During summer of 2020, road trips took precedence over air travel as the world tried to prevent getting (or spreading) Coronavirus. Me and my teens spent our days exploring our own city of Brooklyn, NY, as well as other cities and towns that were within a few hours drive from home. While we spent many hours in small upstate NY towns like New Paltz, Saratoga Springs, and Beacon, my favorite trip by far was our Maine lighthouse tour.
Traveling with teens isn’t always easy. My favorite travel hack for engaging teens is to incorporate some form of a scavenger hunt into the trip. It’s always a little bit easier if you can pique their interests – no matter how obscure. At the time, my 16 year old was very interested in lighthouses and talked about how fun it would be to live and work in one. Alas, a trip was born. On a hot summer day at the end of August, my lighthouse obsessed teen and I took off for a one week road trip to the coast of Maine in search of as many lighthouses as we could find.
We targeted lighthouses between York in the Southern Coast of Maine and Camden in Mid-Coast Maine . Along the way we were treated with jagged coastlines, picturesque harbors, endless quaint seaside towns, beautiful views along winding country roads and some of the best food we’ve ever had.
Here are the details of our recommended Ultimate Maine Lighthouse Tour.
Trip overview
In planning this Maine lighthouse tour, we decided not to travel further north than Camden in Mid Coast. While I would have loved a stop in Acadia National Park, we felt that because Maine’s coronavirus rates were so low, most of the Northeast was headed there for vacation, and it would be best to avoid. Another stop I would have loved to add to the list was the candy cane striped lighthouse in Lubec. However, since that was another 3 hours north drive from Camden, we decided to skip it. Therefore, for this trip we focused on the lighthouses of South Coast and Mid Coast Maine and there was plenty to keep us busy.
Maine lighthouses are generally not open for visitors to go inside. Frequently they are located in public parks where visitors are free to wander around the outside. In addition, some have small museums in the adjacent Keepers Quarters to explore and cost a few dollars for entry. However, there is one day per year where visitors can tour all the lighthouses of Maine – Maine Open Lighthouse Day – that happens in September. We may just have to head back up that way for this experience. A rare few lighthouses offer overnight accommodations. Note that they generally require 3-4 night minimum stays and need to be booked months in advance.
Lighthouses of South Coast Maine
Cape Neddick Light
We set off from NYC by 9am and drove the 5 hours north to our first stop just over the border of Southern Maine. Tucked away in the fishing village of York, lies Cape Neddick Light, or as the locals call it Nubble Light. Nubble Light is located at York’s Sohier Park. It is the perfect place to stretch your legs after the long ride from the city. Nubble light stands proudly on a large rock island a few hundred feet offshore and is not directly accessible to visitors. However, the crashing waves and dramatic rocks make it an exceptionally photogenic stop. Don’t miss Fox’s Lobster House just inside the park. It is the perfect intro to Maine food. I had the delicious New England Clam chowder. Also, just around the corner is the popular Dunne’s Maine made ice cream shop with flavors like Wild Maine Blueberry and Planet Earth.
Fun Fact about Nubble Light: In 1987, Nubble became the last lighthouse in America to be automated.
Goat Island Light
Continuing north, 45 minutes up Rte 1, the next stop on our Maine lighthouse tour is Goat Island Light . It is located off of Cape Porpoise Pier in Kennebunkport. The lighthouse is about a mile offshore and accessible by boat only. Worth a trip if you are passing through Kennebunkport, but not necessarily to go out of your way.
Fun Fact about Goat Island Light: Secret service agents protecting George H.W. Bush found this a convenient spot to watch over the Bush compound.
Lighthouses of Portland area (South to North)
After driving through Southern Maine, we stopped for a few nights in the Portland area. We explored the town of Portland and stayed with friends in Cape Elizabeth. The Portland food scene is pretty great. Also, the cobblestoned streets, and charming boutiques of the Old Port are fun to wander around in. It would be easy to spend 2-3 days in Portland.
Less than 10 miles away is the seaside community Cape Elizabeth. It has some terrific beaches and great biking. In addition, the cliff walk in Fort Williams Park is beautiful. Here are the lighthouses we targeted in the Portland area portion of our Maine lighthouse tour.
Two Lights State Park
Two Lights State Park (7 Tower Drive, Cape Elizabeth) is home to the first twin lighthouses in Maine. The park is filled with wooded trails and oceanfront walks and the twin lighthouses can be found at the end of Two Lights Road. The eastern lighthouse is still an active automated light station (though not open to the public). The western lighthouse ceased operation in 1927 and has since been turned into a private home. We enjoyed our lighthouse viewing from the nearby Lobster Shack at Two Lights accompanied by a delicious Maine Lobster Roll – of course!
Fun Fact about Two Lights: One of these towers is the subject of Edward Hopper’s famous painting “Lighthouse at Two Lights”.
Portland Head Light
Portland Head Light (12 Captain Strout Cir, Cape Elizabeth) is arguably Maine’s most photographed lighthouse. No Maine lighthouse tour is complete without a visit here. The lighthouse is closed to the public but there is a museum in the adjacent keepers quarters that is open all summer. You can walk right up to it’s enormous base or photo it from one of the many trails nearby. Located in Fort Williams Park overlooking Casco Bay, it is also a popular spot for picnics, hiking and sunbathing.
Bonus lighthouse: Ram Island Ledge Light can be seen from Portland Head Light. The small stone tower sits about 1 mile out in the great expanse of ocean.
Fun Fact about Portland Head Light: Portland Head Light is Maine’s oldest lighthouse. It was commissioned by President George Washington and completed in 1791.
Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse
Spark plug lighthouses are a required piece of every Maine lighthouse tour. Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse (2 Fort Road, South Portland) is one of the lighthouses in Maine that resembles a giant spark plug. It is located adjacent to Southern Maine Community College campus and features a view of the entire Portland skyline from across the water. Before coronavirus, regular tours of the lighthouse were available on weekends and Tuesdays. As of May 2021, they have not yet reinstated tours, so check before you go.
Fun Fact about Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse: My favorite part about this cute little lighthouse is the 950 foot breakwater leading up to it. We sat on those rocks for an hour watching the ships go by as the sun was setting over Portland and it was perfect!
Bug Light
Less than 1 mile from Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse is Portland Breakwater Lighthouse (S Portland Greenbelt Pathway) – Affectionately known as Bug Light because of its small size, Portland Breakwater Lighthouse sits at the tip of Bug Light Park. Paved pathways run along the coast and grassy areas are littered with picnic tables.
Fun Fact about Bug Light: Bug Light is the only lighthouse in the world designed with 4th century Greek Revival Architecture. It has 4 Corinthian columns holding up the lens.
Lighthouses of Midcoast Maine (South to North)
After a few relaxing days in Cape Elizabeth, we continued our drive North to midcoast Maine. Midcoast Maine’s craggy coast is lined with 7 little penninsula’s sticking out along the edges making this area the jackpot of Maine lighthouse tours. Turning off Rt 1 will take you down uncrowded, winding roads that end in fishing villages, dramatic rocky coasts, and of course, lighthouses. While it might be more efficient to see this area from a boat in the water, the east/west zigzagging from one penninsula to another is part of the charm.
We rested our heads one night in Boothbay Harbor and two nights in Rockland. Both were great center points for exploring the lighthouses of midcoast as well as leaving time to explore other areas. In Boothbay, we took a lighthouse boat cruise out of Boothbay Harbor and spent a good part of a day exploring the lively town filled with cute little shops and restaurants. In Rockland, the Maine Lighthouse Museum was closed due to Covid, but we still found a few things to do. Rockland has an active ferry terminal that goes to some of the many islands in the Penobscot Bay. Many of these islands also house lighthouses. As a break from “lighthousing”, we spent a full day hiking in the Camden Hills State Park and exploring the town of Camden.
Here are the lighthouses we saw in Midcoast Maine.
Burnt Island Light
From Boothbay Harbor, we took a lighthouse boat cruise and were able to check several lighthouses off of our list. Burnt Island Light is situated on a 5-acre island one mile from Boothbay Harbor. It is visible from shore but worth the trip out by boat. Spend a few hours on the island while you are there. There is a Living History Lighthouse Tour available with actors and historians playing the roles of the lighthouse keeper and his family. Unfortunately, when we were there it was closed due to Covid. In addition, we saw Ram Island Lighthouse. This is not to be confused with Ram Island Ledge Lighthouse located in Portland (there are 21 Ram Islands in Maine!).
Fun Fact about Burnt Island Light: Built in 1821, the fixed white light of Burnt Island Light (on the left) was originally intended to attract visitors to the harbor, not to warn of danger.
Pemaquid Point Light
Leaving Boothbay Harbor Penninsula, we drove inland first then turned north and drove 45 minutes out to the adjacent Pemaquid Penninsula. At the tip of the penninsula, we found Pemaquid Point Light in Bristol. For just a few dollars, you can explore the lighthouse and Fisherman’s Museum. The small nearby park features an art gallery that is worth a look. For the most dramatic lighthouse photos, photograph this one from the rocks below. 3115 Bristol Rd. , New Harbor
Fun Fact about Pemaquid Point Light: The Pemaquid Point Lighthouse is featured on the Maine state quarter and is the first lighthouse to be depicted on a US Currency.
Marshall Point Light
Drive back inland and out to the adjacent St. George Penninsula for a look at one of Maine’s most recognized lighthouses – Marshall Point Light in Port Clyde. Marshall Point Light has been featured in many commercial photo shoots and movies I love the dramatic walkway leading out to the lighthouse for its great photo ops. This was also one of the few keepers quarters turned museums that we could actually see during Covid. 178A Marshall Point Rd., Port Clyde
Fun Fact about Marshall Point Light : Marshall Point Light is where Tom Hanks ended his cross country run in Forrest Gump.
Owl’s Head Light
Continuing North towards Rockland, we parked in the lot of Owls Head State Park and walked the peaceful pine covered trail along the waters edge to Owls Head Light. Note that the path splits in two – to the right leads you to the lighthouse. The path to the left leads to a rocky beach with great views of the harbor and the lighthouse on the hill. At the lighthouse, climb the 53 stairs for sweeping views of Penobscot Bay. We arrived after hours so we were the only ones there and could enjoy the setting sun on our own. The lighthouse and keepers house are not open to the public but visitors are free to explore the area. 186 Lighthouse Rd., Owls Head
Fun Fact about Owls Head Light: Owls Head Lighthouse is famously known for its lighthouse dog Spot who was trained to ring the fog bell every time a ship passed by. One cold wintery day in the 1930’s, Spot heard a ship and tried to ring the bell but it was frozen. So he began barking and did not stop. The mail boat heard the dog and was able to steer clear of the nearby dangerous rocks. Angeli Perrow published a book called Lighthouse Dog to the Rescue in 2000, commemorating the story.
Rockland Breakwater Light
Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse was a highlight in our lighthouse tour. Not because the lighthouse is particularly special but because the almost 1 mile breakwater leading up to it is extraordinary. We loved it so much we spent both of our Rockland evenings on the mammoth granite blocks watching the boats pass through the harbor. The second night we were smart enough to order take-away from Claws. We carried our lobster rolls out to the breakwater while the sun was setting over the city. Wear comfortable shoes, as the rocks can get slippery during inclement weather. And watch for dolphins!
Fun Fact about Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse: There is one spot on the breakwater that is made up of one single massive stone. See if you can find it!
Curtis Island Light
Finally, our northernmost point was in Camden. Camden is more well known for hiking in Camden Hills State Park than for it’s lighthouses. Curtis Island Light is the only one that can be seen from the mainland and is not accessible by foot. The lighthouse is in a town park but it is not open to the public. It is best viewed from the water but can also be seen either from the top of Mount Battie in Camden Hills State Park or at the end of Bayview Street in downtown Camden.
Fun Fact about Curtis Island Light: In 1993, what appeared to be an injured dolphin was washed ashore. The caretaker at the time tried to help the animal but it soon died. The autopsy report showed that the animal was a young beaked whale. There have been only 16 beaked whales found in North America and 6 in Europe! There has never been a beaked whale sighting at sea.
Do you have any other fun facts about the lighthouses on this Maine lighthouse tour? Add them in the comments!