Summer in Connecticut and New England is the time to get away, to hit to beaches of Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Maine. To get some sun and sea and warm up from the cold and long winters.  I had some time on my hands so I wanted to do some exploring and visit the Connecticut Coast and more specifically the lighthouses that line the many harbors of the Connecticut Coast and Long Island Sound.   

I wanted to forewarn those that the Connecticut Coast is very built up and it is not Maine by any means.  Many of the lighthouses have fallen to disrepair or gone into private hands making accessibility impossible.  It is a sad story for the lighthouses and the history that once was such an important part of Connecticut.

Nevertheless, I did my best to recreate that history through my photographs of times past  for the enjoyment, and knowledge of those interested. 

The tour starts at New London famous for two lighthouses, the New London Harbor Lighthouse below and the New London Ledge Lighthouse.  The New London Harbor Lighthouse is part on private land and accessibility is limited.  This lighthouse is very well preserved and is a good example of the style of some of the Connecticut lghthouses.  While I was there, I found out that tours can be arranged to go inside the lighthouse so that is good news. 

New London Harbor LighthouseLooking West into New London Harbor

New London Harbor Lighthouse looking inland toward New London Harbor.

New London Harbor Lighthouse IV

New London Harbor Lighthouse from the coast road.

New London Harbor Lighthouse III

New London Harbor Lighthouse from the coast road.

The next lghthouse on the tour is the New London Ledge Lighthouse which is in the middle of the harbor.  it is a site to see and a one-of-kind lighthouse.  It was off in the distance but I did my best to capture this shot with my telephoto lens.

New London Ledge Lighthouse

The tour continues to Avery Point owned by the University of Connecticut.  It is an amazing and beautiful campus that made me want to go back to school there and study oceanography.  This lighthouse is easily accessible.  Stay a while, take a picnic lunch.  It is a lovely spot. 

Averty Point Lighthouse

The tour continues to Morgan Point located in the  beautifully quaint historic town of Noank.  I could speak about Noank all day.  It is the gem of the Connecticut Coast.  A town that time forgot located off the beaten path of I 95 and Route 1.  if you want to get a taste of what Connecticut was like 100 plus years ago visit Noank.  I could of stayed all day and I hated to leave as I was overcome by the peace, and beauty of a historic town standing today as it did 100 years ago.  Narrow streets and steep hills lined with houses from the 1840s with lovely gardens projected a sense of timelessness so uncommon in our fast paced world.

Unfortunately the Morgan Point Lighthouse is on private property and the owner will let you know it, that is if you get too close.  Here are a few photos of the Morgan Point Lighthouse.  The good news as you can see is the lighthouse is well kept up and taken care of so that is the good news.

Morgan Point Lighthouse

Morgan Point Lighthouse II

I headed out toward Mystic to see the lighthouses that were further on the coast almost at the Rhode Island border.  Unfortunately the day was getting late and I couldn't take any more photos on this lighthouse Tour.  There are a few more lighthouses at Mystic, Stonnington and  Old Saybrook that I would like to visit some time.  Maybe you can join me on the next Connecticut lighthouse tour.