L is for Lighthouse
You could spend a month tracking down the lighthouses of Maine by car, foot, boat, and plane and you might still miss one or two. Sure, they’re on the coast, but there are over 3500 miles of coastline in the state and you could be forgiven for missing a turn off here and there. And, lets not forget Ladies Delight, a landlocked lighthouse in Lake Cobbosseecontee aka Cobbossee Light.
We’re happy to give you a copy of the Lighthouse Guide with directions on how to get to over sixty lights along the coast. Using White Cedar Inn as your home base gives you the ability to drive to, or catch a boat to, over 20 lighthouses. If you’re also going to Downeast Maine, you can stop along the way to pick up a few more, then catch 10 more in and around Mt Desert.
How to find a lighthouse
There is no better day for getting inside a Maine lighthouse than Maine Open Lighthouse Day, which occurs every September. Use the link above to find which lighthouses are open and how to easily get to them. Although the lighthouse tour may be free, you may need to pay for a boat to get there.
If you’re not planning on traveling on that one day in September, use the light house guide to find your favorites.
A few of our favorites
These are a few of our favorite lighthouses of Maine you can get to within an hour’s drive from White Cedar Inn. The Casco Bay area affords a view of 6 separate lighthouses within about 10 miles of each other. 3 of them you can walk right up to and touch. 1 is out on Ram Island Ledge and almost impossible to get to. 2 more are located on shore, but not accessible. You can drive by them, but there is no place to stop.
Spring Point Ledge Light and park. This light is at the end of a granite jetty. You get to it via Southern Maine Community College roads.
Bug Light and Park. There is an outdoor museum of liberty ship info here. It is also the site of the kite festival every spring.
Portland Head Light is at the top of the page.
Other lighthouses you can see
Doubling Point on the Kennebec River. View this one from shore or on a river cruise with the Maine Maritime Museum.
Nubble Light aka Cape Neddick Light. About 1.5 hours south. Go to Fort Clary in Kittery on the same drive to see the Whaleback Light.
And, the lighthouse on the back of the Maine quarter - Pemaquid Point.
Pond Island and Seguin Lights can be seen from Popham Beach or on the Kennebec River cruise.
Of course you’ll want to stop for lobster along the way. Just ask! We have maps and can point out our lobster faves!
Ready to vacation? Check here for White Cedar Inn availability. See you soon!