Lighthouses of Portsmouth and Portland Tour

After leaving the downtown parking garage in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, this van tour starts with a look at the 1874 Cape Elizabeth Lighthouse in Maine, a location made famous by the artist Edward Hopper. Next is a visit to Portland Head Light in Cape Elizabeth, one of the most breathtaking lighthouses in the United States. Time is allotted to walk around the grounds of Maine's oldest lighthouse (1791) and to explore its museum, housed in the former keepers’ quarters. The admission to the museum is included in the tour price.

After leaving Portland Head Light, we'll move on to Spring Point Ledge Light in South Portland, a 55-foot "sparkplug" type lighthouse that was first lighted in May 1897. Lunch (included in ticket price) will be taken by the water at Joe's Boathouse at Spring Point Marina in South Portland.

Following lunch, the tour moves on to Portland Breakwater Light in South Portland. This unique lighthouse, known locally as "Bug Light," is modeled after the Greek Choragic Monument of Lysicrates, built in the fourth century B.C.

We'll start heading back south for a shopping stop at Lighthouse Depot, the world's largest lighthouse gift store. We'll then continue to York, Maine, to enjoy the picturesque Cape Neddick "Nubble" Light, one of the most photographed lighthouses in the world.

The last stop is a tour inside Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse in New Castle, New Hampshire. Participants are invited to climb the 44 stairs to the lantern to enjoy the magnificent view (including Whaleback Lighthouse) and to see the active Fresnel lens. The tour returns to the downtown parking garage on Hanover Street in Portsmouth at around 5:30 or 6:00 p.m.

The tour starts at 8.30am and finishes at 6.00pm. The maximum capacity is 5 participants, however 6 can be accommodated if at least one is a child. The tour is not recommended for children under 6 years old.

Join Jeremy D'Entremont, author of six books and hundreds of articles on lighthouse history, for a van tour of some of New England's most beautiful and historic beacons. A portion of the proceeds from all tours is donated to help lighthouse preservation. Jeremy has been photographing and writing about lighthouses for more than 20 years. He is the founder of the Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse, and the historian for the American Lighthouse Foundation. He has also lectured on his favorite topic all along the New England coast.