It’s the second-to-last day of 2024, and I still have two posts to go before I close the chapter on another year of blogging. We’re still in New Hampshire for a few more days, and it’s been so nice decompressing from some of the darkest days (literally – not metaphorically) in Alaska before we head back for the coldest months of winter. Whilst here, we’ve made a point of soaking up all the sunshine and mild(er) temperatures, so we went to Portland, Maine for a day and spent an afternoon exploring Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse in South Portland…and it was a sleeper hit for all.
Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse in Portland, ME
How did I find this lighthouse and choose this lighthouse as the one to visit, you ask? Google. That’s it. Honestly, I was looking for one that wasn’t too far, looked fun, was free, and was something accessible for the kids and us to explore together. Now, when I say accessible, I have to caveat this by just saying I wanted a lighthouse we could get to. This is definitely not ADA accessible, but I’ll get to that in a bit.
Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse is the only caisson-style lighthouse in the entirety of the United States the visitors can walk to. It was originally constructed in 1897 to protect shipping vessels from the rocky shores as they approached Portland Harbor, and it was first lit on May 24, 1897. Through the years, a number of improvements have been made, and the area was made accessible to visitors in 1999. It’s also on the National Register of Historic Places and has been since 1988.
Sharing Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse Photos
It’s worth noting that if you’re looking for a large, towering, and dramatic lighthouse on the coast – this isn’t it. In terms of the lighthouses I’ve seen in my life, this one is actually on the smaller side, but we loved the whole experience. From the parking lot, we walked straight down onto the beach during low tide, and the kiddos had the absolute best time beachcombing, finding cool shells, and chasing seagulls.
There are stairs to get to the stone pier but, naturally, our kids wanted to climb back up, and they had the time of their life doing so. The rocky pier is a landmark in and of itself. They’re not close together or evenly spaced. Some were slippery and covered in hoarfrost, while others required a large step down to access the next, but it was like a game of tetris, and the kids were in heaven. Since it was low tide, there was a solid 30ish-foot drop to the water, so as we walked around the lighthouse, we made sure to keep an eye on them, but it was so cool to explore.
Our First Adventure Vlog
Honestly, this was the coolest day trip for us, and it was the perfect way to get out and explore together. We weren’t far from downtown Portland either, so we got to have lunch by the harbor, visit the fish markets, grab donuts, and enjoy a couple hours playing by the water – and it gets better! We finally got around to it and started a YouTube channel, guys. I’ve been saying I’ll do it for years, and we finally did. We shared our first vlog of Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse and would love if you took a peek and, if you enjoyed it, please like and subscribe to our Loving Life Moore YouTube as we share more!
Tips for Visiting Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse
Cost: Free! Both parking and visiting the lighthouse are free. In the warmer months, there is a small gift shop, but that’s separate from the lighthouse, itself.
Accessibility: This is not ADA accessible, wheelchair, or stroller-friendly. Young toddlers will also need help navigating the pier, and babywearing with smaller ones would be my recommendation.
Dogs: Dogs are allowed on both the pier and the beach adjacent to the lighthouse.
Address: 2 Fort Road, South Portland, ME, 04106