The 10 Most Beautiful Lighthouses in New England

Headed to coastal New England? No trip would be complete without a visit to some of the region’s most postcard-worthy lighthouses. And while it’s hard to pick favorites, we think these are the 10 most beautiful lighthouses in New England. They’re sure to provide ample photo ops for both novice and expert shutterbugs, fascinate maritime history buffs, and delight children and families with their lovely natural surroundings. Here’s our list of some of the most beautiful lighthouses in New England:

The 10 Most Beautiful Lighthouses in New England

1. West Quoddy Head Lighthouse | Lubec, Maine

The only “candy striped” lighthouse tower in the United States also happens to be the easternmost in the nation, standing 49 feet tall above the Quoddy Narrows in Lubec, Maine. Originally built in 1808, the tower has since been replaced; it can be toured on occasion during the summer.

2. Pemaquid Point Lighthouse | Bristol, Maine

This lighthouse has become one of the most photographed in Maine, thanks in part to the striking rock formations that slope dramatically from the tower down to the ocean. Located in Bristol, Maine, Pemaquid Point Lighthouse was originally commissioned in 1827 by President John Quincy Adams but was later rebuilt. There is a Fisherman’s Museum in the keeper’s house; the light tower itself is an active beacon owned by the U.S. Coast Guard. Admission is by a small fee.

3. Marshall Point Lighthouse | Port Clyde, Maine

A raised wooden walkway stretches out from the land toward Marshall Point Lighthouse in Port Clyde, Maine, making for both a nice stroll and a lovely photo composition. And not only is this lighthouse especially photogenic, it also made its cinematic debut in the 1994 film Forrest Gump. Inside the nearby lighthouse keeper’s house is a seasonal museum documenting the filming of the movie, among other lighthouse lore; admission is free.

4. Portland Head Light | Portland, Maine

Perched on the edge of the Gulf of Maine, this iconic lighthouse on Cape Elizabeth is the oldest in Maine and certainly one of the most photographed. The tower was built in 1791 and has since been completely automated, while the former lighthouse keeper’s house has been turned into a maritime museum. The museum is open seasonally, with a small fee for admission; the surrounding Fort Williams Park is open year-round from sunrise to sunset.

5. Bass Harbor Head Light Station | Tremont, Maine

Located on the southernmost tip of Mount Desert Island in Maine’s beautiful Acadia National Park, Bass Harbor Head Light Station draws approximately 180,000 visitors a year and is the most visited site on the island’s western side. While the interior is closed to the public, a paved walkway gives visitors a chance to check out the exterior of the light station. Note: Parking can be quite limited, especially around sunrise and sunset, when many photographers flock to the surrounding rocks to capture their perfect shot.

6. Cape Neddick Lighthouse | York, Maine

Better known by its nickname, Nubble Light, Cape Neddick Lighthouse in York, Maine, is so iconic that a photo of the lighthouse was sent into space on NASA’s Voyager II alongside photos of the Great Wall of China and the Taj Mahal. Built in 1879, the tower is situated on Nubble Island, just off the Cape Neddick peninsula. The lighthouse welcomes visitors all year round, while the gift shop and restrooms are open seasonally.

7. Sankaty Head Lighthouse | Nantucket, Massachusetts

Located on the eastern coast of Nantucket Island in Massachusetts, Sankaty Head Lighthouse was built in 1850 to prevent the kinds of maritime navigational mishaps that Nantucket had become notorious for at that time. In 2007, the light was relocated approximately 400 feet to escape coastal bluff erosion. The grounds are open year-round from dawn to dusk, with the inside of the lighthouse open on occasion.

8. Rose Island Lighthouse | Newport, Rhode Island

One of the rare New England lighthouses where you can reserve an overnight stay, Rose Island Lighthouse in Newport, Rhode Island, boasts a carefully restored interior, making the inside just about as picturesque as the outside. The lighthouse was completed in 1870 and sits in Narragansett Bay on Rose Island, which is also home to a wildlife refuge and the Fort Hamilton barracks. For a small admission fee, you can visit Rose Island from late May to Columbus Day via the Jamestown Newport Ferry or your own canoe or kayak.

9. Gay Head Lighthouse | Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts

The dangerous Devil’s Bridge rocks off the western coast of Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts led to the construction of the original Gay Head Lighthouse in 1799, to guide seafarers past the potential hazards. Half a century later, it was replaced with the current 51-foot-tall brick tower, which remains a navigational aid; it is open seasonally for tours.

10. Sheffield Island Lighthouse | Norwalk, Connecticut

This historic lighthouse sits on Sheffield Island, one of the largest of Connecticut’s Norwalk Islands, and was built in 1868 to replace an even older original structure. The current lighthouse stands two and a half stories tall and is crowned with a cast-iron tower. Caretakers live in Sheffield Island Lighthouse during the summer, when the lighthouse can be toured by the public.

What are your picks for the most beautiful lighthouses in New England? Let us know in the comments below!

This post was first published in 2021 and has been updated.

You may also like…
Best Beaches for Sea Glass in New England
Prettiest Beaches in New England
Nubble Light | Maine’s Favorite Lighthouse

Katherine Keenan

Formerly associate digital editor, Katherine Keenan created content for NewEngland.com, managed the New England Today newsletter, and shared the best of the magazine on social media channels. A graduate of Smith College, she grew up in the White Mountains of New Hampshire and currently lives in southern Maine.

More by Katherine Keenan