How to Tour Lake Erie Lighthouses

Lake Erie, the most shallow of the Great Lakes, is also one of the most treacherous. Storms can materialize on the lake in a matter of minutes, must to the peril of sailors. To help guide ships back towards shore, a collection of lighthouses were constructed along the Lake Erie shore during the 19th and early 20th century. About 40 of them remain. Some are simple, some elaborate. All are interesting. Read on to learn more.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Explore Ohio's Lake Erie lighthouses. Ohio has the longest Lake Erie coastline and thus the largest number of lighthouses. Interesting examples include the white stucco lighthouse at Marblehead (pictured above), near the Lake Erie islands, the restored lighthouse at Vermilion and the historic lighthouse and maritime museum at Fairport Harbor, in the eastern part of the state.

2. Visit Pennsylvania's lighthouses. Pennsylvania has just 50 miles of Lake Erie coastline, but along that shore there are a handful of historic lighthouses, including the two at Presque Isle, near Erie.

3. Admire Lake Erie lighthouses in New York. New York's Lake Erie coastline extends from Pennsylvania to Buffalo. Along that stretch, there remain a half-dozens lights. Among the most interesting are the lighthouse at Dunkirk and the one at the old Buffalo breakwater.

4. Travel to Canada. Not all of Lake Erie's lighthouses are located in the United States. The northern shore of the lake boasts several stalwart lights. Among these are the Port Colborne lighthouse, located at the southern terminus of the Welland Canal and at the Erieau light at Rondeau Harbor.

Tips & Warnings

• U.S. citizens are required to have a valid passport to enter Canada.

Resources

• Learn more about Lake Erie lighthouses.