The Best Lighthouses in Portland, Maine
Hi everyone! We just returned from Portland, the largest city in the State of Maine, set on a peninsula that extends into Casco Bay. Portland has everything you’d expect from a seaside New England town: charm, an incredibly delicious culinary scene, a scenic coastline, the freshest lobster you’ll ever eat, lots of breweries, landmarks, and of course, lighhouses.
Seeing lighthouses is definitely one of the amazing things to do in Portland, so if you are planning to visit the state, add at least one of these lighthouses to your list! In today’s post I am sharing a a round-up of the photos that I took last week!
How many lighthouses are in Portland Maine?
Portland is lucky to have six lighthouses located within twenty minutes of the city! Here are three lighthouse that I loved!
1. SPRING POINT LEDGE LIGHTHOUSE
Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse is the only caisson-style light station in the United States that visitors can walk to! This lighthouse was constructed in 1897 by the government after seven steamship companies stated that many of their vessels ran aground on Spring Point Ledge. The light resembles a giant spark plug, sitting at the end of a granite breakwater in South Portland.
Be sure to allocate an hour to explore the surrounding area! We saw lots of people playing frisbee with their dogs in the water, riding bicycles, and walking along the trails.
2. PORTLAND HEAD LIGHT
Portland Head Light is a quintessential coastal landmark, Maine’s most famous lighthouse, and the most photographed lighthouse in the United States! George Washington commissioned this lighthouse that has been in operation since 1791, making it the oldest lighthouse in Maine. You can find it along the shores of Fort Williams Park, in Cape Elizabeth. Fort Williams Park is open from sunrise to sunset, and with over 90 acres of recreational space, you will find plenty of areas to explore.
If you are interested in climbing the Portland Head Light, you can do so on September 10, 2022 – Maine Open Lighthouse Day. This is a popular annual event that attracts 18,000 visitors and offers the public the opportunity to climb over two dozen historic Maine lights. Keep in mind that the Portland Head Light will only have 280 tickets available on a first-come first-serve basis. All lighthouses will be open 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Learn more about Maine Open Lighthouse Day here.
3. PORTLAND BREAKWATER LIGHTHOUSE (BUG LIGHT)
Bug Light is perhaps my favorite lighthouse! We drove to see it the night that we arrived to Portland, right before we checked into our hotel. As I approached the lighthouse, the sky turned into a beautiful shade of pink and purple, and my jaw dropped – it was absolutely breathtaking!
I loved the park that is adjacent to the lighthouse (we walked our pups here!), and admiring the expansive views of Portland Harbor. The parking lot at the park is a major plus!
We returned to see this lighthouse on our last day in Portland, for a final walk around the park with our pups, before heading back to New York City!
And that’s a wrap of my favorite lighthouses of Portland, Maine!
Have you visited any of Maine’s lighthouses? I’d love to know which is your favorite! Feel free to comment below or DM me on Instagram @anaflorentyna with any questions.
Talk soon! Xx
MORE THINGS TO DO IN PORTLAND MAINE
PLACES TO STAY
See all Portland area hotels here.
See all Maine area hotels here.
WHAT TO PACK FOR YOUR PORTLAND ME TRIP
SEE MORE TRAVEL GUIDES
- 20 Amazing Things To Do in Portland, Maine
- The Best Things to Do in Newport, Rhode Island
- Our Fall Roadtrip to Kennebunkport ME & Where We Stayed
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