For centuries, lighthouses have offered a beacon of light for ships seeking safe passage through fog, storms and treacherous waters. Today, many of those towering structures also provide a safe harbor for families interested in sleeping amid seafaring history. Here are few to consider:
• Saugerties Lighthouse, Saugerties, N.Y., saugertieslighthouse.com
Stunning beauty and rich history beckon visitors to this alluring locale where the Catskill Mountains meet the Hudson River. Learn how whale oil lamps kept the beacon burning. Discover what it means to be a modern lighthouse keeper. Wander along nature trails where beaver, eagles and heron make their home. Docent-guided tours are available on Sunday afternoons during summer.
• Pigeon Point Lighthouse, Pescadero, Calif., norcalhostels.org
Just 50 miles south of San Francisco, enjoy panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean as you and your family learn how mariners once navigated the Central California coast with the help of the 115-foot lighthouse. Be on the lookout for whales, wade into tide pools and catch the star show overhead. An affordable seaside option, the unique hostel offers shared and private rooms. Free history talks are offered on weekends.
• Two Harbors Light Station, Two Harbors, Minn., lighthousebb.org
Sleep over in the oldest operating lighthouse in the state, overlooking Lake Superior. Get ready for the day with a full breakfast that includes the station’s signature Scandinavian fruit soup. Constructed in 1892 to provide safe passage into the Agate Bay Harbor, the lighthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today visitors and overnight guests can learn about modern navigation as well as steep in the region’s seafaring history through the on-site museum.
