Old Lighthouse Museum


Climb the winding iron staircase of this squat, granite lighthouse for 360-degree views from the lantern room. Afterward browse the small museum, which recounts unsuccessful British assaults on the harbor during the American Revolution and the War of 1812, as well as hosting exhibits on whaling, Native American artifacts and curios from the China trade.

Included in the Old Lighthouse Museum ticket is admission to the 16-room Captain Nathaniel Palmer House, one of the finest houses in town and the former home of the first American to see the continent of Antarctica (at the tender age of 21, no less).


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Portuguese Holy Ghost Society Building

0.26 MILES

Built in 1836, the club building of the Portuguese Holy Ghost Society is a reminder of the contributions Portuguese whalers have made to Stonington since…

2. Velvet Mill

0.77 MILES

This community arts center hosts a weekend farmers market (10am to 1pm Saturday, October to May) and an artisan/vendor market (10am to 4pm Saturday and…

3. Captain Nathaniel Palmer House

1.05 MILES

The 16-room Captain Nathaniel Palmer House is one of the finest houses in town and the former home of the first American to see the continent of…

4. Saltwater Farm Vineyard

1.57 MILES

Housed in a striking 1930s aluminum airport hangar, Saltwater Farm is one of the newest vineyards in Connecticut. Surrounded by tidal marshes and cooled…

5. Napatree Point Conservation Area

1.86 MILES

For a leisurely beach walk, the half-mile stroll to the westernmost tip of Watch Hill is unbeatable. With the Atlantic on one side and the yacht-studded…

6. Barn Island Wildlife Management Area

2.35 MILES

Canoeists, kayakers, hikers and birders enjoy over 300 acres of salt- and freshwater marshes at Barn Island. Inhabited by hundreds of species of bird (it…

7. Watch Hill Beach

2.63 MILES

This small, calm beach adjacent to the Flying Horses Carousel has lovely change facilities and is suited to families with small children.

8. Flying Horses Carousel

2.75 MILES

This antique merry-go-round has been in this location since 1883. It boasts a unique design: its horses are suspended on chains so that they really do …

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "usa/connecticut/stonington/attractions/old-lighthouse-museum/a/poi-sig/1111959/1314566",
      "position": "superzone"
    }