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Boston Light Lighthouse Tours

Lighthouse Tour

Lighthouse Tours of Boston Harbor

Experience the historic lighthouses of boston harbor on our special two-hour narrated cruise.

Voyage through maritime history with a special three-lighthouse tour featuring close-up views of Long Island Light, Graves Light, and Boston Light – America’s first light station.

Delve into history as you travel to the edge of Boston Harbor on an exciting 2-hour cruise and encounter three iconic lighthouses, and enjoy onboard narration provided by Boston Harbor Islands park staff and volunteers from the United States Coast Guard. Learn about the maritime traditions of Boston Harbor, enjoy unforgettable views of the park and city, and experience one of the most unique and historically significant ports in the country.

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Boston lighthouses: 12 to visit nearby

Editor's note: This map was originally published in May 2016, and has been updated with the most recent information.

Massachusetts has dozens of lighthouses, but only a relative handful are officially open to the public. Many of these, too, are open only during the warmer months.

Here are a dozen options relatively close to Boston proper. Most are located in Martha's Vineyard and along Cape Cod. Check the websites for contact info and tour hours.

[Sources: VisitNewEngland.com ; NewEnglandLighthouses.net ]

Plum Island Light

The current tower was built in 1898, and the original was built 110 years before. Also called Newburyport Harbor Light, the tower is open on select dates, weather permitting.

  • Open in Google Maps

boston lighthouse tours

Marblehead Light

This spindly lighthouse dates from 1895, when it replaced the original brick-and-wood one constructed in 1835.

It is open to the public through special arrangement only.

boston lighthouse tours

Boston Light

This lighthouse dates from 1716, and is the oldest continuously used lighthouse in the U.S. of A. On certain days, it is open for tours, which include a 76-step climb to the top.

boston lighthouse tours

Highland Light

Deemed the oldest lighthouse on Cape Cod (George Washington ordered its original construction), the current structure dates from 1857. It is open to the public as part of the much wider Cape Cod National Seashore.

boston lighthouse tours

Three Sisters of Nauset

The National Park Service took control of this trio of 15-foot lighthouses in 1975. They were restored in the 1980s, though their roots date from the 1830s.

boston lighthouse tours

Nauset Lighthouse

Preservationists moved the lighthouse in 1996 from the edge of a 60-foot cliff. It is open for tours.

boston lighthouse tours

Great Point Light

This lighthouse dates only from 1986, a replica of lighthouse a storm destroyed two years before. That structure dated from 1817, and had replaced the original wooden lighthouse dating from 1797. (Got that?) It is open to the public as part of wider tours of the area.

boston lighthouse tours

Chatham Light

The second-oldest lighthouse on Cape Cod, this structure originally dates to 1808. The current one, though, went up about 70 years later.

boston lighthouse tours

Cape Poge Light

The Cape Poge lighthouse, which dates from 1893, is part of a much larger wildlife refuge. Tours are available with a reservation. Its light is 63 feet up and can be seen 9 miles out to sea.

boston lighthouse tours

Ned's Point Light

The original lighthouse here dated from the late 1830s, and the current one from a series of moves in the 1890s and early 1900s. It is open to the public for much of the summer.

boston lighthouse tours

Gay Head Light

In early 2015, the lighthouse was moved 129 feet away from eroding cliffs. The original structure was built in 1796, making Gay Head the oldest lighthouse on Martha's Vineyard. The current one dates from the 1850s, however, and is open to the public during the summer.

boston lighthouse tours

Nobska Point Light

The Town of Falmouth formally took control of the lighthouse from the Coast Guard in the spring of 2016. It dates from the 1820s, and it is open for tours as is the surrounding 4-acre preserve.

boston lighthouse tours

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12 of the Prettiest Lighthouses to Visit in Massachusetts

From the north shore to the tip of the Cape, take a trip to one of these picturesque coastal lights.

From day trips to weekend getaways, our biweekly Traveler newsletter shows you the best of New England and beyond.

gay head lighthouse

Gay Head Lighthouse Photo by John Greim/LightRocket via Getty Images

Lighthouses were first built to prevent seafarers from crashing into dangerous rock formations and cliffsides (as was tragically commonplace in the early 1800s), and signaled to captains and their crew that land was up ahead. Each one had a distinct blinking pattern that not only warned of perilous land formations, but also allowed ships to determine their location (although, now that the GPS is commonplace, the light patterns aren’t as crucial as they once were). The coast of Massachusetts, from the Cape to the north shore, has long had an abundance of maritime traffic—and thankfully more than two dozen lighthouses that still stand today to guide those ships.

While many of those lighthouses are still active in the maritime industry, they’ve also become notable tourist destinations over the years for travelers interested in their history and scenic appearance (just count the lighthouses you can spot while browsing an art museum). Each one has a lengthy history—having been rebuilt, remodeled, and even moved over the course of the last two centuries. Many have nearly fallen victim to eroding cliffs and bluffs, but have been rescued, often multiple times, and relocated further inland by heavy machinery. Some have ghost stories to go along with them, and a handful can be toured, climbed, and explored. So whether you’re staying close to Boston or venturing out for a weekend-long road trip, these twelve lighthouses from the north shore to the tip of the Cape are well worth the visit.

Annisquam Lighthouse, Gloucester

Built in 1801 at the entrance of the Annisquam River, the area’s namesake lighthouse is now manned by the US Coast Guard. The 41-foot tower sits on private property, with (unfortunately) no public access. However, it can be easily admired from afar. Head to Wingaersheek Beach for the day and you can see the white brick lighthouse sitting across the river. Or, you can see it from the ocean—as it was meant to be seen —on a boat ride or harbor cruise around Cape Ann. (You can also get a US Lighthouse Society passport stamped along the way).

Rte 127/Washington Street, Annisquam, Gloucester

Boston Lighthouse, Little Brewster Island, Boston

Boston Light is the oldest continually used and manned lighthouse in the country. Constructed in 1716, it was the first to be built in the colonies. Although it was destroyed by the British during the Revolutionary War, and has been rebuilt and renovated multiple times since, the present tower is still a quintessential symbol of coastal New England. It’s located just off the coast of Boston on Little Brewster Island—but that means a boat is required to see it. If you don’t have your own vessel, you can take a two-hour Boston Harbor Lighthouse Cruise around the outer islands instead (and see two other lighthouses along the way).

191 W Atlantic Ave., Boston; 617-223-8108, bostonharborislands.org

Chatham Light, Chatham

One of the dozens of lighthouses scattered across the Cape’s coastline, the historic Chatham Light is a well-known Cape landmark. Because of cliff erosion (which has significantly affected many other Cape lighthouses, too) Chatham Light has undergone a series of renovations, replacements, and even relocations since its 1808 construction. Originally built as a pair of lighthouses (called the “Twin Lights”), in 1879 the south tower fell off the cliff onto the beach below, after powerful storms left it sitting only 27 feet from the cliff’s edge. The north tower lasted for a bit longer, only to be reconstructed inland (where it stands today) in the years following the south tower’s demise. Tours of the current reconstructed tower are offered weekly (but are currently suspended due to COVID-19).

37 Main St., Chatham

Eastern Point Lighthouse, Gloucester

This 36-foot lighthouse has overlooked Gloucester Harbor since 1832, when it was built to prevent the dozens of shipwrecks that happened off the coast. It gained additional notoriety after the film “The Perfect Storm” brought a local tragedy to national attention. The film, which stars Mark Wahlberg and George Clooney, dramatizes the sinking of the Andrea Gail, a ship that set out from the harbor, only to be caught in the center of a hurricane-strength storm. The ship was lost at sea and the crew was never recovered, and scenes from the movie were filmed at the lighthouse. Although it can’t be accessed directly, it can be admired from the nearby Eastern Point Wildlife Sanctuary (or in the movie, of course).

Eastern Point Boulevard, Gloucester, 978-887-9264

Edgartown Harbor Light, Edgartown, Martha’s Vineyard

Just a short walk from Edgartown and a stone’s throw from the aptly named Lighthouse Beach, Edgartown Light is a tourist hub. Originally, it was just a two story house with a lantern on top. But in 1938 it was replaced by a 45-foot tall lighthouse tower, transported from Crane Beach in Ipswich. After Edgartown residents rejected the city’s plans for a bare-bones skeleton lighthouse structure (made of metal and not as pleasing to the eye), the Crane tower was moved to the Vineyard by barge in 1938 and reassembled on its current site in Edgartown harbor. The lighthouse is currently open for visitors, and you can take the spiral staircase to the top to enjoy the views of Chappaquiddick Island and a panoramic seascape. If you’re afraid of heights, the grounds and the area surrounding the lighthouse are worth the trip as well.

121 North Water St., Edgartown, mvmuseum.org

Gay Head Light, Aquinnah, Martha’s Vineyard

In 2015, Gay Head Light was saved from falling off the edge of the Aquinnah Cliffs after erosion caused the cliffs to deteriorate dangerously close to the tower, and was ultimately moved over 100 feet inland. The lighthouse has sat atop the famous multi-colored cliffs since it was constructed in 1799, when the light wasn’t electrical, but a candle submerged in sperm whale oil. It’s also the site of a noted ghostly encounter, after a ship floated ashore in 1804 with no captain or crew—only cargo, and no owners were ever found. It’s one of the island’s busiest spots during tourist season, so make sure to get there early if you want to take a trip to the top without too big of a crowd.

15 Aquinnah Circle, at the end of Lighthouse Road, Aquinnah, gayheadlight.org

highland light lighthouse

Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

Highland Lighthouse, Truro

Built in 1797, the Highland Lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse on the Cape — but the current 66-foot tower isn’t the original structure that was built there. It was rebuilt in 1831, rebuilt again in 1857, and then moved in 1996 when significant erosion left it sitting dangerously close to the water below. The 430-ton lighthouse was then lifted and moved back more than 450 feet to a safer, more inland location. The interior of the Highland Light is closed for renovations until 2022, when visitors can once again climb the 69-step, five-story staircase to the top.

27 Highland Light Road, North Truro, highlandlighthouse.org

minot's ledge lighthouse

Photo by Brian Walker/Getty Images

Minots Ledge Light, Scituate

Sitting all alone in the middle of the water, Minots Ledge Light is perhaps the most interesting lighthouse in MA. Just a mile off the coast of Scituate, the grey stone tower rises straight out of the waves, anchored directly into the large rock formation below it. Minots Ledge has been dubbed the “I-Love-You” light, and considered one of the most romantic lighthouses in the country, for its signature 1-4-3 flash cycle (a shorthand for the three-word phrase). But it’s also rumored to be very, very haunted, specifically by the ghosts of the men who perished when the lighthouse collapsed during a storm in 1851. There’s no shortage of ghostly sightings and unexplainable phenomena reported by those viewing the lighthouse on a stormy night. Needless to say, this light is closed for visitors, but you can still view it from the surrounding water (if you dare).

Off the coast of Scituate and Cohasset

Nauset Light, Eastham

Eastham’s Nauset Light can arguably boast the most turbulent history of all the lighthouses in the state. In the early 1800s, the light station was completed with three separate towers (nicknamed “The Three Sisters”). But because of coastal erosion, the towers were dismantled, moved, or replaced three times before 1930. By 1996, only one tower remained, and sat only 35 feet from the edge of the cliff, before being moved 300 feet to safety (that same year, it was adopted by Cape Cod Potato Chips as the iconic light pictured on every bag). While tours are temporarily suspended, you can climb to the top of the light tower for free once it reopens.

120 Nauset Light Beach Road, Eastham, nausetlight.org

nauset lighthouse

Photo by lucky-photographer/Getty Images

Nobska Light, Falmouth

In 1828, the property on which the Nobska Light stands was purchased for $160, and a wooden tower was built to house the keeper’s quarters and the light itself. In the 1870s, the current 40-foot tall cast iron lighthouse replaced the wooden one (and is, thankfully, much more durable). Up until the early 1970s, the lighthouse was operated by a civilian keeper, who lived on the property and manned the electrified light. Interior tours of the lighthouse tower are offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so you can climb the spiral staircase and take in the surrounding views from the top.

233 Nobska Road, Woods Hole, Falmouth, friendsofnobska.org

Race Point Lighthouse, Provincetown

Getting to the lighthouse requires quite a hike (four miles round trip, to be exact) through soft sand and sea grass. But the trail goes along the picturesque seashore, and the view makes it significantly less taxing. Although tours have been cancelled for the 2021 season, they’re typically offered on the first and third Saturdays of the month from June-October. Plan your day with enough time to walk there and back—or, if you have an ATV, you can take that down the path instead. (Plus, pre- and post-COVID, the Keeper’s House at the lighthouse is also open for overnight stays).

Race Point Road, Provincetown, racepointlighthouse.org

Sankaty Head Light, Siasconset, Nantucket

The Sankaty Head Lighthouse, a picture-perfect red-and-white-striped tower on the east edge of Nantucket, sits on a 7-acre stretch of bluff perfect for exploring. Bring your dog, pack, and picnic, and try to go on one of the two days a year the lighthouse is open for climbing. The best way to visit the light? On the Sconset Bluffs Walk, widely regarded as the most beautiful stroll on the island. The picturesque public footpath takes you from downtown Sconset to the Sankaty Head Light, right along the bluffs and behind lavish oceanfront homes.

122 Baxter Road, Siasconset, Nantucket, sconsettrust.org

Neapolitan-style pizza topped with pepperoni and basil comes with a small side bowl of honey garnished with edible purple flowers.

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boston lighthouse tours

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Why harvard university is failing at everything, new restaurants to try in boston, march 2024, diana dizoglio won’t back down, on the market: a dreamy architectural wonder in weston, mass., in this section.

Boston Light

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Top ways to experience Boston Light and nearby attractions

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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Boston Light - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Boston Harbor Lighthouse

Boston Harbor lighthouse

Boston, Massachusetts Built in 1716

On Little Brewster Island marking the entrance to Boston Harbor. Tours are offered to cruise pass the island and park tours are available to get on the island and explore the lighthouse during the summer months.

Latitude: 42° 19' 42" N Longitude: 70° 53' 24" W

Historic Stories:

Boston Light Station is the oldest lighthouse in the country, however, technically the tower itself is the second oldest because it had to be rebuilt in 1783.

In 1716, the Colony of Massachusetts Bay constructed and lit the first light tower in the "New World" overlooking Boston Harbor. At this time there were only 70 lighthouses in existence on earth.  

In 1719, the nation’s first fog signal, a canon, was created and used on Little Brewster Island until it was eventually replaced by a 1375-pound fog bell operated by clockwork machinery in 1851.

Tragedies at Boston Lighthouse In the Early Years

The first light Keeper was George Wothrylake. On a cold November day, in 1718, he was heading back to the lighthouse on a sloop from Boston after collecting his pay and gathering supplies with his wife Anne, his daughter Ruth, his servant George Cutler, and a friend, John Edge. His other daughter Ann, and a friend, Mary Thompson, watched from shore. The seas were choppy from the gusts of wind that were kicking up from an approaching storm. The sloop was anchored a distance from the lighthouse. As a canoe was sent out to bring the five passengers back to the lighthouse, the wind picked up and forced the little boat to capsize from the weight of the six passengers, spilling them into the freezing waters and drowning all.

At the same time a young 12-year old Benjamin Franklin, was encouraged by his brother to put his locally known writing skills in creating a poem based on the disaster. Franklin wrote a poem called “The Lighthouse Tragedy” and made copies to sell on the streets of Boston.

The second keeper, Robert Saunders, drowned just days after taking the job.

boston light b&w

The third keeper John Hayes asked that "a great gun be placed on the Said Island to answer ships in a fog." He was granted his request but the tasks related to maintaining the cannon were added to his duties without an increase in pay. Hayes protested and the Council increased his pay to 70 pounds, as long as he didn't attempt to make any money entertaining guests on the island. The cannon was the first colonial fog signal.

A nasty fire occurred at the lighthouse lantern room in early 1720 when a couple open fire oil lamps tipped over and set a wooden bench nearby on fire. Repairs were completed in a couple months, but the Council blamed Hayes for the accident and held back his pay until he came to provide an adequate explanation. After hearing his explanantion of trying to put out the fire, the Council concluded that the fire started not out of neglect on the keeper's part and granted him back his pay.

In the mid-1700’s when lightning struck the tower a number of times, a lighting rod was originally approved for installation, but was hampered at first by local religious individuals who didn’t want to interfere with the acts of God. A lightning conductor was eventually placed on the tower in the 1770s, it was one of many inventions developed by Ben Franklin.

Boston Light During the American Revolution

The lighthouse was the scene of several important battles during the Revolution, as the British occupied it as a strategic post. First, the Colonial Minutemen set fire to the lighthouse in July 1775 to strike back at the British blockade, which was created after the "Boston Tea Party" where Colonists were in revolt because of taxes imposed upon them. The fire was not as effective as hoped, and was quickly repaired. 

General George Washington sent a second raiding party to the island, catching the British by surprise, and set fire to everything they could find. As the men were performing their orders on the island, the tide had gone out and stranded them as they were set to leave. As they tried to move their boats over rocks to escape, they found themselves in front of a small British flotilla that had just arrived and a battle ensued. Although the British outnumbered the Colonials, Washington's men caused severe damage to one of the British vessels as cannon shots fired from nearby Nantasket destroyed one vessel, causing the small fleet to retreat. The small Colonial troop only lost one man in the battle.

On June 13, 1776, armed Colonials fired upon the British blockaders on the island, driving most of them away. One British vessel was left anhored at Little Brewster Island, and those British soldiers, before retreating, set gunpowder in the lighthouse and blew it up.

During the War of 1812, on a summer day in 1813, lighthouse keeper Jonathan Bruce and his wife Mary watched from their station on Little Brewster Island, the battle between the American Navy’s U.S.S. Chesapeake and the English warship HMS Shannon , in which Captain Lawrence of the Chesapeake was known to have made his famous cry "Don’t give up the ship!" as his ship was rendered helpess and was boarded by British troops. The Chesepeake lost the battle and Captain Lawrence was killed in the fight.

In the mid-1840’s, Keeper Tobias Cook set up a cigar factory on Brewster Island next to the lighthouse. Here he employed young women to manufacture what he called "Spanish Cigars". It was an effort to deceive Boston smokers into thinking that the cigars were imported. These poor women toiled under what are considered miserable conditions under Cook. He was removed from duty when he was later discovered by authorities in 1849.

Shipwrecks and Rescues By Boston Harbor Lghthouse

Around Little Brewster Island through the years there were many shipwrecks, and daring rescues made by lighthouse keepers, and by the life saving station at Point Allerton, located at the end of a long peninsula on the mainland in Hull. The station was about 2 miles across the shipping channel from the lighthouse and the island, most ships would have to come through this channel to safely enter Boston Harbor. During many storms signals were coordinated by the keeper of Boston Light, and the lifesavers of Hull, as the keeper's main job was to maintain the light burning, where the lifesavers were specially trained in rescues. 

A little over 750 yards away from the lighthouse is a group of jagged rock formations known as Shag Rocks. This deadly outcrop of rocks were one of the main reasons for the initial construction of Boston Light at its location on Little Brewster Island nearby, to steer mariners away from these jagged rocks to the safety of the harbor.

The Rescue of the Maritana By the Hull Lifesavers The worst tragedy in Boston Harbor occurred when the massive square rigger ship, the Maritana was caught in a fierce November storm in 1861, of gale force winds and blinding snow, and became wedged on Shag Rocks around 1:00 A.M on November 3. Around 8:30 that morning the storm and breaking waves were too much for the vessel and it broke in two, sending many of its crew and passengers into the icy waters. Only twelve surviviors were able to climb onto the pinnacle-like rocks and wait to be rescued. 

Because the storm was so deadly, Keeper Moses Barrett was unable to leave his post the following morning when he saw the wreck, and tried to signal the Hull Lifesavers, who did not see the flag through the blinding snow until later that afternoon when the storm started to dissipate. The lifesavers from Point Allerton were finally able to rescue all twelve survivors, but 26 people drowned in the Maritana tragedy. 

Keeper Thomas Bates Rescue of the Fanny Pike Keeper Thomas Bates was promoted to Keeper of Boston Light after rescuing the keeper of Minot's Ledge Lighthouse, and other rescues. On a severe winter storm in January 31, 1882, he saw the coal schooner  Fanny Pike get caught in a storm and was driven on Shag Rocks. The ship broke in two, with half her hull quickly sinking, but the crew were able to stay on the wreck. Keeper Bates along with the help of his assistants, Charles Pochaska and George G. Bailey, along with a young fisherman who lived on the island, was able to row out and safely rescue all survivors without any tragedy.

Rescue of the Calvin F. Baker By Hull Lifesavers    During one of the worst storms of the century of hurricane force winds and blinding snow on November 26-28, 1898, known as the "Portland Gale" for the lives lost of the steamer that sank during the storm. The schooner Calvin F. Baker was sailing from Baltimore to Boston with a load of coal and was blown onto the northern end of Little Brewster Island at 3:00 a.m. on November 27th. It grounded about 75 yards from the rocky shore, near Boston Harbor Lighthouse. The storm was relentless and the crewmembers could only hold on to the rigging and wait for a break in the storm to be rescued.

Keeper Pingree was unable to leave his station with the intensity of the storm and its fierce winds engulfing the area, and he had no adequate equipment or lifeboat strong enough to enter the churning waters. He was able to put out a distress signal to the Hull lifesavers of Point Allerton, but they too were unable to risk going out in open waters until the storm finally calmed somewhat on the following morning of November 28th.

With the help of the tug Ariel , Captain Joshua James of the lifesavers, along with members of his crew and some volunteers, were towed across the open waters, to about a quarter mile from shore as the seas were still heaving. They launched their surfboat and rowed with all their might to rescue the crew of the Calivin F. Baker who were literally frozen on the rigging on what was left of the wreck, and barely alive. Five crewmembers were rescued and survived, two others were swept off the deck and drowned, and one crewmember froze to death. Becuse of the ferocity of this historic storm, it took 30 hours to finally rescue the crew.

Keeper Jennings Rescues Survivors of the Wreck of the U.S.S. Alacrity One of the most daring rescues by a Boston lighthouse keeper involved the rescue of the U.S.S. Alacrity by Keeper Charles H. Jennings. On February 3, 1918, the U.S.S. Alacrity was wrecked on the ice-covered ledges off Little Brewster Island just before daybreak during a winter storm. Jennings realized that time was critical and fearing the wreck could slip off the ledge and sink immediately, he decided to attempt the rescue with his crew before putting up the distress signal to the lifesaving station in Hull.

He had some lifesaving equipment given to him by the Massachusetts Humane Society, and one was a canon like Lyle gun to shoot a line to a wreck. However, after four failed attempts, Jennings decided to grab his wooden dory and brought it down to the shore. Then, along with the help of two local sailors visiting him, whose last names were Hero and Harvey, they launched the dory over the ice and into the churning surf.

Twenty-four men, were clinging to the wreck in the freezing February temperatures, as the tenacious keeper and his crew dragged the boat over and between ice flows and finally reached near the wreck. Finally, after a number of attempts, they were able to secure a line to the survivors. After four time-consuming heroic trips from the wreck to the shore in the small boat, Keeper Jennings was able to sucessfully rescue all twenty-four men of the U.S.S. Alacrity , without any lives lost.

boston light on little brestwer island

Boston Harbor lighthouse was the first to be constructed to be operated by appointed keepers, and it was the last lighthouse to be automated in 1998. It had more than 60 keepers tending it during its series.

In 2013, Boston Harbor Lighthouse was chosen as one of a series of five New England lighthouses, painted by artist Howard Koslow, for the "Forever" stamp collection sold at all US Postal stations.

Today, Boston Harbor Lighthouse is the only beacon in the nation that retains an official keeper. Her name is Sally Snowman and she maintains the lighthouse 7 months of every year, and the rest of the time, she visits the island about once a month to ensure that everything is in fine working order. She dresses in colonial period costume for visitors each summer season, and is directly involved in recruiting, training, and scheduling Boston Light’s 70 auxiliary volunteers. She is also the 70th keeper at the beacon, and its first woman keeper.

On September 14, 2016, Boston Light celebrated its 300th anniversary.

Places to Visit Nearby:

The waterfront also offers an outdoor museum for visitors to explore the Nation’s oldest Naval ship, the USS Constitution (Old Ironsides).

Boston offers plenty of cultural and diverse events for any tourist.

The Boston Harbor Island Park Service in coordination with the newly formed Boston Harbor Now alliance, have developed an exciting 2-hour narrated tour involving the maritime history of Boston Harbor. Visitors can get close up views of Graves Lighthouse, Long Island Head Lighthouse, and the famous Boston Harbor Lighthouse on Little Brewster Island.

Note: Currently (2023) the Boston Harbor Lighthouse tower is closed to the public, so their are no lighthouse tower tours on Little Brewster Island, as the building is undergoing necessary repairs from winter storms .

Boston is one of the largest cities on the east coast with plenty of rich history; you can take guided walking tours to Boston’s historic places, like the Freedom Trail, or explore the Bunker Hill Monument that marked one of the starting events of the American Revolution.

Visit some of Boston’s 40 museums . Take in some of its cultural and varied events and nightlife to enjoy.

Get involved and hike in the Boston Harborwalk tours, which connects Boston's waterfront to open space networks and various trails surrounding Boston.

Check out Boston's North End, Boston's oldest neighborhood, after visiting Boston Harbor Light and surrounding lighthouses in the harbor from Long Wharf. You'll plenty of Italian cuisine and other ethnic cuisine, and lots of festivals and events year round.

Boston's South End also boasts some incredible restaurants with many buildings displaying elegant Victorian architecture. It too has plenty of ethnic and arts festivals year round.

In addition to musical shows and events, families can learn about musical instruments from musicians. The Museum of Fine Arts is one of the most comprehensive art museums in the world with a collection of nearly 45,0000 works.

The Huntington Theatre Company is Boston’s leading professional theater for those who want to take in a show, or visit a classic show provided by the world famous Boston Ballet . If you love loud, crazy, and let’s say something definitely different, you must see Blue Man Group !

Contact Info:

Boston Harbor Island Park Service 191W Atlantic Ave Boston, MA 02110 Phone: (617) 223-8666

Boston Harbor Now 1 Constitution Road Boston, MA 02129 Phone: (617) 223-8667 Email: [email protected]  

Boston's Waterfront Directions

Directions to boston's rowes wharf for harbor cruises:.

  • Take US Route I-93 North to the Logan Airport I-90)/S. Station exit towards Worcester, Exit #20
  • Continue towards Frontage Road/South Station
  • Bear right towards Kneeland Street/Downtown
  • Continue on Atlantic Avenue
  • Rowes Wharf is on the right.
  • Take Take US Route I-90 East (Massachusetts Turnpike) to the 24 A-B-C/I-93/South station exit towards Concord NH/Quincy.
  • Continue towards South Station, Exit #24A
  • Take US Route I-93 South to the Purchase Street exit, Exit #23
  • At the traffic light, turn left onto Congress Street
  • At the next traffic light, turn left onto Atlantic Avenue

Directions Public Subway Transportation (MBTA):

Take the Blue Line to Aquarium Station

Turn LEFT immediately out of the station Continue on Atlantic Avenue

Rowes Wharf is on the left.

Directions to Boston's Long Wharf for Harbor Cruises

  • Take US Route 93 South to Exit 24A bearing right on off ramp (Government Center).
  • Follow signs to Aquarium Wharf. Boston Harbor Cruises is located between the Aquarium and Marriott Hotel.
  • Take US Route 93 North to Exit 23 (Government Center).
  • Follow signs to Aquarium Wharf.
  • Boston Harbor Cruises is located between the Aquarium and Marriott Hotel

Local Boat Tours For Visitors

Boston Harbor Islands Park Service and Boston Harbor Now Narrated trips by the park rangers are provided with boat trips running every weekend during the summer where visitors can see Boston Harbor Lighthouse, Graves Lighthouse, and Long Island Head Lighthouse. They have been directly involved in the preservation of all 34 islands in the harbor. Boston Harbor Now is the non-profit partner of the Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park. They also offer public ferry service, cultural and recreational activities, etc.

Note: Boston Light is undergoing repairs from damage caused by a series of devastating winter storms, therefore, there are no tours of the lighthouse tower in 2023.

Books to Explore

You'll find this book and my lighthouse tourism books published by Schiffer Books , or they can be found in many fine bookstores like Barnes and Noble .

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New England Lighthouses > Exploring > Boston Area > Boston Harbor Lighthouse

© Allan Wood Photography , not for commercial use, personal use only. Do not reproduce without permission. All rights reserved. Privacy & Disclaimer Statement

Lighthouse best viewed by boat or plane.

Our tour out to Boston Light and Little Brewster Island left from the State Pier near the JFK Library. The tour also included free admission to the presidential library, which is also worth a visit.

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Boston Lighthouse tours

Boston light tours (by the national park service).

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EXPLORE AN ISLAND PARK JUST MINUTES FROM DOWNTOWN BOSTON

The official website of the boston harbor islands.

Made up of 34 islands and peninsulas, Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park is an urban oasis just minutes from Boston’s city center. Hop aboard a park ferry and discover islands rich with opportunities for outdoor recreation, relaxation and learning. Check the park calendar for special events or create your own adventure with our trip planning tools below.

Getting here is half the fun! Explore ferry schedules, view ticket prices, and reserve tickets in advance.

Ferry Schedules

Discover ways to join our community and to give back to your park!

Get Involved

Stay up to date with video content created by park staff about the harbor and islands.

Lion Dance on Spectacle

Mini-Grant Program

Innovation islands.

The Innovation Islands program awards mini-grants of up to $5,000 to local community leaders to design, promote, and facilitate programming on and around the Boston Harbor Islands. Applications are now open through Friday March 8, 2024! Learn more and find out how to apply for a mini-grant for your community.

Upcoming Events

boston lighthouse tours

Stewardship Saturday at World’s End

Come join other park stewards and our partners at The Trustees to help with resource management atop the beautiful drumlins of World’s End!

boston lighthouse tours

Revolutionary Harbor: Women’s History on the Boston Harbor Islands: The Great Brewster Journal

boston lighthouse tours

Revelry and Revolution: An Evacuation Day Harbor Cruise

A Boston Harbor cruise highlighting the real history of the British evacuation of Boston in 1776 with live historical music.

boston lighthouse tours

Stewardship Saturday at Grape Island

Come join park biologists and volunteer stewards for a Stewardship Saturday at Grape Island! Help us control non-native invasive plants and enhance native ecosystems and natural processes in the park.

Silhouette of people against a dark blue sky, looking up at the eclipse.

[Not Quite] Total Eclipse of the Park

Venture to Spectacle Island for an afternoon of solar eclipse viewing from Boston Harbor!

Stewardship Saturday AND Bioblitz at Grape Island

Find your better nature.

Boats moored off of Spectacle Island

Boston Harbor Islands

Mooring information.

Mooring reservations at Spectacle, Georges, and Peddocks Islands are now on Dockwa. Learn more about bringing your boat to the Boston Harbor Islands.

Explore the Islands

Exploring is believing! Of 34 islands and peninsulas that make up Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park, many are accessible by seasonal public ferry service or can be accessed year-round by car or on foot. Islands range from rustic retreats to family-friendly hubs with a range of activities. Hover over the map to learn more about each island destination!

Follow Us @bostonharborislands

Photo gallery.

It's great to be able to get away from the city for a day and experience the outdoors in the harbor just a few minutes by boat from Boston. Will from Dorchester
I feel like I'm walking through history right now! Harbor Discovery Camper
Gorgeous views, quiet vibe, clear waters. Great spot to spend a summer day or weekend. Danielle from Quincy

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boston lighthouse tours

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Lighthouse Tours

Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area

Repeating Event

Type of event, description.

Voyage through maritime history with a special three-lighthouse tour featuring close-up views of Long Island Light, Graves Light, and Boston Light – America’s first light station.

Delve into history as you travel to the edge of Boston Harbor on an exciting 2-hour cruise and encounter three iconic lighthouses, and enjoy onboard narration provided by Boston Harbor Islands park staff and volunteers from the United States Coast Guard. Learn about the maritime traditions of Boston Harbor, enjoy unforgettable views of the park and city, and experience one of the most unique and historically significant ports in the country.

Reservation or Registration: Yes

Image gallery.

A ranger on a boat points to a lighthouse on an island.

IMAGES

  1. Boston Light Lighthouse Tours

    boston lighthouse tours

  2. Boston Lighthouse tours resume for the summer

    boston lighthouse tours

  3. Boston Light on Little Brewster Island. Boston Light is the only

    boston lighthouse tours

  4. Boston Harbor Lighthouse Tour

    boston lighthouse tours

  5. Boston Lighthouse Tour

    boston lighthouse tours

  6. Boston, MA Lighthouse Tours

    boston lighthouse tours

COMMENTS

  1. Lighthouse Tours

    Experience the historic lighthouses of Boston Harbor on a two-hour narrated cruise with Boston Harbor Islands park staff and volunteers. See close-up views of Long Island Light, Graves Light, and Boston Light, America's first light station, and learn about the maritime traditions of the port.

  2. Boston Light Lighthouse Tours

    Lighthouse Tours of Boston Harbor Experience the historic lighthouses of Boston Harbor on our special two-hour narrated cruise! Voyage through maritime history with a special three-lighthouse tour featuring close-up views of Long Island Light, Graves Light, and Boston Light - America's first light station.. Delve into history as you travel to the edge of Boston Harbor on an exciting 2-hour ...

  3. Little Brewster Island and Lighthouse

    Voyage through maritime history with a special three-lighthouse tour featuring close-up views of Long Island Light, Graves Light, and Boston Light - America's first light station. Delve into history as you travel to the edge of Boston Harbor on an exciting 2-hour cruise and encounter three iconic lighthouses, and enjoy onboard narration ...

  4. Boston lighthouses: 12 to visit nearby

    Ned's Point Light. The original lighthouse here dated from the late 1830s, and the current one from a series of moves in the 1890s and early 1900s. It is open to the public for much of the summer ...

  5. 12 of the Prettiest Lighthouses to Visit in Massachusetts

    The 430-ton lighthouse was then lifted and moved back more than 450 feet to a safer, more inland location. The interior of the Highland Light is closed for renovations until 2022, when visitors ...

  6. Boston Light

    SEE BOSTON'S LIGHTHOUSES Take a Lighthouse Tour The historic Boston Light overlooks the sea from Little Brewster Island, casting a light beam 27 miles into the Atlantic. ... in June 1776, as the last of the British were leaving Boston, they blew up the lighthouse (Snowman and Thomson 1999:7, 11, 13-14, 97-100; Snow 1971:44). Boston Light ...

  7. Boston Light

    The Boston Light is the oldest lighthouse site in America, as well as the only manned lighthouse site. In residence in a small house on Little Brewster Island are the lighthouse keeper (Sally) and her husband, as well as 2 members of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary. ... The Boston Light tour was one of the highlights in our recent trip to Boston ...

  8. Boston Harbor Lighthouse Cruise

    Cruise to the edge of Boston Harbor and see three iconic lighthouses: Long Island Light, Graves Light, and Boston Light - America's first light station. Learn about the maritime history and traditions of Boston Harbor on a 2-hour tour with onboard narration and park staff.

  9. Boston Light, Boston

    Boston Light hours of operation: The lighthouse is open for group tours in spring, summer, and fall by advance appointment only.. Buy tickets in advance on Viator. If you book with Viator, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund. Boston Children's Museum.

  10. Boston Harbor Lighthouse Tour

    Boston Harbor Lighthouse Tour - 1:00pm. Experience the lighthouses of Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park with a special three-lighthouse tour. This two-hour cruise will sail past Long Island Light, Graves Light, and Boston Light: America's first light station. Onboard narration provided by staff and volunteers from the National ...

  11. Boston Harbor Lighthouse History, Local Attractions, and Tours

    Note: Boston Light is undergoing repairs from damage caused by a series of devastating winter storms, therefore, there are no tours of the lighthouse tower in 2023. Boston Harbor Island Park Service 191W Atlantic Ave Boston, MA 02110 Phone: (617) 223-8666. Boston Harbor Now 1 Constitution Road Boston, MA 02129 Phone: (617) 223-8667

  12. The BEST Boston Lighthouse tours 2024

    Our most recommended Boston Lighthouse tours. 1. Boston Duck Tour: The Original and World-Famous ...

  13. Boston Harbor Cruise Lighthouse Tours (Local Guide)

    Phone: 617-223-8666. Public Transportation. The Boston Harbor Islands Pavilion is convenient to public transportation. Aquarium State (on the Blue Line) is directly across the Street on the Rose Kennedy Greenway. South Station (on the Red Line and Commuter Rail) is an 15-20 minute walk.

  14. Boston Harbor Lighthouse, Massachusetts at Lighthousefriends.com

    Engraving showing original Boston Lighthouse. As early as 1675, settlers lit bonfires on a hill overlooking Boston Harbor as an aid to navigation, but it wasn't until 1715 that the Colony of Massachusetts Bay spent almost 2,400 British pounds to construct a light tower, the first in the New World. When on September 14, 1716, the beacon from ...

  15. Boston Lighthouse

    Chartered ferry trips and tours are the only way to access the island and tour the lighthouse. Boston Light uses a second-order Fresnel lens. Installed in 1859, the lens is about 11 feet tall and ...

  16. Boston Lighthouse and Outer Harbor Cruise

    Join us for a Boston Lighthouse and Outer Harbor Sightseeing Cruise along the Boston Harbor. See the beautiful views and lighthouses from a whole new perspective. ... Inclusions Departure Point/Entrance Departure Time hour hours 5 hours 4 hours 3 hours 3.5 hours One hour Includes Why take this tour?

  17. Boston Light Tours

    During this unforgettable adventure tour of Boston Light, you'll step directly from the boat into the past. Historic Little Brewster Island is located in the outer reaches of Boston Harbor providing unique views of the city and the surrounding waterways. Established in 1716, the Boston Light is the first and oldest lighthouse station in the ...

  18. Boston Harbor Lighthouse Tours

    Boston Harbor Lighthouse Tours, Boston, Massachusetts. 690 likes · 23 talking about this · 77 were here. Boston Harbor Lighthouse Tours provides a unique sightseeing adventure of Boston Harbor's four...

  19. Little Brewster Island

    Today, Little Brewster Island is an active U.S. Coast Guard navigational aid facility. To view this historic lighthouse or simply take in the beautiful views of the harbor, take a two-hour Boston Harbor Lighthouse Cruise narrated by National Park Service and U.S. Coast Guard staff. Coordinates. 42° 19' 45.6" N 70° 53' 30.5" W.

  20. Boston Harbor Lighthouse Cruise

    Description. Voyage through maritime history with a special three-lighthouse tour featuring close-up views of Long Island Light, Graves Light, and Boston Light - America's first light station. Delve into history as you travel to the edge of Boston Harbor on an exciting 2-hour cruise and encounter three iconic lighthouses, and enjoy onboard ...

  21. Boston Lighthouse Tours

    Boston Light Location: Little Brewster Island, outer Boston Harbor Accessibility: The lighthouse is currently closed for repairs, but boat tours are to be had to the general public thru Boston Harbor Islands. The facility: Lighthouse constructed 1783. Light flashes white each 10 seconds; fog sign is one blast each 30 seconds. Long Island Head Light

  22. Explore National Park

    Made up of 34 islands and peninsulas, Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park is an urban oasis just minutes from Boston's city center. Hop aboard a park ferry and discover islands rich with opportunities for outdoor recreation, relaxation and learning. Check the park calendar for special events or create your own adventure with our ...

  23. Event Details (U.S. National Park Service)

    Tours depart from the Boston Harbor Islands Welcome Center on the Rose Kennedy Greenway (across from the Marriott Long Wharf Hotel and next to the Greenway Carousel). ... Voyage through maritime history with a special three-lighthouse tour featuring close-up views of Long Island Light, Graves Light, and Boston Light - America's first light ...