Long Island Lighthouses

- Visit historic Long Island lighthouses

By
Linda Tagliaferro
Linda Tagliaferro
Linda Tagliaferro is a Long Island travel writer who has been published in national newspapers and magazines like The New York Times and Coastal Living.
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Updated on 06/26/19

Long Island, NY features many historic lighthouses, including one commissioned by George Washington. In fact, Suffolk County boasts the most lighthouses of any county in the United States. Read about some of these impressive, soaring structures that grace the shores of the island and are open to the public.

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Fire Island Lighthouse

Walter Bibikow/Getty Images

On Fire Island's west end, east of Robert Moses State Park, the Fire Island Lighthouse was first opened in 1827. Open year-round (closed Christmas, Thanksgiving & Easter) the lighthouse features a museum and gift shop, plus seasonal events like the New Year's Day Hike & Lighthouse Tower Tour, Valentine's Day event, and more offered throughout the year.

Adventure-seeking visitors can buy tickets for tours that lead up the 192 winding steps of the lighthouse tower --daily in summer; on weekends in other seasons.

You can even hold your wedding ceremony on the terrace of the Keepers Quarters (No receptions.)

Fire Island Lighthouse
4640 Captree Island
Captree Island, NY
(631) 661-4876

02 of 05

Horton Point Lighthouse

Erik Anestad/Flickr

The Horton Point Lighthouse, first opened in 1857, is located in Southold on Long Island's North Fork. The lighthouse and its nautical museum are open from Memorial Day through the second Monday in October, Saturdays and Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free for children under 12. For current prices for adults, please visit the Horton Point Lighthouse website.

Visit the lighthouse and museum, and bring along a picnic lunch, which you can enjoy in the eight-acre park while taking in the expansive views of Long Island Sound. Walk down 120 steps to the beach or enjoy the nature trail.

More info: Horton Point Lighthouse or call the Southold Historical Society at (631) 765-5500.

03 of 05

Huntington Harbor Lighthouse

kickstand/Getty Images

Built in 1912, the Huntington Harbor Lighthouse was designed in the Beaux Arts style. There are tours during the summer and early fall. The tour starts with a 15-minute boat ride out to the lighthouse. Children must be over 5 years of age to attend. For schedule, ticket price and more information, please go to Huntington Harbor Lighthouse or call (631) 421-1985.

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Long Island's Offshore Lighthouses

Lighthouse

Roger Ressmeyer/Corbis/VCG/Getty Images

There are also a number of lighthouses off the shores of Long Island. Some of them are accessible by cruises offered by organizations like East End Lighthouses, the Long Island chapter of the U.S. Lighthouse Society and Long Island Lighthouse Safaris, Inc.

Continue to 5 of 5 below.
05 of 05

Montauk Lighthouse

ALAN SCHEIN/Getty Images

The oldest --and the first-- lighthouse in all of New York State, the Montauk Lighthouse was opened in 1796 when George Washington was the president of the United States.

Feeling fit? Then climb the 137 iron steps to the top of the lighthouse tower for a spectacular view (March through December )Feeling romantic? You can hold your wedding ceremony at the lighthouse.

Throughout the year, occasional special events take place at the Montauk Lighthouse, including the annual Lighting of the Lighthouse and the annual Christmas at the Lighthouse, both in November.

More info:

Montauk Lighthouse
Montauk, NY
(631) 668-2544