Home | Blog | Ten Beautiful Lighthouses of the United States
I can think of no other edifice constructed by man as altruistic as a lighthouse. They were only built to serve.
George Bernard Shaw
The last sentry upon the rock shore, casting its beam of light out into the dark waters, lighthouses have long captured our imaginations. Situated along the coastlines and harbor entrances around the world, they have prevented disasters and saved lives at sea.
When you visit a lighthouse, it’s easy to get wrapped up in ghosts and folklore. Invariably, you climb a spiral staircase to the top for the vantage point. If you’re lucky, you can go outside and feel the salty breeze of the sea and hear the gulls playing overhead. With the crashing surf below, you can imagine yourself a lighthouse keeper attending to the ships at sea. And you are the sole beacon of light in the face of a raging storm. Oh, the stories I’m sure they could tell!
In honor of National Lighthouse Day on August 7, we’re featuring 10 beautiful lighthouses of the United States. And we’ve added some hotels where you can stay along the way. From Maine down to Florida, and from California to Hawaii and on up to Alaska, we hope they inspire some regional trips. Surround yourself for a moment in their scenic beauty and historical significance. And, of course, have a relaxing stay at some beautiful hotel and resort locations along the way.
Porland, Maine
Portland Head Lighthouse was commissioned by George Washington in 1791 and is the oldest lighthouse in Maine. Sitting at the entrance to the Casco Bay and the Portland Shipping Channel, it has remarkable views from its vantage point. From this lighthouse, you will also see four additional lighthouses dotting the craggy coastline. (And as an extra bonus, there was a really awesome food truck with lobster rolls when I visited last year!)
Where to Stay: The Press Hotel, Autograph Collection pays homage to its printing press roots. The hotel public spaces were designed with printing press memorabilia. And their guest rooms have the feel of a 1920’s writer’s office. Located in the heart of downtown Portland, it’s within walking distance to some of the city’s eclectic restaurants and craft cocktail scene. Book with me and receive a welcome amenity, complimentary breakfast daily and complimentary upgrade, whenever possible.
Block Island Lighthouse, Rhode Island
Block Island Southeast Lighthouse is one of the more visually striking lighthouses in the United States. To visit, one must be dropped off by ferry and walk, or taxi, to the site only in summer months. Even today, you can see the light flash green every five seconds and hear the fog signal give one blast every thirty seconds.
Where to Stay:The Weekapaug Inn sits on the Rhode Island shoreline overlooking Quonochontaug Pond, with the Atlantic Ocean beyond. The lighthouse is a mere two hour drive away. Enjoy farm-to-table dining and experiences unique to this lovely area of the Eastern coastline. Book with me to receive daily breakfast for two and VIP welcome.
New London Ledge Lighthouse, Connecticut
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the New London Ledge Lighthouse was built in 1909 at the mouth of the New London Harbor in Connecticut. It is one of the nation’s more unusual looking lighthouses. According to local legend, the nearby residents didn’t want to gaze out to sea to a structure that would be out of place among their Colonial & French architectural large homes. So the New London Ledge lighthouse was built in the same fashion.
Where to Stay:The Delamar Greenwich Harbor is a Mediterranean-style villa on the shores of the Long Island Sound and walking distance to the Greenwich downtown shopping district and acclaimed Bruce Museum. Book with me and receive an upgrade (subject to availability), breakfast daily and $100 food/beverage credit.
Bodie Island Lighthouse | Cape Hatteras, NC
Bodie Island Lighthouse, in Cape Hatteras, was only 90 feet tall when initially erected in 1803. After several renovations and reconstructions, it is the tallest of the U.S. lighthouses. This lighthouse’s location is at the intersection of a very hazardous area of the Atlantic Coast where currents force southbound ships into a dangerous 12-mile long sandbar. As a consequence, hundreds, and maybe more, shipwrecks have occurred in this area. It has the reputation as the “Graveyard of the Atlantic.” The very distinctive exterior is painted in a black (nightmark) and white (daymark) pattern to allow ship captains to recognize at any time of day or night as they sailed along the coast.
Where to Stay: Up the road a piece is a little town on the Outer Banks called, Duck. And in Duck is a lovely family resort called The Sanderling Resort. The resort is a pretty place and one where there’s something for everyone of every age to enjoy. A unique experience is to hire one of their custom vehicles for a ride to the beach. You’ll be enthralled with seeing the wild horses run and roam. Now that’s something you don’t see and do every day!
Ponce de Leon Lighthouse | Daytona Beach, FL
Built in 1887, the Ponce de Leon Lighthouse is located just 12 miles south of Daytona Beach. It is the tallest lighthouse in Florida and the second tallest masonry lighthouse in the United States. Still a functioning lighthouse, it operates with the fully restored original lenses in the lantern room. And it has the original lenses from the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse. These combined with other original lighthouse lenses make it the largest collection in the world.
Where to Stay: Everything in or near Daytona Beach is racing-centric, and that includes The Daytona, Autograph Collection. From the race cars in the lobby museum, to the private VIP tour at Nascar’s Daytona Raceway, you’re sure to satisfy the racing enthusiast in your family.
Battery Point Lighthouse | Crescent City, CA
Located in Crescent City, California, just 20 miles south of the Oregon border, the Battery Point Lighthouse is quite literally a house with a light on it. Built in 1856, the structure is reminiscent of Cape Code architecture. Visitors may only access it during low tide, so call ahead if you’re in the area.
Where to Stay: This area is quite remote. There’s Mendocino four hours south, and there are many quaint towns further up the coast into Oregon. My best advice here is to sit back and enjoy a ride along the ocean. It’s quite simply the most magnificent part of the Pacific Ocean coastline between Baja and Washington State you will see.
Diamond Head Lighthouse | Oahu, HI
Diamond Head, in Oahu, got its name back in the early 1800’s when sailors believed there were diamonds in the rocks. Those “diamonds” turned out to be calcite crystals though the original speculation was enough for the name to stick. During World War II, a Coast Guard radio station was housed at the lighthouse keeper’s residence. Today, besides being an active lighthouse, it also marks the finish line for the biennial Transpac Yacht Race, which begins in Long Beach, California.
Where to Stay: There is no dearth of beautiful resorts on Oahu. For one special property on the beach with unobstructed views of Diamond Head is the Halekulani Hotel. Waikiki is close by as well for more entertainment, beach and dining experiences. Book with me and receive upgrade (subject to availability), breakfast daily and $100 resort credit.
Heceta Head Lighthouse | Florence, OR
Located near Florence, Oregon, along the amazing Oregon Coast, the Heceta Lighthouse is likely one of the most photographed lighthouses in the United States. Sitting atop the 1,000-foot high Heceta Head, the light is housed in a tower that is 56-feet tall and is rated the strongest light on the Oregon Coast. Adjacent to the lighthouse is the assistant lightkeeper’s house that is currently a functional bed & breakfast. Visitors can stay in this home built in 1893. Can’t you just imagine the life of a lightkeeper here while enjoying the spectacular ocean views.
North Head Lighthouse | Washington State
The North Head Lighthouse is the second lighthouse at the mouth of the Columbia River from the Pacific Ocean in Washington. The first lighthouse was built in 1856. Despite its building, ships ran aground so much that the area is known as the “Graveyard of the Pacific.” Because of this, the original lighthouse was dubbed “Cape Disappointment,” and the lighthouse known as North Head was built nearby in 1898. The location is considered to be one of the windiest places in the U.S., with wind speeds in excess of 100mph frequently recorded.
Where to Stay: Take a wee bit of a detour from your drive up the coast and head inland for about forty minutes to another slice of Oregon heaven. I call McMinnville a slice of heaven for its rolling hills and unctuous wineries. The Tributary Hotel will ignite all of your senses. From farm-to-table food at okta, luscious Oregon Pinot Noir, clear skies and fresh air, the luxury bed to fuel more of your travel dreams.
Eldred Rock Lighthouse | Alaska
Built in 1905, Eldred Rock Lighthouse is the oldest original lighthouse in Alaska and the only octagonal frame lighthouse remaining in the state. The first floor of the lighthouse is concrete and the second floor of wood. Surprisingly, it is also the only lighthouse station not to have been rebuilt (though it is currently in desperate need of repair). Located in Southeast Alaska, at the Lynn Canal near Skagway, it is likely the most remote lighthouse in the United States.
