55 Best Sights in USA

Built in 1858 and one of Maine’s most photographed lighthouses, it's been a part of Acadia National Park since 2020. Now automated, it marks the entrance to Bass Harbor and Blue Hill Bay at the island’s southernmost point below the village of Bass Harbor. You can't go inside the lighthouse or the keeper's house, but a walkway brings you to a seaside viewing area with placards about its history. The small parking lot typically fills for sunset viewing in high season, and parking isn’t allowed on the entrance road or on Route 102A. The free Island Explorer bus doesn’t serve the lighthouse. A portion of Route 102A (Seawall Road) was temporarily closed after 2024's winter storms. While repairs should be complete, if the loop road is closed, access it from its southern terminus with Route 102 in Bass Harbor, not its northern terminus in Manset. Watch for signs.

The original Bodie (pronounced "body") lighthouse was constructed in 1847 but had to be abandoned in 1859 because of structural issues; the replacement lighthouse was destroyed by Confederate troops in 1861. The current black-and-white-banded, 168-foot-tall lighthouse was completed in 1872 and was last restored in 2013. The original lightkeepers' home, last remodeled in 1992, now serves as a ranger station and information center. From mid-April to mid-October, you can climb the 219 steps to the top. (Children must be at least 42 inches tall, and climbers must weigh less than 260 pounds.) There's also a short raised boardwalk to an observation tower over the marsh, offering an excellent bird-watching vantage.

Authorized by Congress in 1794 to help prevent shipwrecks, this was the first lighthouse built in the region. The original structure was lost to erosion and Civil War damage; this 1870 replacement is, at 210 feet, the tallest brick lighthouse in the United States. Endangered by the sea, in 1999 the lighthouse, with its distinctive black-and-white spiral paint and red-and-tan base, was raised and rolled some 2,900 feet inland to its present location. A visitor center is located near the base of the lighthouse. In summer the Museum of the Sea in the former keeper's quarters is open, and you can climb the lighthouse's 257 narrow steps to the viewing balcony (children must be 42 inches tall to climb). The lighthouse closed for a rebuild of its steps and windows in 2023, and is scheduled to reopen in 2026. This area also includes a National Park Service campground ($20/night) and a beach with lifeguards from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Bordering the lighthouse to the north is the 1,007-acre Buxton Woods Reserve, one of the largest intact maritime forests in the state. These groves of live oaks and cedars surrounding freshwater marshes can be explored via 7 miles of trails.

A walk—or 4x4 journey—to the south tip of Cape Lookout on South Core Banks feels like standing on the world's edge. The island is watched over by a 169-foot, double-walled lighthouse built in 1859. The structure withstood retreating Confederate troops' attempts to blow it up to keep it out of Union hands (they stole the lens instead). With its white-and-black diamond markings, the beacon continues to function as a navigational aid. A small museum inside the visitor center on Harkers Island tells the story of the lighthouse from its first incarnation in 1812. Anyone 44 inches or taller may climb the tower's 207 steps from mid-May to mid-September, although renovations are underway with a scheduled 2025 reopening. A private ferry, Island Express Ferry Service, runs between both Beaufort and Harkers Island to the lighthouse and rents 4x4 Kubotas ($150/half day) that allow you to explore the entire island.   The National Park Service offers 23 rustic cabins on South Core Banks for an overnight experience. Camping is also allowed on the beach. Either requires reservations via Recreation.gov.

Designed by Civil War hero lieutenant George Gordon Meade, this working brick lighthouse has been under the Coast Guard's purview since 1860. Tours of the 108-foot-tall landmark are held approximately every half hour and are included with admission. (Children must be at least 4 feet tall to go to the top.) The museum tells about efforts to restore this graceful spire to the way it looked from 1860 to 1918; its galleries and outdoor structures, including a pioneer home, also showcase local history dating back 5,000 years.

About a mile from Port Clyde's town landing (turn off Route 131 at the sign), this 31-foot, granite and brick lighthouse has been in operation since it was erected in 1858 to replace an earlier tower whose beacon was fueled by lard. It is perhaps best known as the spot where Tom Hanks, aka Forrest Gump, concluded the eastern end of his very long cross-country run in the 1994 film adaptation of the book by the same name. As you walk out on the short footbridge to the light, resist the urge to shout, "Run, Forrest, Run!" There's also a small museum and gift shop, housed in the 1895 lightkeepers' house. Exhibits focus on local granite quarrying and lobstering as well as the lighthouse. The serene grounds have a few picnic tables and offer beautiful views of the sea; it's a perfect spot for watching pleasure and fishing vessels cruise in and out of Port Clyde harbor.

On a small island just off the tip of Cape Neddick, Nubble Light is one of the most photographed lighthouses on the globe. Direct access is prohibited, but the small Sohier Park right across from the light has stunning coastal views, parking, historical placards, benches, and a seasonal information center that sells gifts and shares the 1879 light's history.

At the very end of Route 130, this lighthouse at the tip of the Pemaquid Peninsula looks as though it sprouted from the ragged, striated granite outcroppings on which it stands. Most days in the summer you can climb the tower to the light. The former keeper's cottage is now the Fishermen's Museum, which displays historic photographs, scale models, and artifacts that explore commercial fishing in Maine. The original fog bell and bell house are also here. Restrooms and picnic tables are available.

For an outstanding view of the ocean and, in winter, migrating whales, take the marked road off Highway 1 to this 115-foot lighthouse completed in 1908. On tours (last one at 3 pm), the 145-step climb rewards participants with a 360-degree panorama. The ground-level museum displays the original Fresnel lens and other maritime artifacts. Six cottages with full kitchens can be booked for overnight stays.

This small, scenic waterfront park in the quaint village of Hansville sits at the very northeastern tip of the Kitsap Peninsula, about 13 miles northeast of Port Gamble, and is home to the oldest lighthouse (opened in 1879) on Puget Sound. Free tours of the relatively small white building with a bright-red roof are offered on Saturday afternoons from April through September. Any day of the week, however, this is a pleasing spot for a picnic, a stroll along the beach, or simply the chance to sit and admire the views north and east of Whidbey Island and—in the distance—the Cascade Range. The adjacent lighthouse keeper's quarters can be rented overnight.

In operation since 1870, this lighthouse—which was decommissioned in 1975—occupies the tip of Point Reyes, 21 miles from the Bear Valley Visitor Center, a scenic 40-minute drive over hills scattered with longtime dairy farms. The lighthouse originally cast a rotating beam lighted by four concentric wicks that burned lard oil. Keeping the wicks lighted and the 6,000-pound Fresnel lens soot-free in Point Reyes's perpetually foggy climate was a constant struggle that reputedly drove a few attendants to madness.

The lighthouse is one of the best spots on the coast for watching gray whales. On both legs of their annual migration, the magnificent animals pass close enough to see with the naked eye. Southern migration peaks in mid-January, and the whales head back north in March; see the slower mothers and calves in late April and early May. Humpback whales can be spotted feeding in the summer months.

Parking is limited, and there's a quarter-mile one-way path from the parking lot to the visitor center. Once there, it's time to decide if you have it in you to walk down—and, more importantly, up—the 308 steps to the lighthouse. The view from the bottom is worth the effort, but the whales are also visible from the cliffs above the lighthouse. Keep in mind that the lighthouse steps are open only during visitor center hours.  Winds can be chilly and food, water, gas, and other resources are scarce, so be sure to come prepared.

Familiar to many from photographs and the Edward Hopper painting Portland Head-Light (1927), this lighthouse was commissioned by George Washington in 1790. The towering, white-stone structure stands over the keeper's quarters, a white home with a blazing red roof, today the Museum at Portland Head Light. The lighthouse is in 90-acre Fort Williams Park, a sprawling green space with walking paths, picnic facilities, a beach and—you guessed it—a cool old fort.

First came the Rockland Breakwater, built in 1900 to protect ships in the harbor and structures on the shore from storm surge. But the breakwater itself was a navigational hazard, so the 25-foot-tall lighthouse was added to its far end in 1902. The mile-long breakwater offers an irresistible hike that's sometimes described as a walk into the sea without wet feet. Wear sensible shoes, though, and watch your step: there are gaps between the uneven granite blocks just waiting to trip you up. Stand beside the lighthouse for terrific views of passing windjammers and other marine traffic. (The lighthouse is not open to the public.)

To get to the landward end of the breakwater, go north on U.S. 1, turn right on Waldo Avenue, and right again on Samoset Road; go to the end of this short road.

The secluded 70-acre Whitehead Island, located in the western mouth of West Penobscot Bay, is home to this lighthouse, which was commissioned in 1803 and rebuilt in 1852 and which continues as a beacon for boaters. The seven-bedroom keeper’s house can be rented on a weekly basis June through October, or adults can attend one of the on-site programs that are offered. Rates include transportation to the island in a light station boat.

The tallest lighthouse on the Oregon Coast has been blinking its beacon since its head keeper first walked up its 114 steps to light the wicks on the evening of August 20, 1873. Next to the 93-foot tower is an interpretive center. Call ahead to confirm tour times.

The 1857 lighthouse was designed by George Meade, stands 171 feet tall, and is the oldest man-made tourist attraction on the Jersey shore. You can tour the adjacent lightkeeper's house and climb the 228 steps to the top for a great view of Atlantic City. In summer, kids are invited to Wacky Wednesday programs, moonlight climbs, and even sleepover adventures.

During low tide, you can walk from the pier across the ocean floor to this working lighthouse. Built in 1856, it houses a museum with nautical artifacts and shipwreck photographs. There's purportedly a resident ghost.

The promontory where this 26-foot-tall, white-painted beauty stands offers views of the harbor and town. The point was once the site of the second-oldest lighthouse in the country (1746); the present, much-photographed light was built in 1901. There are no tours inside the lighthouse, but the grounds are open to the public.

The relatively small size of Bug Light (it’s officially known to the U.S. coastguard as South Portland Breakwater Light) is what gave it its nickname, and then the name of the 9-acre park surrounding it followed. Bug Light was originally built in 1855 and rebuilt with plates and Corinthian columns in 1875, and stands today as both a landmark and a terrific place to catch views of Casco Bay and Munjoy Hill. The property was also once part of a 140-acre World War II shipyard that built 266 cargo vessels, 236 of which were Liberty Ships, which are said to have played a major part in the Allied victory in World War II. Look out for the Liberty Ship Memorial to learn more; you can't miss the sculpture which resembles an actual Liberty Ship.

Swans Island is a picturesque 6-mile ferry ride from Bass Harbor at the bottom of Mount Desert Island ( see the Getting Here and Around section of the Chapter Planner for more information). Opportunities abound for outdoor activities like hiking, swimming, biking, fishing, and beachcombing, but the 35-foot-tall white Burnt Coat Harbor Lighthouse on the south shore is not to be missed. Both the light (you can climb up!) and the keeper's house, which has history exhibits, art displays, gift shop, bathrooms, and free island and trail maps, are open from mid-June to mid-September. An apartment upstairs can be rented on a weekly basis from June through October. Aside from vacation rentals, Swans Island only has one lodging, Harbor Watch Inn ( www.harborwatchinnswansisland.com)—four rooms with kitchens or kitchenettes as well as an upstairs suite. The Island Market & Supply ( www.tims-swans-island.com) is a great place to get picnic supplies or other general needs.

This was the site of twin lighthouses erected in 1828—and locals still call it Two Lights—but one of the lighthouses was dismantled in 1924 and converted into a private residence. The other lighthouse still operates, and you can get a great photo of it from the end of Two Lights Road (note that it's not quite visible from the nearby Two Lights State Park). The lighthouse itself is closed to the public and set off on a hill, but down by the water you can explore the tidal pools.

As you descend into St. George Island after crossing the Bryant Patton Memorial Bridge, you can't miss the St. George Lighthouse. It has a long and storied history; it has been felled by hurricanes and beach erosion and rebuilt several times. After its last collapse in 2005, concerned citizens picked up the pieces (literally) and rebuilt it on its current site along with a museum and a gift shop. Those who climb the 92 spiral stairs and a ladder the top are rewarded with a fabulous view. Special climbs are set for full moons. The museum includes a beautiful reproduction of the lighthouse's Fresnel lens.

The view from this lighthouse—of the harbor, the sandbars, and the ocean beyond—justifies the crowds. The lighthouse is especially dramatic on a foggy night, as the beacon pierces the mist. Coin-operated telescopes allow a close look at the famous "Chatham Break," the result of a fierce 1987 nor'easter that blasted a channel through a barrier beach just off the coast. The U.S. Coast Guard auxiliary, which supervises the lighthouse, offers free tours July–August on most Wednesdays (1–3 pm; every other Wednesday in September); otherwise, the interior is off-limits. There is free parking in front of the lighthouse—the 30-minute limit is strictly monitored.

The 1875 lighthouse was built from nearly 1 million bricks, which remain unpainted on the exterior. Except in high winds or thunderstorms, or during winter when the lighthouse is closed, you can climb 220 steps to the top of the northernmost lighthouse on the Outer Banks, taking in the view toward Virginia and south to Nags Head.

Built in 1828 at the mouth of the Penobscot River in Castine Harbor to guide mariners upriver to the lumber port of Bangor, the light was discontinued in 1935. The tower was damaged in a storm but rebuilt in 2008. The original keeper’s house, barn, and oil house still remain, but are privately owned. You can see them all from an adjacent public footpath, which is is short, steep (made less so by wooden stairs), and leads to a quiet view of the islands in the harbor. There's limited street parking available. 

One of five lighthouses on Martha's Vineyard, the 40-foot structure was built out of cast iron in 1876 to replace an 1828 tower that burned down. The lighthouse is open seasonally on Sunday evenings around sunset; the views of Nantucket Sound from atop the bluff are spectacular. Parking is limited.

Surrounded by a public beach, this cast-iron tower was floated by barge from Ipswich, Massachusetts, in 1939. It is still an active navigational aid. Renovations from 2005 to 2007 included the installation of a spiral staircase that visitors can ascend for great views. There's a touching memorial to children who have died, in the form of engraved granite cobblestones, surrounding the lighthouse. In 2001, the lighthouse was dedicated as the Children's Memorial. 

This brick lighthouse (also called the Aquinnah Lighthouse) was successfully moved back from its precarious perch atop the rapidly eroding cliffs in spring 2015. Bad weather may affect its hours. Parking can be limited here, but views are outstanding.

Truly a breathtaking sight, this is the Cape's oldest lighthouse. The first light on this site, powered by 24 whale-oil lamps, began warning ships of Truro's treacherous sandbars in 1797—the dreaded Peaked Hills Bars, to the north, had claimed hundreds of ships. The current light, a 66-foot tower built in 1857, is powered by two 1,000-watt bulbs reflected by a huge Fresnel lens; its beacon is visible for more than 20 miles.

One of four active lighthouses on the Outer Cape, Highland Light has the distinction of being listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Henry David Thoreau used it as a stopover in his travels across the Cape's backside (as the Atlantic side is called). Twenty-minute tours of the lighthouse are given daily in summer. Children must be 48 inches tall to enter.

About 2 miles north of Pompano Beach, you'll find a beautiful view across Hillsboro Inlet to a lighthouse, which is often called the brightest lighthouse in the Southeast and has been used by mariners as a landmark for decades. When at sea you can see its light from almost halfway to the Bahamas. Although the octagonal-pyramid, iron-skeletal tower lighthouse is on private property (inaccessible to the public), it's well worth a peek, even from afar. The Hillsboro Lighthouse Preservation Society offers tours about eight times a year (sometimes on holiday weekends), and these include a boat ride to and from the lighthouse. Visit the society's website for the current schedule and tips on viewing vantage points. Tours cost around $35 per person.