New England: Fascinating Route To The Best Lighthouses In Maine
Are you obsessed with lighthouses? I do! Yes, that is right! I have a lighthouse obsession! Every time, when I see one I need to visit it. I love to climb up, learn about the history, and enjoy the views from the very top of the lighthouses. They always give me a weird feeling, a mixture of adventure, home, magic! I barely can describe it! During my road trip through New England, my journey also leads me to the “Lighthouse State” Maine. Because of that, I would like to present you a fascinating route to the best lighthouses in Maine.
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The Best Lighthouses In Maine
As Maine is the most eastern state of the US, a lighthouse is usually the first what sailors and seamen see when they sail to the United States. The best way to explore Maine is to follow the coastline. Automatically, you will come across the most important locations and lighthouses.
Alongside Maine´s coast, there are still approx 65 lighthouses, and each of them has to tell at least one story. Around Portland, which is the biggest city in Maine, and with its shops, restaurant, and food scene, it is indeed worth a longer visit; you can find at least six lighthouses.
The list below shows an order from west to east. I believe you usually will enter Maine from Massachusetts or New Hampshire on the west. If you enter from Canada on the east side, then feel free to turn the list upside down and start with my personal favorite; West Quoddy Head Light.
Two Lights
Begin your journey with the Two Lights at Cape Elizabeth a bit south of Portland. The Two Lights State Park is a wonderfully protected nature reserve with a bunch of trails and a lot of opportunities for having a picnic. Nevertheless, when you enter the park, you will not see any lighthouse immediately. Instead, you will need to follow the street for a while. This area is a fantastic place for a walk at the beach, scuba diving, fishing, or relaxing and watch the ocean, and the waves. For me, it is almost like meditation to look at the sea.
But where are the lighthouses? Both of the towers are privately owned and not open to the public. Anyhow, they provide a beautiful motif for a picture or photo. The first of the two lighthouses which you can see overlooking the bay was built in 1879 and is about 17 meters high. Once, Edward Hopper painted it in 1929, and today the painting is displayed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. 1970 the lighthouse was also the motif for a stamp.
Portland Head Lighthouse
Also at Cape Elizabeth, but closer to Portland, you can visit the oldest lighthouse of the state. Portland Head Light has been leading the ships at Portland´s Harbor since 1791. The light of this 24-meter high tower is visible from a 44-kilometer distance on the sea.
In 1989, the last lighthouse keeper left the building, and the light has been operating automatically ever since. Today, there is a museum in the former living area, which informs you about the life of the lighthouse keepers, and the history of the building process and many more.
The best photo opportunities are from the nearby Fort Williams Park, an old military area.
Pemaquid Point Lighthouse
The Pemaquid Point Light is with about 30 000 visitors per year one of the most visited lighthouses in the state, and probably of the US, too.
At least, this one made it onto the quarter dollar in the 2003 series of unique places in the States. When it was Maine´s turn, the lighthouse at Pemaquid Point was minted on the back.
A 90 minutes car ride from Portland, in my opinion, this is a fascinating scenery. The wild ocean, the rough and cliffs, which falls into the sea with its weird lines and seawater pools, formed by the tides. When I think about Maine, I usually have this picture in my mind; this is the epitome of Maine.
Marshall Point Lighthouse
Here we have the film star under the lighthouses. The next time when you watch “Forest Gump,” pay attention where Tom Hanks concluded his journey from one coast to the other. You may recognize this 7 meter “high” tower at the end of a 30-meter long wooden walkway.
The Lighthouse lays about 30 minutes car ride from Rockland and marks the east entrance of the fishing village, Port Clyde. The streets are small, which is maybe the reason because it is not as crowded as at other lighthouses. In case you come around anyways, the little museum is usually open in the afternoon between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Owls Head Lighthouse
Further, on the way to Rockland, the Owls Head State Park hides a little gem; the Owls Head Lighthouse. Atop of a 30-meter high bluff, the light sits majestically overlooking the ocean and the many buoys of the fishermen, who catch lobster in the Penobscot Bay, not far away from Rockland Harbor.
Inside the tower, you can see the crown jewel, the fourth-order Fresnel lens, which is over 160 years old and is still operating. From here you can enjoy the view of the bay, islands, and marine traffic. But check visitors times beforehand, as the lighthouse is not open to the public each day.
Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse
As the name already tells you, the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse sits at the end of a 1,4-kilometer long walkable breakwater in Rockland. Since 1902 it leads boats and ships a secure way into the harbor.
To walk out to the sea along the breakwater is not without any risk. But with proper shoes and paying attention to where you put your feet, it can be a great walk. Be carefully on rainy days, as the granite can be slippery, and sometimes lightning hit the breakwater.
A visit to the lighthouse and its attached keeper´s house depends on weather conditions and a tour of the property on the availability of volunteers. But if you visit and have the chance to climb up to the top, you will be rewarded with a stunning view of the Rockland harbor, with all its marine traffic, lobster boats, and schooners.
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West Quoddy Head Lighthouse
As mentioned in the beginning, West Quoddy Head Light is my favorite of the lighthouses in Maine. And you have one chance to guess why! One hint: I am a girl!
It is my favorite lighthouse because of these bright white and red stripes! Does it sound crazy! Well, sometimes I am!
Anyway, this lighthouse is the easternmost one in Maine and the United States in general. More East and you are in Canada already! That would be the end or the beginning of a tour visiting the lighthouses in Maine. In my case, a few years ago, it was the last stop before crossing borders to Canada.
The visitor center is open the entire summer, where you can learn a lot about the history of lighthouses at Quoddy Head Park and buy some artwork from local artists. The state park is also open for visitors. From here you can spot the very first rays of the sunrise of the whole nation.
The first tower was built in 1808, but the one you see today has been standing here since 1858. Wander around on one of the many hiking and nature walks, or climb down the coastal trail and visit the rocky beach. Sometimes you can spot a whale or two swimming by. Last but not least, you will have some breathtaking views to the Quoddy Narrows and can watch the biggest tides in the country.
You might wonder why it is called West Quoddy Head when it is at the most eastern point of the US. Where the heck is East Quoddy Head? Well, it sits on the Canadian sight, at Campobello Island, New Brunswick. Just on the other side, east of Maine.
I love this lighthouse, not only because of its distinctive stripes but because of the feeling of visiting the end of the world. A certain sense of being alone in this region, and the feeling of realizing how small we and our problems are in comparison to the greatness of this earth.
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With the West Quoddy Head Light, we finished our little tour to the lighthouses in Maine. You still do not have enough of them? If you are looking for more gorgeous, weird, or funny beams, no worries, there are more of them. Alongside the coast of Maine, you will find more unique lights, as like Bass Harbor Head Light at Mount Desert Island, which is part of the Acadia National Park, or the Cape Neddick Head Lighthouse, which is also called “Nubble Light” and is another one of the most photographed lighthouses in Maine. Do you have heard about Monhegan Head Light or Whaleback Lighthouse?
Maine is indeed a paradise for lighthouse lovers! As Kenneth N. Black once said; “Lighthouses are like people, they come in many different sizes, shapes, and colors.”
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Maine is a place I’d love to visit, it looks like such a pretty and quaint state. And the lighthouses look fantastic. I love anywhere by the ocean so this looks like the perfect trip for me
Bright white and red stripes attract me as well.
I would love to visit Maine so badly! The East Coast just looks so charming and I love the views of the lighthouses and the beaches. Seeing more of New England is definitely on my list for one day 🙂
I’ve recently developed an obsession with lighthouses. Loved learning about the ones in Maine! Pinning for when I can visit.
These lighthouses are so beautiful! What a great idea to do a route visiting them all. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
What a fantastic idea for exploring the Maine coast! I had no idea that there was so much variety to lighthouses in this part of the country, or that they had so many stories to tell. Your post has given me all the more reasons to want to visit Maine one day.
I love lighthouses but I have never done Lighthouses only trip. It seems that Maine has plenty of them to offer to real lighthouses lovers. Your pictures are impressive! Thanks for sharing!
Actually, it´s super easy to combine this route with any other road trip to Maine! But, yes, as a lighthouse enthusiast this is super cool!
I love visiting lighthouses – and Maine looks like it has a lot of them to explore!
Oh yes, Krista! Maine has a pretty long coastline with loads of lighthouses.;-)
What an amazing guide! Two lights looks beautiful! I can’t wait to be able to visit the US NE again!
These are gorgeous! What a great idea for a post, thanks for sharing! Can’t wait to visit Maine when I get back to New England!
Awesome, that you like it, Jade! Maine is indeed my favorite New England state. I just love the coast!
I had no idea there were so many cute lighthouses in Maine. I have to agree with you, I think West Quoddy Head Lighthouse would be my favourite too!!
I love lighthouses and these ones are really beautiful. I hope I’ll get a chance to go on that road trip one day. Very nice photos, well done!
Gorgeous photos! I have never been to Maine but I would love to visit. There are no lighthouses where I live so this area looks perfect to me. Thank you for sharing!
I go to Maine at least twice a year to visit my brother. Saving this for next time I’m there! Thanks!
Oh I love lighthouses too! I’ve seen only one on this list so I obviously need to go back and see them all! Great post and can’t wait to do this road trip! 🙂
I’ve never been to Maine but all these lighthouses look so perfectly scenic! I absolutely want to visit them and get the whole Maine experience.
I have a serious addiction to lighthouses!! Like when I went on a road trip with my friend in Oregon she wanted to stop at all the waterfalls while I forced her to stop at all the lighthouses LOL. Loved looking at your photos and reading your guide!
Ohhhh What a lovely post. I do love a good lighthouse. I didn’t realise there are so many in Maine. They make for such lovely photos as well. xx
So pretty! Thanks for sharing these pictures, I hope to get my kids more ‘beach time!’
This sounds great I have always wanted to go on a lighthouse tour… Thank you I am saving this so I follow your tour someday…
This is a road trip I could definitely get on board with. Something so simple as a lighthouse can be such an amazing thing to see. I always loved them when I saw them in the UK as a kid.
Your photos are fantastic! This post makes me want to plan a trip to New England, exploring lighthouses is totally my jam 🙂
I have a thing about Lighthouses! The white and red stripes is my favorite too!
There’s something special about a cloudy day, lighthouse and the ocean.
Loved your post!
This is such a great idea. I just got the privilege of driving around Nova Scotia and seeing lighthouses. I would go to Maine for this reason. Atowle|https://formationvacations.com/
Lovely, been to Nova Scotia, too! They also have some pretty lighthouses!
I am not a fan of lighthouses, but this sounds so amazing. If I go to Maine I need to see it.
Looks like a really fun and beautiful experience seeing all of these!
I love lighthouses! I live right by Maine (in the province of New Brunswick) and we have some lovely ones too. I’ll have to check these ones out someday as well – they look incredible. And I swear, time with the ocean is good for the soul. Thank you for sharing ♡
Oh wow, I’ve always wanted to go to Maine to see the lighthouses! Your pictures are gorgeous! I live in Wales near a lighthouse called Southstack, and you truly can’t appreciate how pretty it is unless you are there in person, and I bet its the same way in Maine!
One more reason to come back to Wales! I visited Cardiff and Gower once, ever since I wanted to come back for a road trip thingy to see a bit more of it! A good friend of mine lives near a lighthouse, too, on P.E.I. I love it when he posts pictures of it! I just love them!
I’m headed to Maine in May and I was wondering what I should do while I’m there– thanks for all the info! (And wow– 30,000 visitors per year to the Pemaquid Lighthouse? That’s impressive!)
Hey Dylan, you can also go to Portland and explore the food scene there, and don´t forget the Acadia National Park, which is also good for an, at least, three-days-visit! Plenty of things to do, besides the lighthouses!
The lighthouse looks stunningly beautiful! To privately own a lighthouse can be a #lifegoal! well, I guess this is the perks of living in a continent aloof from the world with oceans, ie America. I have hardly ever spotted a lighthouse in India despite having a long-running coastline! Loved the post!
Thanks a lot, Madhurima! I´ve never been to India. But it is interesting that it has a long coastline but barely lighthouses! How do boats and ships know when they are too close to the coast?