Two young sisters once fooled a whole ship’s crew into turning back, using nothing but a fife and a drum. That story belongs to a Massachusetts lighthouse, and this one made me do a double take.
The Bay State’s coast is full of fun moments just like that. One tower was moved back from a crumbling cliff, and another traveled by barge the whole way to a new town.
A few of these beacons even let you climb right up into the lantern room for the view. The rest make a lovely backdrop for a beach walk, a ferry ride, or a lazy summer afternoon picnic.
I’ve got a favorite, and I’m not sorry, but picking only one still feels a little unfair. These lighthouses have way more stories than their old keepers had candles.
1. Scituate Lighthouse
Forget cannons, because the most famous defense of this harbor involved a fife, a drum, and two quick-thinking sisters. During the War of 1812, the keeper’s daughters played those instruments to make a British crew think troops were nearby.
History remembers them as the Army of Two, and the legend still steals the show here. The lighthouse itself dates to 1811, which makes it one of the oldest in Massachusetts.
Take a good look at the tower and you’ll notice it has a slightly unusual shape. Builders added 15 feet in 1827 so sailors could spot the light from farther away.
The newer upper section sits on top of the original granite base, giving it a stacked look. It’s easy to see why photographers love lining up shots from the nearby rocks.
Speaking of rocks, two jetties stretch out from the area, and you can walk out onto them. Bring sturdy shoes, since stones near the water can be uneven or slick.
A small beach sits close by, and fishing boats often pass through the harbor. Early risers get a special treat, because the spot faces the water for sunrise views.
The light got a big restoration and shone again in August 2024. The grounds stay open to visitors from dawn to dusk, while the Scituate Historical Society hosts occasional open houses inside.
Parking is free, which leaves more money for snacks in town afterward. Not a bad deal for a lighthouse with its own war story.
Address: 100 Lighthouse Rd, Scituate, MA 02066.
2. Nobska Lighthouse
Few parking spots on Cape Cod come with a view of two bodies of water and an island. Nobska sits on a bluff where Buzzards Bay meets Vineyard Sound, and the scenery stretches toward Martha’s Vineyard.
On a clear day, you can also pick out the Elizabeth Islands across the water. Ferries and boats come and go from nearby Woods Hole, so the view rarely sits still.
A light has guarded this point since 1828. The current tower went up in 1876, and it stands 40 feet tall in white cast iron with a black lantern.
It’s still an active aid to navigation, so the beam you see at night is doing real work. That’s a nice reminder that these towers aren’t just pretty decorations.
The keeper’s house next door now serves as a museum. During the summer season, guided tours let you climb the tower and explore the house.
Planning to bring little ones up the spiral stairs? Kids must be at least 45 inches tall to climb, so check heights before you promise the top.
Hours for tours are limited, so look them up before you drive over. The grounds stay open from dawn to dusk year-round for a quick look.
Parking is tight, with room for only a handful of cars at the lot. A small trail across the street offers another angle on the shifting coastline.
Address: 233 Nobska Rd, Falmouth, MA 02543.
3. Nauset Lighthouse
If you’ve ever reached into a bag of Cape Cod potato chips, you’ve already met this lighthouse. The red and white tower on the bag is Nauset, and it looks just as cheerful in person.
Here’s a fun twist, though. The cast-iron tower was first built in Chatham in 1877, then moved to Eastham in 1923.
It replaced the famous Three Sisters lighthouses that once stood nearby. So the snack bag star actually started its career in another town.
Moving once wasn’t enough for this traveler. By 1996, erosion had pushed the cliff edge too close, so the tower was shifted about 300 feet inland.
The grounds are open year-round, and a short walk from the parking area brings you right up to it. Signs along a little path share the station’s history as you go.
Want to go inside? The Nauset Light Preservation Society runs free tours on Sundays from May through late October, plus Wednesdays in July and August.
Tours include a climb up the tower and a peek into the nearby oil house. From the top area, the Atlantic spreads out in a big blue sheet.
Nauset Light Beach waits right below the bluff with dunes and ocean views. Seasonal restrooms and outdoor showers make it easy to turn a quick stop into a beach afternoon.
Just pack some chips for the ride. It feels only fair.
Address: 120 Nauset Light Beach Rd, Eastham, MA 02642.
4. Highland Lighthouse
Tallest and oldest is a pretty strong resume for any lighthouse. Highland Light holds both titles on Cape Cod, so it’s no wonder people call it the Cape’s big boss of beacons.
The white tower sits in North Truro within the Cape Cod National Seashore. Its high perch above the Atlantic makes the view feel enormous before you even start climbing.
And yes, you can climb it. The tower is open for visits, and the reward at the top is a sweeping look across the ocean and the national seashore.
Tours here have a reputation for being fun and full of history. Expect to learn a lot about the station while catching your breath on the way up.
A short walk from the parking lot gets you to the lighthouse. That makes it an easy add-on if you’re already exploring the Outer Cape.
History fans should save time for the nearby museum. It’s set in a building from around 1907 and showcases objects and papers from Truro’s past.
A gift shop on site sells lighthouse souvenirs, so the postcard problem is solved. A golf course sits right next door if someone in your group packed clubs.
During its 2026 tour season, from May 4 through October 15, Highland Lighthouse was open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM, subject to staffing.
Arriving on the earlier side can help you beat busier afternoon hours.
Address: 27 Highland Light Rd, North Truro, MA 02652.
5. Sankaty Head Lighthouse
That bold red stripe makes Sankaty Head look like it dressed up for a party. The striped tower has stood on a bluff on eastern Nantucket since 1850.
Getting there means heading out toward the village of Siasconset, often shortened to Sconset. The drive or bike ride across the island is part of the fun.
Once you arrive, a pleasant walk leads up to the lighthouse. Ocean views open up along the way, and the setting feels calm and wide open.
Golfers will notice a course spreading out nearby. So you get crashing surf on one side and neat green fairways on the other.
Look down near the tower and you’ll spot a large medallion set into the ground. It shares bits of the light’s history, along with informative signs nearby.
Those signs are worth reading, since this tower has quite a story. Like other lights on this list, it faced a serious erosion threat from the bluff.
The Sconset Trust looks after the site today. Its work helps keep this landmark standing proud for future visitors.
Plan for a relaxed stop rather than a big tour. Bring a camera, a light jacket for ocean breezes, and maybe a snack for the bluff.
Pair it with Brant Point in town and you’ve got a two-lighthouse island day. Not bad for one ferry ticket.
Address: Baxter Rd, Siasconset, MA 02564.
6. Brant Point Lighthouse
Nine tries is a lot for anything, but Brant Point kept going. The current tower, built in 1901, is the ninth light station on this spot since colonial times.
Fire, storms, and changing needs kept forcing rebuilds over the years. You have to admire a site that refuses to quit.
Ferry riders get the best welcome on Nantucket. The little tower greets boats entering the harbor, and it’s an easy walk from the ferry pier.
That makes it perfect for day-trippers who don’t want to rent a car. Step off the boat, stretch your legs, and you’re there in a short stroll.
Don’t expect a towering giant here. The lighthouse is small and charming, which is part of why so many people love photographing it.
A cute little beach sits right beside it. Grab a spot on the sand and watch ferries and boats glide in and out of the harbor.
Families with kids will like how simple this stop is. There’s no big climb, just sand, water, and a picture-ready view.
Timing your visit around ferry arrivals adds a little drama. Seeing a big boat pass that close to the tower makes for a fun snapshot.
Afterward, wander back toward town for lunch or shopping. It’s a sweet start or finish to any Nantucket outing.
Address: Easton St, Nantucket, MA 02554.
7. Edgartown Harbor Lighthouse
Some lighthouses get built where they stand, but this one arrived by barge. The current cast-iron tower came from Ipswich and was set up here in 1939.
Why the move? The original 1828 lighthouse was already scheduled for replacement.
Then the 1938 hurricane damaged its foundation and walkway.
That first light had its own quirks. It stood on a small artificial island, and at first keepers could only reach it by boat.
In 1830, a wooden walkway connected it to shore. People nicknamed it the Bridge of Sighs, which sounds far more dramatic than a boardwalk deserves.
Nature eventually solved the access problem. Sand built up around the causeway, so now you can simply walk out on a sandy path.
It’s a short walk from downtown Edgartown, which makes this an easy stop between shops and lunch. The harbor-side path offers views of Chappaquiddick and the water.
The Martha’s Vineyard Museum manages the lighthouse. From mid-June through early October, paid tours let you climb the spiral stairs to the lantern room.
Early birds should know the beach here is a lovely sunrise spot. A morning walk with the tower glowing in soft light is hard to beat.
The tower is small, but its story packs a punch. Not many lighthouses can say they changed towns and still found the perfect home.
Address: 121 N Water St, Edgartown, MA 02539.
8. Derby Wharf Light Station
Salem might be famous for witches, but its harbor has a much friendlier icon. At the very end of Derby Wharf sits a short, square light station built in 1871.
Square is the key word here. Most lighthouses are round towers, so this boxy little beacon stands out right away.
It belongs to Salem Maritime National Historical Site, which protects the city’s seafaring past. The station is the only original structure still standing on the wharf.
Back in the day, it was one of four lights that helped sailors find their way into Salem. That’s a lot of responsibility for something so compact.
Getting there is easy and kind of relaxing. The walk out along the wharf leads you straight over the water to the light.
Photographers love this stroll, especially with boats in the harbor behind the station. Sunrise adds soft colors that make even quick phone shots look great.
Bring a fishing pole if you like casting a line. The area is known as a good fishing spot, especially early in the morning.
The wharf stays open around the clock, so timing is flexible. Pair it with a stroll through Salem’s historic waterfront for a full afternoon.
It’s a great pick for a Massachusetts day trip when you’d rather skip ferries and long drives. Small lighthouse, easy walk, long history.
Address: Derby Wharf, Salem, MA 01970.
9. Neds Point Lighthouse
Thirty-two granite steps, zero mortar, and somehow they’ve held up since the 1800s. Inside Neds Point, a cantilevered staircase is set right into the tower wall.
The lighthouse was commissioned in 1837 and first lit in 1838. Its tower stands 39 feet tall, overlooking Buzzards Bay in Mattapoisett.
Outside, the lighthouse sits in a peaceful park that feels made for lazy afternoons. Picnic areas and plenty of benches give you lots of spots to settle down.
Pack lunch, because this is a picnic place through and through. The grassy grounds are known for staying clean and well kept.
Got a kite gathering dust in the garage? Breezes off the bay make this a favorite spot for flying one.
Sailboats and other boats drift across the water, so there’s always something to watch. Kids and grown-ups alike can spend a while just pointing out sails.
History buffs will find plenty to read about the lighthouse on site. The Friends of Neds Point Lighthouse help care for this local treasure.
Parking is free, which makes the day even easier on your wallet. Stick around late, too, because sunsets over the bay are a real treat here.
It’s a laid-back way to wrap up a Massachusetts lighthouse tour. No ferry, no crowds of tour buses, just you, a sandwich, and an old granite staircase keeping its secrets.
Address: 50 Ned’s Point Rd, Mattapoisett, MA 02739.