Top 5 Lighthouses in Rhode Island That You Must Visit

Rhode Island is known for the rolling coastlines and beautiful scenery, especially in the warm and sunny summer months. There is so much to see and so much to do around this small state. Rhode Islanders seem to thrive during the warm months when beaches and waterfront scenery is a weekly tradition for most families. We found some of the best lighthouses to visit in Rhode Island, and we just can’t wait to share them with you! Lighthouses play a major historic role in New England’s extensive history and are oftentimes overlooked or taken for granted. We’ve compiled a short and sweet list of some of our favorite lighthouses to visit or view in Rhode Island. Take a look, go on an adventure and soak in all of the beauty and history behind each of these. 

1. Beavertail Lighthouse is located in Jamestown, Rhode Island. This lighthouse is one of the top and premier lighthouses in Rhode Island. It’s 64 feet high and located in Beavertail State Park. This lighthouse contains the gorgeous “beehive” Fresnal lens and it’s important to the state of Rhode Island and it’s fellow boaters. It assures navigation for many entering boats in the Narragansett Bay. You can find tourists and locals flocking nearby to fish, enjoy the sun and rocks, or just walking about. ​

2.  The Rose Island Light is located in Newport, Rhode Island. If you’re looking for a true adventure, this is your spot. This gorgeous and historic lighthouse is preserved, maintained and controlled by a lighthouse foundation. This lighthouse actually sits atop a bastion built in the early 1800’s, and guess what? The only way you can get to it is by boat! You also have the option to spend a night as a guest for a fee, or even a week as a “lighthouse keeper”. Pack your bags and get to Rose Island for an experience of a lifetime.

3.  Conimicut Shoal Light is in Warwick, Rhode Island. This lighthouse is also listed on the Register of Historic Places. This lighthouse hasn’t been restored, although there are talks of doing so in the city of Warwick. Based on the fact it is over 100 years old, it is said to still be in good condition and it’s definitely still a sight to see based on its age and historic engineering. This 58-foot lighthouse can be seen from Conimicut Point Park, but many say it’s best viewed by boat. This lighthouse, in particular, was one of the very last in the United States to convert to electricity from the traditional oil vapor!

4.  The Watch Hill Light is located in Westerly, Rhode Island. This lighthouse definitely boasts an abundance of stories and beautiful history relating to New England. As one of the oldest in the nation, this light house is considered to be a “nautical beacon” for ships and boats nearby to this day. President Thomas Jefferson was the first to order construction and engineering of this lighthouse, which first stood at only 35 feet tall. Today, the lighthouse is at almost 60 feet tall which was rebuilt due to erosion in the mid 1850’s. Historical photos and historical documents can be viewed at the lighthouse during the summer months. A treasure, a beauty and a sight to be seen.

5.  The Southeast Light is located in Block Island, Rhode Island. This lighthouse is drop-dead gorgeous. It is considered to be one of the most sophisticated and most architecturally pleasing in the United States. It is absolutely stunning gothic beauty and worth a trip if you ever find yourself on Block Island. A small museum and gift shop is on the grounds as well, making it an awesome outing. It stands at about 50 feet tall and the future holds potential bed-and-breakfast suites. Check this out, you will not be disappointed! 

We hope this information leads you and your family on a wonderful summertime adventure! Be sure to protect your eyes at all times while outdoors, especially by any bodies of water, where the UV rays are far stronger. If you are in need of new sunglasses for your day trip or lighthouse journey, be sure to stop into OPTX Rhode Island. Located at 1277 Hartford Avenue in Johnston, Rhode Island. Reach us by phone at (401)-521-6789 and visit our webpage at www.optxrhodeisland.com for more information.