake and South Lawn. Having your wedding party and out of town guests staying right on property makes for a relaxed morning of getting ready and an easy walk to your ceremony.
Catering
Valcour Inn and Boathouse works exclusively with Valcour Catering Co, so your menu planning happens directly with their in-house team rather than juggling an outside caterer. This kind of built-in partnership tends to make the planning process smoother, since the team already knows the space inside and out.
What to Know Before You Tour
Availability at Valcour books up well in advance, so if you have your heart set on a specific season, especially a summer Saturday, reach out early. As of this writing, the venue has limited 2026 dates left and is already booking into 2027. We always recommend scheduling a tour so you can see both the Boathouse and the Inn in person and get a feel for which space fits your vision before locking in a date.
Getting to Valcour From the Vermont Side
One detail that surprises a lot of couples planning a Valcour wedding is how many guests end up crossing the lake to get there. Because the venue sits right on Lake Champlain, it is common to have family and friends coming from Burlington, Grand Isle, or other Vermont towns, and the fastest way across is often the ferry rather than driving all the way around through Rouses Point.
The Grand Isle to Plattsburgh crossing runs year round, twenty four hours a day, and takes about fifteen minutes to cross. No reservation is needed, which makes it an easy option for a wedding weekend when guests are coming and going at different times for rehearsal dinners, welcome parties, or the ceremony itself. We always suggest including the ferry as an option in your wedding website or welcome bag information, especially for out of town guests who might not realize it exists or assume driving is their only route in.
If a good chunk of your guest list is coming from the Vermont side, it is worth building a little extra travel time into your day-of timeline in case of a wait at the dock during peak summer weekends. This is exactly the kind of detail we like to talk through during planning, since a smooth arrival for your guests means a more relaxed atmosphere once everyone is on site. If you want help thinking through your day-of timeline, reach out to us and we can walk you through it.
Why This Venue Is a Photographer's Dream
From a photography standpoint, Valcour has everything we look for in a venue. The light off the lake changes constantly through the day, the mountain backdrop gives every portrait session real depth, and the mix of historic architecture and open water means no two photos ever look quite the same. If a Valcour Inn and Boathouse wedding is on your radar, we would love to talk with you about capturing it. Take a look at our portfolio to see the kind of work we do, or learn more about us and how we approach a wedding day.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Valcour Inn and Boathouse located?
Valcour Inn and Boathouse is located at 3714 Route 9 in Peru, NY, on the shore of Lake Champlain, convenient to Plattsburgh, Burlington, and Montreal.
How many guests can Valcour Inn and Boathouse hold?
The Boathouse seats up to 150 guests for dinner, while the Inn's connecting event rooms seat up to 110 guests. Both spaces can add a tent on the grounds for extra room.
Can we stay overnight at Valcour Inn and Boathouse?
Yes. The Inn has nine guest rooms available for wedding parties and guests, which makes it easy to host your rehearsal dinner, wedding day, and send off brunch all in one place.
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