Tour Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse

Lighthouses, a Life-Saving Station and Forts…

The Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouses hosts tours from late May until mid-October. Climb the 44 stairs & 7-rung lantern up to the lantern room where you can enjoy the magnificent ocean views that include Whaleback Lighthouse and Wood Island Life-Saving Station at the entrance to the Piscataqua River.

Visitors have the opportunity to admire the light’s working fourth-order Fresnel lens up close. Our FPHL volunteers will share the history of the light station and answer your questions about this one one-a-kind maritime complex that is uniquely nestled between the shorelines of New Castle, NH and Kittery, ME.

Guided Tours:

Step inside one of the Seacoast’s most iconic landmarks and experience Portsmouth Harbor from a whole new perspective. Your tour begins when one of our experienced guides meets you at Coast Guard Station Portsmouth Harbor and escorts you to the lighthouse.

Book your tickets at: www.portsmouthharborlighthouse.org/open-houses-tours

Tour FAQS:

• No children under 42 inches tall are permitted to climb to the top, and adults are not permitted to carry children up the stairs.
• Flat shoes (not sandals or flip-flops) are strongly recommended to climb the ladder into the lantern room.

Directions:

GPS Coordinates: 43° 04′ 16″N   70° 42′ 32″W  (View Map)

From Route 1B in New Castle, NH…. you’ll see signs for the Coast Guard Station Portsmouth Harbor and Fort Constitution. Follow these signs to the right. (Actually, from this direction, you’re going straight as Route 1B turns to the left). Follow to the parking area just outside of the Coast Guard Gate. Guided Tour Ticket Holders will meet our volunteers outside the gate and you will walk to the lighthouse together.