It's almost time to tour some lighthouses!
Tours are fun for locals and visitors
Cape Cod (Highland) Lighthouse in Truro. Photo by Maggie Kulbokas.
To this day, the Cape's maritime history reflects in the beacons of the many lighthouses that still mark our shores.
For centuries, lighthouses and the keepers within helped keep ship captains and crews safe as they navigated Cape Cod's often treacherous waters.
While some lighthouses are privately-owned and trespassing is forbidden, most are open to the public for tours.
First up....
Highland Lighthouse - Truro
Nestled in the highlands of Truro, Cape Cod’s oldest lighthouse (1857) is a major attraction for visitors. Since 1797, there has been steady erosion at the cliffs in front of the lighthouse. In 1990, Truro residents raised funds locally and internationally, and in July 1996, the lighthouse was moved to its present location. The 430-ton lighthouse, lubricated with Ivory Soap, was pushed 453 feet to a safer location, to the tune of a $1.54 million dollar cost. Maintained by the United States Coast Guard, Highland Lighthouse continues to help ships navigate.
Highland Lighthouse is open to the public from mid-May to mid-October, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and group discounts are available. Off-season tour hours are by appointment, on a donation basis. Gift shop hours are 10 to 6, and there is a $4 admission to climb the lighthouse. Requirements: Children need to be 48 inches tall to climb.
Some limited handicap parking is available. If you’re not up to climbing, you can view a free 10-minute video tour of the lighthouse history, including the moving of the lighthouse in time lapse photography and the re-lighting of the light.
Cape Cod Highland Lighthouse, Highland Light Road, North Truro, 508-487-1121. See the lighthouse on Google Maps here.
See the rest on CapeCodTravel.com.
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