If you’ve followed my adventures, you know I have a passion for collecting waterfalls. But did you know I’ve also gathered a collection of lighthouses over the years? Here are some photos and details on where to find them. The pictures may be old, but the lighthouses stand timeless!
Minnesota
Probably the most visited, and the most iconic, lighthouse in Minnesota is the Split Rock Lighthouse in Minnesota State Park on the North Shore. You can tour this lighthouse and there are several paths taking you to fabulous viewpoints of the lake and of this lighthouse. https://www.mnhs.org/splitrock
However, Minnesota’s North Shore, along the vast Lake Superior, offers several other lighthouses you can explore!
Just south of Split Rock Lighthouse is Two Harbors and their lighthouse. It is the oldest operating lighthouse in Minnesota. The lighthouse (right) is now a bed-and-breakfast and a museum. https://www.exploreminnesota.com/profile/two-harbors-light-station-museum/8476
At right is the breakwater lighthouse which sits at the mouth of Agate Bay near the Two Harbors Lighthouse. You can walk out to it, but be careful in bad weather as the waves can wash you off the breakwater!
Farther north than Split Rock and Two Harbors is the Grand Marais lighthouse. Easy to walk to via the breakwater. Grand Marais is also known for its art classes, such as at the North House Folk School. Plus, it’s an easy drive from a number of waterfalls. https://lakesuperiorcircletour.info/location/grand-marais-lighthouse/
The first lighthouses you’ll find as you begin your Lake Superior journey are in Duluth at the iconic Duluth Aerial Lift Bridges. The North and South lighthouses guide large ships into Duluth Harbor. The lighthouses and lift bridge are easy to walk to along the Duluth boardwalk with a number of hotels to stay in with Lake Superior views! https://lakesuperiorcircletour.info/location/duluth-harbor-north-pier-lighthouse/
Lake Superior
To really view lighthouses, head to the Apostle Islands where there are a number of lighthouses you can view from the lake or visit. Start in Bayview, Wisconsin, where you can take a tour with Apostle Island Cruises (https://www.apostleisland.com/lighthouse-tours/) or take a full- or half-day tour with a private boat, which we did. That way, you can get up close, and perhaps even visit, your favorite lighthouse! https://www.nps.gov/apis/learn/historyculture/lighthouses.htm. Consider staying at the Old Rittenhouse Inn, which we did. It has a good restaurant too. https://www.rittenhouseinn.com/
Definitely plan to visit Raspberry Island Lighthouse. Rangers give guided tours during the summer. https://www.nps.gov/apis/learn/historyculture/raspberry-light.htm
For something different, try a day-trip to Isle Royale in the middle of Lake Superior. We took a tour from Grand Portage, Minnesota (a historic fur trading site well worth the visit https://www.nps.gov/grpo/index.htm). On the way to Isle Royale, known for it’s moose and wolf populations, you’ll pass Rock of Ages Lighthouse, just outside Washington Harbor in Isle Royale. Kind of eerie isn’t it? https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/rock-of-ages-lighthouse.htm
Wisconsin
We stumbled upon the Wisconsin Point Lighthouse by accident. In Superior, Wisconsin, it’s an easy detour if you’re on a tour of Minnesota’s lake shore. https://lakesuperiorcircletour.info/location/superior-entry-lighthouse-wisconsin-point-lighthouse/
Located nearby on the same road as the lighthouse is the Chippewa area burial ground. https://catholicdos.org/wisconsin-point-burial-site
Ireland
If you go to Howth as part of a trip to Dublin (I recommend it here), you have the opportunity to visit two lighthouses. The one at right is in the Howth harbor, easy to walk to down the pier with a view of the Ireland Eye. https://www.tripsavvy.com/howth-harbour-lighthouse-1541627
The other lighthouse requires some effort to get to, but the view is worth it. Bailey Lighthouse is accessible via Howth’s Cliff Walk, about one mile or so along a rugged path that hugs the cliff and drops off into the sea. https://www.visitdublin.com/howth-cliff-path-loop
If you’re in Dublin, or visiting the southeast (County Wexford), then stop by Hook Lighthouse on Hook Head. You can tour this lighthouse. https://hookheritage.ie/
An easy train ride north from Dublin is the town of Skerries, and the Skerries Rockabill Lighthouse. https://oldskerries.ie/the-rockabill-lighthouse/
Iceland
If your tour of Iceland includes a trip out to Hrisey Island, then you’ll find Hríseyjarviti lighthouse on its highest point. You have to take a tour out to it. https://www.visitakureyri.is/en/see-and-do/hiking/hrisey
Scotland
If you tour the Highlands of Scotland, and specifically the Black Isle, you’ll find the Chanonry Lighthouse. https://www.nlb.org.uk/lighthouses/chanonry/
