New England Lighthouse: Portland Head Light
New England is riddled with lighthouses – and that’s a good thing. But which New England lighthouses can you explore and which ones are worth visiting? During a family vacation to New England, we visited the Portland Head Light on Cape Elizabeth in Maine.
Here, you can experience more activities than simply looking at a lighthouse. Here’s a rundown of what you’ll find at Portland Head Light and Fort Williams Park.
Portland Head Light: The Most Photographed Lighthouse in America
You’ve probably seen a beautiful sunrise or sunset photo of Portland Head Light. It’s the most photographed lighthouse in America. And rightly so. It’s in a beautiful location.
For a great photo and view of the lighthouse, head south from the roundabout parking area just west of the lighthouse. There’s a nice viewpoint where you can see the waves crashing into the rocks below the lighthouse. You can also look out over the Atlantic Ocean.
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For a close-up view of the popular New England lighthouse, walk right up to the Portland Head Light. There’s also a little museum featuring different lighthouse lenses and other artifacts and exhibits. It’s housed in the Keeper’s House next to the lighthouse.
Seasonally, they have a gift shop you can stop in and purchase a few souvenirs of your trip.
Explore Military Batteries at Fort Williams
A visit to Portland Head Light offers more than just a New England lighthouse. Fort Williams has several military batteries you can explore.
These military batteries offer kids something to climb on and little rooms to explore. You’ll also find some great views of the ocean from the upper parts of the batteries – especially those right on the shoreline.
The batteries were built in the early 1900s. Although the guns have been removed, the solid cement structures remain.
Play at the Beach, on the Playground or Enjoy a Picnic
We didn’t have too much time to take full advantage of the sports fields, playground, Children’s Garden or even the beaches at Portland Head Light. We were just passing through on our way to visit my grandpa.
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The beach at Ship Cove is located just north of the the lighthouse. There’s a parking lot right by the beach. If you want to dip your toes in the water, there are a few things you should know:
- The sandy part of the beach is only available at low tide.
- The water is cold year round – so you likely won’t feel up to going for a swim.
If you’re passing through like we were, and you brought a picnic lunch, enjoy some time in the area and let your kids get some energy out on the playground. It’ll make the rest of your drive through New England bearable. 😉
The Details
Address: 12 Captain Strout Cir, Cape Elizabeth, ME 04107
Cost: A full-day parking pass is $10 ($15 for a season parking pass), which can be purchased at meters near the parking areas. There is no admission fee to the lighthouse, batteries, museum, etc.
Hours: Open year round from sunrise to sunset.
Phone: (207) 799-2661
Website: https://portlandheadlight.com/
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