Driving and Hiking Directions to
New England Lighthouses

nubble light

Lighthouse Driving Directions Quick Guide
Heading Northeast

Here’s a list of lighthouses that visitors can drive, hike, or take a ferry for good views and photographs. Most of these are lighthouses you can get very close to, even take tours. Links are provided to each lighthouse page where you can find more detailed directions if needed, information on that lighthouse, and places to visit near the light. Additional lighthouses are provided that you will need a ferry to access, but once on the island you can hike to these lights.

 

Drive or Hike to These Connecticut Lighthouses
(Heading Northeast)

fine mile point light

Great Captain Island Light, Greenwich, Connecticut
Take the Greenwich Parks Ferry, lighthouse is short walk on other side of small island from the dock, just follow the trail along a tiny beach.

Stamford Harbor Ledge Light, Stamford, Connecticut
Take Exit 8 off Route 95 to Elm Street, right at Jefferson Street, left at Magee Street which turns into Shippan Street, right on Ocean Drive, right at Fairfield Street to dead end.

Greens Ledge Light, Norwalk, Connecticut
Take Exit 12 off Route 95 to Tokeneke Road (Route 136), right on Roton Street, left at Pine Point Street, left at Gull Street, right at Ensign Street, left at Crescent Beach Street.

Sheffield Island Light, Norwalk, Connecticut
Take ferry by Norwalk Seaport Association.

Black Rock Harbor Light, Bridgeport, Connecticut
Take Exit 27 off Route 95 to Lafayette Boulevard to South Ave., left at Park Ave, park at Seaside Park, lighthouse is at end of breakwater.

Stratford Point Light, Stratford, Connecticut
Take Exit 30 off Route 95 to 113, past Airport along fence to Lordship, left at Oak Bluff Street, at rotary take Prospect Drive to lighthouse.

File Mile Point Light, New Haven, Connecticut
Located at Lighthouse Park, Exit 50, off Route 95.

Lynde Point Light, Old Saybrook, Connecticut (private residence)
Take Exit 67 off Route 95, stay right on Route 1 to Route 154 (Main Street) to Saybrook Point.

New London Harbor Light, New London, Connecticut
Take Exit 82A off Route 95 to Colman, left on Bank Street, right at Shaw Street to Pequot Street and follow.

Avery Point Light, Groton, Connecticut
Take Exit 87 off Route 95 along Route 349 into Groton, right on Rainville Street, left on Belham Street, past golf course to University of Connecticut. Check with security first, lighthouse on college grounds.

Stonington Harbor Light, Stonington, Connecticut
Take Exit 91 off Route 95 onto Route 234 to North Main Street, left on North Main Street across Route 1, then take left at stop, next right over railroad bridge to Water Street through Stonington Village to beach.

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Drive or Hike to These Rhode Island Lighthouses
(Heading Eastward)

beavertail light

Watch Hill Light, Westerly, Rhode Island
From Route 1A in Avondale, stay on Watch Hill Road, right at Wauwinnett Street, left at Bay Street, park your car, then walk left on Larkin Street to Lighthouse Road.

Point Judith Light, 1470 Ocean Road, Narragansett, Rhode Island
From Route 1 in Wakefield, Route 108 South to Point Judith. At 4-way intersection, take right on Ocean Street to light.

Beavertail Light, Jamestown, Rhode Island
From Route 138 from North Kingston, over Jamestown Bridge, by Newport. Look for Gerry/Beavertail sign, then follow along stonewall to Beavertail State Park.

Warwick Harbor Light, Warwick, Rhode Island (prvate residence)
Take 117 East into Warwick, south on Warwick Neck Ave for 2 ½ miles to end.

Nayatt Point Light, Barrington, Rhode Island (private residence)
Take 114 South, right on Runstick Street, right at Nayatt Street to Washington Street. Look for small paved road to shoreline, lighthouse is on your right.

Pomham Rocks Light, East Providence, Rhode Island
Take Exit 4 off Route 95 onto Route 103 by Riverside/Veteran’s Memorial Parkway. Follow 5 miles to Bullocks Point to reach East Bay Bike Path by Washington Street.

Bristol Ferry Light, Bristol, Rhode Island (private residence)
Take Route 144 South to Mount Hope Bridge, take Old Ferry Road past Roger Williams University.

Prudence Island Light, Prudence Island, Rhode Island
Take Bristol-Prudence Ferry on Church Street after Route 114. On the island, follow Narragansett Street one mile, then left on Landing Lane.

Rose Island Light, Newport, Rhode Island
Take Jamestown-Newport Ferry

Newport Harbor Light, Newport, Rhode Island
Take 114 South in Newport, right on Admiral Kalbfus Street, left at Third Street, right at Sycamore Street, left at Washington Street, right at Goat Island Connector. Park at Hyatt Regency and ask permission to view the lighthouse on the grounds.

Castle Hill Light, Newport, Rhode Island
From Route 195, Route 138 South, onto Route 238 in Newport. Route 238 to Thames Street, right on Wellington Street, right on Harrison Street, right on Ridge Street, right on Castle Hill Street, left on Ocean Street, right on Castle Hill Street again to Castle Hill Resort. Park ad follow trail.

Sakonnet Light, Little Compton, Rhode Island
Follow Highway 77 fourteen miles to Sakonnet, look for a walled beach overlook.

 

Block Island Lighthouses, Rhode Island

block island north light

To access Block Island, you can take various shuttles from Rhode Island and Massachusetts, including the Block Island Ferry.

Block Island North Light, Block Island, Rhode Island
Take Water Street, to Dodge Street, right at Corn Neck Street to the light.

Block Island Southeast Light, Block Island, Rhode Island
Take Water Street to the rotary, and then take Spring Street to Southeast Light Road to the light.

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Drive or Hike to These Massachusetts Lighthouses
(Heading Eastward and Around the Cape)

long point light

 

Border Flats Light, Fall River, Massachusetts
Take Exit 5 off Route 95 to Route 138 (Broadway) to Bradford, then right at Almond Street to Borden Light Marina.

Clark’s Point Light, New Bedford, Massachusetts
Take Exit 15 off Route 95, then Route 18 South onto Water Street to Fort Taber Park.

Butler Flats Light, New Bedford, Massachusetts
Take Exit 15 off Route 95, then Route 18 South onto Water Street to Fort Taber Park.

Palmer Island Light, New Bedford, Massachusetts
Take Exit 15 off Route 95, then Route 18 South onto Cover Street, left at Morton Court, right at Guilford Street. Park behind industrial buildings, and watch your car and belongings. Can see from lot or walk along breakwater.

Ned’s Point Light, Mattapoisett, Massachusetts
Take Exit 19 off Route 95 along North Sreet. follow into Mattapoisett Street. Take left on Water Street to Beacon Street, right to Ned’s Point Road to Veteran’s Memorial Park.

Wing’s Neck Light, Pocasset, Massachusetts
Follow Route 6 to Borne Rotary to Route 28 South into Pocasset. Turn right onto Barlows Landing, cross Shore Street, then right on Wing’s Neck Street to end.

Nobska Light, Falmouth, Massachusetts
From Route 28 in Falmouth, follow Shore Road, then right on Surf Drive to Beach Street onto Oyster Pond Street, then left on Nobska Road to light.

Hyannis Harbor Light, Hyannis, Massachusetts
Take Route 6 to Route 132 into Hyannis. At cross of Routes 132 and 28, go south on Hyannis-Barnstable, south on Ocean Street, right on Gosdnold Street, left on Harbor Road to the end.

Bass River Light, West Dennis, Massachusetts
Take Route 28, south on School Street to Lighthouse Road to the inn.

Stage Harbor Light, Chatham. Massachusetts
Take Route 6 to Route 137 to Chatham. Left on Old Queen Road to Route 28, right on Barn Hill Street, right on Harding’s Beach. It’s a one-mile hike over soft sand from parking lot.

Chatham Light, Chatham, Massachusetts
Take Route 6 to Route 137 to Chatham. Take left on Old Queen Road to Route 28 and follow Main Street to the light.

Nauset Light, Eastham. Massachusetts
Take Route 6 to Eastham to right on Bracket Street, left on Nauset Street, right on Cable Street, left on Ocean View Drive to light.

Three Sisters Lights, Eastham, Massachusetts
Take Route 6 to Eastham, then right on Bracket Street, left on Nauset Street, right on Cable Street, left on Ocean View Drive to Nauset Light. The other lighthouses are a 1/3-mile walk after Nauset Light.

Cape Cod (Highland) Light, Truro, Massachusetts
Take Route 6 through Truro to Cape Cod Light\Highland exit, take South Highland Road, then left on Lighthouse Road.

Race Point Light, Provincetown, Massachusetts
Take Route 6 towards Provincetown, take Race Point Road until it ends at the beach. It’s a two-mile hike in soft sand to the light, or you can get a permit to drive a 4-wheel drive vehicle. Art’s Dune Tours also offers trips to Race Point Light.

Wood End Light, Provincetown, Massachusetts
Take Route 6 into Provincetown, then left onto Commercial (Route 6A) Street and park at breakwater. It’s a mile walk along the breakwater to the light.

Long Point Light, Provincetown, Massachusetts
Take Route 6 into Provincetown, then left onto Commercial (Route 6A) Street and park at breakwater. It’s a mile walk along the breakwater, then another ¾ in soft sand during low tide to the lighthouse. Be careful, watch the tide! Flyer’s Boat Yard offers a shuttle service to the light.

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Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Island Lighthouses, MA

brant point light

Ferries
You can take various ferries to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. Island Queen leaves from Falmouth, Hy-Line Cruises from Hyannis, Seastreak Ferry from New Bedford, Rhode Island Ferry from North Kingston, RI, and the Steamship Authority from various Massachusetts ports.

 

Martha’s Vineyard Lighthouses

Gay Head Light, Aquinnah, Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
Follow signs to Chilmark, west on South Street to light.

West Chop Light, Tisbury, Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
West on Union Street, then right on Main Street to West Chop Street.

East Chop Light, Oak Bluffs, Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
Take East Chop Street north to Highland Drive.

Edgartown Light, Edgartown, Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
Take Main Street into Edgartown, left on Water Street to light.

Cape Poge Light, Chappaquiddick Island, Martha’s Vineyard, MA
Take short Edgartown- Chappaquiddick ferry, to Chappaquiddick for 2 ½ miles. Take right on Dike Street (dirt road) to Dike Bridge to Cape Poge gatehouse. Tour of lighthouse and refuge provided by Cape Poge Trustees of Reservations.

 

Nantucket Island Lighthouses

Brant Point Light, Nantucket, Massachusetts
From the wharf, go up Broad Street, then right on South Beach Street, right on Easton Street to light.

Sankaty Head Light, Siasconset, Massachusetts
From the wharf, go up Broad Street, then left on South Water Street, right on Main Street, left on Orange Street to rotary. Take Milestone Street for 6 miles to town, then left on Shell Street into Sankaty, right on Barberry Lane, left on Baxter Street to the light.

Great Point Light, Nantucket, Massachusetts
To reach Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge where the light is located, go up Broad Street to South Water, then right on Main Street. Take left on Orange Street to rotary onto Milestone Street, then left on Polpis Street for 4 ½ miles, left on Wauwinet Street for 2 1/2 miles to the Refuge.

 

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My new book, Lighthouses and Coastal Attractions of Southern New England: Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts, provides lots of special human interest stories from each of the 92 lighthouses, along with plenty of additional indoor and outdoor coastal attractions and tours in the area, with contact info to plan your trip. You'll also find information about haunted lighthouses, local boat cruises and lighthouse tours, and windjamming tours.

 

Look inside!

Book- New England Lighthouses & Coastal Attractions of Southern New England

 

 

 

Drive or Hike to These Massachusetts Lighthouses
(Heading Northeast from Cape Cod)

scituate light

Scituate Light, Scituate, Massachusetts
Take Route 3 North, to Route 53, to Route 123 North (Country Way). Take right at Stockbridge Street, then right at First Parish, left at Front Street, right at Jericho Street, then right at Lighthouse Road.

Marblehead Light, Marblehead, Massachusetts
Take Route 1A North from Route 95, to Route 129, to end. Take right at Beach Street until intersects with Ocean Ave., then bare left on Harbor Road onto Marblehead Neck. Follow Ocean Avenue, then left at Follett Street, to Chandler Hover Park at the light.

Derby Wharf Light, Salem, Massachusetts
Take Route 95, to Route 62 in Danvers to Salem. Take Highway 1A to Derby Street, follow waterfront signs. Light is at end of wharf.

Fort Pickering Light, Salem, Massachusetts
Take Route 1A in Salem, right on Derby Street, then right on Winter Island Road to Winter Island Park.

Hospital Point Light, Beverly, Massachusetts (private residence)
From Route 95 follow Route 128 to Exit 18 onto Old Essex Road to Route 22. Take East Corning Street, then Bayview Street to Lynch Park, to view the lighthouse.

Eastern Point Light, Gloucester, Massachusetts
Take Route 95 to Route 128. At junction of Routes 128 and 127, take right on East Main Street, to Eastern Point Road and follow along harbor. Bear right along harbor a few miles, then pass small private beach and go through “Private Road” sign. Go straight through yacht club sign to the end to the light.

Annisquam Light, Annisquam, Massachusetts
From Route 95 follow Route 128 towards Gloucester. At the rotary junction of Routes 127 and 128, go on Route 127 three miles to Washington Street, the left on Bridgewater Street, then left on Leonard Street by church. Turn right onto Norwood Heights (sign). Bear right at fork, cross Ocean Ave, turn right at “T”, then left on Wigwam Street to Lighthouse Road. There's a small private beach to quickly observe the lighthouse, may need to ask permission.

Plum Island Light, Newburyport, Massachusetts
Take Route 95, to Route 113 and then follow into Newburyport. Follow to Plum Island sign, right at light to the end; take another right, and a left over bridge onto Plum Island. Turn left on Northern Boulevard to the light.

Newburyport Harbor Range Lights, Newburyport, Massachusetts
From Route 95 North, take Exit 57 to Storey Ave. Take right on High Street, left on Summer Street to Merrimac Street which turns into Water Street. Right on Water Street left to range light, other light can seen on outside Coast Guard grounds.

 

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Drive or Hike to This New Hampshire Lighthouse
(Heading Northward)

portsmouth nh light

Portsmouth Harbor Light, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Take Exit 5 from Route 95 to Route 1 South. Take left on Elwyn Street, left on Sagamore Street, right on Wentworth Street (Route 1B) to Coast Guard Station to light.

Drive or Hike to These Maine Lighthouses
(Heading North)

west quoddy head light

Whaleback Light, Kittery, Maine
Take Exit 2 from Route 95 for Route 1 and 236. Follow along Route 236 onto Route 103, then right at Chaucey Creek Road, right at Gerrish Island Street, to Pocohontas Avenue, to the gate to Fort Foster Park. Lighthouse a short distance at the end.

Nubble (Cape Neddick) Light, York, Maine
Take Route 1 to Route 1A to York beach, follow Nubble to Sohier Park.

Goat Island (Cape Porpoise) Light, Kennebunk, Maine
Take Route 1 to Route 9E into Kennebunkport, bear right at fork by Cape Porpoise Post Office onto Wharf Street to Pier Street. Lighthouse viewed at distance.

Cape Elizabeth Light, Cape Elizabeth, Maine (private residence)
Take Route 1 to Route 207 in Scarborough. Follow Route 77 over five miles, right on Two Lights Street, bear right towards Two Lights Park, keep left to the beach.

Portland Head Lighthouse, Cape Elizabeth, Maine
From Route 1 to Route 1A outside Portland, take Route 77 South to South Portland to Shore, the follow to Fort Williams Park to the light.

Ram Island Ledge Lighthouse, Cape Elizabeth, Maine
From Route 1 to Route 1A outside Portland, take Route 77 South to South Portland to Shore Road, then follow to Fort Williams Park to view light from distance.

Spring Point Light, South Portland, Maine
Take Exit 6A from Route 1 onto Broadway Street (Route 77) to Pickett, then left on Fort Street, right to Fort Preble Street through University. Can also take Route 77 onto Broadway Street.

Portland Breakwater (Bug) Light, South Portland, Maine
Take Exit 6A from Route 1 onto Broadway Street (Route 77) to Pickett, then left on Fort Street to boat ramp, to Bug Light Park.

Squirrel Point Light, Arrowsic, Maine
From Route 1 in Bath, Route 127 South, right on Steen Street. Right at fork on dirt road, then left on Bald Head Street to the end. Take first footpath from dirt parking lot. It’s a mile long hike in trail in woods to the light.

Doubling Point Light, Arrowsic, Maine (private residence)
From Route 1 in Bath, Route 127 South for 2 miles to Doubling Point Road (dirt road), bear right at fork. Ask permission.

Doubling Point Range Lights, Arrowsic, Maine (private residence)
Take Route 1 in Bath, Route 127 South for 2 miles to Doubling Point Road (dirt road), bear left at fork. Ask permission.

Hendricks Head Light, Southport, Maine
From Route1, take Route 27 South to Boothbay towards Southport. Take Lakeside Drive about 10 miles, to Southport Grocery Store. Take right and follow Beach Street for 3 miles to light.

Pemaquid Point Light, Bristol, Maine
Take Route 1 in Damariscotta to Route 129 South three miles to Route 130 South for 12 miles to Pemaquid Point.

Marshall Point Light, Port Clyde, Maine
From Route 1 in Thomaston, take Route 131 to Port Clyde, left at intersection, right after restaurant, then left at Marshall Point Road to the light.

Rockland Harbor Southwest Light, Rockland, Maine (private residence)
From Route 1 in Rockland, take Route 73 to the end of Everett Avenue.

Owls Head Light, Rockland, Maine
From Route 1 in Rockland, take Route 73 to left at North Shore Drive, then left at Owls Head Post Office to Lighthouse Road. Hike ½ mile from parking lot.

Rockland Breakwater Light, Rockland, Maine
From Route 1 in Rockland, take right on Waldo Avenue, then right on Samoset Drive to parking lot. Lighthouse at the end of one-mile breakwater to walk.

Curtis Island Light, Camden, Maine
A decent distant view can be seen when you take Route 1 to Camden, take right on Chestnut Street past Post Office, left on Penobscot Street, left at next stop sign. Bear left and you’ll see lighthouse from residential area.

Dice Head Light, Castine, Maine
From Route 1 in Orland, take Route 175 South to Route 166 past Maine Maritime Academy to Battle Avenue to the lighthouse.

Bas Harbor Light, Trenton, Maine
From Route 1 in Ellsworth, take Route 3 to Mount Desert Island. Take right on Route 102 then stay right to 102A to the light.

Prospect Harbor Light, Prospect Harbor, Maine (military grounds)
From Route 1, take Route186 to Prospect Harbor, right on Route 195, then bear right at fork to Lighthouse Point. View outside of military gates, can’t enter.

West Quoddy Head Light, Lubec, Maine
From Route 1, take Route 189 towards Lubec. Turn right after 10 miles to Quoddy Head State Park for five miles.

Whitlocks Mill Light, Calais, Maine (private residence)
Route 1 in Calais, view lighthouse from Saint Croix River Rest Area.

 

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My 300-page book (with over 360 images), Lighthouses and Coastal Attractions of Northern New England: New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont, provides special human interest stories from each of the 76 lighthouses, along with plenty of indoor and outdoor coastal attractions you can explore, and tours. Lighthouses and their nearby attractions are divided into regions for all you weekly and weekend explorers. Attractions and tours also include whale watching tours, lighthouse tours, windjammer sailing tours and adventures, special parks and museums, and lighthouses you can stay overnight. There are also stories of haunted lighthouses in these regions.

Look inside!

Book- Lighthouses & Coastal Attractions of Northern New England

 

 

 

 

These Maine Island Lighthouses You Can Take A Ferry To See

grindle point light

Wood Island Light, Biddeford Pool, Maine
From Route 1 in Biddeford, take Route 111, then right at lights to Route 9/208 for five miles to Biddeford Pool. Take left at end, bear right past fire station to parking lot for dock. Take the shuttle by the Friends of Wood Island Light, they also perform the tours and guide you from the dock to the lighthouse.

Seguin Island Light, Georgetown, Maine
Fish ‘N’ Trips provides ferry service to Sequin Island from Fort Popham, where you need to hike uphill a steep grade to the light.

Monhegan Island Light, Monhegan Island, Maine
Monhegan Boat Line, among others, provides a shuttle from Port Clyde to Monhegan Island where you take a left off the dock and bear right uphill to reach the lighthouse and grounds.

Browns Head Light, Vinalhaven Island, Maine
Take the Maine State Ferry out of Rockland to arrive at Vinalhaven Island. At the terminal, take a right out of the lot, then left by Key Bank. Bear right at fork by yield sign, then left at fork with “No Open Fires” sign and follow for 4 miles. Take dirt road on left past cemetery, then take next right on dirt road to the light.

Grindle Point Light, Islesboro, Maine
Take the Islesboro Ferry (State Ferry) out of Lincolnville and lighthouse is right at the dock.

Burnt Island Light, Boothbay Harbor, Maine
Balmy Days Cruises, among others, provides a fequent shuttle out of Boothbay Harbor to the island where you are provided a guided tour to the lighthouse and grounds.

Isle au Haut Light, Isle au Haut, Maine
Take the Isle au Haut Ferry out of Stonington to arrive at Isle au Haut at the lighthouse.

Burnt Coat Harbor, Swan’s Island, Maine
Take the Swan’s Island Ferry to reach Swan’s Island. Turn right from the landing, then right at T-intersection, then bear right at fork for
2 1/2 miles into the town of Swan’s Island. Bear left on Main Street for another 5 miles to the light.

 

book of the rise and demise of the largest sailing ships

To order a signed paperback copy:

Available from bookstores in paperback, hardcover, and as an eBook for all devices.

my ebook on apple books

The Rise and Demise of the Largest Sailing Ships: Stories of the Six and Seven-Masted Coal Schooners of New England

In the early 1900s, New England shipbuilders constructed the world’s largest sailing ships amid social and political reforms. These giants of sail were the ten original six-masted coal schooners and one colossal seven-masted vessel, built to carry massive quantities of coal and building supplies, and measured longer than a football field!

This book, balanced with plenty of color and vintage images, showcases the historical accounts that followed these mighty ships. These true stories include competitions, accidents, battling destructive storms, acts of heroism, and their final voyages.

 

 

 

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