Nobska Light – A Welcoming Beacon at Woods Hole Harbor

Lighthouses are always a big draw for tourists on Cape Cod and Nobska Point Light is one of the finer examples of a New England style lighthouse to be found anywhere on the Cape.

This picturesque forty foot tall tower, standing at the entrance to Woods Hole Harbor, was built in 1876 to replace the 1828 Cape Cod style lighthouse, which due to a faulty design of being placed atop house that led to several structural problems, were done away with in later years.

The light as it now stands, constructed of cast iron with a brick lining, welcomes tens of thousands of visitors to northerly side of Vineyard Sound every year. Though the tower is only open to the public a few days a year the grounds are open to the public as well as for special events.

Buildings on the grounds include the light itself, an oil house, a storage building, and the 1876 keeper’s house which presently houses the commander of the Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England.

Admission for tours is free and dates for touring the light in 2009 are as follows:

April 18 Saturday 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

May 16 Saturday 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

June 6 Saturday 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

July 2 Thursday 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

July 16 Thursday 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

July 30 Thursday 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Aug. 6 Thursday 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Aug. 8 Saturday 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Aug. 20 Thursday 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Dec. 5 Saturday 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Those interested in tours should be warned that children under 6 and less than 45 inches tall are not allowed to enter.  Backpacks and large purses, camera equipment, and infants in carriers are also prohibited.

Make sure you visit the lighthouse even if you aren’t in Cape Cod on one of the tour dates though as seeing a real New England lighthouse is something everyone should experience. Nobska Light also offers a beautiful subject for photogs, especially during sunset.

Check out Nobska light or another Cape Cod lighthouse on you next family Cape Cod vacation and become one of the many who are fans of these beautiful historic treasures.

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