With so much of our border made of water, it’s unsurprising that Wisconsin has numerous lighthouses to explore. Taking a trip along the shore of Lake Michigan will bring you to numerous different types of lighthouses where you can learn all kinds of state history and get some of the best Great Lakes views anywhere. Get in the car and head out on the road to check out this amazing Wisconsin lighthouse road trip. Bring the camera and a bit of sunscreen, because you are about to spend all day enjoying the beautiful and scenic Wisconsin Coast. Bon voyage!
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Google Maps
- Kenosha Southport Lighthouse
Flickr/CHanchey Built in 1866 using Cream City brick, this spot was the first navigational light a mariner would see upon entering Wisconsin from Chicago. The grounds and tower are open Thursday through Sunday from May through October and run by the Kenosha History Center. Kenosha Light is located on Simmons Island on 4th Ave, Kenosha, WI 53140.
- Wind Point Lighthouse
Flickr/C Hanchey This 103-foot lighthouse dates back to 1880, making it one of the tallest and oldest active lighthouses on the Great Lakes. The grounds are open to the public daily and the lighthouse is open on the first Sunday of the month between June and October. Sunday tours take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., every half hour. Tours will also be taking place on the Saturdays before the first Sundays of the month (typically spanning between June and October), from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Admission for tours is $10.00 per adult (ages 12 and up) and $5.00 for children (ages 6-11). Wind Point Lighthouse is located at 4725 Lighthouse Dr., Racine, WI 53402.
- North Point Lighthouse
Flickr/ensignbeedrill North Point Lighthouse is located at 2650 N Wahl Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53211 in Lake Park. During the summer, the lighthouse is open for tours every Saturday and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for seniors, students and children aged 5 to 11. Children under age 4 are free. Children must be at least 5 years old and at least 38 inches tall to climb the tower. The view it offers of both Lake Michigan and the surrounding Lake Park landscape is absolutely breathtaking, and the artifacts it boasts are fascinating.
- Port Washington Light Station
Flickr/J. Stephen Conn Built in 1860 and now serving as a museum, this lighthouse is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays May through October. Tours are offered between noon and 3 p.m. The light station has been discontinued and converted into a two-family dwelling, but it has been restored to it’s original glory. Located at 311 Johnson St., Port Washington, WI 53074.
- Neenah Lighthouse
Flickr/DavidRoisum Here the road trip takes a small veer off the Lake Michigan coast to check out two amazing lighthouses along Lake Winnebago. Also known as the Kimberly Point Lighthouse, this one sits at the confluence of the Fox River and Lake Winnebago. There’s a weathervane in the shape of a sailboat on the top of this 49 foot lighthouse. The grounds are a city park and open to the public. Located at 270 Lakeshore Ave., Neenah, WI 54956.
- Bray’s Point
Flickr/Jim Bauer There are shallow reefs here along the shore but local government did not think a lighthouse was needed here. So William Bray, a former State Senator, bought the land and paid to construct a lighthouse himself, also serving as the light’s operator. The lighthouse is on private property, but can be see from the corner of Bay Shore Dr and Lake Dr, Oshkosh, WI 54901
- Two Rivers Northern Pier Lighthouse
Flickr/CHanchey The North Pier Lighthouse started as a small thirty-six foot tall skeletal wooden light on the end of the North pier. It was rebuilt in 1928 and was extinguished in 1969. The Coast Guard donated the entire structure to the Two Rivers Historical Society, who relocated it to the Rogers Street Fishing Village Museum. The tower is open for visitors from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. May through October, and by appointment during other months. Located at 2413 Jackson St,. Two Rivers, WI 54241.
- Rawley Point
Flickr/CharlesWBatch The U.S Coast Guard has operated a lighthouse at Rawley Point since 1853. This relocated lighthouse, which came from Chicago in 1894, rises 113 feet above Lake Michigan. It’s lantern is one of the largest and brightest on the Great Lakes. It’s a part of Point Beach State Forest and can be viewed from the beach. Located at 9400 CR-O, Two Rivers, Wisconsin 54241.
- Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal Pierhead Light
Flickr/RobertKatrosis There are numerous pier-head lighthouses along Lake Michigan that all look a bit alike and aren’t too exciting. We chose this one as a great place to represent them as it’s located at the fully operational U.S. Coast Guard station on the Lake Michigan end of the Sturgeon Bay ship canal. The Pierhead navigation light was built in 1882, and the station was built with a tower light in 1899, renovated in 1903, and automated in 1972. The lower level breakwall is the only section of the grounds that are open to the public. Located at 2501 Canal Rd., Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235.
- Cana Island Lighthouse
Flickr/ElvisKennedy This island is actually accessible by a small little sandbar/landbridge that opens up in low tide, allowing you to walk right out to it. Cana Island Light Station is open from May through October, seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The last tower climb starts at 4:30 p.m. each day. There are age and height restrictions, so be sure to check into that if you’re planning on taking the kids along for a visit. It is located at 8800 E Cana Island Rd, Baileys Harbor, WI 54202.
What is your favorite Wisconsin lighthouse to visit? Are there any places that should be added to this lighthouse road trip in Wisconsin? Let us know about it in the comments.
Google Maps
Flickr/CHanchey
Built in 1866 using Cream City brick, this spot was the first navigational light a mariner would see upon entering Wisconsin from Chicago. The grounds and tower are open Thursday through Sunday from May through October and run by the Kenosha History Center. Kenosha Light is located on Simmons Island on 4th Ave, Kenosha, WI 53140.
Flickr/C Hanchey
This 103-foot lighthouse dates back to 1880, making it one of the tallest and oldest active lighthouses on the Great Lakes. The grounds are open to the public daily and the lighthouse is open on the first Sunday of the month between June and October. Sunday tours take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., every half hour. Tours will also be taking place on the Saturdays before the first Sundays of the month (typically spanning between June and October), from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Admission for tours is $10.00 per adult (ages 12 and up) and $5.00 for children (ages 6-11). Wind Point Lighthouse is located at 4725 Lighthouse Dr., Racine, WI 53402.
Flickr/ensignbeedrill
North Point Lighthouse is located at 2650 N Wahl Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53211 in Lake Park. During the summer, the lighthouse is open for tours every Saturday and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for seniors, students and children aged 5 to 11. Children under age 4 are free. Children must be at least 5 years old and at least 38 inches tall to climb the tower. The view it offers of both Lake Michigan and the surrounding Lake Park landscape is absolutely breathtaking, and the artifacts it boasts are fascinating.
Flickr/J. Stephen Conn
Built in 1860 and now serving as a museum, this lighthouse is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays May through October. Tours are offered between noon and 3 p.m. The light station has been discontinued and converted into a two-family dwelling, but it has been restored to it’s original glory. Located at 311 Johnson St., Port Washington, WI 53074.
Flickr/DavidRoisum
Here the road trip takes a small veer off the Lake Michigan coast to check out two amazing lighthouses along Lake Winnebago. Also known as the Kimberly Point Lighthouse, this one sits at the confluence of the Fox River and Lake Winnebago. There’s a weathervane in the shape of a sailboat on the top of this 49 foot lighthouse. The grounds are a city park and open to the public. Located at 270 Lakeshore Ave., Neenah, WI 54956.
Flickr/Jim Bauer
There are shallow reefs here along the shore but local government did not think a lighthouse was needed here. So William Bray, a former State Senator, bought the land and paid to construct a lighthouse himself, also serving as the light’s operator. The lighthouse is on private property, but can be see from the corner of Bay Shore Dr and Lake Dr, Oshkosh, WI 54901
The North Pier Lighthouse started as a small thirty-six foot tall skeletal wooden light on the end of the North pier. It was rebuilt in 1928 and was extinguished in 1969. The Coast Guard donated the entire structure to the Two Rivers Historical Society, who relocated it to the Rogers Street Fishing Village Museum. The tower is open for visitors from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. May through October, and by appointment during other months. Located at 2413 Jackson St,. Two Rivers, WI 54241.
Flickr/CharlesWBatch
The U.S Coast Guard has operated a lighthouse at Rawley Point since 1853. This relocated lighthouse, which came from Chicago in 1894, rises 113 feet above Lake Michigan. It’s lantern is one of the largest and brightest on the Great Lakes. It’s a part of Point Beach State Forest and can be viewed from the beach. Located at 9400 CR-O, Two Rivers, Wisconsin 54241.
Flickr/RobertKatrosis
There are numerous pier-head lighthouses along Lake Michigan that all look a bit alike and aren’t too exciting. We chose this one as a great place to represent them as it’s located at the fully operational U.S. Coast Guard station on the Lake Michigan end of the Sturgeon Bay ship canal. The Pierhead navigation light was built in 1882, and the station was built with a tower light in 1899, renovated in 1903, and automated in 1972. The lower level breakwall is the only section of the grounds that are open to the public. Located at 2501 Canal Rd., Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235.
Flickr/ElvisKennedy
This island is actually accessible by a small little sandbar/landbridge that opens up in low tide, allowing you to walk right out to it. Cana Island Light Station is open from May through October, seven days a week, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The last tower climb starts at 4:30 p.m. each day. There are age and height restrictions, so be sure to check into that if you’re planning on taking the kids along for a visit. It is located at 8800 E Cana Island Rd, Baileys Harbor, WI 54202.
Learn more about Cana Island, the amazing Wisconsin island you can walk to.
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Address: Kenosha, WI 53143, USAAddress: Lighthouse Dr, Wind Point, WI 53402, USAAddress: Lighthouse Ct, Sheboygan, WI 53081, USAAddress: Light Station & Museum, 311 Johnson St, Port Washington, WI 53074, USAAddress: Neenah, WI 54956, USAAddress: Brays Point, Oshkosh, WI 54901, USAAddress: Rawley Point, Two Rivers, WI 54241, USAAddress: Cana Island Lighthouse, 8800 E Cana Island Rd, Baileys Harbor, WI 54202, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Lighthouse Road Trip In Wisconsin April 19, 2020 Nikki Rhoades What is the most famous lighthouse in Wisconsin?
When it comes to scenic lighthouses, The Badger State may not be the first landscape to come to mind. However, our state is nestled into the Great Lakes region. Lake Michigan and Lake Superior both have shoreline in our lovely state, which means historic lighthouses in Wisconsin are actually fairly abundant. While one can argue that none of out lighthouses are necessarily “famous,” a few are subjects of local lore. Sherwood Point Lighthouse, Pottawatomie Lighthouse, and Chambers Island Lighthouse, all in Door County, are each the subject of ghost stories. Are there any other unique road trips to take in Wisconsin?
If you’re in search of a unique road trip in Wisconsin, you will not be disappointed. With 65,498 square miles of landscape awaiting exploration, you will find that many surprises await you. You can head out and check out some of our magnificent roadside attractions (including a giant six pack of lager, a giant cow, and the Sputnik crash site), or you might opt for a more naturally-oriented adventure. If you are looking for the latter, a waterfall road trip through Wisconsin should definitely be in order! What else can I do along the coast in Wisconsin?
When it comes to things to do on the coast of Wisconsin, you will find that there is much to discover. In addition to historic lighthouses and incredible views, you will also uncover epic beaches, restaurants, and parks. You will find a fish market, charming small towns, and friendly people. No matter what you end up doing along the coast, you will fall in love with our local landscape.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Lighthouse Road Trip In Wisconsin
April 19, 2020
Nikki Rhoades
What is the most famous lighthouse in Wisconsin?
When it comes to scenic lighthouses, The Badger State may not be the first landscape to come to mind. However, our state is nestled into the Great Lakes region. Lake Michigan and Lake Superior both have shoreline in our lovely state, which means historic lighthouses in Wisconsin are actually fairly abundant. While one can argue that none of out lighthouses are necessarily “famous,” a few are subjects of local lore. Sherwood Point Lighthouse, Pottawatomie Lighthouse, and Chambers Island Lighthouse, all in Door County, are each the subject of ghost stories. Are there any other unique road trips to take in Wisconsin?
If you’re in search of a unique road trip in Wisconsin, you will not be disappointed. With 65,498 square miles of landscape awaiting exploration, you will find that many surprises await you. You can head out and check out some of our magnificent roadside attractions (including a giant six pack of lager, a giant cow, and the Sputnik crash site), or you might opt for a more naturally-oriented adventure. If you are looking for the latter, a waterfall road trip through Wisconsin should definitely be in order! What else can I do along the coast in Wisconsin?
When it comes to things to do on the coast of Wisconsin, you will find that there is much to discover. In addition to historic lighthouses and incredible views, you will also uncover epic beaches, restaurants, and parks. You will find a fish market, charming small towns, and friendly people. No matter what you end up doing along the coast, you will fall in love with our local landscape.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
When it comes to scenic lighthouses, The Badger State may not be the first landscape to come to mind. However, our state is nestled into the Great Lakes region. Lake Michigan and Lake Superior both have shoreline in our lovely state, which means historic lighthouses in Wisconsin are actually fairly abundant. While one can argue that none of out lighthouses are necessarily “famous,” a few are subjects of local lore. Sherwood Point Lighthouse, Pottawatomie Lighthouse, and Chambers Island Lighthouse, all in Door County, are each the subject of ghost stories.
Are there any other unique road trips to take in Wisconsin?
If you’re in search of a unique road trip in Wisconsin, you will not be disappointed. With 65,498 square miles of landscape awaiting exploration, you will find that many surprises await you. You can head out and check out some of our magnificent roadside attractions (including a giant six pack of lager, a giant cow, and the Sputnik crash site), or you might opt for a more naturally-oriented adventure. If you are looking for the latter, a waterfall road trip through Wisconsin should definitely be in order!
What else can I do along the coast in Wisconsin?
When it comes to things to do on the coast of Wisconsin, you will find that there is much to discover. In addition to historic lighthouses and incredible views, you will also uncover epic beaches, restaurants, and parks. You will find a fish market, charming small towns, and friendly people. No matter what you end up doing along the coast, you will fall in love with our local landscape.
