10 Lighthouses You Can Actually Rent

There are many “must-sees” when traveling through the country. If you’re exploring during the fall, you must take a road trip to admire the foliage. If you’re traveling during the holidays, you can’t miss checking out the Hallmark-movie-like towns that you can find in certain areas. And if you want to spend time in nature, you can’t miss the stunning and unbelievably underrated state parks. But before anything else, have you ever thought about touring some lighthouses?

Sure, you can photograph them from afar, but did you know you could actually stay in some of them, too? Once an experience only held by lighthouse keepers, these quaint accommodations right in America are the perfect setting for a weekend away with a loved one or even a solo retreat to recharge your batteries. And don’t worry, you won’t be responsible for guiding ships at sea! Here are 10 of my favorites.

The Inn at Cuckolds Lighthouse, ME

The essence of Maine pulses through every corner of The Inn at Cuckolds Lighthouse in Southport. Accessible only by a private boat, piloted by US Coast Guard-licensed captains, this 124-year-old lighthouse has two private suites, luxuriously furnished with marble bathrooms, locally made mattresses, and Frette bed linens.

Every window presents a breathtaking view of the sea, so you won’t miss a single sunrise or sunset, while two innkeepers are on hand to provide the guest’s gourmet meals every day. We’re talking Maine lobster bakes, high tea, and fine wine while you spot baby seals, deer, eagles, and osprey on the rough private island.

The Lighthouse on Cape d’Or, Canada

Booking your stay at the Lighthouse on Cape d’Or is like getting a VIP pass to the Bay. The lighthouse keeper’s area has been turned into a four-bedroom inn. Guests can reserve single rooms for or the entire property for a fee per night. There’s also a neighboring restaurant. Guest rooms are simplistic yet comfortable, and breakfast and dinner are home-cooked and as locally sourced as possible.

The only tricky part about staying at the Lighthouse on Cape d’Or is deciding which is more astonishing, the view of the Bay from the tower or the panoramic view of the lighthouse set against the steep Nova Scotia cliffs. Keep in mind that the inn only runs from May to November.

Heceta Head Lighthouse, Oregon

Keeping a Lighthouse can get lonely, which is why many lighthouses built prominent keepers’ houses so that the person running it could invite buddies who wanted a place to stay. At Heceta Head Lighthouse, the house has been converted into a bed and breakfast with six rooms to accommodate 15 guests per night. The price range varies by room and the time of the season.

The views are striking, set atop a cliff on the Oregon Coast, where waves crash into the rocks as you dig into some barbeque on the house’s front porch. The lighthouse still operates, and the light has been called the “strongest in Oregon.” So, maybe pack a sleeping mask if you’re looking for a well-rested weekend!

Haig Point Lighthouse, SC

This lighthouse sits in the lavish golf resort at Haig Point, where guests can book their nights before going to one of the top golf courses in the state. Built in 1873, it’s not far from Hilton Head, created initially to help lead ships safely between Point Royal Harbor and the Savannah River.

It now serves as a two-story guest house, complete with a modern kitchen, two bathrooms, air conditioning, a powder room, and two bedrooms with views over the water. You can’t actually get up into the light tower, but the huge front porch makes up for it. When you’re enjoying twilight with a cold beer in a rocking chair, looking out over the water from a historic lighthouse, antique details like old lamps only add to your experience.

Lighthouse Suite at Saybrook Point Inn & Spa, CT

Located on the edge of a pier, the Lighthouse Suite at the Saybrook Point Inn & Spa in Old Saybrook radiates warmth and romance. The recently restored suite features a picture-perfect deck with views of the Connecticut shoreline and Long Island Sound, a wooden writing desk for writing your thoughts, and a spacious living room.

Tourists will love the suite’s nautical blue theme, including starfish lamps and stylishly spread antique binoculars throughout the space. And if staying in the lighthouse wasn’t enough, it’s also one of the rare spots in the world where you can see four other lighthouses on the horizon. The master building of the historic hotel is just a five minute walk away, which offers the advantage of the award-winning restaurant, spa, and pool before going back to the lighthouse for an intimate night.

Saugerties Lighthouse, NY

This striking redbrick lighthouse on the Hudson River was built in 1869 but fell into decay in the mid-20th century. That is until it landed itself a spot on the National Register of Historic Places and gained the funds needed for restoration in 1990.

A few hours north of New York City in Saugerties, the landmark beacon now invites guests for a countryside stay in the bed and breakfast’s two bedrooms, complete with antique coal stoves, tower windows, quilted bedding, and friendly amenities. If the encompassing nature trails and unbelievable views of the Catskills aren’t enough to keep you engaged, take a drive into the small town of Saugerties for some shopping and dining.

East Brother Light Station, CA

From the foghorn to the 19th-century period furniture, a stop at the East Brother Light Station bed and breakfast gives visitors an authentic lighthouse experience. Safely leading mariners in the San Francisco Bay since 1874, services include four keeper’s quarters in the heritage building.

With city skyline scenes as the old foghorn sounds, a visit here will have guests feeling like they are stepping back in time. You can enjoy some gourmet French toast, gazpacho verde, roast chicken with herbs de province, and fresh blueberry pie prepared right on site, and let your mind drift off to sea.

Two Harbors Lighthouse Bed & Breakfast, MN

Whimsical moonlit windows and the sounds of soft waves lull guests to sleep at Two Harbors Lighthouse Bed & Breakfast, one of the oldest functioning lighthouses in Minnesota. The 50ft brick tower has lit the shores of Lake Superior since 1892 but has invited guests for unique visits since 1999.

Travelers sleep comfortably in four rustic rooms and then indulge in candle-lit Scandinavian breakfasts each morning. The property is actually comprised of six structures. Among them, be sure to visit the Assistant Keeper’s building, which features interesting exhibits on the area’s shipwrecks and tons of other historical information on the region.

Rose Island Lighthouse, RI

Can you imagine running away and becoming a lighthouse keeper? Well, you can try just that at the Rose Island Lighthouse in Newport. The “Keepers for the Week or Night” curriculum begins with a one-hour orientation to teach guests the ins and outs of lighthouse administration. Then, you’re on your own! You’ll be responsible for greeting visitors, raising and lowering the flag, managing the wind-powered electricity system, rainwater gathering, keeping tabs on marine weather.

While this sounds like lots of work, you’ll still have plenty of time to explore the 18-acre island and take in views of the sea, but with the added reward of giving back to the beloved landmark. The museum downstairs offers additional accommodations for guests who just want to experience the restored lighthouse without any of the extra work. It’s considered an adventure trip, so be sure to pack a cooler with food and beverages.

Pemaquid Lighthouse, ME

The Pemaquid Lighthouse is on the mainland in the small town of Bristol. While it may not be very secluded, the keeper’s house at the Pemaquid Point Lighthouse is still a homey and very scenic place to be. Visitors stay on the second floor of the keeper’s house in a quaint but cozy apartment with a fully equipped kitchen, one bathroom, one bedroom, a dining area, and a living room. It can sleep two to four people.

Keep in mind that the house’s first floor is home to the Fisherman’s Museum, open daily from 9-5 PM. The Keeper’s House’s apartment is available year-round, but those who book from November to June need to stay a minimum of three nights. The 1835 still active tower is open to the public every day from Memorial to Columbus Day from 1-5 PM, so if you want serenity, book outside of those dates.

Takeaway:

Finding the right place to stay can make or break your vacation. It’s rare to come across lodging so cool you’re compelled to plan an entire trip around it. Lighthouse hotels ARE that cool. Designed to help sailors find safe passage through rough waters, lighthouses take up prized oceanfront real estate where the view is unobscured and mind-blowingly wild. Perhaps it’s the unspoiled view of the sea from a warm bed or even the coziness of a protective tower sheltering you for a weekend away from home.

All you need to do is fall into an isolated, unforgettable experience. You can plan an entire trip around the beacons or see them from a boat on one of the local lighthouse tours available, but the best way to really appreciate American lighthouses is to stay in one. There aren’t that many in that are equipped and allow for overnight stays, so take advantage of our resourcefulness and plan your next trip now!