If you’re the kind of person who can’t resist a good ocean view, a salty breeze, and a cool photo spot, this road trip is calling your name.
Massachusetts is packed with lighthouses, and each one has its own story, its own look, and its own perfect place by the sea.
Some are tucked behind quiet beaches, others sit high on rocky cliffs, and a few are so hidden, you might need a little adventure to find them.
Whether you’re into history, love a good coastal walk, or just want to see some amazing places off the beaten path, this guide is full of stops you won’t want to miss.
1. Plum Island Lighthouse
Plum Island Lighthouse, also called Newburyport Harbor Light, sits at the northern tip of Plum Island in Newburyport.
It was first lit in 1788, making it one of the oldest lighthouses on the East Coast, and its current 50-foot tower dates to 1898.
Today, the light still works and flashes a green light to guide boats into the Merrimack River.
If you’re visiting, you can’t go inside unless it’s during a special tour, but the beach right next to it is an awesome spot for photos, especially at sunset.
2. Eastern Point Lighthouse
Just 55 minutes from Plum Island is Eastern Point Lighthouse, standing behind a long, rocky breakwater that stretches 2,250 feet into the Atlantic.
Built in 1890, this 36-foot white tower still guides ships into Gloucester Harbor, one of the oldest fishing ports in the U.S.
You can’t tour the inside, but walking the breakwater is a blast, and if you’re lucky, you might spot seals sunbathing on the rocks.
Fun fact: The dramatic coastline here inspired artist Winslow Homer, who lived nearby and captured it in his paintings.
3. Marblehead Light
Next up is Marblehead Light, and trust me, this one doesn’t look like your typical lighthouse.
Instead of the usual brick or stone, it’s a 105-foot iron skeleton tower built in 1896.
It’s still an active aid to navigation, showing a fixed green light that guides boats through Marblehead Harbor, which is packed with sailboats in the summer.
All of this sits in Chandler Hovey Park, which is open year-round and has great picnic spots and panoramic views of the harbor.
4. Scituate Lighthouse
A little farther down the coast, Scituate Lighthouse offers a totally different vibe, thanks to its classic white tower and postcard-worthy green lantern room.
Completed in 1811, it’s one of the oldest lighthouses in the state and is famous for the story of the “American Army of Two.”
According to local legend, two teenage girls scared off a British ship during the War of 1812 by loudly playing a fife and drum.
The 25-foot tower isn’t open daily but is occasionally open on special open days.
The grounds are free to explore though, and the rocky shoreline is a fun spot to climb around or watch the waves roll in.
You’ll find it at the end of Lighthouse Road, right in the middle of a quiet residential neighborhood, so it feels more like a hidden gem than a big tourist stop.
5. Plymouth Light
Then there’s Plymouth Light, also called Gurnet Light, which sits just past the entrance to Plymouth Bay on Gurnet Point.
First built in 1768, with the current 39-foot tower dating to 1842, it’s considered the oldest wooden lighthouse still standing in the U.S.
This one’s a bit tricky to reach since it’s on private land and only open during special events, but you can still see it from Duxbury Beach.
Cool fact: The station originally had twin towers, a unique setup that lasted until the second light was taken down in 1924.
6. Nauset Lighthouse
Up next is Nauset Lighthouse, which is probably the most famous lighthouse in Massachusetts and the one featured on the Cape Cod potato chip bag.
It stands 48 feet tall with a bold red-and-white paint job and was moved 300 feet back from the cliff’s edge in 1996 due to coastal erosion.
You’ll find it in Eastham inside Cape Cod National Seashore, and a short walk from the parking lot brings you right up to the lighthouse with sweeping Atlantic views.
If you’re here between May and late October, you can even climb to the top during free tours.
7. Gay Head Light
Last stop on the trip is Gay Head Light on Martha’s Vineyard, which has serious wow factor thanks to its location above the colorful cliffs of Aquinnah.
The current 51-foot red brick tower was built in 1856, while the first lighthouse on this site dates back to 1799, making it the oldest on the island.
Like Nauset, this one was moved inland in 2015 to keep it from falling into the ocean.
Today, tours are offered during the summer season, and even if you don’t go inside, the cliffside views are absolutely worth the ferry ride over.
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