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Lighthouse · Portland, Maine
Portland Head Light
The oldest lighthouse in Maine, first lit in 1791 on the rocks of Cape Elizabeth at the entrance to Casco Bay. It’s located in Fort Williams Park, with seaside paths and a museum in the lighthouse keeper’s house.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Portland Head Light
Portland Head Light was first lit on January 10, 1791, after being built with funds from the newly created federal government, and is the oldest lighthouse in Maine. The whitewashed stone tower is about 24 meters tall and remains operational, guiding ships into Casco Bay toward the port of Portland. The keeper’s house, from 1891, with its red roof, completes the most familiar view.
The lighthouse sits in Fort Williams Park, on the grounds of a former artillery fort that guarded the harbor entrance until the mid-20th century. The park has lawns, ruins of the commander’s mansion, gun batteries and paths along the rocks, with views of the open sea and the bay’s island lighthouses.
In the keeper’s house, a small museum displays lenses, documents and objects used by the keepers who kept the light burning for two centuries. The tower is not usually open for climbing, except on special dates.
Cruise ships and fishing boats pass close to the shore when entering the harbor, and in summer there are boat tours from Portland that view the lighthouse from the water.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
One to two hours for the museum and the park paths.
Best time
Early morning, with the sun lighting the tower from the sea side and fewer people. The museum is open in season, generally from late spring through fall; the park is open year-round. On foggy days the lighthouse can disappear from view, but the foghorn is operational.
How to get there
It’s about 7 km from downtown Portland, in Cape Elizabeth, via Shore Road. There is parking at the park. City buses reach Cape Elizabeth on limited schedules, and in summer tourist trolley tours include the lighthouse. The museum charges an entrance fee; check the current rates.
Tip
Walk south across the lawn to the overlook above the rocks: from there you get the classic view of the lighthouse with the keeper’s house. Bring a jacket, as it can be quite windy even in summer.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Portland Head Light
Can you climb the Portland Head Light?
Generally no: the tower only opens on special dates. The museum in the keeper’s house and the paths of Fort Williams Park are open in season.
When was Portland Head Light built?
It was first lit in January 1791 and is the oldest lighthouse in Maine.
How do you get to Portland Head Light from Portland?
By car it’s about 15 minutes via Shore Road in Cape Elizabeth. There are also summer trolley tours and city buses with limited schedules.