Connecticut lighthouses and museums offer views of seafaring life

Sail through the islands and lighthouses of the Mystic River and Fishers Island Sound as you discover the natural history and beauty of our maritime world. Cruise aboard the traditional sailing ship Argia for a 2 hour day-sail or sunset sail. Many lighthouses in our area can only be seen from the water. Possible sightings on our regular day-sails include: Morgan Point, North Dumpling, Latimer Reef, Race Rock, New London Ledge, New London Harbor, Watch Hill, and Avery Point. History comes alive in sight, sound and smell from the deck of a moving ship. You may bring your own picnic basket, bottle of wine, or beer. US Coast Guard inspected.

May through mid-October, choose a day or sunset cruise aboard ARGIA!

Have you ever wondered what it’s like looking out over the ocean from the top of a lighthouse? At The Lighthouse Museum in Stonington Borough, you can walk up 29 circular steps and a short ladder and find out! A stunning view of three states, stretching out over the Atlantic Ocean, awaits those who climb up to the top of the museum tower. Constructed in 1840, Stonington Harbor Light was the first lighthouse established by the federal government. These days, the lighthouse, with a keeper’s house and a tower featuring a circular glass lantern, is an engaging museum, operated by the Stonington Historical Society, that celebrates and illuminates the area’s long, proud maritime history – and its history as an agricultural area.

Accessibility: The lighthouse is not open to the public and is best seen by boat. It can be seen distantly from Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven.
The facility: Active U.S. Coast Guard aid to navigation. Lighthouse built in 1877. Light flashes red every five seconds; fog signal is one blast every 15 seconds.

Accessibility: The lighthouse is not open to the public. It is best seen by boat.
The facility: Active U.S. Coast Guard aid to navigation. Lighthouse built in 1906; flashes green every 2.5 seconds.

Accessibility: The ferry to the island is open to Greenwich residents only. The lighthouse is not open to the public and is best seen by boat. The facility: Lighthouse built in 1868. Managed by the Town of Greenwich.

Accessibility: The lighthouse is on the grounds of a power plant and cannot be visited, but it can be seen distantly from some points on shore. A close view is possible from the Bridgeport to Port Jefferson ferry. The lighthouse is not open to the public. The facility: Active U.S. Coast Guard aid to navigation. Lighthouse built in 1895. Light flashes green every four seconds.

Accessibility: Lighthouse is now a museum. Open daily, May 1 – October 31, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The facility: Lighthouses built in 1840. Maintained by the Stonington Historical Society at PO Box 103, Stonington. Telephone is 860-535-1440.

Accessibility: The lighthouse is part of New Haven's Lighthouse Point Park. The grounds are open year-round but the tower is not open on a regular basis. For more information, contact the Lighthouse Point Park rangers at (203) 946-8790. The facility: Lighthouse built in 1847.

Accessibility: The lighthouse grounds are accessible from a parking area at the end of Barnum Boulevard at Seaside Park in Bridgeport. There is a mildly strenuous walk across a breakwater to the lighthouse. The tower itself is not open to the public. The facility: Lighthouse built in 1823. For information, contact Fayerweather Island Restoration Fund, c/o Burroughs Community Center, 2470 Fairfield Ave., Bridgeport, CT 06605

Accessibility: The lighthouse is not open to the public. It can be seen distantly from points on shore; it is best seen by boat.
The facility: Active private aid to navigation. Lighthouse built in 1882. Light flashes white every four seconds.

Accessibility: The tower is on the Avery Point Campus of the University of Connecticut and is easily accessible. The tower is not open to the public. Directions: From I-95, take Exit 87, Route 349, the Clarence B. Sharp Highway. Turn right at the second traffic light onto Rainville Avenue. Turn left at the next traffic light onto Benham Road. Continue straight on Benham Road for approximately 1.7 miles to the Avery Point Campus at the University of Connecticut. It's a short walk from the parking area to the lighthouse. The facility: Lighthouse built in 1944. Light flashes green every four seconds.

Accessibility: The island is a protected nesting area and is not open to the public most of the summer. There is usually an annual open house in September for those who can reach the island with their own boats. The facility: Lighthouse built in 1802. Faulkner's Island is owned by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and is part of the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge. The lighthouse is an active U.S. Coast Guard aid to navigation. The lighthouse and other buildings are maintained by Faulkner's Light Brigade, Guilford, Connecticut. Light flashes white every 10 seconds.

Accessibility: The lighthouse can be reached by ferry from Norwalk. The Norwalk Seaport Association’s covered ferry runs for tours of historic Sheffield Island Lighthouse from May through Labor Day and also conveys passengers for special events on the island. The 42-foot passenger vessel is certified and approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. A tour of the lighthouse is included in the ferry trip. The facility: Lighthouse built in 1868. Maintained by Norwalk Seaport Association, 132 Water Street, South Norwalk, CT 06854

Accessibility: The station is home to a Coast Guard family and is not open to the public. Best views are by boat. The facility: Active U.S. Coast Guard aid to navigation. Lighthouse built in 1881. Light white flashes every 20 seconds.

Accessibility: The lighthouse is not open to the public and is best viewed by boat.
The facility: Active U.S. Coast Guard aid to navigation. Lighthouse built in 1886. Light flashes green every six seconds; fog signal is one blast every 30 seconds.

Accessibility: The keeper's house is privately owned and the station is not open to the public. The best views are from the water. The facility: Active U.S. Coast Guard aid to navigation. Owned by New London Maritime Society, 150 Bank Street, New London, CT 06320. Lighthouse built in 1801. Light flashes three seconds white alternating with three seconds darkness.

Accessibility: The lighthouse is not open to the public. It can be seen distantly from the shore of Fairfield and Bridgeport, but is best seen by boat.
The facility: Active U.S. Coast Guard aid to navigation. Lighthouse built in 1874. Light flashes red every six seconds; fog signal is one blast every 15 seconds.

Accessibility: Can be reached by boat only. The lighthouse is not open to the public. The facility: Active U.S. Coast Guard aid to navigation. Lighthouse built in 1902. Light flashes red and white every 12 seconds; fog signal is two blasts every 20 seconds.

Accessibility: This lighthouse is not open to the public and is best seen by boat.
The facility: Active U.S. Coast Guard aid to navigation. Lighthouse built in 1874-1877. Light flashes white every five seconds; fog signal is one blast every 15 seconds.

Accessibility: The lighthouse is not open to the public. It is best seen by boat.
The facility: Active U.S. Coast Guard aid to navigation. Lighthouse built in 1838. Light is fixed white.

Accessibility: The lighthouse is best seen by boat. Tours are available through Project Oceanology. At the Avery Point campus of the University of Connecticut. The facility: Active U.S. Coast Guard aid to navigation. Maintained by New London Ledge Lighthouse Foundation, P.O. Box 855, New London, Connecticut. Lighthouse built in 1909. Light emits three white flashes and one red flash every 30 seconds; fog signal is two blasts every 20 seconds.