A Few Great American Lighthouses
The beauty and nostalgia of lighthouses has captured the imaginations of millions – and in a country with roughly 700 lighthouses (some even in land-locked states), the U.S. offers plenty to see. So whether you’re already obsessed or merely curious about these beautiful beacons of light, below is a list of some of the most famous to help satisfy appetite.
Arizona
Yes. Believe it or not, Lake Havasu has 16 lighthouses dotting its shores. All are replicas of famous lighthouses and range from 17 to 30 feet tall. If you’d like to see them, hop in your car (rental or otherwise) and head over to Lake Havasu. Some of the replicas you can expect to see include:
- Cape Hatteras
- Sandy Hook
- West Quoddy
- Vermillion
- Boston Light
California
With 840 miles of coastline to protect, California’s lighthouses have been well used over the years. Some that you can actually visit include:
- Alcatraz Island Light
- Pointe Reyes Light Station
- Point Montara Light
- Point Vicente Lighthouse
- Point Loma Lighthouse
Maine
Many of New England’s most famous lighthouses can be found along the craggy shores of Main. Some you shouldn’t miss include:
- Portland Head Light Station
- Cape Neddick Lighthouse
- Cape Elizabeth Lights
- Goat Island Light
- Bass Harbor Head Light
Michigan
With more than 100 lighthouses dotting its shores, Michigan may be the ultimate destination for lighthouse lovers. Some that should be on your list include:
- Grand Traverse Light
- Isle Royale Light
- Forty Mile Point Light
- Cheboygan Crib Light
- Fort Gratiot Light
Florida
Florida’s 1,200 miles of coastline is protected by dozens of lighthouses – but only a handful of historic lights remain. A few that should make their way onto your list of vacation must-sees include:
- Boca Grande Light
- Cape St. George Lighthouse
- Cape Florida Light
- Key West Lighthouse
- Jupiter Inlet Light
