Lighthouses in New England are one of those things that just make sense like lobster rolls in the summertime and iced coffee in the winter.
It’s hard to deny the timeless beauty of these beacons. Lighthouses are sure to provide ample photo ops, fascinate maritime history buffs, and light the way for their natural surroundings.
Here are 11 lighthouses to find around New England.
Boston Lighthouse, Boston Harbor, Little Brewster Island
This lighthouse, located on Little Brewster Island, dates back to 1716 and is the oldest continuously used lighthouse in the US. Check the schedule to plan a tour, which includes a 76-step climb.
Marblehead Lighthouse, Follett St., Marblehead
This cast iron lighthouse was rebuilt in 1896, when it replaced the original brick-and-wood one built in 1835. The tower stands 105 feet tall and is open to the public by special arrangement only.
Highland Light, 27 Highland Light Rd., Provincetown
This is an active lighthouse on Cape Cod shore. The current structure dates back to 1857 and is the oldest + tallest lighthouse on Cape Cod.
Nauset Light, 120 Nauset Light Beach Rd., Eastham
The Nauset Lighthouse is one of the most iconic lighthouses in Massachusetts that is open to the public. If it looks familiar, that’s because it is featured on the Cape Cod Potato Chips bags.
Chatham Light, 37 Main St., Chatham
Originally built in 1808, the Chatham Lighthouse was also known as Twin Lights and is still in operation by the US Coast Guard. The current tower was replaced in 1877.
Race Point Lighthouse, Provincetown
Located on the northern tip of Cape Cod, the lighthouse stands 45-feet tall and was first illuminated in 1816. Pro tip: you can spend the night at the lighthouse with reservations.
Old Scituate Light, 100 Lighthouse Rd., Scituate
This lighthouse in the South Shore was first built in 1810. It is the fifth oldest lighthouse in New England and the eleventh in the US.
Gay Head Lighthouse, 15 Aquinnah Cir., Martha’s Vineyard
Take the ferry to Martha’s Vineyard to see the brick Gay Head Light, aka Aquinnah Light. The red and white light flashes every 15 seconds and dates back to 1799.
Sankaty Head Lighthouse, Baxter Rd., Nantucket, Massachusetts
Journey across the Nantucket Sound to see this lighthouse that opened in 1850. It was the first lighthouse in the US to receive a Fresnel lens + the original lens can be viewed at the Nantucket Whaling Museum.
Minot Ledge Lighthouse, Minots Ledge, Cohasset - Scituate
This lighthouse is located about a mile offshore, and funding was approved for this tower by Congress in 1847 after many shipwrecks on the surrounding rocks.
Annisquam Harbor Lighthouse, 45 Norwood Heights, Gloucester
This classic lighthouse features a 40-foot tower and historic style.
