The Best Lighthouses in Portland, Maine
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, lighthouses.
Seeing lighthouses is definitely one of the best things to do in Portland, so if you are planning to visit this city in Maine, add at least one of these lighthouses to your list.
Here’s the popular bicycle guided tour that shows you the lighthouses:
Or take this scenic cruise through Casco Bay to see the lighthouses.
How many lighthouses are in Portland Maine?
Portland has six lighthouses located within 20 minutes of the city.
Here are three lighthouses 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. We took these photos during sunset and it was incredibly lovely.
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 which 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 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.
The Portland Head Light will only have 280 tickets available on a first-come first-serve basis. All lighthouses will be open from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.
3. PORTLAND BREAKWATER LIGHTHOUSE (BUG LIGHT)
Bug Light is perhaps my favorite lighthouse!
We drove to see Bug Light the night that we arrived in 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!
There is a park adjacent to the lighthouse (we walked our pups here), and you will get to see great views of Portland Harbor. There is also a free parking lot nearby.
We returned to see this lighthouse on our last day in Portland, for a final walk around the park, before heading back to New York City.
Have you visited Portland in Maine?! I’d love to know what you enjoyed the most. Feel free to message me on IG @anaflorentyna with any questions. Talk soon! Xx
Tours recommended for Portland:
More Things To Do in Portland Maine
We had such a great time in Portland, here are more activities for your visit:
- Old Port Culinary Walking Tour from Portland
- Austin Street Brewery
- Allagash Brewing Company
- Portland Donut Tasting Tour
PLACES TO STAY
See the Best Hotels in Portland and check their rates here.
WHAT TO PACK FOR YOUR PORTLAND ME TRIP
These are the five essentials that I always bring with me:
SEE MORE TRAVEL GUIDES
- 20 Amazing Things To Do in Portland, Maine
- Top Things to Do in Newport, Rhode Island
- Where we Stayed in Kennebunkport
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