Last Updated on March 6, 2024 by Travelationship
As it should, the sun rose, marking the beginning of our day to explore Cape Cod. High on my list of things to do was to investigate classic New England lighthouses. Heather was on board with my idea, but I didn’t think she would dedicate our entire day to it. I knew I would have to select a few locations, and I hope we liked Cape Cod enough to return someday.
Cape Cod Lighthouses
Wood End Light
Our first lighthouse of the day required a good hike to get to. There is no designated parking for this adventure, so street parking looks to be your best bet. The trail takes you for a stroll down a breakwater-style damn consisting of small boulders and originates from the intersection of Commercial St & Province Lands Rd in Provincetown. Hiking the breakwater requires good shoes because you step from boulder to boulder; it is not a contiguous walking space.
The lighthouse is a 3-mile roundtrip walk and is not accessible by vehicle. Wood End Light was built in 1872 and had a small oil house alongside it. It is currently an automated lighthouse that sounds its horn to warn of fog. Depending on the time of year, you should be prepared to encounter many bugs on your hike. Bring water and snacks because there are no facilities available in the vicinity. *There is no way to access the lighthouse.
Find out more: Information | History
Highland Light (aka. Cape Cod Light)
Our next lighthouse was easily reached by car and a 100-foot walk. The current lighthouse was built in 1857, replacing the original structure from 1797. Highland Light is the oldest and tallest lighthouse on Cape Cod. In 1996, the existing location was deemed unsafe, and the lighthouse was moved some 450 feet. The grounds are open year-round, but tours are only available from May until October.
Find out more: Information & tours | History
Three Sisters of Nauset
After Highland, we drove south to Eastham, intending to go to Nauset Light, but we also stumbled on the Three Sisters. This stop ended up being a two-for-one kind of deal, well, actually more of a four-for-one. We parked the car in the Nauset Light Beach parking; FYI, this is a pay lot. Heather suggested we investigate the three random lighthouses we encountered on the road and found a nice path leading us straight to them. It is roughly a 400-yard walk from the parking lot to the lighthouses. Upon arrival, we learned that they were the Three Sisters Lighthouses.
They were part of the original lighthouses that protected this section of the coastline, which were built in 1890. They replaced three identical lighthouses in danger of eroding into the ocean, which had been constructed in 1837, seemingly a common issue in this area. When erosion continued on its path, they decided to replace these wooden structures with more solid structures further inland. A private entity saved the three wooden buildings, later restored by the National Park Service, and now on display for the public.
Find out more: Information & tours | History
Nauset Light
A quick walk back down the wooded path towards the ocean leads you back to Nauset Light. We were greeted by the red topped tower peeking thru the trees as we came to the end of the path. Even though I knew it was there, it was still a sight to see. A tour was being given by a park ranger when we arrived, so we spent the first few minutes walking the grounds. It is a solid lighthouse, a metal skin over a brick skeleton, and gives the impression it could easily handle a hurricane.
It was originally constructed in 1877 and has been moved twice. Once in 1923 to replace the Three Sisters and again in 1996 by the same company that moved the Highland Light as erosion played yet another hand in the lighthouses of Cape Cod. If you are a fan of Cape Cod Potato Chips, then the image of this lighthouse might look familiar as it is the brand’s logo.
Find out more: Information & tours | History
Important Note
It is important to note that Cape Cod can be seasonal, depending on your intention. Please ensure you double-check that the lodge, restaurant, or lighthouse you want to visit is open during your visit.
Lighthouse of the Cape
Here is a complete list of the lighthouses on Cape Cod broken down into regions. There are direct links to those with websites and those without have no link. If you want to see the ones under control of the National Park Service visit here.
Upper Cape
Nobska Point Lighthouse (Falmouth): Standing proudly at the edge of Woods Hole Passage, Nobska Light offers beautiful views and a museum in the keeper’s house.
Wings Neck Lighthouse (Pocasset): This unique, privately owned lighthouse sits on a residential property but is viewable from the water or nearby beaches.
Sandy Neck Lighthouse (Barnstable): With its distinctive long, covered walkway, Sandy Neck Light requires a walk along the beach to reach it, adding to the sense of adventure.
Mid-Cape
West Dennis Lighthouse (Dennis): Also known as Bass River Lighthouse, this classic white tower overlooks Nantucket Sound and can be viewed from West Dennis Beach.
Lewis Bay Lighthouse (Hyannis): A replica of the original, this lighthouse also acts as the Hyannis Harbor Light, guiding vessels to safety.
Stage Harbor Lighthouse (Chatham): Also known as Harding’s Beach Lighthouse, its squat and white tower are familiar sights for beachgoers at Stage Harbor.
Lower Cape
Chatham Lighthouse (Chatham): An active Coast Guard lighthouse, Chatham Light stands tall and elegant, guiding mariners with its powerful beacon.
Monomoy Point Lighthouse (Chatham): This decommissioned lighthouse with distinctive markings is only accessible by boat or oversand vehicle. Today, it acts as a wildlife refuge.
Three Sisters Lighthouses (Eastham): These three nearly identical lighthouses were originally located together but are now privately owned; however, viewing them from Nauset Light Beach offers a unique perspective.
Nauset Lighthouse (Eastham): The iconic red and white tower of Nauset Light is a classic Cape Cod symbol. Visitors can enjoy tours and the stunning view from the top.
Outer Cape
Long Point Lighthouse (Provincetown): At the tip of the Cape, Long Point Light marks the entrance to Provincetown Harbor. It takes some effort to reach but rewards visitors with solitude and history.
Wood End Lighthouse (Provincetown): This stout lighthouse can be seen from Provincetown Harbor but is accessible via a hike or oversand vehicle.
Race Point Lighthouse (Provincetown): Standing sentinel at Cape Cod’s sandy, windswept edge, Race Point Light offers tours and occasionally even overnight stays in the keeper’s house.
Highland Lighthouse (North Truro): Cape Cod’s oldest and tallest lighthouse, also known as Cape Cod Light. Its museum offers insights into the area’s maritime history and offers tours.
Food to Help with Lighthouse Hunting
The Canteen (Provincetown): A Provincetown institution, The Canteen boasts a 4.5-star rating on Google Maps. This casual, beachy spot offers fresh seafood, sandwiches, and a lot of local charm. It’s a short drive from several Provincetown lighthouses.
Arnold’s Lobster & Clam Bar (Eastham): With a 4.2-star rating, this classic joint is the place for no-frills lobster rolls, fried clams, and all the summer seafood staples. It’s conveniently near Nauset Light.
Fanizzi’s Restaurant by the Sea (Provincetown): Enjoy beautiful harbor views alongside your fresh seafood dishes at Fanizzi’s. It has a 4.3-star rating puts you within walking distance of the Provincetown waterfront lighthouses.
Mac’s Shack (Wellfleet): Wellfleet is famous for its oysters and is the place to try them. Their wider menu is also excellent, with a 4.3-star rating on Google Maps. There are a few lighthouses within easy driving distance of this spot.
Lighthouse Inn Restaurant (West Dennis): While you can’t eat inside an actual lighthouse, this restaurant at the Lighthouse Inn does offer classic New England fare with a side of lovely water views. It has a solid 4.0-star rating and is close to Bass River Lighthouse.
Lodging in Cape Cod
In case you want to continue your journey or are looking for a basecamp to start from, here are four hotel options for your Cape Cod lighthouse adventure, including a stay in a real lighthouse:
Race Point Lighthouse in Provincetown offers a unique opportunity to stay in a historic lighthouse. The Keeper’s House, meticulously restored to its 1950s-era beauty, can accommodate up to 8 guests and provides a glimpse into the life of a lighthouse keeper.
For a more upscale stay, Land’s End Inn in Provincetown is close to Race Point Lighthouse and offers lavishly decorated rooms, many with ocean views.
If you want a charming and unique stay, White Porch Inn Art Hotel in Truro is a refined inn featuring original artwork, plus free Wi-Fi, breakfast, and afternoon drinks.
Lotus Provincetown is a Victorian guesthouse with a garden in Provincetown, close to several lighthouses. It offers understated rooms, some with microwaves and minifridges.
I hope this helps you plan your trip to Cape Cod!
4 of the 14 Lighthouses Visited
The sun was setting, and our day of lighthouse hunting was coming to a close. We had barely scratched the surface, having only seen 4 of the available 14 lighthouses. We felt pretty good about our findings and our desire to return to Cape Cod someday and complete the quest to see all of them. For now, it was time to track down some dinner.
We enjoyed our time in Cape Cod and exploring these fabulous lighthouses. We highly recommend spending a few days in the Cape enjoying everything it offers. To read more about our time here, check out this story on P-Town.
See more photos on Flickr. Please follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
Nice findings 🙂 I like lighthouses too. Everytime when I go somewhere I seach for some. Last lighthouse that I have see it was in Iceland.
Thanks for reading and taking the time to leave a comment. Lighthouses are so interesting to me. We are hopefully going to Iceland next year. I would love to hear where the lighthouse was and if you liked it.