1 Day Driving tour of Maine’s Most Beautiful Lighthouses
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*If you are looking for a 1-day road trip to do with your older kids where they are able to explore the coast and learn a little history along the way, then the following step-by-step travel guide is the best! So pack up your map, and enjoy a memory-filled day of exploration.
The outer edge of Maine is home to some of the most beautiful coastlines in all of North America. The rocky terrain, beautiful sunrises, and rich history are just some of the reasons why the Maine coast is a must-see for your next vacation.
While you’re driving up and down the Maine coast you might be surprised by the amount of lighthouse you’ll see.
I am a sucker for lighthouses, and Maine is home to 64 of them! They’re historic, beautiful, and remind you that adventure is around the corner.
Some of the most beautiful lighthouses are in Southern Maine, and I have compiled the following list of the 5 best lighthouses that you can see in a day!
Which lighthouses in Maine can you go inside?
<strong>#1. Portsmouth Harbor Light: </strong></h1> <!– /wp:heading –>
“I can think of no other edifice constructed by man as altruistic as a lighthouse. They were built only to serve.”
Disclaimer: When you are driving to each lighthouse listed it is best to use your GPS along with my suggestions.
Start your day’s journey in Portsmouth, New Hampshire
I know that this Lighthouse is in New Hampshire, but you can actually see it from Maine, so I’m adding it!
#1. Portsmouth Harbor Light:
A Brief History:
The Portsmouth Harbor Light, also known as New Castle Lighthouse, and Fort Constitution Lighthouse, was established in 1771. It was the 10th of the 11 light stations established by the British before the American Revolution. Also, speaking of the American Revolution, if you are a fan, you might enjoy this tidbit. In 1774, when Paul Revere rode through Portsmouth to gallantly proclaim that the British were coming, the local colonist took it as a call to action and raided the fort where the lighthouse sits. They took off with supplies, including ammunition. This is even considered, by some, as one of the first battles of the American Revolution.
How to get there:
Start in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. After you grab your cup of coffee from the local coffee shop, make your way to New Castle Island. (no need for a ferry, the island is just a short bridge away) On the other side of the small island, you will stop at an active coastguard station. You are allowed to walk through the station to see the lighthouse, but remember to follow the signs carefully. On occasion, the station might be closed, so it is always best to check the website before going.
What is so amazing about this lighthouse is that it is open for tours. So you can see the living quarters of the lightkeepers that once stayed there, and see the beautiful views from the top. * Again, check the website to see when you can book a tour.
If there are no tours available, you can still see the lighthouse from the nearby park.
#2. Whaleback Light
A Brief History:
The original Whaleback lighthouse was built by the order of President Andrew Jackson in 1829; however, due to poor construction it has been given many modifications and in the late 1860s early 1870’s it became the one you see today. It sits on the Northside entrance of the Piscataqua River. The ledge of the lighthouse, which becomes completely submerged during high tide is considered a continuation of Gerrish Island.
How to get there from Portsmouth Harbor Light:
After visiting Portsmouth, make your way north to southern Maine. There are a few places where you can see Whaleback Light. The best place is Fort Foster. To get to Fort Foster, you’ll drive through the winding road of Kittery Point. Fort Foster does not technically open until May; however, you can park on the street just outside the gate and walk through toward the ocean. It is a city-owned park, so when it is open there is a small entrance fee to get in. If you don’t want the hassle of entering a closed park or paying, you can also see the lighthouse from Fort McClary, also located in Kittery Point.
#3 Cape Neddick Light:
A Brief History:
Cape Neddick, otherwise known as “The Nubble” gets its name because it sits on a small rocky island called The Nubble that is just off the eastern coast of Cape Neddick. In 1876, Congress appropriated 15,000 to build the lighthouse, and in 1879 the lighthouse was first Illuminated. Since the lighthouse sits just offshore, the lightkeepers had to be boated off the island, or supplies had to be boated to them. Using the boat became a challenge because there was no place to dock in on the mainland that was close, so in the 1960s a cable car was suspended above the island. The small wooden box made it much easier to transport the supplies needed. It would even transport a child or two who were friends with the keeper’s children! That would be an experience!
How to get there From Whaleback light:
After driving through Kittery Point, continue north. You can take the scenic back road, the 103 north. After winding through the historic Kittery Point, you will come out onto the 1A. Take a left and drive through historic York Village. Stop at the Bagel Basket for quick lunch. Once you’ve finished lunch, take the 1A east. This will take you to the ocean. You will drive along Long Sands Beach, and at the end of the beach, you will see a sign for “The Nubble”. Take a right and you have arrived!
The nubble has personal meaning to me because it is where I got married. We also took Atlas on his first visit there when he was only a few weeks old.
- Check out Our York Maine Travel Guide Here!: Everything you Need to Know about Travel to York, Maine
The last 2 lighthouses are in Portland Maine. They are about an hour’s drive north from the other ones, so give yourself time.
I chose some lighthouses in Portland because it is the largest port city in Maine, so it is not only an interesting city with lots to do, it also has some really interesting maritime history.
#4 Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse
A Brief History
Spring Point lighthouse sits on the grounds of Fort Preble which is on the Southern Maine Community Campus.
After many ships ran aground on the rocky ledge, seven steamship companies were able to convince Congress to finally build a lighthouse. It was first lit up in 1897.
One of the more famous of the lightkeepers was Augustus Wilson. Wilson wilted in his free time and would sell his carvings at the local store for 75 cents. In 2005 one of his duck carvings sold at auction for $195,000!
How to get there from “The Nubble”:
Get on the 95 N from Nubble road and follow the 95 onto the Veterans Memorial Bridge. After taking W. Commercial St. You will drive through the surrounding neighborhood and see the community college where the lighthouses in located.
The lighthouse sits at the end of a rocky jetty. The jetty was also constructed to be very walkable, so you can walk directly to the lighthouse.
#5 Portland Head Light
The last lighthouse on your tour is the beautiful Portland Head Light.
*This lighthouse is an 11-minute drive south of the Spring Point Light, but I chose this one as your last stop because of the rich history and the beautiful park that it sits on.
A Brief History:
The town of Cape Elizabeth is located in South Portland. It is home to a beautiful seaside village, the 90 acre Fort Williams Park with its breathtaking scenery and historic buildings, and the Portland Head Light.
During the time of the revolutionary war, the residents of Cape Elizabeth were committed to fighting for Independence from the British. In 1776 a group of American soldiers would guard the town by posting themselves at Portland Head and looking out for any British that might come from the sea. In 1787 the court of Massachusetts provided $750 to begin construction of the lighthouse. The tower was first lit with 16 whale oil lamps on January 10, 1791.
For more information on the museum and park, you can visit the museum page at:
How to get there from Spring Point Ledge:
Getting to Portland Head from Spring Point is pretty easy. You can just take Preble St to Shore Rd. It is about a 9 to 11-minute drive.
Lighthouses are one of my favorite man-made structures. They represent history, strength, and endurance. If you drive north of Portland and are interested in learning more or taking more tours of Maine’s lighthouses, check out The Maine Lighthouse Museum in Rockland, Maine.
Happy Adventuring!
