10 Historical Lighthouses to See This Summer

Portland Head Light, Maine

Cape Elizabeth's picturesque Portland Head Light is the oldest lighthouse in Maine and is, arguably, one of the United States' most iconic. The structure is closed to the public, but visitors can tour the lighthouse grounds and explore an adjacent museum in the former keeper's residence.

Fenwick Island Lighthouse, Delaware

You'll find this famous landmark sitting right on the Mason-Dixon Line between Maryland and Delaware. Fenwick Island Lighthouse is more than 150 years old and, though folks are not permitted to climb its inner stairs, a mini museum in the structure's base is open to visitors.

Boston Light, Massachusetts

Amazingly, this lighthouse on Little Brewster Island was reconstructed in 1783 after the British destroyed it during the Revolutionary War. In 2016, Boston Light will turn 300. Visitors can see the National Historic Landmark on one of the many lighthouse cruises that operate in Boston Harbor.

Cape Hatteras Light Station, North Carolina

Hundreds of ships have sunk in the treacherous waters guarded by the Cape Hatteras Light Station. The structure's whale-oil-powered lamp was first lit in 1803. Today, visitors are permitted to climb to the top of the black-and-white-striped structure.

Tillamook Rock Lighthouse, Oregon

Known as "Terrible Tilly," Tillamook Rock Lighthouse is an isolated structure built on a craggy basalt rock that rises from the ocean about a mile offshore. Beachgoers can see the now-deactivated lighthouse from the coast in Ecola State Park, but the rock itself is only accessible by helicopter.

Tybee Lighthouse, Georgia

The colonial-era Tybee Lighthouse is one of America's best-preserved light stations. It was built in 1732, and today it functions as a museum. Climb the structure's 178 steps to enjoy a seabird's view of Tybee Island.

Cape Florida Lighthouse, Florida

Park your towel next to this beachside lighthouse, which is the oldest building in Miami-Dade County. The lighthouse is open to the public, and free guided tours are available during the week.

Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse, Maine

Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse sits at the end of a long breakwater (hence the name) and, from certain angles, appears to be floating in the ocean. Visitors must walk a mile along the breakwater to see the turn-of-the-century structure up close.

Pigeon Point Lighthouse, California

Pigeon Point, one of the tallest lighthouses in America, was first lit in 1872. The beacon rests on a cliff beside the ocean, about 50 miles south of San Francisco. The lighthouse is closed to visitors pending repairs on the structure, but guests can tour the lighthouse grounds and watch for gray whales. (Whales can be spotted from January through April.)

Kilauea Point Lighthouse, Hawaii

The recently restored Kilauea Point Lighthouse led ships to safety for 62 years. This turn-of-the-century Hawaiian lighthouse, which is part of the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, is a popular perch for native birds like great frigatebirds and Laysan albatrosses.

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