Love the beauty of lighthouses? While traveling within the USA for work as a truck driver, I had the privilege of touring parts of the USA I never thought of ever dreaming of seeing. So today am going to share the must-see nine lighthouses in the USA.
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
Cape Hatteras is one of the most popular destinations in North Carolina. The area is known for its beautiful beaches and pristine water, making it an ideal place to swim or engage in other water sports. This region also has plenty of opportunities for hiking and exploring nature, making it an excellent choice for those who want to experience the outdoors without having to travel too far away from home.
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse was first lit in October of 1803. Constructed of sandstone, it was 90 feet tall with a lamp powered by whale oil. Unfortunately, the 1803 lighthouse could not effectively warn ships of the dangerous Diamond Shoals because of being too short, the unpainted sandstone blended in with the background, and the signal needed to be more vital to reach mariners.
Today the Cape Hatteras light station is still in use. It attracts sightseers from all around the world. The lighthouse is now constructed of a steel-enforced brick foundation. The lens from the lighthouse built in 1854 can be seen at the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum located at the tip of Hatteras Island.
Plan your visit to Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Rd, Buxton, NC 27920.
West Quoddy Head Lighthouse
Lighthouse at West Quoddy Head, Maine, was authorized in 1806 by congress and was completed on April 21, 1808, at the cost of $5,000, equivalent to $85,000 in 2022.
The lighthouse’s tower is built from granite blocks quarried from the headland. It stands approximately 83 feet (25 m) above sea level, and its focal plane is 110 feet (34 m) above mean high water.
An observer standing on top of it can see as far north as Grand Manan Island, 25 miles away; southwest to Lubec, where it provides light through a narrow channel; west across Passamaquoddy Bay; east over Cobscook Bay towards Deer Isle and Northeast Harbor; southeast past Campobello Island towards Eastport where it provides light through another narrow channel known locally as “the Gut”; north along New Brunswick’s Gaspé Peninsula towards Nova Scotia where Cape Breton Island’s highest point (Mount Carleton) lies 55 miles away; and southwest past Machias Seal Island back around again toward Saint Croix River delta area before returning via Fort Knox Privateer wreck site south toward Passamaquoddy Bay again.
Plan your visit to see the beautiful West Quoddy Head lighthouse located at 973 S Lubec Rd, Lubec, ME 04652
Boston Harbor Lighthouse
Southeast Farallon Island is a small island in the Pacific Ocean, about 30 miles off the coast of San Francisco. It’s surrounded by crystal clear waters and boasts some of the most breathtaking views you’ll ever see. It’s so scenic that it was used as a filming location for “The Americans,” an FX drama set during the Cold War.
If you’re looking for something to do while enjoying your time on Southeast Farallon Island, then be sure to check out the nature center at Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve!
One of my favorite songs to listen to while traveling for work.
Southeast Farallon Island Lighthouse
Southeast Farallon Island Lighthouse is a lighthouse on Southeast Farallon Island in California. The current tower, completed in 1855, is the second-oldest surviving light station built by the United States government; only Sandy Hook Light was older when it was deactivated in 1858. It was also the first lighthouse built on the Pacific Coast of North America and ranks as one of three lighthouses that the National Park Service still maintains. The others are Point Reyes Lighthouse and Lime Rock Light.
The present tower was built atop an earlier octagonal stone tower erected in 1853. That original structure featured an iron lantern room with a fourth-order Fresnel lens which remains in use today.
The current lighthouse features an observation deck accessible via stairs or an elevator from inside the living area of its keeper’s house.
St. Augustine Light Station
St. Augustine Light Station is a historic lighthouse on Anastasia Island in St. Johns County, Florida. It is the oldest continuously operating lighthouse in the United States and the second oldest structure in Florida after Castillo de San Marcos, built by Europeans.
The original tower was completed in 1874, but it was later replaced with a taller one at about 67 feet today. The lighthouse features three rooms and a watch room for up to four keepers.
It’s open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm daily from November 1 through April 30; longer hours are available during peak travel such as summer or holidays. You can purchase tickets online or at the gate to enter St Augustine Lighthouse and Fort Matanzas State Park.
The St. Augustine Lighthouse came in number 3 on our list of 11 Best things to do in St. Augustine, Florida.
While visiting St. Augustine Light, check out the ten best restaurants in St. Augustine.
Need Hotel accommodations while visiting St. Augustine, Florida? Check out our top five best choices for hotels.
Cape Florida Lighthouse
The Cape Florida Lighthouse is a historic lighthouse in Key Biscayne, Florida. It is located at the southern end of Key Biscayne near Crandon Park and Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. The current lighthouse was built in 1825 by the United States government to protect ships from the nearby shoals.
The original light tower was constructed in 1825 and painted with black tar to make it more visible against the white sand beach where it stood. The present-day structure is a replica made of cast iron and steel, which replaced an earlier wooden tower built on this site in 1826 by Colonel William S. Harney, who also supervised the construction of Fort Dallas. A plaque commemorates his efforts today and those who help maintain this historical monument today, including yourself.
Cape Florida Lighthouse is located at 1200 Crandon Blvd, Key Biscayne, Florida 33149.
Sable Point Lighthouse
This lighthouse, built in 1876 and still standing today, is one of the most photographed lighthouses on the coast. It’s not hard to see why: it sits high above the beach and offers sweeping views over Cape Cod Bay. A short but steep trail leads down to a small cove where you can swim or kayak if you’re brave enough to leave your car behind instead of parking at the top of a very steep hill (there’s an elevator). The lighthouse itself houses exhibits about its history as well as displays about other related topics like shipwrecks or hurricanes that have hit nearby areas.
You’ll be able to see this beautiful black and white striped 112-foot lighthouse at the Ludington State Park stands proudly on the shores of Lake Michigan and remains a testament to the lighthouse keepers of the past. Big Sable Point Lighthouse was honored as the 2013 featured lighthouse of the year for the Great Lakes Lighthouse Festival.
The tower is open for visitors from May through October and has been restored to its original appearance with walking tours, exhibits, history programs, and other special events.
Visit this historic lighthouse today!
5611 N Lighthouse, Ludington, MI 49431
Pigeon Point Lighthouse
The Pigeon Point Lighthouse, built in 1872 and still active today, is located on a small peninsula that juts out into the Pacific Ocean. Its original purpose was to warn ships of shoals and rocks surrounding the area. It now attracts visitors from all over who enjoy seeing the spectacular views of San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge.
The lighthouse is open to visitors every day except Christmas Day. Entrance fees are $10 for adults (ages 12+) and $5 for children ages 6-11. Children 5 & under get in free when accompanied by an adult (up to 2 children per adult).
Visit Pigeon Point Lighthouse 210 Pigeon Point Rd, Pescadero, CA 94060
Barnegat Lighthouse
Barnegat Lighthouse is a must-see if you’re a fan of the Jersey Shore! It’s located on the border between New Jersey and Ocean County, and it’s been around since 1834. This lighthouse was initially built to help guide ships into the Atlantic Ocean during low tide. Today, it serves as a museum, and visitors can climb up to see one of the best views in
New Jersey. Visitors also enjoy walking around on top of this historic landmark-which has been around for over 180 years!
The lighthouse is open year-round, and it’s a great place to visit if you’re looking for something fun to do with the family. There are also plenty of food vendors on-site if you get hungry during your visit.
The lighthouse is open from 10 am to 5 pm but closes at 4:45 pm during the winter months (November through March). Admission is $4 for adults and $2 for children ages 6-12.
Plan your visit to Barnegat Lighthouse, 9 E. Main St., Barnegat Light, NJ 08006.
Conclusion
It’s a new year, and you can take a trip to see lighthouses in the USA. From sunny Florida historic lighthouses to California, from coast to coast, and the great lakes. These nine must-see lighthouses in the USA will surely be a memorable family trip.
The post Must See 9 Lighthouses in the USA first appeared on The USA Traveler.
