In September 2022, we had an 11-day mother-daughter trip to Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts. It was my first time in any of the New England States and I planned for us to arrive during the start of fall colors.
In addition to the four states above, Connecticut and Rhode Island make up the rest of New England. New York and New Jersey were part of the Dutch colonies in New Netherland along with Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware.
We flew into Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (in New Hampshire) which was a very smooth process and much less busy than the nearby Boston Logan International Airport. After picking up our rental car, we were off and heading straight for the Maine coastline!
Roundtrip Flights
2022 Price: $388 per person
Budget Rental Car
2022 Price: $530 for 11 days
Nubble Light
Nubble Light, formally known as the Cape Neddick Light Station, sits on a rock island a hundred feet off the shore of York, Maine. Its nickname comes from the term for a small, off-shore island – nubble.
It was dedicated in 1879 by the U.S. Lighthouse Service (now under the U.S. Coast Guard). Nubble is still an active lighthouse today. The lighthouse is automated and no longer has a keeper.
Visitors can view the lighthouse from Sohier Park, which has room for about 60 vehicles in the free parking lot. You cannot visit the island itself but there are excellent views from the rocks at the edge of the park. During the busy seasons (mid-April through mid-October), a gift shop and restroom are available.
While visiting, we also caught sight of dozens of birds including gulls and cormorants.
Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse
Located on the breakwater in South Portland, Spring Point Ledge is a caisson-style light station. It was dedicated in 1897 to warn ships of a dangerous ledge that extended into the Portland Harbor shipping channel.
You can walk on the 950-foot granite breakwater up the lighthouse. Be careful on the rocks as there are gaps and they can be slippery when wet.
Spring Point was automated in 1960. The lighthouse ownership was transferred in 1998 to the Spring Point Ledge Light Trust.
Visitors can park at the end of Fort Road at the waterfront or in any of the Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) student lots. The short path from the lot to the breakwater has benches to view the harbor. You can also participate in a public or private tour.
Next to the breakwater, you can explore Fort Preble on the SMCC campus. Fort Preble, a star fort, was active from 1808 through 1950.
From Spring Point, you can see the Portland Head Light in the distance to your right, which was our next stop.
Congratulations on over 100 waterfalls! ? How exciting! We love the information on the lighthouses. You know many artists find lighthouses as a great subject. Thank you for sharing. We can’t wait to see and read more!