What can be said that hasn't already been said about lighthouses!!
For some reason, these beacons of light are so captivating and loved by so many, including your favorite travelin' cousins!!
If you're a fan of lighthouses as well, you may (or may not) be aware that they can come in many shapes and sizes. Whether they be a tower, a building, or other type of physical structure, their purpose is the same - to emit light from a system of lamps and lenses to serve as a beacon for navigational aid, for maritime pilots at sea or on inland waterways.
Shining the way for, lighthouses mark dangerous coastlines, hazardous shoals, reefs, rocks, and safe entries to harbors and also assist in aerial navigation.
What we love so much is how there is so much history to lighthouses. Sadly, while they were once widely used, the number of operational lighthouses has declined due to the expense of maintenance which has become uneconomical since the advent of much cheaper, more sophisticated and effective electronic navigational systems. The once "lighthouse keeper" who traditionally lived in or nearby, is part of the past, however, these stories are well documented at each of these locations, and can be found at The National Lighthouse Museum in Staten Island, New York (which, by the way is also celebrating its 10th anniversary similarly to our blog!).
These beautiful structures, located all around the world can still be admired and appreciated!
That is exactly why we decided to plan a trip focused specifically on seeing lighthouses!
We decided, back in August of 2021 to create a short road trip adventure around visiting a number of lighthouses up through New England which took us from Long Island, New York, up through Connecticut and Rhode Island and then back.
For some reason, these beacons of light are so captivating and loved by so many, including your favorite travelin' cousins!!
If you're a fan of lighthouses as well, you may (or may not) be aware that they can come in many shapes and sizes. Whether they be a tower, a building, or other type of physical structure, their purpose is the same - to emit light from a system of lamps and lenses to serve as a beacon for navigational aid, for maritime pilots at sea or on inland waterways.
Shining the way for, lighthouses mark dangerous coastlines, hazardous shoals, reefs, rocks, and safe entries to harbors and also assist in aerial navigation.
What we love so much is how there is so much history to lighthouses. Sadly, while they were once widely used, the number of operational lighthouses has declined due to the expense of maintenance which has become uneconomical since the advent of much cheaper, more sophisticated and effective electronic navigational systems. The once "lighthouse keeper" who traditionally lived in or nearby, is part of the past, however, these stories are well documented at each of these locations, and can be found at The National Lighthouse Museum in Staten Island, New York (which, by the way is also celebrating its 10th anniversary similarly to our blog!).
These beautiful structures, located all around the world can still be admired and appreciated!
That is exactly why we decided to plan a trip focused specifically on seeing lighthouses!
We decided, back in August of 2021 to create a short road trip adventure around visiting a number of lighthouses up through New England which took us from Long Island, New York, up through Connecticut and Rhode Island and then back.
Click Photo to Learn more about Connecticut Lighthouses (c)Lighthouse.com
Our trip included some pretty interesting visits, a variety of weather conditions and some truly delicious vegan eating experiences!
Here is an outline of our itinerary each day of our trip along with a description of the visit and accompanying photos. We also included photos of our food experiences as well! ,
Day 1
Here is an outline of our itinerary each day of our trip along with a description of the visit and accompanying photos. We also included photos of our food experiences as well! ,
Day 1
- Leave for Trip - Tanya actually slept at Elisa's on Long Island so they could leave bright and early.
- We headed north through Connecticut
- LUNCH was at the THREE GIRLS VEGAN -in Guilford, CT
- While there are many lighthouses in Connecticut, not all of them have access to visit. This article features all of the lighthouses on our list, however, for one reason or another, some of them were either not open to the public or not visible from the vantage point for which we had access. See the full explanation below:
(c)travelincousins.com
Great Captain Island Lighthouse © Jeremy D'Entremont
Great Captain Island Lighthouse
This lovely lighthouse building is situated in the western Long Island Sound off the coast of Greenwich, Connecticut. The ferry that provides access to the island only runs during the summer. The ferry was formerly restricted to residents holding a park pass and their guests but is now reportedly available for everyone. We opted not to go here since it required us to buy a pass for $60.
This lovely lighthouse building is situated in the western Long Island Sound off the coast of Greenwich, Connecticut. The ferry that provides access to the island only runs during the summer. The ferry was formerly restricted to residents holding a park pass and their guests but is now reportedly available for everyone. We opted not to go here since it required us to buy a pass for $60.
Stamford Harbor Lighthouse (c)travelincousins.com
Stamford Harbor Lighthouse
This lighthouse is best viewed from the water, but it can be seen from points along the shore in Stamford. The lighthouse is privately owned. Tower closed. This small light house in Stamford Harbor was visible from a pier at a building site near the Ponus Yacht Club.
This lighthouse is best viewed from the water, but it can be seen from points along the shore in Stamford. The lighthouse is privately owned. Tower closed. This small light house in Stamford Harbor was visible from a pier at a building site near the Ponus Yacht Club.
Greens Ledge Light House (c) Green Ledge Preservation Society
Green Ledge Lighthouse
Greens Ledge Lighthouse is best seen from a boat. Cruises that pass Greens Ledge Lighthouse are offered by The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk. Greens Ledge Light Preservation Society plans to restore the lighthouse and open it to the public. The lighthouse is privately owned. Tower closed.
Update: According to Travel & Leisure Magazine, in their article entitled "This 120-year-old Connecticut Lighthouse Is Now Open to Overnight Guests — Here's What It's Like to Stay There":
"Last July (2023), we were among the first-ever guests to experience an “Overnight at the Light” in the fully restored Greens Ledge Lighthouse, a mile off the coast of the village of Rowayton, in southwestern Connecticut. For one night, we savored the storybook beauty and seclusion of a historic landmark, 360-degree view of the water and shoreline, and the modern amenities of a hotel."
Greens Ledge Lighthouse is best seen from a boat. Cruises that pass Greens Ledge Lighthouse are offered by The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk. Greens Ledge Light Preservation Society plans to restore the lighthouse and open it to the public. The lighthouse is privately owned. Tower closed.
Update: According to Travel & Leisure Magazine, in their article entitled "This 120-year-old Connecticut Lighthouse Is Now Open to Overnight Guests — Here's What It's Like to Stay There":
"Last July (2023), we were among the first-ever guests to experience an “Overnight at the Light” in the fully restored Greens Ledge Lighthouse, a mile off the coast of the village of Rowayton, in southwestern Connecticut. For one night, we savored the storybook beauty and seclusion of a historic landmark, 360-degree view of the water and shoreline, and the modern amenities of a hotel."
Peck Ledge Lighthouse (c)travelincousins.com
Peck Ledge Lighthouse
This lighthouse is best seen by boat, but distant views are possible from Calf Pasture Park. Cruises that pass by Peck Ledge Lighthouse are offered by The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk.The lighthouse is owned by Lighthouse Preservation Group, LLC. Tower closed.
During this visit, Tanya and I entered the most adorable park and were greeted by the sweetest guard gate ever - Erika Labatte. She was so sweet and talked to us about the area. We walked over to the long pier in this park which gave us a view of Peck Ledge Lighhouse. We had some fun and took a bunch of selfies!!
This lighthouse is best seen by boat, but distant views are possible from Calf Pasture Park. Cruises that pass by Peck Ledge Lighthouse are offered by The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk.The lighthouse is owned by Lighthouse Preservation Group, LLC. Tower closed.
During this visit, Tanya and I entered the most adorable park and were greeted by the sweetest guard gate ever - Erika Labatte. She was so sweet and talked to us about the area. We walked over to the long pier in this park which gave us a view of Peck Ledge Lighhouse. We had some fun and took a bunch of selfies!!
 (c) travelincousins.com |  (c)travelincousins.com |
Taking photos around Calve Pasture Park
(c)wikipedia
Pennfield Reef Lighthouse
This lighthouse is privately owned and the dwelling and tower are closed. It is located on Pennfield Reef at the south side of Black Rock Harbor entrance on the Long Island Sound, off the coast of Fairfield, Connecticut. We walked on the beach and took pictures of Pennfield Reef Lighthouse and Tongue Point Lighthouse.
This lighthouse is privately owned and the dwelling and tower are closed. It is located on Pennfield Reef at the south side of Black Rock Harbor entrance on the Long Island Sound, off the coast of Fairfield, Connecticut. We walked on the beach and took pictures of Pennfield Reef Lighthouse and Tongue Point Lighthouse.
Tongue Point Lighthouse (c)travelincousins.com
Tongue Point Lighthouse (Bridgeport Breakwater)
Tongue Point Light Lighthouse is also known as Bridgeport Breakwater or Bug Light. It is located on the west side of the Bridgeport Harbor entrance, in the city of Bridgeport, Connecticut. I would have to say that this one required the most work to get up close and personal to!! We had to walk along a very rocky and treacherous jetty - but we eventually made it and managed to take a bunch of photos!
Tongue Point Light Lighthouse is also known as Bridgeport Breakwater or Bug Light. It is located on the west side of the Bridgeport Harbor entrance, in the city of Bridgeport, Connecticut. I would have to say that this one required the most work to get up close and personal to!! We had to walk along a very rocky and treacherous jetty - but we eventually made it and managed to take a bunch of photos!
 At Tongue Point Lighthouse (c)travelincousins.com |  Unstable footing along the way (c)travelincousins.com  At Tongue Point Lighthouse (c)travelincousins.com |
New London Harbor Lighthouse - white structure in the center (c)travelincousins.com
New London Harbor Lighthouse
We have to note that when we visited this lighthouse is was raining quite hard and the wind was blowing hard! We had so many laughs venturing to near the water on the grounds of University of Connecticut to get some photos of this lighthouse in the distance in the middle of the water. Hope you can make out the tall white structure, which was difficult to photograph due to the rain and the fogging up of the camera lens.
We have to note that when we visited this lighthouse is was raining quite hard and the wind was blowing hard! We had so many laughs venturing to near the water on the grounds of University of Connecticut to get some photos of this lighthouse in the distance in the middle of the water. Hope you can make out the tall white structure, which was difficult to photograph due to the rain and the fogging up of the camera lens.
 Trying to grab a selfie in the rain with New London Harbor Lighthouse in the background (c)travelincousins.com |
The tower is owned by the New London Maritime Society, Inc., and the keeper's dwelling is privately owned. Grounds/dwelling/tower closed and the grounds are not open to the public. In fact, during our visit, there was a "No Trespassing and No Photographs Sign" at the entrance to the property. I'm not sure how they can prohibit photographs, but the best views surely are from the water. Tanya do you have
Avery Point Lighthouse on the grounds of University of Connecticut (c)travelincousins.com
Avery Point Lighthouse
This lighthouse is located on the grounds of and is owned by The University of Connecticut and while the grounds are open, the tower is not open to the public.
This lighthouse is located on the grounds of and is owned by The University of Connecticut and while the grounds are open, the tower is not open to the public.
Grounds of Avery Lighthouse (c)travelincousins.com
Mystic Seaport Lighthouse (c)travelincousins.com
Mystic Seaport Lighthouse
This was the cutest little lighthouse!!, located in Mystic Seaport! It is owned by Mystic Seaport. Both the grounds and the tower was open. We had a chance to go inside and there was even a little video show inside about this little beacon!
Tanya and I loved Mystic, Connecticut!
This was the cutest little lighthouse!!, located in Mystic Seaport! It is owned by Mystic Seaport. Both the grounds and the tower was open. We had a chance to go inside and there was even a little video show inside about this little beacon!
Tanya and I loved Mystic, Connecticut!
(c)travelincousins.com
Spending the evening with some vegan ice cream (c)travelincousins.com
Stonington Harbor Lighthouse
The Stonington Harbor Light is a historic lighthouse built in 1840 and located on the east side of Stonington Harbor and is owned by the Stonington Historical Society. In 1925, following being purchased by the Society, it was completely refurbished with the help of local volunteers and tradesmen, and opened it to the public as a museum. the current lighthouse does not have a fixed light to serve as a beacon for mariners, the original whale oil light from the first Stonington light is one of the many items on display inside the museum. Both the grounds and the tower are open in season.
The Stonington Harbor Light is a historic lighthouse built in 1840 and located on the east side of Stonington Harbor and is owned by the Stonington Historical Society. In 1925, following being purchased by the Society, it was completely refurbished with the help of local volunteers and tradesmen, and opened it to the public as a museum. the current lighthouse does not have a fixed light to serve as a beacon for mariners, the original whale oil light from the first Stonington light is one of the many items on display inside the museum. Both the grounds and the tower are open in season.
Click on image to find out more about Rhode Island Lighthouses (c)Lighthouse.com
Day 2
- Drive to Rhode Island
- We stayed for 2 nights in Newport, Rhode Island
- Visited 4 Rhode Island Lighthouses (Although there are fifteen active lights in the state, however, we chose to visit those that were nearest on the coast, close to Newport. - Four of which have the lighthouse grounds open.
Warwick Lighthouse, Rhode Island (c)travelincousins.com
Warwick Lighthouse
Located in Warwick, Rhode Island, this lovely lighthouse is owned by the Coast Guard.. We knew we would not have access to the grounds, but decided to visit to take a few photos anyway.
Located in Warwick, Rhode Island, this lovely lighthouse is owned by the Coast Guard.. We knew we would not have access to the grounds, but decided to visit to take a few photos anyway.
At Warwick Lighthouse (in background) - grounds closed and gated off (c)travelincousins.com
Conimicut Lighthouse
Built in 1883, Conimicut Lighthouse is a historic sparkplug lighthouse in Warwick, Rhode Island. The lighthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.
Built in 1883, Conimicut Lighthouse is a historic sparkplug lighthouse in Warwick, Rhode Island. The lighthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.
Plum Beach Lighthouse
The lighthouse is best viewed from the water, so we viewed it going over the Newport Bridge leaving Newport. It is owned by Friends of Plum Beach Lighthouse and the Tower closed.
The lighthouse is best viewed from the water, so we viewed it going over the Newport Bridge leaving Newport. It is owned by Friends of Plum Beach Lighthouse and the Tower closed.
Ida Lewis Rock Lighthouse (center of the photo) (c)travelincousins.com
Ida Lewis Rock Lighthouse
The lighthouse is now part of and owned by the private Ida Lewis Yacht Club, but it can be viewed from a pier adjacent to the yacht club. Ida Lewis was 14 when she began keeping the lighthouse and her gravesite is located in the Common Ground Cemetery in Newport on Farewell Street
The lighthouse is now part of and owned by the private Ida Lewis Yacht Club, but it can be viewed from a pier adjacent to the yacht club. Ida Lewis was 14 when she began keeping the lighthouse and her gravesite is located in the Common Ground Cemetery in Newport on Farewell Street
Rose Island Lighthouse (c)travelincousins.com
Rose Island Lighthouse
The lighthouse and grounds are open daily with transportation to the island is available aboard the Jamestown-Newport Ferry, which also makes stops at Jamestown, Newport, and Fort Adams. We were able to view this structure from the boat ride we took. What's really cool about this lighthouse is that guests can also spend the night in one of two rooms located on the first floor of the lighthouse, or remain an entire week in the upper floor as keepers! If you are interested in such a stay, check out the Rose Island Lighthouse Foundation website for information on day trips or overnight stays. The lighthouse is owned by the City of Newport and managed by the Rose Island Lighthouse Foundation with open grounds and tower open.
The lighthouse and grounds are open daily with transportation to the island is available aboard the Jamestown-Newport Ferry, which also makes stops at Jamestown, Newport, and Fort Adams. We were able to view this structure from the boat ride we took. What's really cool about this lighthouse is that guests can also spend the night in one of two rooms located on the first floor of the lighthouse, or remain an entire week in the upper floor as keepers! If you are interested in such a stay, check out the Rose Island Lighthouse Foundation website for information on day trips or overnight stays. The lighthouse is owned by the City of Newport and managed by the Rose Island Lighthouse Foundation with open grounds and tower open.
Castle Hill Lighthouse (c)travelincousins.com
Castle Hill Lighthouse
Castle Hill Lighthouse is located on Narragansett Bay in Newport, Rhode Island at the end of the historic Ocean Drive. We got this lovely shot from the boat tour.
Castle Hill Lighthouse is located on Narragansett Bay in Newport, Rhode Island at the end of the historic Ocean Drive. We got this lovely shot from the boat tour.
Day 3
- We spent the day in Newport (eating, shopping, walking around)
- We also enjoyed a lovely Mansion tour
(c)travelincousins.com
Walking around in Newport, Rhode Island
Day 4
What an absolutely love trip!! With so many lighthouses around the country - roughly 700 - we have many more to see!!
- Elisa & Tanya
- We drove back to Long Island
What an absolutely love trip!! With so many lighthouses around the country - roughly 700 - we have many more to see!!
- Elisa & Tanya