Nubble Lighthouse

This is one of the most photographed lighthouses in the country. It’s a very cool spot, always crowded and the parking sucks, so if that’s not your thing, you might not want to try it. For the rest of you, you’ll enjoy the seabirds, view and the food stands there on a nice day.

So beautiful! It looks a bit like a fairytale, sitting on a teeny island across a narrow channel… but so close you feel you could reach out and touch it. The Christmas lights are just too charming.

What a gorgeous spot. I wish we were able to walk all the way up to it, but the view is spectacular. There’s a lot of parking and you can walk down the rocks to the water. It’s a it of a pain to get to if you’re driving from the interstate, but it’s totally worth it!

History lessons with Steffasaurus: During Colonial time when commerce and travel by sea was much more prevalent, President Hayes appropriated $ 15,000 to build a lighthouse on a «nub» of land here in 1874 to keep seafarers safe from our jagged, dangerous coast. Construction was completed on July 1^st, 1879. The lighthouse was automated in 1987, but to preserve and protect it’s historical relevance it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. And on December 18, 1997 the Town of York was named the permanent guardian for the lighthouse. For the whole history, please check out and support:
Even as a Mainer, I found this lighthouse to be breathtaking. Set amidst jagged rocks with seriously dramatic waves crashing onto them, and tucked away on an island you can’t quite access, it was absolutely a sight worth seeing. We found it particularly interesting that visitors can climb down some of the rocks for closer water access… but very few people dared to do so. It wasn’t very steep or dangerous, and offered even more spectacular and intimate views of the dark Atlantic and the birds nestling on an island nearby. I highly recommend risking the possibility of getting a little wet and doing this! Find your inner explorative spirit!
As alluded to above, no you can’t access the lighthouse directly (locals known that this is true for most lighthouses in the state because of safety reasons, so please — tourists — keep that in mind when visiting), but that doesn’t diminish the charm or picturesque views. Busy? Sure. But we found there to be plenty of parking AND plenty of opportunities to snap shots sans other people in them. Just be patient!

This is one of the most picturesque lighthouses in New England. Easily viewed from Sohier Park, we spent some time here recently while we activated the lighthouse for International Lighthouse and Lightship weekend, which is an annual amateur radio operating event that sees over 400 lighthouses participate worldwide.
During the summer especially, it’s best to visit as early as possible, since parking can fill up quickly.

Whenever someone talks to me about Maine, the picture that appears in my head is one of the Nubble lighthouse. I have umpteenth photos of the lighthouse in different weather and lighting, as well as the wonderful view of the Long Sands beach from the rocks across the water from the lighthouse. You can’t access the lighthouse itself… it sits on an island across from the parking area/​viewing location, which is a the small peninsula that juts out into the ocean. Since the viewing area is almost surrounded by the ocean, it provides gorgeous views up and down the Maine coast. There is a small gift stop and restrooms, and a touristy seafood restaurant near the entrance to the parking lot… it can get busy so you may have to circle a couple times to get a parking spot, but at times, it can be entirely empty and you can have the place to yourself as well, which I have encountered a few times… even though it is well visited, it still seems like it is a hidden gem. And best part– it is free… no entrance or parking fees… hope that never changes.
I love bringing a picnic here (lobster roll from Cape Neddick market or Long Sands General Store, steamers from Perkins Cove lobster pound, ice cream from the stand around the corner, or fried clams picked up on the way from Kittery or York town center, and always… always, with a Maine Root ginger beer or Cap’n Eli local blueberry soda) so I can dine on a bench or on the rocks while watching the ocean, the beach and of course, the lighthouse. Yes, people will stare… with envy, wishing they thought to bring picnics too. Sunset viewing from here is a must-​see when visiting Maine.

great place to visit and take photos
just know that you can’t actually go on the island and go inside
bathrooms were clean — plus!
busy, busy. good luck finding parking!

The Quick: Easiest 5 star review ever. Gorgeous lighthouse on the ocean. Although you can’t walk right up to it, you’re close enough to experience the beauty. Might be one of my new favorite Maine lighthouses. No tolls or fees, enjoy!

5 stars and beyond. Just check my pics of what they claim is the most photographed lighthouse in America.
Sunrise is not to be missed.

Nubble Lighthouse or Cape Neddick Lighthouse which ever you want to call it is the most photographed lighthouse anywhere! At least that’s what I was told… It’s a great place to just sit and think… So so pretty. There was one misshap! My DH adventurer that he is was climbing all over the rocks for that special picture during low tide and he slipped and fell on a rock… No broken bones just broken camera! Can’t cry over spilt milk!

After a two rainy days in November 2014, the sun started to come out so we took a drive from Portsmouth, NH to York, ME. In the distance we saw the lighthouse and had to drive to it. It’s breathtaking! You can’t actually get to the lighthouse because it’s on a small island. Still, the area is worth the visit!

A great, historic spot worth checking out if you’re in York. There’s not too much parking, though, for which I had to dock a star. There are lots of relatively easy rocks to climb on and memorial benches, where you can eat your lunch or take a break a while. Note that you cannot go up to the lighthouse itself, but it is still spectacular to see.

Not that I have a lot of lighthouse experience, but this was a nice spot to watch the sunset. Beautiful, picturesque, and mysterious. It was a little foggy the night we went but that just added to the mystery.

Tonight I crossed off a bucket list item… to see Nubble Lighthouse all lit up with Christmas lights! What a wonderful sight!
Easy access and darkly lit parking lot truly allows a visitor to see the lighthouse brilliance. A must-​see if you are in Maine!

I am so glad to have made it just in time before it was completely dark. This place is majestic. I believe all lighthouses have its own charm and the Nubble Lighthouse is definitely charming. I went dark enough that the light was flashing which made it very special. Glad I made it.

This place is seriously something out of a post card. Beautiful lighthouse up on a grassy hill surrounded by a rocky cliff. We actually came here after a wedding to do photos and I’m a little sad that I didn’t get to spend more time here.
While you’re not able to get right up close to the lighthouse itself, you are able to get a great view of it. It was nice to be able to walk around on the rocks, and depending on how adventurous you are, you can get pretty close to the water.
There’s a decent amount of parking available, we were there mid-​day on a Saturday and it didn’t seem too congested. The area was also kept really clean, no trash laying around everywhere which was also nice.

New England is home to a number of lighthouses and I’m glad I had the opportunity to visit Nubble while visiting family in Rochester, New Hampshire. We made a day trip up to York, Maine to go to York Beach. On our way we stopped at Nubble Lighthouse.
My second time visiting Nubble, I am still amazed at the beauty of this lighthouse and how people used to get to and from the house portion. Filled with history and beauty, visitors can view the lighthouse from afar. If you want to get closer or learn more information, there is a small visitors building/​house with some historical background. I also saw some people scuba diving, very cool.
All in all, if you’re in the area make a quick stop to Nubble Lighthouse for some pictures and to take in the amazing view. Just watch out for the unruly rocks!

Looking to find some of Maine’s most attractive lighthouses? Make this one a priority on your must see list.
INTERESTING FACTS
* There is cast iron walkway around the exterior of the lantern room. The posts of the railing are each topped with a miniature replica of the lighthouse itself. How cool is that!
* In 1874 President Rutherford B. Hayes appropriated the sum of $ 15,000 to build a lighthouse. It was completed in 1879.
* It stands 41 feet tall, but 88 feet above sea level.
— — — — —
Just about any lighthouse in this picturesque ocean state is going to give you the dreamy look you’ve been picturing in your mind’s eye. I don’t know if I love the lighthouses or the gorgeous sight and sounds of blue waters crashing into rock cliffs. What I do know is Maine has THEE perfect backdrop for amazing lighthouse photo’s.
I had the opportunity to visit several lighthouses in the New England area, particularly Maine. Nubble Lighthouse, or Cape Neddick Light as it is officially called, ranked third in my opinion behind Portland Head and Pemaquid Point in beauty. It is so well loved that a photograph of it was placed in the Voyager spacecraft along with other of earth’s most prominent man-​made structures just in case the spacecraft fell into the hands of aliens!
FINAL THOUGHTS
So if you have the time and the opportunity, be sure to place this lighthouse in the highest of priorities on your must see list. Who knows, you might even see an alien there someday :-)

Einer der bekanntesten und schönsten Leuchttürme Neuenglands ist sicherlich das Nubble Lighthouse, das sich auf einer kleinen Felseninsel ca. 200 Meter vor Cape Neddick Point befindet und zum Bundesstatt Maine gehört.
Das Ensemble hat 5 Gebäude: Der Leuchtturm, das Wohnhaus mit 7 Zimmern, ein rotes Ölhaus, das weiße Werkzeug– und Vorratshaus und ein Bootshaus.
Auf der mitgeführten Goldenen Schallplatte der Voyager-​Sonden wurde neben der chinesischen Mauer und weiteren Sehenswürdigkeiten unseres Planeten auch ein Bild dieses einzigartigen Leuchtturms abgebildet. Es ist wirklich ein perfektes Fotomotiv.
Zur Weihnachtszeit und Anfang Juli erstrahlt Nubble einzigartigem Glanz. Dann werden der Turm und das Haupthaus mit Weihnachtsbeleuchtung illuminiert. Im Juli nennt man es «Christmas in July».
Von 1879 bis 1987 gab es auf der Insel einen Leuchtfeuerwärter. Seit 1987 läuft die Anlage automatisiert und die Insel ist unbewohnt.
Eine wirklich nette Sehenswürdigkeit zum Start meines Neuengland-​Urlaubes.

Nubble Light (a.k.a. Nubble Lighthouse) is one of the most sought after places to visit along the coast of Maine. This is a great tourist destination to view Nubble Light from the coast. You can’t miss it, Once you enter Sohier Park from Nubble Road, you can’t miss the house sitting by itself on a large rock island off shore. The views are spectacular and open year round for lots of photographs. Take a bit of history with you by visiting the gift shop from mid April through late October.
In Sohier Park, parking is limited if there are a lot of visitors. If you wait a few minutes, there is bound to be an open spot because most people generally stop in for a quick visit. I visit Nubble Light, particularly when riding on my motorcycle along the Maine coast. One of the best times I like coming here is when the tide is in and the waves are crashing against the rock along the shore. You’ll get some of the most incredible photographs, so bring a very good camera for those «picture perfect photos».
If you’re into scuba diving, this is one of the more popular areas to do so; alng with fishing. You can bring your pets but they must be leashed. The down side to the visit is that you can’t get onto the island, as it is not accessible to the public.
I definitely recommend Nubble Light as a destination in your tour of the Maine coast.