Lighthouse Guide to Milwaukee and Southeastern Wisconsin

North Point Lighthouse

Historic lighthouses dot the shoreline from Kenosha to Two Rivers, offering stunning Lake Michigan views, maritime history, and some of the Midwest's best photography opportunities. Whether you're planning a weekend road trip, searching for that perfect sunrise shot, or diving deep into Great Lakes maritime heritage, this comprehensive guide covers every accessible lighthouse along southeastern Wisconsin's 90-mile stretch of coastline, complete with visiting hours, admission fees, and insider photography tips for 2024-2025.

Southeastern Wisconsin's lighthouse legacy spans nearly two centuries, from simple wooden beacons to Art Deco masterpieces. Today, visitors can climb historic towers, walk breakwater piers into Lake Michigan, explore authentic keeper's quarters, and photograph some of the region's most iconic structures. Many remain active navigational aids while others have transformed into beloved museums, creating a diverse lighthouse trail that rewards both casual tourists and dedicated enthusiasts.

Lighthouses with museum experiences

The region's most immersive lighthouse experiences combine tower climbs with extensive museum exhibits, offering hands-on history you won't find anywhere else. North Point Lighthouse in Milwaukee's Lake Park and Kenosha's Southport Light Station Museum lead this category, both featuring restored keeper's quarters filled with maritime artifacts and towers offering panoramic lake views.

North Point Lighthouse

North Point Lighthouse stands 74 feet tall with 84 cast-iron spiral steps leading to breathtaking 360-degree views. Built in 1888 with a distinctive Queen Anne keeper's house, the lighthouse served Milwaukee for over a century before decommissioning in 1994. Today's museum showcases the remarkable story of Georgia Stebbins, who served as keeper from 1881 to 1907, climbing the tower an estimated 63,800 times during her tenure to maintain the Fourth Order Fresnel lens. The museum opens Saturdays and Sundays year-round from 1 to 4 PM, charging $8 for adults and $5 for seniors, students, and children. Located at 2650 N. Wahl Ave. in Frederick Law Olmsted-designed Lake Park, the lighthouse offers free street parking and accessible grounds, though the tower itself requires climbing ability. Children must be at least five years old and 38 inches tall to climb. Call ahead at 414-332-6754 to confirm hours, and plan at least two hours for your visit to fully explore both museum and grounds.

Kenosha's Southport Light Station Museum

An equally compelling experience 40 miles south of Milwaukee. The 1866 Cream City brick tower rises 55 feet, requiring 72 steps on a dramatic open-work steel spiral staircase. On clear days, climbers can see Chicago's skyline from the top. The museum, housed in the 1867 keeper's dwelling, recreates the unique living situation where two families—the keeper's and assistant keeper's—shared the house on separate floors. Open Thursday through Sunday from May through October (10 AM-4 PM Thursday-Saturday, noon-4 PM Sunday), the museum charges $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 8-11 to climb the tower, while the keeper's house museum itself remains free. Located at 5117 4th Avenue on Simmons Island, the lighthouse offers ample free parking and spectacular views across multiple counties. Visitors must be at least eight years old to climb. Always call ahead at 262-654-5770 to verify the tower is open, as weather conditions frequently affect access. The site also hosts National Lighthouse Day celebrations each August with ice cream, music, and special programming.

Wind Point Lighthouse

This lighthouse in Racine County represents the region's tallest and most impressive climb-able tower. At 108 feet with 144 cast-iron steps, this 1880 Poe-style lighthouse ranks among the oldest and tallest continuously operating lighthouses on the Great Lakes. The village opens the tower for public climbs on the first Sunday of each month from June through October, with tours at 9 AM to 3 PM every 30 minutes. Adults pay $12 and children ages 6-11 pay $6 (children under six cannot climb). Pre-purchasing tickets via Eventbrite through windpointlighthouse.org is strongly recommended, as walk-up spots aren't guaranteed. Located just 22 miles south of Milwaukee at 4725 Lighthouse Drive in Wind Point, the lighthouse grounds remain open 365 days a year from 6 AM to 9 PM, offering free access to beautifully maintained gardens, shoreline walking paths, and the historic fog horn building. The site includes picnic tables, seasonal outdoor restrooms, a beach area, and memorial brick gardens maintained by master gardeners. Parking is free but limited, so arrive early on tower climb days. The lighthouse was electrified in 1924—second on all the Great Lakes to receive electricity—and has operated continuously since first lighting on November 15, 1880.

Wind Point Light House

Port Washington's 1860 Light Station

Adding unique international flair to the region's lighthouse offerings. Built in Cream City brick with a schoolhouse design, the lighthouse lost its original tower in 1934. In 2002, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg gifted an exact replica tower and lantern room to honor American GIs who liberated their country during World War II, with Luxembourg artisans shipping components across the Atlantic for on-site assembly. Today the Port Washington Historical Society operates the fully restored museum Friday through Sunday from May through October (noon-4 PM Friday and Sunday, 11 AM-4 PM Saturday). Adults pay $5, children ages 6-17 pay $2, and kids under five enter free. Located at 311 Johnson Street on the north bluff overlooking downtown, the lighthouse requires children to be at least six years old and 40 inches tall to climb the tower ladder. The museum recreates 19th-century keeper's life based on memories of lighthouse keeper Charles H. Lewis Jr.'s granddaughter. Contact the historical society at 262-268-9150 for current information. Just 27 miles north of Milwaukee, Port Washington combines easily with the city's stunning Art Deco breakwater lighthouse viewable from the harbor below.

1860 Light Station Museum- Port Washington, WI

Two Rivers offers the Great Lakes' rare opportunity to climb an authentic wooden lighthouse at Rogers Street Fishing Village. The 1886 North Pierhead Light was relocated to this museum complex after decommissioning in 1969, creating a unique living history experience. Open Memorial Day through October (10 AM-4 PM weekdays, noon-4 PM weekends), the fishing village charges $4 for adults and $2 for children to explore six historic buildings including the lighthouse, a 1936 wooden fishing tug, life-saving station, and fisherman's house. Climbing the wooden lighthouse tower provides bird's-eye views of the entire village and East Twin River. The complex displays the restored original Fresnel lens and extensive shipwreck exhibits, including artifacts from the famous 1912 Christmas Tree Ship ROUSE SIMMONS. Located at 2022 Jackson Street approximately 85 miles north of Milwaukee, the site offers on-site parking and represents one of southeastern Wisconsin's best maritime history experiences. Call 920-793-5905 or visit rogersstreet.com for current hours and programming.

Iconic photo opportunities

Milwaukee's trio of lighthouses offers some of Lake Michigan's most photographed views, led by the brilliant red Milwaukee Pierhead Light. Built in 1906 at the end of the pier where the Milwaukee River meets Lake Michigan, this 41-foot cylindrical tower with its distinctive black top serves as Milwaukee County's only actively operating lighthouse of its kind. The bright red color creates stunning contrast against blue lake waters and sky, especially during golden hour. Located at the end of East Erie Street with free (but limited) parking, the lighthouse sits adjacent to 22-acre Lakeshore State Park and marks the eastern terminus of the Hank Aaron State Trail. While the tower remains closed to public entry, visitors can walk the 500-foot paved pier year-round from dawn to dusk for close-up photography. The site requires no admission fees and connects easily to the Historic Third Ward, Summerfest grounds, and Milwaukee's downtown attractions.

Photographers capture both the Pierhead Light and its companion Milwaukee Breakwater Lighthouse in the same frame—the white Art Deco structure sits approximately two miles offshore on the breakwater in 34 feet of water. Built in 1926 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2011, this 53-foot steel lighthouse exemplifies Art Deco design with its square balcony, porthole windows, and streamline moderne styling. Though privately owned since 2013 and not open for interior visits, the lighthouse remains visible from multiple Milwaukee shore locations. The parking lot at East Erie Street provides the best viewing spot, though telephoto lenses are essential for detailed shots. Veterans Park, the Milwaukee Art Museum area, and Lakeshore State Park trails offer additional vantage points. The lighthouse still functions as an active aid to navigation despite private ownership, with restoration efforts ongoing but progress limited.

Early morning and sunset provide optimal lighting for both Milwaukee lighthouses, with sunrise photographers particularly active at the Pierhead Light. The exposed pier becomes extremely windy in all seasons—secure loose items and dress in layers. Milwaukee-based photographer Thomas Corrao leads a sunrise photography group of nearly 4,000 members who regularly capture the Pierhead Light at dawn. The combination of Milwaukee's skyline backdrop, the yellow Daniel Hoan Memorial Bridge, and both red Pierhead and white Breakwater lighthouses creates some of the Great Lakes' most distinctive lighthouse compositions. Winter brings dramatic ice formations but dangerous conditions on the exposed pier. Plan one to two hours for photography and pier walking, and consider combining your visit with Summerfest grounds exploration, Historic Third Ward dining, or trail system biking along the Hank Aaron State Trail's 15.2-mile route.

Walking the piers

Several southeastern Wisconsin lighthouses require walking elevated breakwater piers extending hundreds or thousands of feet into Lake Michigan, offering adventurous visitors unique perspectives unavailable from shore. Kenosha's North Pier Light leads this category with its accessible, photogenic setting on Simmons Island Beach. Built in 1906 as a nearly identical twin to Milwaukee's Pierhead Light, the 50-foot vivid red tower with black lantern marks the end of Kenosha's north pier. Still actively operating as a navigational aid with an isophase red light (flashing every six seconds) and three-second fog blast every 30 seconds, the lighthouse was privately purchased in 2011 and now houses Kenosha Lighthouse Studio, an art gallery and studio space occasionally open for exhibitions and special events.

The lighthouse exterior remains freely accessible year-round for viewing and photography. Park at Simmons Island Park (5001 Simmons Island Drive) with ample free parking, then walk the boardwalk to the pier and follow it out to the lighthouse. The peaceful pier walk offers spectacular views, especially at sunrise when local photography groups gather to capture the red tower against morning sky. The lighthouse sits just down the hill from Southport Light Station Museum—visitors can easily see both in a single trip. The beach area features a historic 1930s WPA bathhouse (now restrooms), playground, picnic pavilion, and Pike Bike Trail access. Beach hours run sunrise to 10 PM year-round, with wheelchair-accessible mobility mats placed on the sand daily during summer. Winter brings dramatic ice formations and storm photography opportunities, though conditions become dangerous. Contact Kenosha Lighthouse Studio at kenoshalighthousestudio.com for information about art exhibitions and event rentals, or call the Kenosha History Center at 262-654-5770 for general lighthouse information.

Port Washington's Breakwater Light requires a more adventurous half-mile walk along the 2,535-foot breakwater. Built in 1935 as a WPA project during the Great Depression, the 78-foot Art Deco lighthouse features riveted steel plates, circular porthole windows, and chamfered corners in pure Streamline Moderne style. Though not open for interior tours, the exterior provides excellent photography opportunities, particularly during golden hour when warm light illuminates the white tower. The walkway can become slippery when wet, and waves crash over the breakwater during high winds—exercise extreme caution and never attempt the walk during storms or winter ice conditions. The best access point is from the marina area via Lighthouse Park parking, where multiple vantage points around the harbor also offer distant views without requiring the breakwater walk. Upper Lake Park provides elevated bird's-eye views, while Coal Dock Park and Veterans Memorial Park offer additional perspectives. A major $2.8 million restoration is planned for completion in 2025, funded primarily by a September 2024 state grant. The lighthouse remains an active aid to navigation with a flashing red 18,000-candlepower light visible 11 miles offshore. Sunrise photographers particularly favor this location for dramatic Lake Michigan dawn shots with lower winds and better reflections. The half-mile walk allows telephoto and wide-angle photography compositions impossible from shore, though safety must always take priority over photography.

Sheboygan's Breakwater Light offers similar pier walking experiences with its 55-foot cast-iron conical tower built in 1915. The lighthouse lost its lantern room during 1950s modernization, giving it a distinctive truncated appearance, but still operates with a flashing white light every four seconds and working fog horn. A NOAA weather station now occupies the tower's top. The 1,700-foot elevated metal walkway along the breakwater provides dramatic wave-action photography opportunities, though visitors should never attempt the walk during high waves or storms. Access is free from Deland Park on the harbor's north breakwall (604 N. 8th Street), with free parking at Harbor Centre Marina nearby. Located 58 miles north of Milwaukee via I-43 (approximately one hour drive), Sheboygan represents the closest of the northern lighthouses. Sunrise toward the lighthouse from shore creates breathtaking compositions, while sunset from the lighthouse looking toward the city offers equally beautiful lighting. The long walkway and working fog horn add unique elements unavailable at more accessible lighthouses. Always check weather and wave conditions before walking out—waves can wash over the elevated walkway and create life-threatening situations.

Viewable from shore

Several lighthouses remain accessible only by boat but provide striking views from shore viewing areas. Racine's lighthouse collection includes two viewable-from-shore structures beyond the climb-able Wind Point tower. The Racine Breakwater Light, built in 1910 and moved to the south pier in 1912, displays distinctive red pagoda-style (hexagonal pyramidal) architecture. Though deactivated as a navigational aid in 1987 and replaced by a modern skeletal tower, the historic structure remains illuminated at night for aesthetic purposes. Viewable from Reefpoint Marina's north parking lot, Harbor Park on Christopher Columbus Road, and the Lake Michigan Pathway along the lakefront, the lighthouse sits approximately 3.6 miles from Wind Point Lighthouse. The structure houses a fourth-order Fresnel lens from the original 1866 Racine Harbor Lighthouse and features a 1,500-pound fog bell from 1904. Best photographed from the harbor breakwater walkway, the red tower contrasts beautifully with harbor and marina foreground elements. Parking is free at Harbor Park and Reefpoint Marina, with easy walking access along waterfront paths.

Racine Reef Light sits approximately two miles offshore from Racine Harbor entrance, marking the historically treacherous Racine Reef that has threatened shipping since the earliest Lake Michigan commerce. The original ornate 1906 three-story octagonal brick lighthouse cost $75,000 and featured a fourth-order Fresnel lens and steam whistle fog signal. After automation in 1954, the Coast Guard demolished the structure in 1961 due to maintenance difficulties, replacing it with the current steel skeleton tower still operating today. A remarkable 1936 incident saw assistant keepers stranded for 17 days when weather prevented supply runs—head keeper and five Coast Guard members eventually crossed the ice tethered together like Alpine climbers, pushing supplies in a wooden boat. Though deactivated in 2022, the tower remains viewable from Reefpoint Marina and surrounding waterfront walkways, best captured with telephoto lenses as a distant landmark rather than detailed subject.

Manitowoc's Breakwater Light offers an unusual hybrid—while not typically open, the privately owned lighthouse provides scheduled guided tours through the Wisconsin Maritime Museum during summer months. The 52-foot steel tower on its 22-by-48-foot concrete base was built in 1918 and lovingly restored by private owner Phil Carlucci, who invested over $325,000 to restore the structure to gleaming white condition for its 100th birthday in 2018. The museum offers 45-minute to one-hour tours on select dates from May through September at 11 AM and 1 PM, requiring advance ticket purchase due to capacity limitations. Tours meet at the lighthouse itself (not the museum building) after visitors walk the half-mile breakwater from Lighthouse Park parking. The 2025 tour schedule includes dates in May, June, July, August, and September, with special full moon evening tours. Contact the Wisconsin Maritime Museum at 920-684-0218 or visit wisconsinmaritime.org to book tours and check current pricing. The lighthouse sits 81 miles north of Milwaukee via I-43 (approximately 80 minutes' drive). The original fifth-order Fresnel lens is displayed at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum at 75 Maritime Drive, which serves as tour operator. Free parking is available at Lighthouse Park between Manitowoc Marina and Manitowoc Yacht Club, with the site also accessible via Maritime Metro Transit, Mariners Trail, and Ice Age Trail. Tours are not wheelchair or stroller accessible due to two sets of breakwater stairs and steep interior tower stairs. Photography is allowed without flash during tours. The lighthouse remains an active aid to navigation, automated in 1971, with its beacon visible up to 17 miles offshore.

Rawley Point, tallest on the Great Lakes

Rawley Point Lighthouse towers 113 feet above Lake Michigan within Point Beach State Forest, claiming the title of tallest land-based lighthouse on the Great Lakes. Built in 1894 using metal structure sections repurposed from the old Chicago Harbor Light, this octagonal skeletal lighthouse—the oldest skeletal tower on the Great Lakes—has marked this treacherous stretch of coastline since 1853 when the original station was established. The lighthouse's powerful beacon remains visible up to 19 miles away, serving as a critical navigation aid for modern mariners. Before the lighthouse, 26 ships foundered or stranded on the point; afterward, the tragedies ended.

The lighthouse itself remains closed to public entry as it's operated by the U.S. Coast Guard, but Point Beach State Forest's 3,000 acres and six miles of sandy Lake Michigan shoreline provide spectacular viewing opportunities. The forest requires vehicle admission passes: $13 daily for Wisconsin residents ($16 out-of-state) or $28 for a 12-month annual pass covering all Wisconsin state parks and forests. Purchase passes online at yourpassnow.com/ParkPass/wi or at the drive-up entrance window. Located at 9400 County Road O in Two Rivers, approximately 88-92 miles north of Milwaukee (1.5 hours via I-43), the forest opens daily from 6 AM to 11 PM year-round. From Two Rivers, take County Highway O north about four miles to reach the entrance.

Multiple trails provide lighthouse access and viewing angles. The Rawley Point Trail offers a 5.2-mile hard-packed crushed limestone route winding through woods to the beach, connecting downtown Two Rivers to Point Beach State Forest. The forest's 11 miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails range from a half-mile nature trail to seven-mile ridge trails, with winter cross-country skiing and snowshoeing available. Parking areas are scattered throughout the forest, with distances to the lighthouse varying by chosen trail. The beach provides unobstructed views from multiple angles along the six-mile shoreline. A selfie stand near the lighthouse creates perfect photo opportunities, though photographers will find countless angles along the beach approaches.

Sunrise photography at Rawley Point ranks among Wisconsin's finest, with relatively unpolluted eastern horizon light creating spectacular Lake Michigan dawn shots. Sunset and dusk also offer gorgeous lighthouse backdrops. The forest's six miles of sandy beach, picnic areas within walking distance of campgrounds, and 127 campsites (70 with electric hookups) make overnight stays appealing for serious lighthouse photographers and nature enthusiasts. The forest attracts approximately 300,000 visitors annually, though weekday visits offer solitude lacking on summer weekends. The Lodge Building operates seasonal nature center programs and concessions (11 AM-4 PM, with Friday fish fry), though facilities shut down mid-to-late October for winter. Dogs are permitted on the beach section south of the lighthouse with leashes eight feet or shorter. Swimming is allowed without lifeguards, and fishing is permitted in Lake Michigan. Heavy mosquitoes in spring and fall make bug spray essential.

Practical planning: Distances, routes, and trips

Milwaukee serves as the natural hub for lighthouse exploration, with all 15 structures accessible via I-43 North or the more scenic Highway 32 lakeshore route. Kenosha's lighthouses sit 39-40 miles south of Milwaukee (45-55 minutes via I-94), making them ideal for half-day trips or combinations with Illinois destinations. Wind Point Lighthouse in Racine County lies just 22-25 miles south (36 minutes), close enough for after-work sunset visits. Milwaukee's three lighthouses require minimal driving between downtown and Lake Park locations within the city itself. Port Washington sits 27-28 miles north (29-35 minutes via I-43), perfect for morning or afternoon excursions. The northern trio of Sheboygan (58 miles, one hour), Manitowoc (81 miles, 80 minutes), and Two Rivers/Point Beach (85-92 miles, 1.5 hours) rewards full-day or weekend trips with multiple lighthouse stops.

An efficient one-day lighthouse tour route from Milwaukee might begin at North Point Lighthouse when it opens at 1 PM Saturday or Sunday, allowing two to three hours for museum exploration and tower climbing. Drive 15 minutes south to Milwaukee's Pierhead and Breakwater lights for afternoon golden hour photography (one to two hours). Continue south to Kenosha for evening sunset shots at North Pier Light, then visit Southport Light Station Museum if arriving during open hours (one to two hours). This route covers Milwaukee and Kenosha lighthouses in a single manageable day totaling approximately 80 miles round-trip from Milwaukee.

A northern lighthouse tour might start early in Two Rivers at Rogers Street Fishing Village when it opens at 10 AM (weekdays) or noon (weekends), spending 1.5 hours exploring the museum and wooden lighthouse. Drive to Point Beach State Forest for afternoon photography at Rawley Point (allow two to three hours for hiking and beach time). Return south to Manitowoc for a pre-booked 1 PM lighthouse tour if available (one hour plus travel time), then continue to Sheboygan for sunset photography at the Breakwater Light (one hour). This ambitious route covers approximately 180 miles round-trip from Milwaukee and requires an early start, but rewards visitors with four distinct lighthouse experiences. Consider breaking this into a two-day trip by camping at Point Beach State Forest, allowing sunrise photography at Rawley Point and a more relaxed pace.

Port Washington and Racine make excellent standalone half-day trips. Port Washington's compact downtown places both the 1860 Light Station Museum on the bluff and the Art Deco Breakwater Light in the harbor within easy walking distance, though the half-mile breakwater walk to the lighthouse itself requires time and caution. Allow three to four hours total for museum tour, downtown exploration, and harbor photography. Combine with visits to Harrington Beach State Park or Lion's Den Gorge Nature Preserve for full-day nature and lighthouse excursions. Racine's Wind Point Lighthouse deserves two to four hours depending on whether tower climbs are available (check the first Sunday monthly schedule June through October). Combine with Racine's downtown (15 minutes south), North Beach (award-winning), and Frank Lloyd Wright's Wingspread for a full Racine County cultural day.

Photography tips

Lighthouse photography rewards planning, timing, and patience. Golden hour—roughly one hour after sunrise and one hour before sunset—provides the warmest, most flattering light for lighthouse compositions. Southeastern Wisconsin's Lake Michigan shoreline faces east, making sunrise particularly spectacular with lighthouses silhouetted against dawn skies or side-lit by emerging sun. Sunset works equally well, especially for westward views from piers looking back toward shore, though photographers must position carefully as the sun sets behind the land rather than over the lake.

Wide-angle lenses (16-35mm) capture entire lighthouse scenes with environmental context—surrounding parks, beaches, lake expanses, and architectural details in keeper's houses. Standard lenses (35-70mm) work well for tighter compositions focusing on lighthouse structures themselves. Telephoto lenses become essential for offshore lighthouses like Milwaukee's Breakwater Light, Racine Reef Light, and distant views of various structures from shore. A 200mm or longer lens provides necessary reach for meaningful detail in offshore subjects. Many photographers carry multiple lenses or a versatile zoom to adapt to changing opportunities.

Dramatic weather creates memorable lighthouse images but demands safety consciousness. Storm clouds, fog, and wind-whipped waves add atmosphere, but never compromise personal safety for photographs. Pier walks become extremely dangerous during high winds and waves—even elevated walkways can be overtopped by Lake Michigan's power. Ice makes winter pier access life-threatening despite stunning frozen lighthouse scenes available from shore. Fog activates fog horns, adding atmospheric elements to images while reducing visibility. Clear days offer excellent visibility and crisp details but sometimes lack the drama of more complex weather. Plan backup viewing locations for days when pier access proves unsafe.

Include foreground elements to add depth and interest. At harbor lighthouses, incorporate boats, pilings, weathered ropes, or marina architecture. Beach lighthouses benefit from driftwood, shoreline rocks, or wave patterns in sand. Historic buildings—particularly keeper's houses at North Point, Southport, Port Washington, and Wind Point—add context and architectural interest. Gardens at Wind Point create colorful foregrounds during growing season. Consider vertical compositions for tall towers and horizontal formats for lighthouses in landscape settings.

Night photography requires tripods for long exposures capturing lighthouse beams sweeping across darkness. Many active lighthouses remain illuminated, creating dramatic evening images when sky retains some twilight color. The period 30-45 minutes after sunset—blue hour—often yields the most striking results with deep blue skies contrasting warm artificial lights. Bring flashlights for safely navigating after dark, and respect that some lighthouse areas close at dusk. North Point Lighthouse, Southport Light Station, and others with illuminated lantern rooms or grounds lighting create particularly photogenic night scenes.

Local photography groups actively photograph several lighthouses, particularly Milwaukee's Pierhead Light and Kenosha's North Pier Light. Milwaukee photographer Thomas Corrao leads a nearly 4,000-member sunrise photography group frequenting the Pierhead Light at dawn. Connecting with local photographers through social media provides insights on conditions, ideal timing, and techniques specific to each lighthouse. Many lighthouses appear extensively on Instagram with location tags revealing popular angles and seasonal variations. U.S. Lighthouse Society Passport Program participants collect stamps at most museum lighthouses, creating another community of lighthouse enthusiasts.

Seasonal considerations and best times to visit

Late spring through early fall provides optimal lighthouse visiting conditions in southeastern Wisconsin. May through October marks the official season for museum lighthouses—North Point, Southport Light Station, Port Washington 1860 Light Station, and Rogers Street Fishing Village all operate May through October schedules with weekend or limited weekday hours. Wind Point's monthly tower climbs run June through October. Manitowoc Breakwater tours schedule primarily in this window. Weather remains most cooperative, with warm temperatures, longer daylight hours, and calmer Lake Michigan conditions making pier walks and beach access safer and more comfortable.

Summer brings peak crowds, particularly on weekends and holidays, but also offers the most reliable weather and all facilities fully operational. Parking fills quickly at popular locations like Wind Point on tower climb days, Lakeshore State Park on summer weekends, and Point Beach State Forest on holiday weekends. Arrive early—many photographers and serious visitors start at sunrise to beat crowds and capture best light. Museum hours typically run afternoon (1-4 PM for North Point and Southport), meaning morning lighthouse exteriors and afternoon museum interiors creates efficient schedules. Summer also features special events like Port Washington's Port Fish Days (July 17-19, 2025) and Kenosha's National Lighthouse Day celebrations in August.

Fall provides exceptional lighthouse photography with autumn colors framing structures in vibrant foliage. September and October offer comfortable temperatures, fewer crowds on weekdays, and dramatic seasonal skies. Most museum lighthouses remain open through October, though some close earlier—Port Washington's 1860 Light Station uniquely closes August 31 in 2025. Fall storms begin increasing in frequency, creating both photographic opportunities and safety concerns for pier access. Point Beach State Forest particularly shines in fall with spectacular autumn colors along the Rawley Point Trail and ridge formations, and campground crowds diminish dramatically on weekdays.

Winter transforms lighthouses into stark, dramatic subjects surrounded by ice formations and frozen lake surfaces. Most museum lighthouses close November through April, though all lighthouse exteriors remain viewable year-round. North Point Lighthouse uniquely stays open Saturdays and Sundays throughout winter. Breakwater and pier lighthouses like Milwaukee Pierhead, Kenosha North Pier, Port Washington Breakwater, and Sheboygan Breakwater become far more dangerous to approach due to ice-covered walkways. Experienced cold-weather photographers capture stunning images of ice-encrusted structures and massive ice shelf formations along shorelines, but casual visitors should view winter lighthouses from safe shore distances. Dress in extreme layers—Lake Michigan wind chill drops temperatures dramatically. Point Beach State Forest offers winter camping and cross-country skiing access to Rawley Point Lighthouse for hardy adventurers.

Spring brings lighthouse season openings, typically in May, along with wildflowers, migratory birds, and increasingly pleasant weather. Early season visits offer smallest crowds before summer tourism peaks. Museum lighthouses often open near Memorial Day weekend. Heavy mosquitoes can plague waterfront areas in spring—bring insect repellent for beach and forest lighthouse visits. Spring storms can still bring rough lake conditions making pier walks risky. Lake Michigan water remains very cold through June, discouraging swimming but not beach walking. Spring is ideal for lighthouse enthusiasts wanting thorough museum experiences without crowds, though tower climb schedules and tour dates remain limited early in season.

Admission costs and budget planning

Lighthouse visiting ranges from completely free to modest admission fees, making this an affordable regional attraction. Six lighthouses require no admission: Milwaukee Pierhead Light, Milwaukee Breakwater Light (shore viewing), Kenosha North Pier Light, Racine Breakwater Light, Port Washington Breakwater Light, and Sheboygan Breakwater Light. These provide excellent free photography and viewing opportunities year-round.

Museum lighthouse admissions remain reasonable: North Point Lighthouse charges $8 adults/$5 seniors and children; Kenosha Southport Light Station asks $10 adults/$5 children for tower climb with free keeper's house museum admission (donations welcomed); Wind Point costs $12 adults/$6 children for monthly tower climbs with free grounds access daily; Port Washington 1860 Light Station runs $5 adults/$2 children ages 6-17; and Rogers Street Fishing Village charges $4 adults/$2 children for the entire museum complex including climb-able wooden lighthouse. Active military and veterans receive free admission at North Point. Many locations offer discounted memberships providing free admission plus supporting historic preservation—worthwhile for frequent visitors or those planning multiple lighthouse trips.

Manitowoc Breakwater Light requires advance tour booking through Wisconsin Maritime Museum with pricing available by contacting the museum at 920-684-0218. Point Beach State Forest requires Wisconsin state park vehicle admission: $13 daily for Wisconsin residents ($16 out-of-state) or $28 annual pass ($38 out-of-state) covering all state parks and forests for 12 months from purchase month. The annual pass delivers excellent value for multiple visits or exploration of Wisconsin's other state properties.

A comprehensive single-day lighthouse tour covering North Point Museum ($8), Southport Light Station ($10 tower climb), and Wind Point tower climb ($12) totals $30 per adult—reasonable for six to eight hours of museum experiences and tower climbs. Budget travelers can visit all free lighthouse exteriors over multiple trips for only parking and transportation costs. Families should note minimum age and height requirements for tower climbs: North Point requires age 5 and 38 inches; Southport requires age 8; Wind Point requires age 6; Port Washington requires age 6 and 40 inches. Younger children can still enjoy free museum areas and grounds at most locations.

Accessibility and family considerations

Accessibility varies significantly across lighthouses. Museum buildings at North Point and Southport Light Stations offer wheelchair-accessible first floors and museum exhibits, though tower climbs remain inaccessible due to steep spiral staircases. Wind Point's grounds with picnic areas, gardens, and shoreline paths provide accessible outdoor experiences even when tower climbs aren't possible. Milwaukee's Pierhead Light sits at the end of a paved pier walkable for wheelchairs, though wind and weather create challenges. Lakeshore State Park's 1.7-mile paved trail system offers accessible lighthouse viewing.

Tower climbs present physical challenges beyond accessibility concerns. Steep spiral staircases, narrow passages, and final vertical ladders (North Point) require reasonable fitness and confidence with heights. North Point's 84 steps, Southport's 72 steps, and Wind Point's 144 steps challenge even fit adults. Tower tops can become very warm in summer months, creating additional discomfort. Children must meet minimum age and height requirements strictly enforced for safety. Parents should honestly assess whether children can safely climb steep narrow stairs before purchasing tickets. Achievement certificates at some locations help motivate young climbers.

Breakwater and pier walks to lighthouses pose different family challenges. Milwaukee Pierhead's 500-foot paved pier walk remains manageable for most families. Port Washington's half-mile breakwater walk and Sheboygan's 1,700-foot elevated walkway require more stamina and present greater safety concerns with wave action. Point Beach State Forest's Rawley Point area offers easy beach walking suitable for all ages with restrooms, picnic facilities, and varied trail difficulty levels. Rogers Street Fishing Village provides excellent family experiences with multiple buildings to explore, climb-able wooden lighthouse, and fishing village atmosphere appealing to children interested in maritime history.

Families should plan visits around realistic attention spans. Museum lighthouse visits typically require one to two hours including tower climbs—reasonable for most children with lighthouse interest. Combining lighthouse stops with beaches, parks, ice cream, and other attractions maintains engagement for longer trips. Simmons Island in Kenosha offers both Southport Light Station Museum and North Pier Light plus beach and playground. Point Beach State Forest combines Rawley Point Lighthouse with six miles of swimming beach and camping. Milwaukee's Lakeshore State Park pairs Pierhead Light with easy trails and downtown attractions within walking distance. Port Washington places lighthouses amid walkable downtown with restaurants and shops.

Making the most of your lighthouse journey

Southeastern Wisconsin's 15 lighthouses create a diverse coastal trail rewarding various visiting styles. Lighthouse completists can visit all 15 over several weekend trips, collecting U.S. Lighthouse Society Passport stamps at participating museums (Kenosha History Center, North Point, Rogers Street Fishing Village, Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowoc). Stamps are available at museums and some lighthouse locations during open hours, with some visitors pursuing lighthouse stamps across the entire Great Lakes region.

Photography enthusiasts focus on the most photogenic locations: Milwaukee Pierhead Light for iconic red tower compositions, Wind Point for dramatic height and architecture, Kenosha's twin lighthouse combination of historic Southport and active North Pier, and Rawley Point for tallest-on-the-Great-Lakes bragging rights. Sunrise and sunset timing determines optimal photography schedules, with different seasons offering varied light quality and weather drama. Joining local photography groups or following lighthouse hashtags on social media reveals seasonal patterns and ideal conditions.

History buffs prioritize museum experiences at North Point with Georgia Stebbins' keeper story and original Fresnel lens, Southport Light Station's authentic keeper's quarters depicting two-family living arrangements, Port Washington's Luxembourg gift story and 1860s recreations, and Rogers Street Fishing Village's comprehensive commercial fishing and shipwreck exhibits. Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowoc offers the most extensive maritime collection including multiple lighthouse lenses, even beyond the breakwater lighthouse tours. Reading keeper logs at Southport, examining Fresnel lens engineering at North Point, and exploring shipwreck artifacts at Rogers Street provides deep historical context unavailable from exterior viewing alone.

Weekend adventurers combine lighthouses with southeastern Wisconsin's other attractions: Milwaukee's museums and festivals, Kenosha's Civil War Museum and historic streetcars, Racine's North Beach and Frank Lloyd Wright sites, Port Washington's state parks and downtown dining, Sheboygan's lakefront and trails, and Manitowoc's maritime heritage. Multiple breweries, restaurants, beaches, bike trails, and natural areas cluster near lighthouse locations. Harrington Beach State Park and Lion's Den Gorge near Port Washington, Point Beach's camping and trails, and the entire Oak Leaf Trail system around Milwaukee create natural lighthouse trip extensions.

Those seeking unique experiences should pursue Wind Point's monthly tower climbs for rare public access to actively operating lighthouse interiors, Manitowoc's scheduled breakwater tours for privately owned lighthouse access unavailable elsewhere, and Rogers Street's climb-able wooden lighthouse for hands-on history. Special events like National Lighthouse Day in Kenosha (August), Port Washington's Port Fish Days (July), and North Point's monthly lecture series provide programming beyond standard visiting hours. Some lighthouses host weddings and private events—North Point rents its grounds, while Kenosha Lighthouse Studio's North Pier Light offers romantic catered dinners in the tower.

Southeastern Wisconsin's lighthouse legacy spans from simple wooden beacons to sophisticated automated systems, from devastating shipwrecks that demanded navigational aids to modern GPS making some towers redundant. Yet these structures endure as beloved landmarks, restored and maintained by dedicated historical societies, municipalities, and private owners. Whether you climb Wind Point's 144 steps for panoramic lake views, photograph Milwaukee Pierhead's red tower at sunrise, explore authentic keeper's quarters at Southport, or walk Point Beach's shores beneath Rawley Point's towering height, you're connecting with nearly two centuries of Great Lakes maritime heritage. The lighthouses stand ready—plan your visit, check the weather, charge your camera batteries, and discover why these sentinels continue capturing imaginations more than a century after first lighting their guiding beacons across Lake Michigan's vast waters.

Essential contact information

Milwaukee Area:

• North Point Lighthouse: 414-332-6754, northpointlighthouse.org

• Milwaukee Pierhead/Breakwater viewing: Lakeshore State Park Manager 414-274-4281

• Hank Aaron State Trail: hankaaronstatetrail.org

Kenosha Area:

• Southport Light Station: 262-654-5770, kenoshahistorycenter.org

• Kenosha Lighthouse Studio (North Pier): kenoshalighthousestudio.com

• Visit Kenosha: visitkenosha.com

Racine Area:

• Wind Point Lighthouse: 262-639-3777, windpointlighthouse.org, lhkeeper@windpoint.org

• Visit Racine County: visitracinecounty.com

Port Washington:

• Port Washington Historical Society: 262-268-9150, pwhistory.org, PortHistInfo@gmail.com

• Visit Port Washington: visitportwashington.com

Northern Lighthouses:

• Wisconsin Maritime Museum (Manitowoc tours): 920-684-0218, wisconsinmaritime.org

• Rogers Street Fishing Village (Two Rivers): 920-793-5905, rogersstreet.com

• Point Beach State Forest: dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/pointbeach, 888-947-2757 for reservations

• State park passes: yourpassnow.com/ParkPass/wi

Always call ahead to verify hours before traveling, as weather conditions frequently affect tower climb availability and seasonal schedules vary annually.