New England is known for their beautiful lighthouses. If you are planning on taking a trip this season, be sure to check out these historic lighthouses in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.
Lighthouses in Connecticut
Stonington Harbor Lighthouse
Stonington, Connecticut
East Side of Stonington Harbor
860-535-8445
Established in 1823, this lighthouse is now a museum. It was deactivated in 1889 and it is the country’s oldest lighthouse museum.
Lighthouses in Maine
Nubble Light
York Beach, Maine
207-363-1040
The keeper of the lighthouse in the 20th century would ferry visitors over to explore the lighthouse for 10 cents. His wife would give them a tour for only a nickel. The couple was eventually fired for neglecting the lighthouse.
Portland Head Light
Cape Elizabeth, Maine
207-799-2661
This 80-foot lighthouse was established back in 1791. From the base of it, you can see four other lighthouses. After exploring the grounds, take a walk into the keeper’s quarters where there is a museum.
Seguin Island Light
Sequin Island, Maine
207-443-4808
From time to time, guests will say they can hear a phantom piano playing inside of the lighthouse. It is rumored to be haunted by the keeper’s wife, whom the keeper strangled for playing the same piece of music over and over again.
Wood Island Lighthouse
Biddeford, Maine
207-200-4552
This 47-foot lighthouse is only accessible by boat. The Friends of Wood Island Lighthouse offer trips over to the island which allow guests to climb the tower and check out the grounds. The lighthouse was established in 1808 and replaced in 1858.
Lighthouses in Massachusetts
Eastern Point Lighthouse
Located at the end of Eastern Point Road
Gloucester, Massachusetts
massaudubon.org/get-outdoors/wildlife-sanctuaries/eastern-point
Ignore the private road signs (visitors to the lighthouse are permitted) and head out to this picturesque lighthouse that was erected in 1832. Hold on to little hands if you take a walk on the breakwater – the views are worth it!
Nauset Light
Eastham, Massachusetts
508-240-2612
The lighthouse was moved from a 60 foot high cliff to its current location in 1996 due to coastal erosion. Open for tours every Sunday until October 25th as well as Wednesdays in July and August. The annual Full Moon Tour will be held on Tuesday, October 27th.
Race Point Light Station
Provincetown, Massachusetts
508-487-9930
Rent a room or a week in the lighthouse! The keeper’s house and neighboring whistle house is operated off of solar, thermal and windmill power. The lighthouse was established in 1816 and was replaced in 1876.
Scituate Lighthouse
Scituate, Massachusetts
781-545-1083
This 50-foot lighthouse was established in 1811. The tower is made of granite and brick and it is the oldest lighthouse in the United States.
Lighthouses in New Hampshire
Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse
New Castle, New Hampshire
603-271-3556
portsmouthharborlighthouse.org
This 48-foot lighthouse was established in 1771 and replaced in 1878. Every December, Santa stops by in his helicopter bringing gifts to Coast Guard families. This tradition started in 1929 by a Maine floatplane pilot.
White Island Lighthouse
Off Rye, New Hampshire
603-978-2097
Hop on a cruise and take a closer look at this lighthouse or if you have your own boat transportation, you can view this beautiful lighthouse as you sail by.
Lighthouses in Rhode Island
Beavertail Lighthouse
Jamestown, Rhode Island
The original station dates back as far as 1753. During the Revolution, the British soldiers burned the tower and removed all of the lighting equipment. The current tower was built in 1856.
Lighthouses in Vermont
Colchester Reef Lighthouse
Shelburne, Vermont
802-985-3346
Open daily through October 31st. This 35-foot lighthouse was reconstructed in 1952 on the grounds of the Shelburne Museum. It was originally established in 1871.
