My kids think lighthouses are just tall towers with a light on top. After a summer visiting four near NYC, Sofia now argues that the best ones come with a boat ride, and Emma counts stairs the way other kids count candy.
Day TripStaten Island FerryFire IslandMontaukLittle Red Lighthouse
I grew up thinking lighthouses required a road trip to Maine. Turns out, New York Harbor and the surrounding coastline have dozens, and several are actually easier to reach with a 6- and 13-year-old than a museum with a long quiet hallway. The payoff: a real destination, a view that rewards the effort, and usually a story that sticks. The tradeoff: some require a ferry schedule, a willingness to climb, and an early start before the afternoon heat or crowds set in. For families who pick the right one, it’s a full day that feels like an adventure, not a lesson. The state’s lighthouse guide lists more than a dozen options, but I found four that actually work for the ages I’m managing.
Most lighthouse visits with kids come down to one question: is the tower climbable? If the answer is no, the grounds and museum better be good. These four deliver on both fronts.
— Sophie Bennett
What a Lighthouse Visit Actually Demands From Kids
The physical reality of any lighthouse trip is stairs, exposure, and patience. Towers range from 40 feet (Little Red) to 168 feet (Fire Island). Emma, at 6, can handle a spiral staircase for about two minutes before she wants to know when we’re at the top. Sofia, at 13, treats the climb as a challenge. The real issue is what happens at the top — narrow platforms, wind, and a view that’s either eye-opening or just water. I’ve learned to pair the lighthouse with something else: a beach, a ferry ride, a picnic. The tower alone is rarely enough for a full day.
Weather matters more than I expected. Summer mornings on the water are manageable. By 2 p.m., direct sun on an exposed tower or a long pier walk can turn a 6-year-old’s mood. Fall afternoons are better, but ferry schedules get thinner. The luxury-family angle here: a private boat tour that hits multiple lighthouses from the water removes the stair-climbing issue entirely and lets you see the structures in context. That’s a better fit for couples or families with older kids who can sit through a longer water excursion. For families with younger kids, I’d pick one lighthouse with a solid museum and a nearby playground. A roundup of family-friendly lighthouses from SI Parent confirms that the ones with grounds and museums hold a child’s attention much longer than a tower-only stop.
Four Lighthouses Worth the Trip
Little Red Lighthouse — The One That’s Actually in Manhattan
This is the easiest lighthouse to reach with kids, and it has a built-in story. The 40-foot cast-iron tower sits under the George Washington Bridge in Fort Washington Park. It was featured in the 1942 children’s book “The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Gray Bridge,” and when the bridge made the lighthouse obsolete, public outcry sparked by the book saved it from demolition. Emma knew the book already, so seeing the real thing felt like meeting a character.
The walk from the 181st Street subway station is about 15 minutes through the park. The tower itself isn’t climbable for visitors, but the grounds are open, and the Hudson River Greenway path is right there. I’d combine this with a picnic and a walk along the river. The payoff is low physical demand and high story value. The downside: no museum, no climb, and the park restrooms are seasonal. Untapped Cities’ list of NYC lighthouses notes that the Little Red was originally erected in New Jersey in 1880 before being moved to its current spot in 1921 — a detail Sofia found fascinating.
Fire Island Lighthouse — The Tall One Worth the Ferry
Fire Island Lighthouse is 168 feet tall, the tallest on Long Island, and it has 192 steps. Sofia climbed every one without complaint. Emma made it about halfway before I carried her the rest of the way — the stairs are enclosed and feel more like a ship than a tower. The view from the top on a clear day includes the Manhattan skyline.
Getting there requires either a ferry from Bay Shore to the Fire Island community of Kismet, or a drive to Robert Moses State Park. With kids, I’d take the ferry — it’s part of the adventure. The adjacent museum covers construction, restoration, and coastal navigation, with interactive exhibits that held Emma’s attention for about 20 minutes. The lighthouse is open year-round, but the ferry schedule is seasonal. Plan for a full day, and bring layers — the wind at the top is no joke. I’ve written more about why Fire Island works so well for NYC families in a separate post.
Montauk Point Lighthouse — The Oldest, for a Longer Trip
Commissioned by George Washington and completed in the late 18th century, Montauk Point is the oldest lighthouse in New York State and the fourth-oldest active lighthouse in the US. It’s a drive — about three hours from NYC — but the grounds include walking trails, a gift shop, and a museum with whaling-era artifacts. The view over Block Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean is genuinely wide.
With kids, the drive is the main hurdle. I’d recommend this for a weekend trip, not a day trip. The museum has enough to keep a 6-year-old interested for 30 to 45 minutes, and the grounds have space to run. The lighthouse itself is climbable, but the stairs are narrow and the platform is windy. Sofia handled it easily; Emma preferred the rocks at the bottom.
National Lighthouse Museum — The Backup Plan (Staten Island)
If the weather doesn’t cooperate or you want a lighthouse experience without the tower climb, the National Lighthouse Museum on Staten Island is a smart alternative. It’s accessible via the free Staten Island Ferry from downtown Manhattan, which is already a win with kids. The museum has over 180 lighthouse models and exhibits on lighthouse mechanics. They offer seasonal Lighthouse Boat Tours from May to October that pass several lighthouses from the water.
The museum itself is indoors, which makes it a good rainy-day option. The ferry ride is free and gives you views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and Robbins Reef Lighthouse. Pair it with the Empire Outlets or a walk along the North Shore Waterfront Esplanade. The downside: the museum is relatively small, and older kids might finish it in under an hour.
Logistics: Getting There, Cost, and Timing
Each lighthouse has its own access equation. Here’s a quick comparison:
| Lighthouse | Travel Time from NYC | Cost | Best for Ages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little Red | 30 min by subway | Free | All ages |
| Fire Island | 2 hr (ferry + travel) | Ferry fee + small admission | 6+ |
| Montauk Point | 3 hr by car | Admission fee | 8+ |
| National Lighthouse Museum | 45 min (ferry + walk) | Free ferry, museum fee | All ages |
The Staten Island Ferry is free and runs 24/7. The Fire Island ferry is seasonal and costs around $20 round-trip for adults, less for kids. Montauk requires a car or the Hampton Jitney bus. For families without a car, Fire Island and the National Lighthouse Museum are the most accessible.
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If you want to see multiple lighthouses in a single day without managing ferries and parking yourself, a guided boat tour can cover several in one loop. The sightseeing cruises that pass the Statue of Liberty and lower harbor give you views of Robbins Reef, Fort Wadsworth, and the Staten Island Range Light from the water. It’s a different experience — no climbing, no museum — but it solves the logistics problem.
What to Pack and Know Before You Go
The prep for a lighthouse trip is straightforward but specific. Here’s what I’ve learned from bringing both kids:
- Check the ferry schedule the night before — Fire Island and Sandy Hook ferries run on reduced off-season schedules, and some don’t run at all in winter.
- Bring a windbreaker even on a warm day — the platform at the top of any lighthouse is exposed and the wind is constant.
- Pack a small snack and water — the climb and the walk back take more out of a 6-year-old than you expect, and gift-shop snacks are expensive.
- Confirm tower climbability online before you go — several lighthouses (Little Red, Tibbetts Point) don’t allow public climbing, and that changes the experience.
- Check ferry schedules and seasonal hours for your chosen lighthouse.
- Confirm whether the tower is climbable and if there’s an age or height restriction.
- Pack layers, sunscreen, and a windbreaker.
- Bring a picnic or plan a nearby meal — lighthouse food options are limited.
- Choose a morning start time to avoid afternoon crowds and heat.
A family travel guide to New York lighthouses notes that many sites have seasonal hours that change with little notice, so calling ahead or checking social media before you leave saves a wasted trip.
Lighthouses Near NYC — Your Questions Answered
Is the Little Red Lighthouse open for climbing?
No, the tower is not climbable for visitors. The grounds and the park are open year-round, and the Hudson River Greenway path makes it a good stop on a walk or bike ride.
Which lighthouse has the best museum for kids?
The National Lighthouse Museum on Staten Island has the most hands-on exhibits, with over 180 models. Fire Island’s museum is smaller but has interactive displays on lighthouse technology that held my 13-year-old’s attention.
Can we see multiple lighthouses in one day?
Yes, by boat. The Staten Island Ferry alone passes Robbins Reef and Fort Wadsworth lighthouses. Seasonal boat tours from the National Lighthouse Museum cover several in one loop. A guided Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island tour also includes lighthouse views from the harbor.
What’s the best lighthouse for a child who gets bored easily?
The Little Red Lighthouse paired with a walk along the Hudson River Greenway and a playground stop gives you the most flexibility. The tower visit is quick, and the park offers plenty of room to run.
Is Montauk Point worth the drive from NYC with kids?
Only if you’re already planning a weekend in the Hamptons or Montauk. As a day trip, the three-hour drive each way is too much for a 6-year-old. The lighthouse itself is impressive, but the travel time is real.
One Last Thought
Lighthouses work best as a destination when you treat the journey as part of the experience. The ferry ride, the walk through the park, the stair climb, the wind at the top — those are the parts my kids remember, not the historical dates. Start with the Little Red Lighthouse or the Staten Island Ferry loop, and see if your family wants more. For a deeper dive into everything NYC has to offer families, I’ve got a full guide to visiting New York City with kids that covers more than just lighthouses.
Sources
10 Historic Lighthouses You Need to Visit This Summer. SI Parent, 2022.
Historic New York Lighthouses Worth Adding to Your Travel List. My Family Travels, 2022.
19 Historic Lighthouses in and Around NYC. Untapped Cities.
15 Historic Lighthouses to Visit in New York State. I Love NY, 2023.
