Lighthouses You Don’t Want To Miss in Cape Cod
Visiting Cape Cod lighthouses offers a glimpse into the region’s rich maritime history, with each lighthouse uniquely positioned to guide sailors along the rugged coastline. There are a variety of lighthouses to visit from the iconic Nauset Lighthouse, which is featured on the Cape Cod chips bag, to the smaller ones like Long Point Light Station at the very tip of The Cape. Visiting these historic structures is a great way to experience Cape Cod’s natural beauty and seafaring heritage.
Wood End Lighthouse
Wood End lighthouse lies between Race Point and Long Point along the Cape Cod seashore. The lighthouse is accessible by foot via the Provincetown Causeway. It is one of three lighthouses you’ll find in Provincetown.
Nobska Point Lighthouse
Nobska Point Lighthouse, built in 1828, stands as a beacon of maritime history, guiding ships through the waters between Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard. Its scenic location offers panoramic views of Vineyard Sound and the surrounding coastal landscape, making it a popular spot for both history buffs and nature lovers.
Nauset Light
Nauset Light, located in Eastham, is one of Cape Cod’s most iconic lighthouses, known for its distinctive red and white striped tower. This is lighthouse that is featured on the bags of Cape Cod chips. It has been guiding ships along the dangerous Outer Cape waters since 1923.
Highland Lighthouse
Highland Lighthouse, also known as Cape Cod Light, is the oldest lighthouse on Cape Cod. The original lighthouse was built in 1797 to guide ships around the Cape’s treacherous shores, but the current lighthouse was built in 1857.
Chatham Lighthouse
Chatham Light stands 48 feet tall and 80 feet above sea level. It is one of the few lighthouses in America that still operates 24 hours a day. Today, the lighthouse is an active duty Coast Guard Station, with a primary mission of Search & Rescue for the safety of the local fishing fleet and recreational boating community.
Long Point Light Station
Long Point Light Station, located at the tip of Provincetown, marks the entrance to Provincetown Harbor and is one of Cape Cod’s more remote lighthouses. The lighthouse is accessible by boat or a very long hike via the Provincetown Causeway and the beach. It’s a peaceful spot for visitors seeking a more secluded lighthouse experience.
Race Point Light Station
Race Point Light sits on a rugged stretch of Cape Cod’s Outer Cape, where the waters of the Atlantic meet the Cape Cod Bay. Originally built in 1816, it has been an essential guide for ships navigating the dangerous waters of the “Race,” the swift current between Cape Cod and the Massachusetts mainland. The lighthouse is accessible by a long walk down the beach or by driving with an off-road vehicle.
Three Sisters Lighthouse
The Three Sisters Lighthouses, located in Eastham, are a trio of small, distinctive beacons originally built in 1838 to guide ships safely along the Outer Cape. These charming towers, now part of the Cape Cod National Seashore, are placed in their original orientation on a plot of land on Cable Road.
EKKk! My hometown area.. love the Cape.. Nauset is my fav spot on your list- and there are a couple I have not visited! Goals for 2025
I had a goal to see lighthouses in the Cape last year and I did a winter trip and it was the best thing ever. I’ll need to brave the traffic soon to experience them in the summer months when I can actually climb some!
I saw Nauset Lighthouse and immediately recognized it from the Cape Cod chips bag! I grew in Massachusetts but moved away when I was 27 and now that I’m back on the East Coast, I really want to see more of the state like Cape Cod! Great ideas for my summer road trip home!
I love that you recognized it form the Cape Cod chips bag!! I managed to squeeze in a handful of trips last year to the Cape, but I definitely have so much more to explore!
The lighthouses in Cape Cod are among the best in the U.S.! Something so romantic about them!
They’re definitely some charming New England lighthouses! Cape Cod is such a treasure.
Cape Cod has been on my bucket list for years. Your article has inspired me to book the trip! Looks like the perfect long weekend getaway!
It’s definitely a great spot for a weekend getaway!!
I have a fascination with lighthouses and you have a fabulous list for me to plan my holidays in Cape Cod. I hope to visit Nobska Point Lighthouse and Highland Lighthouse – they both look extra special to me.
Those are both great lighthouses. In December I went to Nobska Point Lighthouse’s holiday open house and there was a band playing inside the lighthouse and we got to enjoy some treats inside the newly renovated Keepers House.
I haven’t had a chance to visit Cape Cod yet, but it’s definitely on my list. I read a few great fiction novels set on the Cape, so I definitely want to visit it one day and see things for myself. It’s great to know there are lots of interesting lighthouses there. I will make sure to explore them.
Lots of lighthouses and miles of beaches to explore in Cape Cod. Plenty of cute little towns to visit as well!