Eastern Point Lighthouse — Attraction in Gloucester

We took an early morning whale watch, had lunch, then we were looking for something to do around the vicinity. We googled things to do, this popped up along with some helpful info in the reviews for finding the location. Thank you to all the other reviewers who mentioned the "Private Parking" or "Members Only" signage at the only entry point to the lighthouse. The town of Gloucester should be ashamed of themselves for allowing this to remain in place...the lighthouse and the spectacular jetty are activities that my husband and I enjoy exploring in various areas. If I hadn't read the reviews, not being familiar with the area, I definitely would have turned around with the unwelcoming verbage of the sign and missed out on a fabulous view. So, that being said, IGNORE the sign, follow your GPS directions to the lighthouse, obey the speed limit of 20 MPH and the occasional speed bumps to keep you in check along the slightly narrow roadway. Enjoy the views of the hoity-toity houses along the stretch that probably got the signage to the entrance approved to keep people out of their exclusive community. Park in the dirt parking lot near the lighthouse; it's a nominal fee of $10 or free if you are a member of Massachusetts Audubon Society. We walked the jetty which has large granite slabs leading out to the tip; overall a safe enough walk if you watch your footing in places. There was a storm moving in so we didn't dally, walked out, took a few photos, and came back. It's a beautiful spot and yet we only came across about 6-8 people while we were there. I urge you to check it out, especially if you like to...

If you are a lover of lighthouses and shoreline scenery this is a "must not miss", after all Edward Hopper loved this place too as it is proven by the many artworks of the Eastern Point Lighthouse he created. The current lighthouse tower was built in 1890 and the station was established in 1832. There are four more buildings that complete the station: The keepers house from 1879, the Oil house, Fog signal house and a garage. The actual station is closed to the public but all the surrounding area is open, there is a parking lot right next to the lighthouse and a breakwater that both are open all year long. The parking lot and the nearby Wildlife Sanctuary is maintained by the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, There is a $10.00 per car fee for non-members Memorial Day weekend to Columbus Day weekend. Reaching the Lighthouse: From Gloucester take 127 east till the intersection with 128 (just outside the town) then turn right into East Main Street direction Rocky Neck, drive past Rocky neck for aprox 1 mile until you reach an intersection with a private road sign. Ignore the menacing messages, it is not a private road and take that right turn towards the Eastern Point. The road goes past some really nice mansions, keep the right and you will reach the lighthouse after one mile. The spot is particularly spectacular when the surf is strong, and on clear days you can see the Boston skyline in the distance. Definitely...

Pretty Lighthouse but difficult to reach. The road that leads to the lighthouse (Eastern Point Blvd) has a private property sign at the corner of Farrington Avenue. Further down the road there are more private property signs and one that says traffic to the Yachtclub only, no trespassing. As many people disregard the signs and still drive further down to the lighthouse, there are residents (yachtclub care taker etc) who ripp of the drivers and ask for $10.- parking fee in cash. As several other commentaters wrote, there is NO SUCH PARKING FEE! Just ignore them and don‘t pay, they affraid of calling the police, knowing it is illegal what they‘re doing! If you respect the private property signs, you may also park somewhere around Farrington Avenue and walk to the lighthouse (15Mins). However, the lighthouse itself is again private property and has a fence all around the area (as of June 2018). The tourist commission board of Gloucester or whoever is responsible should make more clear advices whether it is allowed to drive to the lighthouse or not as well as whether there is access or no access to the property. That is why I rate three stars only.

PS: if you do the lighthouse cruise with Harbor Tours you may take nice pictures of the lighthouse as they pass close...