The One-Of-A-Kind Road Trip In New York With 6 Lighthouses Is Quite The Drive
By Lisa Sammons|Published December 23, 2021
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Lisa Sammons
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Lisa loves animals and has dogs, rats, cats, guinea pigs, and snakes. She is passionate about animal rescue and live music - traveling across the country to see a favorite band is a pretty regular occurrence! Being out hiking in the woods enjoying the scenery with her beloved dogs is another favorite hobby, and also checking out the Pokemon Go scene in whatever city she happens to be in at any given time (coffee and dog leash in hand). You can reach Lisa at lsammons@onlyinyourstate.com
It’s really no wonder that lighthouses in New York are such a draw for tourists. They are important symbols of maritime navigation. What could be more powerful than the idea of a stoic, lonely beacon of light drawing sailors home in a dangerous storm? On top of their functional importance, they’re also beautiful. There are around 51 lighthouses in New York, and six of them can be easily accessed pretty easily on a short road trip! If you’re looking for a great road trip to see lighthouses in New York, this is a perfect option. This road has beautiful views, tons of history, and will take you through some great towns. You can check out the full route on Google Maps.
The whole trip is about a 5.5-hour drive if you want to see all six of the lighthouses.
The current tower at Dunkirk Lighthouse (also called Point Gratiot Light) was built in 1875 and is still operational today. It was automated in 1960.
It's got a unique type of Fresnal lens that is pretty rare. Only 70 are still being used in the United States. The lighthouse is located at a park that also has the South Buffalo North Side Light. The light used to stand over Buffalo Harbor, but was removed and now sits at the entrance to the park.
For more information about Dunkirk Lighthouse, check out the website.
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Old Fort Niagara: 1 Scott Ave, Youngstown, NY 14174
Old Fort Niagara, 102 Morrow Plaza, Youngstown, NY 14174, USA
Old Fort Niagara isn't a lighthouse, but it's a beautiful place that's definitely worth a stop and won't add any time to your trip. It is the oldest continuously occupied military site in North America.
You can find out more information on the Old Fort Niagara website.
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2. Fort Niagara Lighthouse: 1 Scott Ave, Youngstown, NY 14174,
Fort Niagara State Park, 1 Scott Ave, Youngstown, NY 14174, USA
You won't have to go too far for your next stop. The Fort Niagara Lighthouse is on the grounds of Fort Niagara State Park, not far from the fort itself. The lighthouse was constructed in 1872.
Check out this neat high-definition webcam shot from the lighthouse.
The Thirty Mile Point Lighthouse is in Golden Hills State Park. The name comes from the fact that it's 30 miles east of the Niagara River. The lighthouse was constructed in 1875 from hand-carved stone.
4. Charlotte Genesee Lighthouse: 70 Lighthouse St, Rochester, NY 14612
Charlotte Genesee Lighthouse, 70 Lighthouse St, Rochester, NY 14612, USA
The 40-foot Charlotte-Genesee Light was built in 1822. The lighthouse is open seasonally for visitors and is the oldest surviving Lake Ontario lighthouse.
Get more information from the Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse Historical Society website.
5. Sodus Bay Lighthouse: Sodus Bay, Sodus Point, NY
The Selkirk Lighthouse is one of only four lighthouses in the United States to still have a bird cage-style lantern. The total cost of construction for the lighthouse in 1837 was just $3,000. The lighthouse is now owned and maintained by a nearby marina. For more information, visit the marina's website.
What a fun road trip for anyone that loves lighthouses in New York!
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