TOUR TEN OF MAINE’S OBSCURE LIGHTHOUSES
Looking for things to do in Maine this summer? Join us for a coastal lighthouse cruise departing from Bath, and see so many of the wonderful things Maine has to offer in addition to lighthouses—cool birds, lobster buoys, seals, oyster farms, and more!
Our favorite lighthouse if we had to choose? The Kennebec Range Lights—Hidden Gems of the Maine Coast
Everyone knows that Maine is known for its lighthouses, dotting the rocky coastline from York to Eastport. Portland Head Light, a grand white tower at the entrance to Casco Bay, is our most iconic lighthouse and indeed the oldest—commissioned by founding father George Washington himself. Visiting Portland Head Light is not only a rite of passage for Maine residents, it’s a must-stop of tourists and lighthouse enthusiasts. But did you know there are more than 60 lighthouses in Maine? We’re here to help you cross ten off your list and have a real Maine adventure in the process!
SEE LIGHTHOUSES AS THEY WERE MEANT TO BE SEEN—FROM THE WATER
On one of our most beloved cruises, Lighthouse Lovers, we take you down the Kennebec River, around Fort Popham and by Pond Island, all the way over to Ram Island, around Boothbay and Southport Island, then back up the Sasanoa River. You’ll see (weather permitting) 10 of Maine’s most iconic lighthouses: Doubling Point Light, Kennebec Range Lights, Squirrel Point Light, Perkins Island & Light, Pond Island & Light, Seguin Island & Light, Cuckolds Light, Ram Island Light, Burnt Island Light, and Hendricks Head Light. Imagine yourself to be at the helm of one of Maine’s many great ships, navigating the inlets, rivers, and coves, looking to the lighthouses to navigate yourself safely home.
All of this from the comfort of our 50-passenger tour boat, Merrymeeting. These cruises are not only accessible by manual wheelchairs, snacks and adult beverages are available for purchase on board. Folks are also welcome to bring their own picnics, or enjoy a pizza along the waterfront at Flight Deck Pizza & Beer Garden before departing. Parking at Maine Maritime Museum is free and easy, with a spacious parking lot, drop-off circle, and plenty of spots to accommodate Handicap plates and electric vehicles.
Board the Merrymeeting
Cruises leave daily from mid-May to late October. Tickets to the cruise you’re dreaming of are on sale now!
GOING DEEPER ON LIGHTHOUSE HISTORY
Navigation aboard our Merrymeeting cruises includes a joyful amount of history and wildlife observation, but to get the real scoop on the history of lighthouses, stop by Into the Lantern: A Lighthouse Experience, a full-scale replication of the Cape Elizabeth Two Lights lighthouse tower lantern room, allows visitors to see the original second-order Fresnel lens from the east tower at Two Lights and experience the environment of the lantern room through time-lapse video projections featuring a panorama of the Gulf of Maine that changes with the weather and seasons. In this permanent exhibit, get up-close to a Second Order Fresnel lens, and learn about the life of a lighthouse keeper, and how the management of lighthouses have changed over time as navigation technology improves. This one-of-a-kind immersive lighthouse exhibit is a must-visit for any and all lighthouse enthusiasts. Stop by the gallery before your lighthouse cruise, or come for a complimentary second day of admission within a week of your visit.
Into the Lantern: A Lighthouse Experience
Our maritime history building is open year-round from 9:30 am–5:00 pm and is home to excellent exhibits like this one, all about lighthouses.
