We had never been to this part of the United States before and didn’t know what to expect. We decided to spend an entire week here to drive along the rocky coast, search for great food, and visit the Top Lighthouses in Maine, USA. And we weren’t disappointed in everything we set out to see and do. Our only regret – we didn’t stay long enough.

We flew into Portland, Maine instead of the busy Boston airport. We wanted to end our trip in Portland as it’s a smaller city and easier to fly in and out. There were two “Maine” objectives. To see the coastline with lighthouses and to eat as much lobster as we could. I think we achieved our goal.

Four gorgeous easy-to-find lighthouses

There are more lighthouses in Maine, but we had limited time and chose four that we could drive to throughout the week. Here are the Top Lighthouses in Maine, USA that we think are must-see sites.

Portland Head Light and Fort Williams Park

Located near Portland, in Cape Elizabeth, you’ll find the oldest lighthouse in Maine, Portland Head Light. Construction began in 1787 before the government took over all lighthouses in 1790. Congress funded the finish of the lighthouse which was first used to light the way in 1791. You can visit the grounds and gift shop at the lighthouse’s base and walk along the coastline for gorgeous photo opportunities.

If you have time, Fort Williams Park, a 90-acre park, is a great place to wander and have a picnic or see the ruins of some of the buildings finished in 1906.

You can find more information at the Portland Head Light Website and a webcam to see current conditions and view.

Cape Neddick Lighthouse or also known as Nubble Lighthouse

The Cape Neddick Lighthouse located south of Portland in York, Maine is built on a small island, also known as a “Nubble.” Construction began in 1874 and was first used in 1879. Its beacon can be seen up to 13 miles from the coastline. The last keeper that lived on the island left in 1989, and the lighthouse is now automated. We timed our visit for sunset, which cast a warm glow over the island and structures. You can find more information on this website.

Portland Breakwater Lighthouse, also known as Bug Light

Portland Breakwater Lighthouse located in South Portland was first built in 1855. It was dubbed Bug Light because of its small size at 26 feet tall. It sits at the end of the breakwater before entering Portland Harbor. The breakwater was extended and the original wooden structure was rebuilt with curved iron panels and has a Gothic Architecture style. You can read more about the lighthouse here.

Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse

Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse is a short drive from Bug Light. Located on the breakwater at Southern Maine Community College in South Portland, the lighthouse has been in operation since 1897. It took us a while to traverse the large limestone boulders leading to the lighthouse. But it was well worth the time and effort. Make sure you wear good shoes as you make your way to the lighthouse. You can find out more information on the official website here.

We will definitely vacation again in Maine and search out more wonderful lighthouses, lobster rolls, and friendly people. It’s a beautiful part of the United States. For more travel ideas please visit other topics on our site or submit your own experiences.