From Connecticut to Maine, the New England coastline is home of over 200 lighthouses. Many stand alone along a rugged coastline and others nestled within charming historic towns. These are 21 easily accessible or viewable lighthouses.
Curtis Island Light, Camden Harbor, Maine
Curtis Island Light is along the southern end of Camden Harbor and Northeast Passage of the West Penobscot Bay. The lighthouse built on the 5-acre island in 1835 by the order of President Andrew Jackson and named after longtime Camden resident and publisher Cyrus Curtis of the Saturday Evening Post.
The historic town of Camden owns the lighthouse and offers many outdoor activities, art galleries, restaurants and specialty shops. Megunticook Falls flows through the center of the town into the harbor. Site seeing tours, kayaking, sailing and other boating activities are available, including viewing seals sunbathe at East Goose Rock Island. Camden Hill State Park overlooks the town and harbor and offers camping and hiking trails.
Bristol Ferry Light, Bristol, Rhode Island
Located on Narragansett Bay at Bristol Point at Mount Hope Bridge. Discontinued in 1927, the 1855 two-story square brick lighthouse built assisted with ferry service between Bristol and Aquidneck Island. The lighthouse is a private residence.
Race Rock Light, Long Island Sound
Located southwest of Fisher Island along dangerous set of rocks known for many shipwrecks. Race Rock Light designed by architect Francis Hopkinson Smith and has a unique foundation that took seven years to complete; but the keepers tower and quarters only nine. The lighthouse built in 1878 and remains active today. The lighthouse is not accessible or visible from land; however, there is sight-seeing cruises available from New London, CT.
Sheffield Island Light, Norwalk, Connecticut
Activated in 1868 Sheffield Island Light is located at the mouth of Norwalk River and northern Long Island Sound. Also known as White Island and once owned by Caption Robert Sheffield, the island and lighthouse served as a farm and school for residences of adjacent islands. The lighthouse style is the similar to Great Caption Island, Morgan Point, Old Field Point Light, Plum Island and Block Island North Light; and maintained by Norwalk Seaport Associations which operates ferry service to the island from the Stroffolino Bridge in South Norwalk.
Owls Head Light, Rockland, Maine
Located in Rockland Harbor on Penobscot Bay, Owls Head Light sits on the summit of a rocky point with a steep 100-feet drop to the sea. It was originally built in 1826 to support the Lime Industry by the orders of President John Quincy Adams, in 1852 the lighthouse was upgraded and the keepers’ house built.
What is unique about the lighthouse is the staircase that allows visitors to climb up the rocky coast. The wooden path to the beach also provides a gorgeous view of the coastline. It is also considered the most haunted lighthouse with at least two ghosts, including the peaceful “Little Lady” who is often seen in the keeper’s kitchen. It currently service as an education center for the American Lighthouse Foundation which manages over 20 lighthouse throughout the state.
Squirrel Point Light, Arrowsic, Maine
One of the amazing things about this lighthouse is enjoying the tree covered trails along the Kennebec River to get to it. A moderately difficult trail with beautiful river views takes about 30 minutes to hike and is part of Reid State Park which includes 640 acre nature conservancy. The wooden octagon shaped lighthouse built in 1898 also includes keeper’s gabled house, oil house, barn and boat house. Although much of the site and structure are in disrepair, the lighthouse is operational and worth visiting if you enjoy hiking and classic river views.
Portland Head Light, Cape Elizabeth, Maine
The oldest and often most visited lighthouse in Maine is located in Cape Elizabeth. Portland Head Light is one of 65 historical lighthouses in the state and was construction in 1787 on the directive of President George Washington. Completed in 1791, it is the third oldest lighthouse in the United States. The beauty of the iconic lighthouse is not just its size but the coastal view. The stunning sea and rouged coastline coming together as powerful waves crash against the Casio Bay cliffs. It is a beautiful historic site and joy to photography. Portland Head Light is easily accessible from Fort Williams Park and one of the nicest lighthouses in Maine.
Latimer Reef Light, Fisher Island Sound
Originally known as the Coffee Pot but more commonly as Iron Spark Plug, Latimer Reef Light is located a mile north of Fisher Island. The lighthouse constructed in 1804, but not lit until 80 years later in 1884. The lighthouse named after James Latemore, a Revolutionary War patriot who used the reef to spy on the British Fleet. Latemore was captured on the reef, hung aboard a Bristish frigate and received a nearby watery burial. The lighthouse is not accessible or visible from land; however, there is sight-seeing cruises available from New London, CT.
Cape Neddick Light, York, Maine Hundred feet off the northern shores of Long Sands Beach is Nubble Island and the beautiful Cape Neddick Light. The light house and rugged island are easily visible from the beach and adjacent park. It was establish in 1879 by Congress it is considered one of the most icon American lighthouse. It is one of the last to use the Fresnel lens and is still active today.
Little Gull Island Light, Long Island Sound
Similar to Race Rock Light, Little Gull Island Light has a large and unique foundation constructed with granite. The first lighthouse on the island was built in 1806 and destroyed in a hurricane in 1813. The current lighthouse is privately owned and built in 1858. The lighthouse is not accessible or visible from land; however, there is sight-seeing cruises available from New London, CT.
Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse, New Castle, New Hampshire
Owned and operated by the U.S. Coast Guard, Portsmouth Harbor Light is located on New Castle Island and provides navigation to Piscataqua River. The 48’ tower was built in 1878 on historic British Fort William and Mary, renamed Fort Constitution after the Revolutionary War. The lighthouse is not open to the public but is visible from the castle like ruins of Fort Constitution and Battery Farnsworth. The fort was decommissioned in 1948 and given the state in 1961. Wentworth by the Sea and Fort Point Light are also visible from the grounds. The site was also featured on Sci Fi Channel, Ghost Hunters for potential paranormal activity.
Watch Hill Light, Westerly, Rhode Island
Located in the historical coastal village of Watch Hill at the eastern side of Block Island Sound, Watch Hill Light has been a nautical beacon since 1745. In 1807, President Thomas Jefferson ordered a new lighthouse constructed after a storm destroyed the original lighthouse in 1781. The coastal town is enjoyable to explore with charming shops, cafes and Victorian homes. The town includes the oldest operating suspended horse carousel in America and the historic Ocean House hotel that overlooks the beach and sound. The lighthouse is easily accessible from town and only a short walk along a fenced lined road.
Beavertail Lighthouse, Jamestown, Rhode Island
This gorgeous natural setting with scenic views of the harbor, open dark-blue cold sea and rouged coastline overshadows the historic lighthouse. Located on southern end of Conanicut Island, Beavertail Lighthouse provide navigation to Narragansett Bay between Newport and Aquidneck Island.
The originally tower known as Newport Light was burned by retreating British forces in 1779 during the America Revolutionary War. In 1856 the lighthouse was rebuilt and is operated today by the U.S. Coast Guard. Besides the breathtaking views, Beavertail Lighthouse has public tours and a museum featuring Beehive Fresnel Lens. Whale Rock Lighthouse and Point Judith Light are visible from the grounds. The island of Conanicut is also beautiful to explore with its peaceful countryside, art galleries, parks and coastal farms.
Point Judith Light, Narragansett, Rhode Island
Located on the confluence of two waterways of Narragansett Bay and Block Island Sound, Point Judith Light is in New England largest estuary and natural harbor which include many islands. Built in 1857 the half white, half brown tower with black lantern is constructed with granite blocks and serve in an area that historically had many shipwrecks.
Avery Point Light, Groton, Connecticut Located at the Avery Point Campus of the University of Connecticut the lighthouse constructed 1943 was the last one built-in the state. It is easily accessible from the campus and provides a good view of the Thames River and New London Ledge Lighthouse. Avery Point is also the former estate and home of Morton Freeman Plants a local financier. Built in 1902 in the Tutor Style, Bradford House which is a few 100 yards from the lighthouse and includes Baroque, Gothic, Renaissance and Classical interior influences.
New London Ledge, Groton, Connecticut
The states most known and picturesque lighthouses is at the mouth of the Thames River and Fisher Island Sound. Built in 1909, the eleven room, three-story brick and granite house with a fourth-order Fresnel lens and believed haunted by Ernie, the first lighthouse keeper. New Harbor Ledge Lighthouse is best viewed from the water but is visible from Avery Point and Ocean Beach Park.
New London Harbor Light, New London, Connecticut
The states most known and picturesque lighthouses is at the mouth of the Thames River and Fisher Island Sound. Built in 1909, the eleven room, three-story brick and granite house with a fourth-order Fresnel lens and believed haunted by Ernie, the first lighthouse keeper. New Harbor Ledge Lighthouse is best viewed from the water but is visible from Avery Point and Ocean Beach Park.
Five Mile Point Lighthouse, New Haven, Connecticut
Named for its distance from downtown, Five Mile Point Lighthouse (Old New Haven) and the keepers residence is located in Morris Creek Nature Preserve and was constructed in 1847. Similar to Black Rock Harbor Light in Bridgeport, Five Mile Point Lighthouse replaced an earlier wooden tower that was in disrepair. The 80’ brick tower has a cast-iron lantern cap with 74 granite stairs and easily viewable within the city’s coastal park.
The 82-acre park include a bird sanctuary, antique carousal, natural trails and natural beach on the Long Island Sound. The site also has historical importance, during the Revolutionary War the Battle of New Haven (Tryon’s Raid) took place along the shoreline. The park and the lighthouse is open to the public.
Stonington Harbor Light, Stonington, Connecticut
Known as the Old Lighthouse by locals, Stonington Harbor Light was built in 1840 and decommissioned 1889. The 35 feet octagon stone granite tower and keepers house is on the east side of the harbor and now houses the Stonington Historical Society Museum. The historic coastal town offers many antique shops, cafes and restaurants, including the historic Victorian home and museum of Captain Nathaniel B. Palmer—an Antarctic explorer and designer of clipper ships. Saltwater Farms Vineyards is also few miles from Stonington.
Stratford Point Light, Stratford, Connecticut
Built in 1822, Stratford Point Light is the first prefabricated cylindrical lighthouse in the country. The 35’ cast-iron tower is lined with brick and is located on on the mouth of the Housatonic River on the Long Island Sound. The lighthouse is in operation and managed by the U.S. Coast Guard, it is closed to the public and only opened on special occasions a few times a year.
Black Rock Harbor Light, Bridgeport, Connecticut Built in 1823 the forty foot tall octagon stone lighthouse is located on Fayerweather Island and replaced a pervious wooded tower that was destroyed in hurricane. Although the lighthouse is in disrepair, it quite enjoyable to explore and get too—crossing the rocky jetty to island can prove to be moderately difficult but makes an nice summer hike. The short hike to the island takes about 25 minutes and provides beautiful view of Black Rock Harbor, Long Island Sound and coastal Connecticut. Lighthouse was deactivated in 1932 and given to the City of Bridgeport. It is easily accessible from Seaside Park.