Castle Hill Lighthouse
Castle Hill Lighthouse things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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I was looking forward to this lighthouse and it is a beautiful lighthouse however if you are coming to photograph the lighthouse I would arrive at sunrise when the lighting is probably going to be best on it from the angle of the rocks where you'll be shooting from or arrive right before sunset when you can get some nice light on part of the lighthouse. To get the best angles you really have to walk down a pretty steep slope of rocks that I would not recommend going down especially if the rocks are wet because they're sort of smooth and I imagine are very slippery when they're wet. Getting to the lighthouse is a little tricky. My car's GPS had trouble with it but my phone GPS was able to get me there. Once I arrived parking is easy but it's a little unclear actually how to walk to the lighthouse. Actually walked up to the valet of the restaurant on the hill and asked him and he directed me from there. Also it's a little disconcerting because there's a sign that says private property and then it also says lighthouse so it's unclear if they're trying to steer you away because it's private property or they're telling you this is private property but the lighthouse is there go ahead anyways I went down the path there's a clear path everybody goes down there. As I mentioned there is a restaurant over there and apparently the restaurant is a Michelin star restaurant so if you have the means to go to a fancy Michelin star restaurant it's a great place to eat and see the lighthouse all at once there's also a coast guard boat station right down there so that's another thing if you want to check that out.
Lawrence DortchLawrence Dortch
00
Absolutely breathtaking from every angle! This is one lighthouse you can get right up close to. Worth the drive if you don’t live in the area. There is a small parking lot on the right of the road you take. It has a glass greenhouse in it. The path to the lighthouse goes right next to the property of the hotel located at the end of the road. When you park cross the street and take the side walk. Going left towards where you drove in you will see a small white sign on the right with a dirt path to the lighthouse. It might be a five minute walk, and very easy. I definitely suggest making the trip if you want to see it or are in the area. A perfect spot for beautiful pictures, to find some peace and enjoy yourself. If you like fishing there is a great place to the left of the lighthouse where we saw some people fishing. Also close to town where there are tons of restaurants and hotels. We tried Newport Sticks and Cones. They were delicious. Sometimes the best things in life are free. This is one of them.
Katie GreenKatie Green
00
The perfect little lighthouse. You just gotta walk thru private property to get there 🤷🏼 Henry Hobson Richardson ( famous architect ) drew a sketch for a lighthouse at this location which may or may not have been the basis for the actual design. The structure does not include the residence which was featured in Richardson's sketch. The keeper's house was built, and still stands, near Castle Hill Cove, a few hundred feet away. 😎 The lighthouse was completed in 1890 on property formerly belonging to the naturalist, oceanographer, and zoologist Alexander Agassiz of Harvard University. Agassiz sold the land to the United States Government for the lighthouse for $1. His mansion on the property, commissioned in 1874, is now an inn. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988 as Castle Hill Lighthouse. 🇺🇸
Liberty Bell Moving & Storage LLCLiberty Bell Moving & Storage LLC
00
Spectacular view. Came here to see the lighthouse sunset view in a clear summer evening and witnessed a proposal and it was accepted - it simply rendered a romantic touch to the scene. Google maps GPS marked it correctly however I missed the entrance first time - the sign at the entrance says Castle Hill Inn, making you think a private place not likely for access to it. Later turned in and drove until stopped at a guard post. The guard told me I came to the right place. I can use their parking lot for free. Then a very short walk following the trail whose first half cause you to wonder where it may lead to. Then thru the trees and bushes and there you are. A good photographing site or simply do nothing and enjoy the view.
Mike GaoMike Gao
00
Castle Hill Lighthouse is a hidden gem and a must-see in Newport. It’s a free activity that starts with parking at Castle Hill, followed by a short, unassuming dirt path—easy to miss if you’re not paying attention, but trust me, don’t skip it. The lighthouse itself is incredible—you can actually walk right up to it and touch it! The views of the coastline and ocean are absolutely breathtaking, making it a perfect spot for photos or just taking in the beauty of the area. While you can’t go inside the lighthouse, the experience is still a highlight of any Newport visit. A peaceful, stunning spot that feels like a secret treasure!
Katie AndrewsKatie Andrews
00
As someone who occasionally likes to mess around with their DSLR (camera), it’s fun to find cool places to take photos. Castle Hill Lighthouse is one such place. A friend and I recently went. The mission, for me, was to try and capture the classic Rhode Island postcard image of castle hill lighthouse. I don’t know if I did, but I still had fun climbing over the rocks to see this little hidden RI gem. If you get the chance, go see it for yourself; it’s a nice area. There are a few “private property” signs around, near the Castle Hill Inn side, but if you google it, you can find guides online that will get you to the lighthouse.
Phil JPhil J
00
Nearby Attractions Of Castle Hill Lighthouse
Collins Beach

Collins Beach
4.3
(11)Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of Castle Hill Lighthouse
Aurelia at Castle Hill
Safari Room Restaurant
The Lawn Terrace at Castle Hill Inn

Aurelia at Castle Hill
4.6
(242)Click for details

Safari Room Restaurant
4.2
(125)Click for details

The Lawn Terrace at Castle Hill Inn
4.5
(118)Click for details
Basic Info
Address
800-870 Ocean Ave, Newport, RI 02840
Map
Website
uscg.mil
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Reviews
Overview
4.6
(308 reviews)
Ratings & Description
scenic
outdoor
cultural
photo-opportunity
Description
Castle Hill Lighthouse is located on Narragansett Bay in Newport, Rhode Island at the end of the historic Ocean Drive. It is an active navigation aid for vessels entering the East Passage, between Conanicut Island and Aquidneck Island.
attractions: Collins Beach, restaurants: Aurelia at Castle Hill, Safari Room Restaurant, The Lawn Terrace at Castle Hill Inn

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