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Wisconsin Lighthouses

Discover the beauty of Wisconsin's lighthouses!

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Thursday, July 11

Milwaukee, WI

Explore the once vital navigational tools that ensured the safety of Great Lakes vessels.

The lighthouses of Lake Michigan shine bright for the incoming ships-and you! Explore 3 enchanting lighthouses along the Wisconsin shoreline. You can even climb the lighthouse towers-if you are brave enough.

TOUR INCLUSIONS: Professional tour director, transportation, lunch, and admissions.

ACTIVITY LEVEL 3 / HEAVY WALKING: Physical stamina required. Stair climbing, longer periods of walking and/or standing may be involved, along with higher elevations and longer days. Participants must be able to keep up with group.

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20 Unique & Amazing Lighthouses of Wisconsin

By Author Paulina

Posted on Published: July 27, 2021  - Last updated: October 28, 2023

A guide to the most amazing and unusual Wisconsin lighthouses on Lake Michigan, in Door County, the Apostle Islands and more!

When I was collecting information to plan my journey in the Badger State, I came across some stunning photographs portraying the lighthouses of Wisconsin .

They made me really curious because they are so diverse. Lighthouses in Wisconsin come in very different shapes, sizes, and colors, but all in amazingly scenographic settings.

Trying to visit all of the Wisconsin lighthouses proved a daunting, but rewarding task!

Do you know that there are more than fifty lighthouses in Wisconsin?

I have put together a list of lighthouses in Wisconsin that are absolutely worth visiting!

You’ll find an assortment of Door County lighthouses, Apostle Island lighthouses, and quite a few amazing Lake Michigan lighthouses.

Whether you are planning a Wisconsin lighthouse road trip, or just want to learn a bit of history, you will fall in love with the amazing lighthouses Wisconsin has to offer!

There are three main reasons why you will love the lighthouses of Wisconsin:

• They are great outdoor destinations , and most of them are located close to the most beautiful beaches in Wisconsin , or mountainbike trails in Wisconsin . Enjoy being surrounded by endless water horizons, sometimes in pristine nature, sometimes just a few hundred meters from lively urban centers.
• Lighthouses will teach you a lot about the history of Wisconsin , how its cities were born and its economy took off thanks to the navigation on the Great Lakes. From the 1830s on, prosperity depended on these life-saving lights that guided ships to the safety of harbors. 
• Take gorgeous pictures and leave your friends and followers gaping. Lighthouses in Wisconsin are never boring. Even those that can only be seen from the outside, have very simple structures or are completely abandoned, still attract and fascinate visitors.

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Table of Contents

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1. Wisconsin Point Lighthouse

Where: Superior (Lake Superior)

First Established:  1913

• Accommodation Options: The best way to enjoy the beauty here is by renting a cabin. You’ll love this Lakefront Superior Cottage w/Deck & Boat Dock or this beautifully decorated Home near Spirit

This lighthouse made the news in the fall of 2019 when a tech sales executive spent a lofty $159,000 to buy it from the Coast Guard.

Unfortunately, you can no longer enter the oval, two-story keepers’ house or the round lantern tower, but it is worth a visit all the same, especially if you are looking for unique things to do in Northern Wisconsin .

The location is spectacular! Known as Superior Entry, the only gap in a natural, 10-mile (16km) long sand bar close to the southern shore of Lake Superior.

It sits right on the border between Minnesota and Wisconsin. The two parts of the sand bar are called Wisconsin Point and Park Point (Minnesota).

They form a naturally protected inner lake where two harbors have developed: Duluth (Minnesota) and Superior (Wisconsin). 

Lake Superior can be very wild and dangerous in bad weather, so two breakwaters were built at the end of the two points, to offer ships sailing through Superior Entry additional protection.

Watching lake storms in the fall is one of the coolest things to do in Wisconsin in October … but only when you are safe on the shore!

To reach Wisconsin Point Lighthouse, you need to walk on the 2000-foot long breakwater. Before that, you need to drive along the 3-mile paved road that runs along the sand bar.

About half of the breakwater is made of huge boulders, so be prepared to do a bit of climbing and wear solid hiking footwear, no sandals or flip-flops!

In the summer, you can enjoy a day on the sandy beaches of Wisconsin Point, hunt for agates and other interesting stones there.

The area is also a bird-watching paradise: if you visit at the end of September, don’t miss Jaegerfest, a birdwatching weekend sponsored by the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology. 

Bring your own lunch pack, because there is only wild nature here. When you are ready to go back to urban hustle and bustle, Superior and Duluth are less than half an hour away.

Or drive a dozen miles more to visit one of the most beautiful waterfalls of Northern Wisconsin , the Big Manitou Falls.

Buy here your like a local guide to Wisconsin

2. Sturgeon Bay Lighthouse

Where: Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal (Lake Michigan entrance), Door County

First Established: 1882

• Accommodation Options: If you want to stay in the most scenic location, go for the Westwood Shores Waterfront Resort ; if you prefer a great mid-range option, you’ll love The Scofield House B&B . Cabin lovers, the Sturgeon Bay Retreat is super cozy and is recommended.

Among the lighthouses in Door County, Sturgeon Bay is a famous name, and one of the top things to do in Sturgeon Bay is visit the lighthouses.

There are two lighthouses at the mouth of the canal on Lake Michigan: the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal Lighthouse and the North Pierhead Light.

One is onshore, a tall white steel tower, the other is out on the lake, a red house with a short tower.

Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal, 1.3-mile long, was dug in 1880 to provide a safer passage between Lake Michigan and Green Bay.

Before that, ships had to pass the dangerous straits known as “La porte des morts” (“The door of the dead”), about 100 miles to the north, between the tip of the Door Peninsula and the Pottawatomie Islands. 

Today there is an active Coast Guard Station at the mouth of the Sturgeon Canal, and the white onshore lighthouse is part of it.

The station was built in 1899, renovated in 1903, and the light was automated in 1972. The pierhead navigation light was built earlier, in 1882.

No access to the station and the lighthouses, alas!

But you can walk the lower part of the breakwater (not the steel catwalk above) to get close to the red lighthouse if you take a narrow path that starts close to the parking lot of the Coast Guard below the white lighthouse.

Keep to the left, because that is the “public” side.

Check out the dates of the Door County Lighthouse Festivals (usually one weekend in June and one in fall), when you can get the chance to access the Sturgeon Bay lighthouse.

The festival is one of my favorite things about Door County in September (or sometimes October).

If going in the fall, visiting is one of the most unique things to do in Door County in October . The bookings must be made well in advance with the Door County Maritime Museum .

Find the Museum in town when you go back to the center of Sturgeon Bay for food, lodging, and entertainment (at the lighthouses there is only beautiful nature).

Don’t forget to admire the 1930 historic steel bridge that still opens when a boat or ship needs to pass. 

If you are traveling with a furry friend, Sturgeon Bay has some of my favorite pet-friendly cabins in Wisconsin . And those on a romantic getaway can visit some of the best wineries in Door County !

Book here the best Door County tours

3. Milwaukee Pierhead Light

Where: Milwaukee harbor (Lake Michigan)

First Established: 1872

• Best Thing to do:   Milwaukee Food Tour
• Accommodation Options:   The Pfister Hotel is a true legend in town, while the  Schuster Mansion Bed & Breakfast is probably the most scenic option. For Airbnb fans, this historic house  is only a short walk from a scenic park. You can also check out my guide on where to stay in Milwaukee .

There are also two historical lighthouses in Milwaukee, and both of these Lake Michigan lighthouses are absolutely worth visiting.

What I had initially seen in photographs was an impressive Art Deco palace rising from the waters; a five-story, square white building at the end of a pier, assaulted by high stormy waves.

What I actually found was a much smaller, bright red round tower at the end of a lovely walk by the lakeside.

I started from the Milwaukee Art Museum, passed by Discovery World, crossed the Lakeshore State Park, walked by the American Family Insurance Amphitheater, and down the pier at the mouth of the Milwaukee River.

Here stands the red Milwaukee Pierhead Lighthouse, a 42-feet-tall steel tower that was built in 1907 to replace the first lighthouse, which was assembled with wood in 1872.

Today the pierhead light works on solar power (it was automated in 1966). It flashes every 4 seconds and can be seen 12 miles out on the lake.

You cannot enter or climb the tower, but the walk is nice and this is one of the best cheap date ideas in Milwaukee – the views of the city from there are worth the effort.

It’s also a great evening walk if you have dogs, and is nearby to some of the best pet-friendly hotels in Milwaukee .

I took some great photos, but what about the white palace on the waves? A local fisherman helped me solve the mystery, pointing at a spot far out into the lake. 

There, across the water, I could see it in the distance: the Milwaukee Breakwater Lighthouse.

Too bad you cannot access it, as the kind fisherman told me. You can only get there by boat, but the Coast Guard will not allow you to disembark on the platform.

A non-profit organization got a free lease for the Milwaukee Breakwater Lighthouse in 2013. Since then they have been trying to raise $2.5 million to restore the building and turn it into a museum and events center.

For the time being, alas, I had to be content to admire it from a distance.

I treated myself to seafood and a great view of the riverside at the Milwaukee Sail Loft, just a few minutes down Erie street from the pier.

There I was lucky to learn about the third Milwaukee lighthouse, only 4 miles away. Read the North Point Lighthouse entry in this guide (nr. 12) to find out more.

Don’t forget to check out some of the other unique things to do in Milwaukee while you’re here.

Book here a sightseeing tour of Milwaukee

4. Sheboygan Breakwater Lighthouse

Where: Sheybogan (Lake Michigan)

First Established: 1915

• Accommodation Options: The Fairfield Inn & Suites Sheboygan is always a great address to stay, and the La Quinta Inn by Wyndham is a fabulous mid-range option. For Airbnb lovers, this cozy Lake Michigan Cottage has beach access.

The best thing about the Sheboygan Breakwater Light is the long walk to get there, surrounded by water on both sides.

The concrete pathway becomes narrower towards the end, and it can make you feel a bit anxious.

However, getting a look at is still one of the best things to do in Sheboygan when the weather is nice.

The breakwater is very long but rather low on the lake surface, so if it gets just a little wavy, you will get your feet wet (it happened to me!).

Avoid this little adventure if there are hints of storms approaching because it could be dangerous.

In fine weather, you can notice that the water has different colors on the two sides of the seawall, lighter on the outside, very clear, and full of fish.

Sheboygan is a well-known fisherman’s paradise, both on Lake Michigan and along the Sheboygan River.

The 55-feet tall round metal tower is bright red but otherwise plain, and since it is still an active navigational aid, you cannot get inside.

The lantern room was removed in the 1950s and replaced by modern plastic optics. On the top, there is also an NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) weather station.

On your way back, pay a visit to the wreck of the Lottie Cooper, a three-masted schooner that foundered just off Sheboygan’s harbor piers on April 9, 1894.

Part of the hull was washed to shore and since 1992 it has been exposed in Deland Park, behind the Marina.

You can find nice restaurants a little further, on the river banks.

Take the Riverfront Boardwalk at the mouth of the Sheboygan River, after the Yacht Club, walk up the river until the bridge and cross to the South Pier, where there is another boardwalk.

If you plan to stay in the area for a few days, check out my guide on the best hotels in Sheboygan .

Book here the best Sheboygan vacation rentals

5. Racine Breakwater Lighthouse

Where: Racine harbor (Lake Michigan)

First Established: 1901

• Accommodation Options: Overlooking Racine Marina, the DoubleTree Racine Harbourwalk is a fabulous address and the Fairfield Inn is a comfy mid-range option. If you’re more of an Airbnb type, the Gorgeous Main Street Apt comes with Lake views, and why not stay in a spacious old English bungalow in Racine Marina?

Racine is a great place to go for Wisconsin lighthouses! There are three different lighthouses in the area of Racine.

The one that pops up most often when you search for Racine is the lighthouse at Wind Point. Since it is out of town, some 4 miles to the north, I have written a separate description for it (nr. 9 of this list). 

The other famous lighthouse in Racine is “Big Red”, aka the Racine Breakwater Lighthouse, one of the most unique lighthouses on Lake Michigan.

Unmistakable in its shape, slightly pyramidal, the tower stands on long legs, i.e. the lower part of the metal skeleton is visible. 

Big Red’s long life started in 1901 at the end of the North Pier, which was demolished in 1930.

The light tower was then moved to the end of the northern breakwater. In 1987 Big Red risked demolition because the light was discontinued. 

But the citizens of Racine would have none of that, so one of the most beloved among the lighthouses of Wisconsin is now enjoying a well-deserved retirement as part of the Reef Point Marina Complex.

Take a walk on the breakwater that you can enter from the parking lot of the Yacht Club (you can also eat there), to pay your respects to Big Red.

You cannot enter or climb the tower, but you can take gorgeous photos of the lighthouse and the Racine lakefront. 

In the center of Racine, where the Root River empties into Lake Michigan, you can still see the original Racine Harbor Lighthouse, on the left bank, side by side with the Life Saving Station of the Coast Guard. 

The tower, rising from an elegant white house with a red roof, is still there, but without a lantern, because the lighthouse was officially decommissioned in 1901. Today it is privately owned and part of Pugh Marina.

While strolling in the harbor area, snatch some local beer in one of the numerous pubs nearby.

Alternatively, find a Danish bakery (Racine has the largest Danish community in the US!) and have some kringles . This originally Scandinavian delicacy officially became Wisconsin’s State Pastry on June 30th, 2013.

Book here the best cabins in Racine

6. Kenosha North Pier Light

Where: Simmons Island, Kenosha (Lake Michigan) 

First Established: 1906

• Accommodation Options: Dance the night away at The Stella Hotel & Ballroom . At the Wyndham Garden Kenosha , you can enjoy a night of luxury overlooking the beachfront.

Kenosha is blessed by two Wisconsin lighthouses in an excellent state; one of them is a museum and the other an art center!

They are both located on Simmons Island, at the mouth of Pike Creek, and are among the best things to do in Kenosha .

The Pierhead Lighthouse, a 50-feet tower of red metal, was lit for the first time in 1906 at the end of the north pier.

In 2011, Kenosha artist John Burhani and his wife Heather McGee purchased the tower and turned it into the Kenosha Lighthouse Studio. 

Sadly, John passed away in 2015, but Heather continues to manage the studio, and resident artists are welcome there. Exhibitions and concerts are often organized, and visitors are welcome.

Walk back down the pier to the Southport Light Station Museum, hosted in the 1866 Southport lighthouse and Lighthouse Keeper’s residence.

The 55-feet conical tower is separate from the two-story house. They are both built with Milwaukee Cream City bricks, and from mid-May through October, Thursday to Sunday, you can visit them!

Both buildings were acquired by the City of Kenosha and restored in cooperation with the Kenosha County Historical Society. Today they are the fourth gallery space of the Kenosha History Center. 

Simmons Island has a fantastic beach if you are in for a swim. For food, though, you need to head downtown, where you have ample choice of restaurants and eateries.

While in Kenosha, be sure to do the Kenosha Sand Dunes Trail, one of the best places to hike in Southern Wisconsin .

Another cool thing to do nearby is to take a little trip westward to see a beautiful lake; less than an hour drive away you’ll find tons of great things to do in Lake Geneva .

Book here the best tours in Lake Geneva

7. Eagle Bluff Lighthouse

Where: Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, Door County (Green Bay, Lake Michigan)

First Established: 1868

• Accommodation Options: The Homestead Suites comes with outdoor and indoor pools and a spa bath, and the White Gull Inn is a great option for adult-only stays. If you prefer an Airbnb in Door County next to Fish Creek, you’ll love the cute Creekside Cottage or this DoCo Oasis . 

The Door County Historical Society was the first to restore one of the historic lighthouses of Wisconsin, Eagle Bluff Lighthouse, as early as 1960. The works took nearly four years.

Since the light had been automated in 1926, there was no longer a keeper and the property suffered from a lack of everyday care.

When the lighthouse was built, in 1868, it was a whole station: a tower and a two-story keeper’s house.

Eagle Bluff is a rather isolated spot, in the northern part of Door Country known today as the Peninsula Park Beech Forest State Natural Area. 

The mission of the lighthouse was to illuminate the islands in the middle of the Strawberry Channel.

Perched high on the coast, the light station was known as “The Guardian of the Strawberry Channel”. 

Nowadays you can visit the Eagle Bluff Light Station 7 days a week, from 10:30 am – 3:30 pm, from May to October.

I recommend visiting in September or October if you can in order to enjoy the stunning fall colors in Wisconsin .

But don’t rule out a winter getaway in Wisconsin to Eagle Bluff Lighthouse just yet as winter tours are possible so long as you arrange it ahead of time.

And Door County in winter is one of the best times to visit!

Do not miss it, you will get a full historical tour, not a simple climb!

The keeper’s dwelling has been meticulously furnished with period pieces to recreate the lifestyle of the families who lived there permanently and cared for the light.

This unusual museum is well worth a visit, and the fee you pay will help the Door County Historical Society continue to care for this special place.

In addition to visiting this amazing lighthouse in Wisconsin, be sure to explore the entire Peninsula State Park, one of the best State Parks in Wisconsin .

Take advantage of several panoramic trails – some of the best hikes in Door County – and equipped camping sites.

Pay a visit to nearby Ephraim, a picturesque small village founded by Scandinavians, and see its two Steeples, the Bethany Lutheran Church and the Moravian Church.

If you happen to be visiting Fish Creek in October, make time for Jack O’ Lantern Days, one of the best fall festivals in Wisconsin .

Book here the best tours of Door County

8. Devil’s Island Lighthouse

Where: Devil’s Island, Apostle Islands (Lake Superior) 

First Established: 1857

• Best Thing to do:  Rent a kayak – or bring your own inflatable one
• Accommodation Options:  The  Pinehurst Inn Bed & Breakfast is perfect for those who want to splurge a bit and the  Old Rittenhouse Inn is a fabulous mid-range option. For Airbnb and cabin lovers, this  Madeline Island Cabin  is located right on the lakeshore on Madeline Island. And this Library Street Cottage is the cutest!

Devil’s Island lighthouse is the only one of the Apostle Islands lighthouses still displaying its original Fresnel lens, which had come from Paris in 1901.

Fresnel lenses are the special devices that allow the light to be concentrated in a powerful beam, visible up to twenty miles from the shore.

The lighthouse on Devil’s Island, built in 1989, had to wait three years for its Fresnel to be ready, but it was worth the wait as it’s now one of the best lighthouses Wisconsin has to offer!

The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore park decided to put it back in 1992.

Previously, the Coast Guard had removed the precious lens to protect it from vandalism.

When I visited Devil’s Island, I was lucky to find one of the Park’s volunteers who helped our group of tourists climb the 80-foot tall white metal tower.

In the summer you can get a guided Wisconsin lighthouse tour, usually 9.00-11.00 or 13.00-16.00.

If visiting the Apostle Islands in winter , it might be not possible to tour the lighthouse, but you can still see it from a distance.

The two Queen Ann’s houses built a few meters from the lighthouse for the keeper, his assistant, and their families, are still there.

Devil’s Island was the last of the lighthouses of Wisconsin to be automated, in 1978. Until then the keepers lived there permanently.

Devil’s Island is famous for the spectacular caves on its northern coast, just under the lighthouse.

Halls and galleries tunnel in the red and orange sandstone. Kayaking through them is one of the coolest things to do in the Apostle Islands .

You have to find the right tour operator, though, because many of them only offer sightseeing from afar.

There is no proper landing at the lighthouse, only a dock on the southern coast, 1.2 miles away. You can find a tour starting from Bayfield, on the mainland, or from La Pointe, on Madeline Island.

The northern tip of Devil’s Island is the northernmost point of Wisconsin. Very remote, but definitely worth the effort, the trip is spectacular.

Don’t forget to bring your own food, because there is none to be found on the island, it’s completely wild.

Book here the best Apostle Island vacation rentals

9. Wind Point Lighthouse

Where: Wind Point village (4 miles to the north of Racine)

First Established: 1880

Wind Point is one of the rare historic lighthouses on Lake Michigan that are still operational.

The Coast Guard maintains it as an aid to navigation, although it transferred the ownership of the lighthouse and park grounds to the Village of Wind Point in 1997. 

The solemn white tower, built in 1880, is one of the tallest Wisconsin lighthouses, and when it looks down on you from its 108 feet you feel really small!

The keeper’s house is large and well-tended, as are the gardens on the property.

The dwelling was expanded in 1899 to make enough room for three families: those of the head keeper and his two assistants.

When the Village of Wind Point took over, they hired new keepers so there is now a couple living again on the premises! They can give you a tour upon reservation.

There are no other attractions nearby, apart from a lovely beach. However, it’s only 4 miles to Racine or 27 to Milwaukee.

Book here the best vacation rentals in Racine

10. Port Washington Lighthouse

Where: Port Washington Marina (Lake Michigan)

First Established: 1849

My lighthouse tour in Port Washington was one of the best: I got two see two impressive historic lighthouses on Lake Michigan a few minutes walk one from the other.

The 1890 Light Station is onshore, while the Art Deco tower, built in 1935, stands at the end of the long northern breakwater (just cross the parking lot to get to the starting point).

The Light Station is managed by the Port Washington Historical Society and hosts its museum.

The lantern room on top is a donation of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg from the year 2000 to honor the community of Luxembourg immigrants in town.

If you are interested in a tour, they can be reserved in advance with the museum.

The Art Deco breakwater tower cannot be entered or climbed, but it is worth the 2500-feet walk out on the water. Just do not attempt it in stormy weather: you do not want high waves to sweep you away! 

The white metal tower stands on a square hollow basement with four large arches instead of compact walls.

Visitors can thus stroll under the lighthouse, which rises 58 feet above the breakwater and 78 feet above the water’s surface.

On top, there is a still active red light that flashes once every 6 seconds.

My visit ended at an Inventors Brewpub, just a few minutes down N. Lake Street. I have a weak spot for local craft beer, and Washington Port is a good location for home brews.

The Port Washington Lighthouse is a great day trip from Milwaukee for anyone interested in the history of Wisconsin lighthouses.

Book here tickets for sporting events in Milwaukee

11. Kewaunee Pierhead Lighthouse

Where: Kewaunee (Lake Michigan)

First Established: 1931

• Accommodation Options: In Two Rivers, the Cobblestone Hotel & Suites has fabulous reviews! For cabin lovers, this cozy house is located in Point Beach State Forest and comes with a large yard. This fully renovated cabin retreat is located close to Two Rivers and boasts a waterfront location.

The Lighthouse in Kewaunee is one of the fortunate ones; there was a non-profit organization created just to take care of its restoration.

The Friends Of The Kewaunee Pierhead Lighthouse, who have been fundraising and doing renewal work since 2015, occasionally organize a tour inside the building (keep an eye on their FaceBook page to find out when). 

I did not get lucky enough to be there on the right date, but I loved the 0.25-mile walk down the South pier to have a close look at one of the most original Lake Michigan lighthouses.

The two-story building splits into two tiny houses on the upper half, while the lower is encased in metal.

The tower with the lantern room was originally separated from the house, but it was destroyed in an accident in 1930. It was rebuilt as an extension of the roof.

In 2011 the City of Kewaunee took over the ownership of the lighthouse from the National Parks Service.

The Kewaunee Lighthouse is a local icon, and the community is very fond of it. An L.E.D.light has recently replaced the original Fresnel lens: the beacon is still active as a navigational aid.

Walking back from the lighthouse, by the left bank of the Kewaunee River, I discovered one of the ships that participated in the D-Day invasion of Normandy!

Well, not really a ship but a tugboat called the Tug Ludington (formerly Major Wilbur Fr. Browder ), that you can visit by paying a 5-dollar ticket.

A few more steps and I found some food too, in a place called Port O’ Call, quite nice and with a great view of the harbor.

Kewaunee is a small, family-friendly place, so not a destination for fine dining, but I was satisfied.

Buy here the perfect Wisconsin itinerary

12. North Point Lighthouse

Where: Lake Park, Milwaukee (Lake Michigan)

First Established: 1888

North Point Lighthouse is the second of two must-visit lighthouses in Milwaukee.

Climbing the 74-foot tall tower of the North Point Lighthouse is a great way to enjoy a spectacular 360° view of Lake Park, Lake Michigan, and downtown Milwaukee.

However, be warned: there are 84 steps and a further climb up a ladder to reach the lantern room at the top!

Since the restoration in the fall of 2007, this historic site is open to the public for tours and visits to the lighthouse and the keeper’s house, on Saturdays & Sundays, 13.00 -16.00. 

We can thank a group of volunteers, the North Point Lighthouse Friends, formed in 2002 if we can visit at least one of the lighthouses of Milwaukee in its original state.

A $ 1.5-million investment was necessary, and several years of work, before the historic site could reopen, after being decommissioned in 1994.

The metal tower was built in 1888. In 1911 it was lifted and placed on a new 35-foot base of steel plates because the trees around had grown taller than the light!

The lighthouse now is 74 feet tall and really majestic. It’s one of the tallest Wisconsin lighthouses!

The keeper’s house had to be enlarged too. Originally it was planned for one family, but after several upgrades, it hosted three.

This elegant Queen Ann building, known as the Keeper’s Quarter, now serves as a museum gallery. Take the tour and learn about the life of keepers and the history of navigation on the Great Lakes. 

Lake Park, where the lighthouse is located, is a very well-tended green area.

I took a stroll, passed the golf course and the waterfall, and to my surprise, I discovered a spot that offers French fine dining, with an Italian name: Bartolotta’s Lake Park Bistro.

Milwaukee’s Upper East Side is just across the street, so the North Point Lighthouse can be an excellent starting point for a more comprehensive tour to discover Brew City.

Book here a tour of Milwaukee

13. Neenah Lighthouse

Where: Kimberly Point, Neenah (Lake Winnebago)

First Established: 1945

• Accommodation Options: If you fancy a city getaway near Lake Winnebago, consider the Quality Inn in Oshkosh or the gorgeous Hampton Inn in Fond du Lac. If you are an Airbnb fan, you’ll love this bedroom in country home or this charming log cabin .

The same people who gave Kleenex to the world donated the land and the money to build the stunning Wisconsin lighthouse in Neenah.

The Kimberley family, cofounder of the Kimberly-Clark Corporation (Kleenex is their most iconic product), was crucial to the transformation of Neenah into the capital of the paper-making industry at the end of the 19 th century.

If you find the name “Kimberly Point Lighthouse”, know that it is the same lighthouse.

Kimberly Point Park, where the tower stands, is the place where the water from Lake Winnebago flows into the Fox River.

The land was donated by Helen Kimberly Stuart to the City of Neenah in 1929, and her brother James later financed the lighthouse project. However, it had to wait until after World War II.

The elegant white tower is built of brick and Haydite blocks. It was originally forty feet tall, but it was raised to forty-nine feet in 1954. 

A pity you cannot get inside and to the top, but the view from Kimberly Point is breathtaking. Fox River and Winnebago Lake joining create such majestic scenery.

The historic mansions on the Point are a joy to see, so I strolled down North Park Avenue and discovered the Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass.

Do not miss this unique collection of works of art, made of glass of all colors and shapes!

For restaurants, you need to go to downtown Neenah. This small city is worth spending a little time on.

You can easily walk or bike across the bridge on the river and visit also the sister city, Menasha, on the other bank, and Doty Island between the two.

Book here the best cabins on Lake Winnebago

14. Cana Island Light Station

Where: East Cana Island Road, Baileys Harbor, Door County (Lake Michigan)

First Established: 1869

• Accommodation Options: Stay at the beautiful lakefront Gordon Lodge , one of the best family resorts in Wisconsin . Enjoy private beach access and nightly campfires at the Beachfront Inn .

Have you ever tried riding in a hay wagon pulled by a tractor? I have, to visit the lighthouse on Cana Island, one of the most famous Door County lighthouses!

The causeway to the highland is getting flooded more often than usual, owing to high water levels on Lake Michigan.

So the Door County Maritime Museum offers complimentary rides to visitors!

The 89-foot-tall tower can be climbed, usually on weekends. It’s quite a hike to conquer the 97 steps of the spiral staircase and reach the gallery deck.

But the reward is a fantastic view of Lake Michigan and the upper eastern Door County peninsula from one of the best lighthouses of Wisconsin!

The Museum employs lots of friendly volunteers who show you around the light station, including the home of the lighthouse keeper and his family, and the oil house where fuel for the light was stored.

The life of the keepers meant hard work to keep the light burning every night, from 1870 when the tower was built (can you believe they used lard as fuel in the beginning?) until 1945 when it was automated.

There are three beautiful wetland reserves to visit, near Cana Island: Bailey’s Harbor Boreal Forest and Wetlands State Natural Area, Mud Lake State Wildlife Area, and the Ridges Sanctuary.

Exploring these amazing wetlands are some of the best things to do in Door County !

There isn’t much else on the island, so for nice restaurants and accommodation, you will have to go back a few miles to Baileys Harbor.

Luckily the cabins in Door County, Wisconsin , are easy to find, and they are very comfortable. There are also a lot of great resorts in Door County for every budget and occasion.

Book here the best vacation cabins in Door County

15. Rawley Point Lighthouse

Where: Two Rivers (Lake Michigan)

First Established: 1894

If you’re planning out routes for Wisconsin road trips that include lighthouses, this is a must!

At 111 feet, the Rawley Point Lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse in Wisconsin.

The present tower at Rawley Point came from Chicago in 1894. Previously it had been operational on the Chicago River from 1859 to 1893.  

However, there were two earlier lighthouses dating back to 1853.

The older round tower is still visible, with a pointed red roof, as part of the large keeper’s house that resembles a small castle.

The Coast Guard still manages the lighthouse and uses the keeper’s dwelling.

Unfortunately, this is one of the many lighthouses of Wisconsin you cannot visit. Instead, you’ll have to admire it from the nearby beach.

I wanted to see it anyway because it is the only one of this type – a “skeletal” tower with eight sides – and it saved many lives.

Before it started operations, 26 ships foundered or stranded on the dangerous shales off this part of the coast. In 1887 the steamship “Vernon” sank with 36 crew members and passengers; none survived.

Remember that you have to buy a state parks admission sticker ($8) because the light station is located within the Point Beach State Forest.

The area is very popular with campers, thanks to miles of hiking and biking trails and sandy beaches, including a good portion of the scenic Ice Age Trail, one of the best hiking trails in Wisconsin .

The Ice Age Trail extends across the state, and it’s also one of the best things to do in Central Wisconsin for fellow adventurers.

Two Rivers, a small riverside town where you can see another interesting lighthouse (see item 20 on this list) at the other end of the Forest, less than 6 miles south.

I recommend biking to and from the lighthouses. It’s a great ride and will allow you to see both of these awesome Wisconsin lighthouses in one day.

Once you are back in town, there are several pubs and restaurants to choose from.

Buy here the best guide to Wisconsin from REI

16. Grassy Island Range Lights

Where: Green Bay harbor (Lake Michigan)

• Best Thing to do:   Attend a Packers Game
• Accommodation Options:  There are plenty of great hotels and resorts in Green Bay . If you want to splurge, consider the Hyatt Regency Green Bay , while the Hampton Inn Green Bay Downtown is a great mid-range option as well.

There are two nearly identical white towers standing side by side in the parking of the Yacht Club, on the right shore of the Fox River, shortly before it empties into Green Bay.

The towers have been moved several times after they were built, in 1872.

Grassy Island, a low sandy strip a mile and a half from the river’s mouth, was their original location – and an obstacle to navigation.

These two sisters are actually range lights, meaning that captains had to steer until they saw them shine one above the other (this is why one is lower) to align with the entrance to the harbor.

In 1966 works to enlarge the channel was going to destroy the tip of Grassy Island and the two range lights.

Luckily members of the Green Bay Yacht Club rescued them and moved them to the yacht club grounds. They were refurbished and placed to their current waterfront location in 1992.

Problems were far from over because the ground was slowly sinking beneath the two towers.

They had to be moved, and $3.6 million were raised ($ 2.6 in a single donation by the “David L. and Rita E. Nelson Family Fund”) to stabilize the site. Works began in 2018 and lasted for two years.

Today the towers are back in place in what has become a lovely little “lights park”, with an additional small house and benches.

Apparently, there is no definite program yet to allow access to the buildings, but a walk there is definitely one of the coolest things to do in Green Bay .

Just two miles down the lakeshore, you can visit Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary, equipped with a Nature Centre packed full of interesting information on this wetland area.

Green Bay is a larger town with lots of things to see. The Range Lights are in town, so you can easily insert them in your Green Bay itinerary.

The city is worth staying for at least a weekend, and luckily there are plenty of great hotels and resorts in Green Bay to choose from!

Book here the best tours of Green Bay

17. La Pointe Lighthouse

Where: Long Island, Apostle Islands (Lake Superior) 

First Established: 1896

La Pointe is classified as one of the Apostle Islands lighthouses, although Long Island, where the light station is located, is not really an island.

The technical term for it is a “spit”, i.e. a long sandbar, in this case, an extension of Chequamegon Point. 

The only way to get there is by boat as there are no access roads. If you want to disembark and walk up to the skeletal metal tower and the large keeper’s house, it gets tricky.

There is no longer a proper landing there because the station has been abandoned for a long while, and the waters around the island are shallow.

The easier solution, the one I used, is a boat sightseeing tour of the area, to get as close as possible. There is no entrance to the buildings anyway.

However, at 65.5 feet, this is definitely one of the most impressive lighthouses in Wisconsin if you are able to get a glimpse.

The village called La Pointe is on the island on the other side of the South Channel, Madeline Island. Originally the settlement was a French outpost, later taken over by the American Fur Company.

La Pointe was the first harbor on Lake Superior and needed a lighthouse to help ships navigate the tricky passage between the islands.

The easiest way to book a sightseeing boat tour is to go to Bayfield, where the headquarters of the Apostle Island National Lakeshore and Apostle Island Cruises are located.

Bayfield’s population is less than 500, but there are charming old houses to see downtown.

From Bayfield, you can also do a tour of the waterfalls in Northern Wisconsin as there are dozens of them within just a few miles.

In nearby Bayview, you’ll find some of the best hiking in Northern Wisconsin .

Book here the best Apostle Island accommodation

18. Pottawatomie Lighthouse

Where: Rock Island (northeast of Washington Island, Lake Michigan) 

First Established: 1836

• Accommodation Options: Washington Island doesn’t have many options for where to stay, which is good because it keeps the foot traffic down! But if you rather stay on the island than head back to mainland Door County, I highly recommend Steffen’s Cedar Lodge , which offers private villas and apartments with balconies overlooking the beach.

This trip will make you sweat  – a long journey to get there! – but it is worth the effort if you want to visit the oldest lighthouse in Wisconsin!

The first Pottawatomie Light Station was built in 1836, then replaced by the present one in 1858. With a resident housekeeper, its service lasted until 1946 when the kerosene lamp was replaced with electric light. 

The Friends of Rock Island took over the light station, restored it, and transformed it into a museum based on a 1910 historical setting.

The site reopened in 2004 and now offers free tours (donations appreciated!), every day 10.00-16.00, from Memorial Day through Columbus Day.

The Wisconsin lighthouse tour guides are volunteer docents who rotate, and they get to stay on the station for a week in exchange for their work!

The place is spotlessly clean, and the house is completely furnished, with plenty of period accessories.

The keeper’s dwelling is a two-story compact building, with a short light tower emerging from the roof.

The lantern room had been removed in 1998. The one we can visit today is the replica built as part of the restoration works.

When I visited this veteran among the lighthouses in Door County, I had to travel along the whole Peninsula, take the ferry to Washington Island and cross it to the end, then reach Rock Island with a second ferry.

After all that adventure, I still had to walk about a mile, because the landing is on the south coast and the lighthouse on the northern tip. Rock Island is a state park, and it allows no cars or even bicycles.

The island was the property of an inventor and businessman of Icelandic origin, who built some impressive stone structures there, like the large boathouse by the ferry dock and a famous water tower.

They go by the name of Thordarson Estate Historic District.

Unless you want to camp, you will have to go back to Washington Island or the mainland to find food and lodging.

I found a couple of great classical Wisconsin cabins with hot tubs on my way back and picked one to wash off the weariness of the long day. Next thing to Paradise!

Book here the best cabins on Washington Island

19. Bray’s Point Lighthouse

Where: Oshkosh (Lake Winnebago) 

First Established: 1910

This small and elegant lighthouse is private and on private property. So use caution and try to ask the owners if you want to visit.

I did not get the chance so I admired it from the shore. In my mind, I renamed it “the senator’s lighthouse” after learning that it was built by former Wisconsin State Senator William Bray in 1910. 

Bray did not succeed in convincing the government that the shallow dangerous reefs just off the shore made a lighthouse necessary.

So he used his own money to buy the land, build the tower and pay for its maintenance. Bray even took the role of keeper upon himself, lighting the lamp each night. 

Later the government recognized that Bray was right because shipping traffic on Lake Winnebago had increased, so they agreed to cover the operational costs of the lighthouse.

Raley’s Point dominates the area where the Fox River flows into the lake.

Today the light shines again, after a period of neglect when it was decommissioned in the 1950s. The owners restored and re-lit the tower in 1986. 

This Wisconsin lighthouse is in the outskirts of Oshkosh, a city well worth a visit since it has as many as 33 listings on the National Register of Historic Places.

Oshkosh spreads on both banks of the Fox River and is the seat of the third university of Wisconsin, which probably accounts for the ample choice of places downtown where you can have a good time out.

There are many other interesting things to do in Oshkosh, WI worth checking out – including another iconic lighthouse: the Asylum Point Lighthouse.

Book here the best Lake Winnebago vacation rentals

20. Two Rivers Northern Pier Lighthouse

First Established: 1886

Initially, when I walked down the Northern Pier in Two Rivers, I found none of the Wisconsin lighthouses I was promised.

But after a little questioning in the neighborhood, I discovered that I had to go to Rogers Street Fishing Village, half a mile down the river.

I was happy I did because in addition to the lighthouse I found a whole reconstructed historical fishermen’s village – a fascinating local museum with lots of artifacts.

The Coast Guard donated the upper part of the historic wooden lighthouse to the Fishing Village when it removed it from the pier in 1969. The lower part of the structure, first built in 1886, was an open framework.

Now you can comfortably access the lighthouse from a wide new wooden platform and visit it from May to October, 10.00 – 16.00.

The French Side Fishing Village Historic District consists of several buildings: riverfront docking and boat servicing areas, fishing sheds and warehouses, a few retail stores, and homes.

A great way to learn about 175 years of commercial fishing and navigation in Two Rivers and Lake Michigan.

This little town is built where the East and the West Twin Rivers meet and flow into Lake Michigan.

You can decide if you want to have dinner and spend the night here, or move on to larger centers like Manitowoc (7 miles) or Green Bay (35 Miles).

Buy here the perfect Wisconsin road trip itinerary

Researching and visiting the lighthouses of Wisconsin brought me closer to the lives of the local communities that have grown along the shores of Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, and Lake Winnebago.

I felt less like a tourist and more like an explorer.

The lighthouses of Wisconsin left me with an admiration for the ingenuity and hard work of the people who built kept them shining every night.

All the groups and organizations that work hard to preserve the Wisconsin lighthouses clearly feel the same.

Today more powerful technologies are available, and many of the historic light towers are no longer necessary, but people love them and want them to stay.

Add a few lighthouses from this article to your bucket list of Getaways & Places to Vacation in Wisconsin and you will not be disappointed!

Before You Go: Top Tips for your Trip 

• You’ll snap tons of photos and I love to take my  GoPro  in order to shoot even in extreme situations. 
• Make sure to wear comfortable  walking shoes  and  hiking sandals   when traveling to warm countries. Consider trying some of these eco-friendly vegan hiking boots .
• Sunscreen is key! I always take with me my  eco-friendly sunscreen   by Thinksport.
• I always carry a  light rain jacket ,  just in case. Pack smart with these organic cotton clothing companies .
• Be environmentally friendly and get one of these awesome backpacks made from recycled materials .
• Get in the mindset with these amazing wilderness survival books .
• Travel insurance is essential! If you haven’t already obtained travel insurance for your trip, travel is protected against all odds with  HeyMondo .

Short FAQ About the Best Lighthouses of Wisconsin

How many lighthouses are in wisconsin.

There are 55 Wisconsin lighthouses! However, most of them are not currently operational.

What are the best Door County lighthouses?

There are a lot of amazing lighthouses in Door County, but my favorites are Eagle Bluff Lighthouse, Cana Island Light Station, and Sturgeon Bay Lighthouse.

What are the most unique Wisconsin lighthouses on Lake Michigan?

Many of the lighthouses in Wisconsin can be found along the Lake Michigan coast. But if you want to visit some that are truly unique, I recommend: Two Rivers Northern Pier Lighthouse, Racine Breakwater Lighthouse, Port Washington Lighthouse, Grassy Island Range Lights, and Pottawatomie Lighthouse,

Hola! I’m Paulina, a seasoned travelette who crossed the Atlantic Ocean by Boat HitchHiking. On my blog, find expert insights for an extraordinary holiday through outdoor and sustainable travel like hiking, cycling, and sailing. Let’s embark on unforgettable journeys together! 🌍🚀

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Lighthouses in Door County

Stories of the door county shoreline.

Door County lighthouses, many of which were built in the 1800s, have saved countless lives as they guided ships to safety. While the lighthouses are impressive when seen by land, there’s nothing quite like getting out on the lake to see these icons from the water, just as the early ship captains did as they navigated their way to safety. Whether you’re a maritime buff, architecture aficionado, or just on the hunt for vacation photo-ops, all 11 lighthouses are must-see attractions.

Lighthouses of the Sturgeon Bay Area

Sherwood Point Lighthouse The last manned lighthouse on the Great Lakes, Sherwood Point was established in 1883 and automated in 1983. It is only open to the public during the Lighthouse Walk, held the second weekend in June. The rest of the year, the facility is operated as a rest-and-recuperation area for active members of the U.S. military on a rental basis.

Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal North Pierhead Light This impressive red structure is located at the fully operational U.S. Coast Guard station on the Lake Michigan end of the Sturgeon Bay ship canal. The Pierhead light was built in 1882, and the station and its tower light were built in 1899. The lower-level walkway is open to the public.

Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal Light The Canal Station Light Tower, located on the northern bank of the entrance to the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal, was built in 1899 and automated in 1972. To reach the Ship Canal Light and North Pierhead Light, visitors must park in the lot near the station's gate and follow the driveway from the front gate to the seawall. Grounds are open to the public during the Lighthouse Walk, held the second weekend in June.

Lighthouses of Northern Door County

Old Baileys Harbor Lighthouse (Bird Cage) This lighthouse was built on an island near Baileys Harbor in 1852 and removed from service in 1869 when the Baileys Harbor Range Lights were built. This lighthouse is known for its unique bird cage lantern room. The light is now privately owned. Baileys Harbor Range Lights These range lights helped guide boats to the safety of Baileys Harbor for 100 years, between 1869 and 1969. When the upper and lower lights were parallel to each other, sailors know they were in safe water. The grounds of the range light structures are open to the public, but the structures themselves are not.

Eagle Bluff Lighthouse This easily accessible lighthouse is located in Peninsula State Park. It was built in 1868, and three keepers manned the light until 1926, when the navigational mechanism was automated.

Cana Island Lighthouse Located on the north end of Baileys Harbor off narrow and rustic Cana Island Road, this lighthouse is perhaps the most iconic and photographed of all Door County lighthouses. The island, accessed by walking across a stone causeway, is operated as a museum by the Door County Maritime Museum and Lighthouse Preservation Society.

Off the Beaten Path: Island Lighthouses

Chambers Island Lighthouse This lighthouse, located on the northwest corner of Chambers Island, is only accessible by boat. It was established in 1868 and automated in 1961.

Pilot Island Lighthouse Built of Cream City brick in 1858 and automated in 1962, this lighthouse was ordered constructed by President Buchanan after ship captains complained the light built on Plum Island in 1848 was too far west. Today, the structure is only visible by water. The property is owned by the Coast Guard; no trespassing is allowed.

Plum Island Lighthouse The Plum Island Range Lights are located between the peninsula's tip and Washington Island, guiding safe passage through "Death's Door." Those taking the Washington Island ferry can see the rear range light tower, keepers' dwelling, and fog signal building.

Pottawatomie Lighthouse Located on the north end of Rock Island State Park, this lighthouse was initially built in 1836, making it the first established in Door County. The lighthouse is open daily during the summer; the state park is open year-round and is accessible by boat or the Karfi ferry.

Virtual Tours

• Cana Island & Lighthouse
• Sturgeon Bay Pierhead Light
• Rock Island

More on Local Lighthouses

• Annual Lighthouse Festival
• Door County Maritime Museum
• Seeing the Light by Terry Pepper

Watch: Historic Lighthouses of Door County

Surrounded by 300 miles of shoreline, the 11 historic lighthouse of the county played a major role in daily life starting in the 19th century.

Explore the Lighthouses of Door County

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• Cana Island Lighthouse

On a peninsula between Moonlight Bay and North Bay, northeast of Baileys Harbor, stands Cana Island Lighthouse. It is one of Door County’s most photographed and visited lighthouses, and it closely resembles the classic image of a lighthouse with its majestic white tower attached to a brick keeper’s dwelling. This post will tell you everything you need to know about the Cana Island Lighthouse.

Here is what we will cover:

Quick Facts about the Cana Island Lighthouse

• How to visit the Cana Island Lighthouse
• The History of the Cana Island Lighthouse
• Fr equently Asked Questions

This post is part of a series on the lighthouses of Door County. Make sure to check our central hub post on Door County lighthouses to learn more about the other ten of Door County’s eleven lighthouses.

• One of Door County’s most popular attractions
• Amazing views from the top
• Built in 1869
• Brick tower encased in steel in 1902
• Automated in 1944
• Still an operational navigational aid under the authority of the Coast Guard
• Open for tours

Visiting the Cana Island Lighthouse

If you visit Door County, WI, be sure to check out the Cana Island Lighthouse. Admission prices are $12 for adults, $10 for youths aged 5-17, and free for children aged 4 and under, provided they meet the height and age restrictions for climbing the tower. Children must be at least 5 years old and 42 inches tall. Active military members and their families (up to five members) and museum members can also visit for free.

The Cana Island Lighthouse is a must-see destination in Door County, standing tall for 150 years and overlooking Lake Michigan. Visitors can take a hay-wagon over the causeway to explore the island and its many features, including the 89-foot-tall light tower, oil storage house, and lighthouse keeper’s home. But the real highlight of the visit is the climb up the tower’s spiral staircase, which spans 97 steps and offers a magnificent panoramic view of Lake Michigan and the Door County peninsula.

The Cana Island Lighthouse is open seasonally from May to October, seven days a week, with hours from 10am to 5pm. The last haywagon ride departs from the parking lot at 4:15pm, and the last tower climb begins at 4:30pm, so make sure to plan accordingly!

For more information, contact the Door County Maritime Museum , which operates the Cana Island Lighthouse: 920-743-5958 , https://dcmm.org/ .

Cana Island Lighthouse History

Cana Island Lighthouse, located in Door County, Wisconsin, has a rich history dating back to the late 1800s. The lighthouse was built to replace the Old Baileys Harbor “Bird Cage” Lighthouse, which had been in operation since 1852 but was deemed insufficient in providing adequate coverage to passing ships.

Cana Island, where the lighthouse is situated, spans an impressive nine acres in size. In 1868, Congress approved the abandonment of the Baileys Harbor “Bird Cage” Lighthouse and the construction of the Cana Island Lighthouse, which was completed the following year in 1869.

The Cana Island Lighthouse stands at a towering height of 82 feet above the level of the lake and features a third-order Fresnel lens, which was a cutting-edge technology during its construction. The tower’s exterior was originally made of cream city brick, which is a yellowish cream-colored brick common in the Milwaukee area.

However, in 1902, the brickwork started to deteriorate due to harsh weather conditions, and the lighthouse was encased in steel plates as a solution to prevent further damage. Despite this, many visitors do not realize that the tower is still constructed of cream city brick to this day.

The lighthouse was fully automated in 1944. It remains a navigational aid to this day, guiding mariners in the treacherous waters of Lake Michigan.

In 2008, the Cana Island Lighthouse was opened to visitors, allowing them to climb to the top of the tower and enjoy breathtaking views of Lake Michigan. Today, the lighthouse stands as a testament to the ingenuity of 19th-century engineers and serves as an important landmark for maritime history enthusiasts and tourists alike.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, Cana Island in Door County, Wisconsin, is currently uninhabited. While it was once the residence of lighthouse keepers and served as someone’s summer home for a period, it is now solely used as a historic landmark and tourist attraction.

Cana Island, located in Door County, Wisconsin, is owned by Door County, but the lighthouse tours and restoration are overseen by the Door County Maritime Museum. The museum ensures that the historical significance of the lighthouse is preserved and that visitors can enjoy a unique experience exploring this iconic landmark.

The Cana Island Lighthouse stands at a height of approximately 85 feet above the waters of Lake Michigan. However, this measurement can vary due to changes in the water level of the lake, which can fluctuate from year to year.

Mark Stoneman

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Lighthouse Tour

Quick Details

• Clock Duration: 4.5 hours
• Users Ages: Ages 5+
• Tags Tour Type: Scenic & Historical

Visit Door County’s most treasured lighthouses!

Explore some of Door County’s most majestic landmarks on our Lighthouse Tour. Expert guides will take you on a private, guided tour at each of the three historic lighthouses, each tucked away in the Peninsula’s hidden bays and coves.

Marvel at the stunning architecture and rich history of Eagle Bluff Lighthouse, Cana Island Lighthouse, and the Baileys Harbor Range Lights. As you travel aboard our comfortable trolley, our knowledgeable local guide will offer entertaining narration as well.

To fuel your adventure, we’ve included a delicious made-to-order box lunch with a sandwich, chips, and a beverage. You won’t have to worry about a thing as you sit back, relax, and soak up the breathtaking scenery.

Don’t miss out on this popular Door County tour – book your tickets now and join us for a day of exploration, history, and beauty on the Lighthouse Tour.

What’s Included?

• Private tour at each Door County lighthouse visited
• Made-to-order box lunch (sandwich, chips & beverage)
• Fun chauffeured trolley
• Narration between lighthouses

Tour Start Time and Location

• The Lighthouse Tour departs promptly at  10:00 am  from the Door County Trolley Station –  8030 Hwy 42 Egg Harbor, WI 54209
• Pick up & Drop off is available at select Egg Harbor hotels at  9:20 am  (additional cost). List of pick up locations available at check out.

Advance Purchase Recommended, Tours Often Sell Out!

• Tour tickets are non-refundable and can NOT be rescheduled for any reason.

Now offering pick up and drop off for groups of six or larger.

Please call us at 920.868.1100 to arrange your transportation.

Related Tours

• Clock 4.75 hours

Spring Blossom Tour

Welcome spring with a carriage ride, wine tasting, bonus stop & lunch! Enjoy views of the peninsula blossoms and majestic scenic overlooks that this rejuvenated season brings.

• Most Popular
• Clock 1.5 hours

Narrated Scenic Tour

Experience the best of Door County on our Narrated Scenic Tour! Board our “Old Time” Trolley and be amazed by the stunning landscapes, breathtaking vistas, and charming villages. Learn about the region’s unique character and insider tips of places to wine, dine and relax from our expert local guides.

Lighthouse Festival

Oct 4, 2024 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Buy Tickets

April 3, 2024

media release:  These fundraising Festival weekends include air, land-based, boat, and adventure tours that provide access to all 11 of the treasured lighthouses of Door County and 3 of our neighbors to the south. Many of the tour excursions are unique to the Lighthouse Festival weekends and provide visitors exclusive access to lighthouses not typically open to the public – Chambers Island, Plum Island, and Sherwood Point Lighthouses. There are tours for all levels of activity and accessibility. Some tours involve hiking. Boat tours depart from a variety of locations around the Peninsula, including Fish Creek, Gills Rock, Baileys Harbor, and Sturgeon Bay.

Grassy Island Range Lights and Algoma and Kewaunee Pierhead Lighthouses are open or hosting visitors!

A portion of each Lighthouse Festival tour ticket supports the Door County Maritime Museum & Lighthouse Preservation Society, Inc.

Click HERE to read the 2024 Spring & Fall Tour Schedule s

What To Bring With You:

Arrive at your tour departure location 15- 20 minutes  before departure.

• If you are sick, or not feeling well, please stay home.

• Bring your own hand sanitizer. 

• Bring/dress in layers. Door County weather can change quickly, and it’s cool on the water.

• Wear closed-toed, flat shoes, especially for tours that involve hikes (Plum Island, Rock Island).

• Bring water and snacks. Some tours include lunch or selling food/beverages. Check each tour’s BYOB rules for evening tours.

• Camera

• Sunscreen

• Insect repellent

• Each lighthouse tour ticket includes free admission to the Death’s Door Maritime Museum in Gills Rock during the 2024 season (Open May 1-Oct. 31) 

Lighthouse Festival Refund Policy  – Lighthouse Festival tickets are non-refundable, except in cases where Museum staff, our tour leaders, boat captains or pilots cancel a tour due to safety or public health concerns.

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Learn how to easily plan your dream trip to the Midwest!

15 Coolest Lighthouses in Wisconsin For Your Bucket List

May 13, 2022 by //  by  Midwest Explored Leave a Comment

Are you looking for lighthouses in Wisconsin? You are in the right space.

In this article, I will walk you through Wisconsin lighthouses; list Door County lighthouses, and show you where the beautiful lighthouses in WI are.

Wisconsin is a fantastic state with so much to see and do in WI . There are some great state parks in Wisconsin with some incredible hiking . It’s also a state with many lighthouses, 48 to be exact. 

Lighthouses of Wisconsin come in all different shapes, sizes, and colors and sit in locations as diverse as the lighthouses themselves. One thing is guaranteed though they are all in enviable positions.

However, with close to 50 to choose from it can be hard to know which one to visit. That is why I have put together this list of lighthouses in Wisconsin. 

Visiting a lighthouse really is a great road trip in Wisconsin . These lighthouses are all in beautiful locations that are worth a visit on their own.

Lighthouses in Wisconsin also make for some incredible photographs and if you love history a lot of them do in-depth guided tours.

So please pull up a chair grab an iced tea and let me walk you through the Lighthouses of Wisconsin.

15 Coolest Lighthouses in WI For Your Bucket List

Wisconsin point lighthouse.

This Lake Superior lighthouse sits right on the border between Minnesota and Wisconsin. 

Wisconsin Point lighthouse’s claim to fame is that it made the news in 2019 when a tech sales executive bought it from the Coast Guard for $159,000. Hence the reason you can no longer go inside the lighthouse. 

It’s one of northern Wisconsin’s best lighthouses and the location is just delightful.  The structure sits within a 10-mile-long sand bar between the ports of Duluth and Superior.

The lighthouse is located on what is called the southern Superior Harbor entry break wall. 

In 2007 the lighthouses were added to the National Register of Historic Places. The lighthouse is 70 feet tall and dates from 1913. 

To get to the lighthouse you need to walk on the breakwater some of which are made of rocks so solid footwear is essential. Sometimes a bit of scrambling is required.

Or just enjoy it safely from shore on one of Wisconsin’s sandy beaches near Wisconsin Point.

You are out in nature here so don’t expect to be able to get lunch at a cafe. Bring with you what you need or head into nearby Duluth about an hour away for something to eat as there are some great restaurants in Duluth .

Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal North Pierhead Light 

In Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal North Pierhead Light is likely one you have seen a picture of. One of the lighthouses in Door County it’s a well-known lighthouse in a well know area.  

The Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal North Pierhead Light is still operational so there is no access to the inside. However, you can get a better look at the lower level break wall just be careful

Or stay onshore and take your photograph there. This Sturgeon Bay lighthouse makes for great photos. This area of Wisconsin in fall is beautiful and this area is particularly wonderful then. 

Visiting here is definitely one of the best things to do in Door County .

Milwaukee Pierhead Light Is One Of The Coolest Lighthouses In Wisconsin

The is one of the active lighthouses in Wisconsin and is located in the Milwaukee harbor. It was established in 1872 and stands at 42 feet tall. 

Since it’s operational, you can not enter the tower but you can walk the pier. The walk is actually quite lovely, especially at sunset. 

The light works now on solar power and it flashes every 4 seconds and can be seen for 12 miles. It’s located downtown at the end of East Erie Street and is one of the best things to do in Milwaukee . 

This Milwaukee lighthouse is easy to view and well worth going to have a look at.

Sheboygan Breakwater Lighthouse

Built in 1915 in Sheboygan is one of the Lake Michigan lighthouses. It stands at 55 feet tall and is bright red and still a working lighthouse. 

While you can not tour it you can reach it via the stone and concrete breakwall. This is located off Deland Park on the north break wall. 

If you are going to walk the breakwater do not do it if there is a storm or bad weather because it can be dangerous.

The path is surrounded on both sides by water and is narrow towards the end. It’s not a walk for the faint of heart and please wear proper shoes as it can get slippery. 

However, the walk there is wonderful if that’s your thing, and feels like a bit of an adventure. The view from the shore is also great though. 

Add this to your Wisconsin road trip any time of the year!

Racine North Breakwater Lighthouse Is One Of The Unusual Lighthouses in Wisconsin

This lighthouse in Wisconsin is somewhat of an unusual lighthouse in that it sits on silts and concrete plinths it seems to defy gravity.

To locals, it’s known as The Big Red and they love the lighthouses even banding together in 1987 to save it. 

It was originally on the North Pier where it started life in 1901 and in 1930 it was moved to its current location.

It now forms part of the Reef Point Marina Complex.

You can not go inside the lighthouse but the grounds around it are open. The best picture can be taken at the parking area at the end of the harbor park. 

You can walk here by following Lake Michigan Pathway out to the lighthouse. Park at the end of Barker Street and you can pick up the trail there.

Eagle Bluff Lighthouse

This beautiful Wisconsin lighthouse is in a rather isolated spot sitting in the northern part of Door County. It’s close to Ephraim and sits in the Peninsula Park Beech Forest State Natural Area. 

Don’t miss visiting Ephraim. It is one of the most picturesque towns in Door County!

Since 1868 the lighthouse illuminated the islands in the middle of the Strawberry Channel. It became known as “The Guardian of the Strawberry Channel” which makes it sound rather magical and mystical. 

The light was automated in 1926 and the lighthouse thereafter fell into disrepair. The Door County Historical Society started a 4-year restoration in 1960. 

You will be pleased to know you can go inside this lighthouse and you really do get a full historical tour here. It’s open from May to October and if you can go in the fall months as the location is stunning. 

The lightkeeper dwelling is furnished to recreate how it would have looked in the day. It’s a lovely lighthouse in Door County in a lovely location.  

Devil’s Island Lighthouse

Located on Devil’s Island which is located in one of the coolest national parks in the Midwest , the Apostle Islands, in Lake Superior sounds like a place that may be otherworldly. 

Near Bayfield, this Lake Superior lighthouse was first established in 1880 and is the only Apostle Island lighthouse to still have its original Fresnel lens.

The lighthouse itself is pretty simple a white cylinder.

It was originally built to support itself however the exposed location shook the lighthouse so wildly the light would extinguish so the structure was reinforced with braces.  

The lighthouse keepers’ cottages are also still there and great relics of a time gone by. 

The island itself lives up to its strange name with spectacular caves and structures. Native Americans believed an evil spirit was imprisoned here hence the name. 

If you have your own boat or Kayak you can visit the island and there is a dock on the southern side about a mile from the lighthouse. 

There are also tours here some passing by the lighthouse from afar but some do go to the island. The lighthouse is staffed in the summer months and you can visit and climb the tower. 

The island is completely wild so make sure you bring all you need and don’t expect amenities here. 

If you can, visit this island in the Great Lakes it is worth it.

Wind Point Lighthouse

Four miles north of Racine in Wind Point Village is Wind Point lighthouse. This historical and beautiful lighthouse is still in operation which is surprising considering it dates from 1880. 

It’s one of the tallest lighthouses on Lake Michigan with a tower height of 108 feet. There is also a keeper’s cottage.

The Village of Wind Point is responsible for the care of the Lighthouse and the grounds surrounding it and the coast guard care for the light.

The grounds and lakefront surrounding the lighthouse are beautiful and the tower opens one day a month for visits so check dates and book in advance.  

This is one of those picture-perfect lighthouses in Wisconsin and well worth a visit. 

Port Washington Lighthouse

In Port Washington Marina built in 1849 is a peculiar lighthouse. This art deco structure is such an unusual shape that it really stands out from the others. 

The lighthouse is a white metal tower that stands on a square base. The base has four arches that you can stroll through. The tower rises 58 feet above the base and stands 78 feet in all. 

The light is still active and flashes every 6 secs. You can’t climb but it is a very impressive building and well worth the trip.  

This is one of the lighthouses on Lake Michigan that should be high on your list to visit.

Kewaunee Pierhead Lighthouse

On the banks of Lake Michigan in Kewaunee, this lighthouse is rather grand and beautiful. First established in 1931 this lighthouse is looked after by The Friends Of The Kewaunee Pierhead Lighthouse. 

They do occasionally offer tours which they announce on their Facebook page or website. 

It has been added to the National Register of Historic Places and is well worth a visit .

No worries if you don’t grab a tour you can still get some great views by walking down the south pier. It also fits in perfectly with the Kewaunee historic walking tour.

It’s unusual looking with what appears to be two small houses aloft on a metal casing. The tower which was originally separate from the house now rises from one of their roofs. 

This lighthouse is a bit of a local icon and the beacon is still active as a navigational aid. 

This is one of the Lighthouses on Lake Michigan that is one of the best places to visit in Wisconsin .

North Point Lighthouse

This lighthouse in Wisconsin is located in Lake Park In Milwaukee. First established in 1888 it marks the entrance to the Milwaukee River and is perhaps how you most imagine a lighthouse would look. 

It is open for tours on the weekends and you can climb the tower for an incredible view of downtown. Be warned though there are 84 steps and a further ladder to climb to get to the light.  

This lighthouse in Milwaukee is 74 feet tall and is one of the tallest in Wisconsin. The keeper’s cottage is a rather elegant Queen Ann building and in its day hosted three families. 

The park where the lighthouse is located is also beautiful and a great place for a picnic. Or after visiting you may choose to go and eat at one of these great restaurants in Milwaukee . 

Neenah Lighthouse

This rather splendid Wisconsin Lighthouse is located at Kimberly Point in Neenah and sits on Lake Winnebago in a beautiful location. 

The lighthouse has the Kimberley family who created Kleenex to thank for its existence as they donated the land and money to build the structure. Its also known as the Kimberly Point Lighthouse and was first established in 1945.

It sits in Kimberly Point Park which is a lovely area. The white tower is a white brick tower standing 49 feet tall.  

 You can not get inside the lighthouse but you can get great views of it and it’s one of the lighthouses in Wisconsin that should be at the top of your list. What a fun Wisconsin road trip this would make!

Cana Island Light Station

Another one of the Door County lighthouses, the Cana Island lighthouse, is in Baileys Harbor, a cute Wisconsin small town. It is reached from the East Cana Island Road so is easy to find. 

The best thing about this lighthouse is you get to ride a wagon over the causeway to visit it. Once there there is a lot to see. Cana Island Wisconsin really delivers. 

Most importantly you can climb the 97 steps up the 89 feet tower from which the view is amazing. Standing on the gallery deck really makes you feel small in comparison to the rest of the world. 

You can also visit the lighthouse keeper’s home and the oil house. This 1870 buildnig was fueled by lard in the early days. 

A great day out and one of the best lighthouses in WI.

Rawley Point Lighthouse

First established in 1894  this lighthouse is located in Point Beach State Forest, near Two Rivers. It’s the tallest lighthouse in WI at 111 feet and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.   

The original tower was the circular red roof building attached to the lighthouse keeper’s cottage. The tower behind it came from Chicago in 1894 and is the one used today.

The Coast guard manages and lives in this lighthouse so you can’t visit but it is a beautiful lighthouse to see from a distance on the beach. 

It’s unusual in that it is a skeletal tower with eight sides and is well worth going to see. The lighthouse sits within the  Point Beach State Forest and you do need entry here to get a good view. 

Bray’s Point Lighthouse

Near Oshkosh, this lighthouse is certainly unusual looking. To me, it resembles a rocket but it is in fact an octagonal, concrete lighthouse with a fancy light structure on top. 

First established in 1910 it is on private land but you can see it from afar and I have heard that the owners have let people in to view it. 

It’s small and elegant standing at 43 ft tall. It was built by former Wisconsin State Senator William Bray hence the name.   

Bray couldn’t convince the government the dangerous reefs required a lighthouse so he built his own even buying the land. At one time he was even the lighthouse keeper. 

It was decommissioned in the 1950s and was then restored and relit by the owners in the mid-eighties. It is truly one of the coolest lighthouses in Wisconsin.

Oshkosh is a great place to visit and if you go why not try out one of these restaurants in Oshkosh .

Packing List When Visiting Lighthouses In Illinois

If you are searching, here are some  tips on how to pack lightly when packing to visit WI lighthouses.

A  concealed travel pouch  may be one of the most important items you bring along when visiting lighthouses in Illinois.  It is  always   important  to protect your personal information. Identity thieves are everywhere.

This  unisex RFID blocking concealed travel pouch is  lightweight and comes in several colors. It has lots of organization to give you peace of mind. You can place it under your clothes next to your body to carry your ID safely.

If you have a pouch already that does not come with the RFID protection, as I do, these  RFID  sleeves  are the perfect solution.

If you are planning on taking a lot of pictures with your phone you will definitely want to consider an  external charging battery . This  Anker high-speed phone charging battery  is  the exact one  I carry with me on all of my trips.

I like that it holds its charging capabilities for several uses so I do not have to worry about it while out and about, and if I forget to recharge it at night, it will still be good to go the next day.

My daughter gifted me with this  FugeTek selfie stick and tripod   setup for my birthday. I absolutely love it! It is made of lightweight aluminum and is so easy to use.

It has Bluetooth connectivity and is a breeze to use for taking Insta-worthy selfies while visiting Wisconsin lighthouses.

I never much believed in using packing cubes when traveling. That is until I tried them. Now I am hooked. These are the exact cubes I use to stay organized when I pack for a trip!

You will want to bring your own  refillable water bottle  with you. 

I never leave home on a trip without my  Bobble filtration bottle .  The 18.5-ounce size is perfect for your adventures and it fits nicely in the pocket of a backpack.

Perhaps you are traveling a long distance and packing space is a premium in your suitcase, or in your car. Then this  set of collapsible silicone foldable water bottles  would work well for you. Would not take up much space at all. 

You will want a  backpack or daypack  with you to store snacks, your water bottle, phone, extra clothes, etc.. . No matter the time of day or evening.

This   foldable water-resistant backpack   would be great. And it comes in many different colors.

As you can see when it comes to lighthouses in Wisconsin there are a lot to choose from and this is only just the start. Whichever of these Wisconsin lighthouses you visit I know you won’t be disappointed.

Whether you visit one of the lighthouses in Milwaukee, one of the Door County lighthouses, or one of the Lake Superior lighthouses I hope you have a great time. Enjoy your lighthouse hunting and please come back and tell me all about it.

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THE 10 BEST Wisconsin Lighthouses

Lighthouses in wisconsin.

• Points of Interest & Landmarks
• Churches & Cathedrals
• Historic Sites
• Lighthouses
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Kids
• Good for Couples
• Good for Big Groups
• Hidden Gems
• Honeymoon spot
• Adventurous
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Cana Island Lighthouse

2. North Point Lighthouse

3. Eagle Bluff Lighthouse

4. Wind Point Lighthouse

5. Superior Entry Lighthouse

6. 1860 Light Station

7. Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal North Pierhead Light

8. Kenosha North Pier Light

9. Algoma Pierhead Lighthouse

10. Sherwood Point Lighthouse

11. Pottawatomie Lighthouse

What travelers are saying

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Whether it is committing to a ministry, volunteering at our school, or help for one event, there's a place for you here.

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The Lighthouse Road Trip On The Wisconsin Coast That's Dreamily Beautiful

More by this Author

With so much of our border made of water, it’s unsurprising that Wisconsin has numerous lighthouses to explore. Taking a trip along the shore of Lake Michigan will bring you to numerous different types of lighthouses where you can learn all kinds of state history and get some of the best Great Lakes views anywhere. Get in the car and head out on the road to check out this amazing Wisconsin lighthouse road trip. Bring the camera and a bit of sunscreen, because you are about to spend all day enjoying the beautiful and scenic Wisconsin Coast. Bon voyage!

You can view an editable version of this map here .

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What is your favorite Wisconsin lighthouse to visit? Are there any places that should be added to this lighthouse road trip in Wisconsin? Let us know about it in the comments.

Learn more about Cana Island, the amazing Wisconsin island you can walk to.

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Lighthouse road trip in wisconsin.

What is the most famous lighthouse in Wisconsin?

When it comes to scenic lighthouses, The Badger State may not be the first landscape to come to mind. However, our state is nestled into the Great Lakes region. Lake Michigan and Lake Superior both have shoreline in our lovely state, which means historic lighthouses in Wisconsin are actually fairly abundant. While one can argue that none of out lighthouses are necessarily “famous,” a few are subjects of local lore. Sherwood Point Lighthouse, Pottawatomie Lighthouse, and Chambers Island Lighthouse, all in Door County, are each the subject of ghost stories.

Are there any other unique road trips to take in Wisconsin?

If you’re in search of a unique road trip in Wisconsin, you will not be disappointed. With 65,498 square miles of landscape awaiting exploration, you will find that many surprises await you. You can head out and check out some of our magnificent roadside attractions (including a giant six pack of lager, a giant cow, and the Sputnik crash site), or you might opt for a more naturally-oriented adventure. If you are looking for the latter, a waterfall road trip through Wisconsin should definitely be in order!

What else can I do along the coast in Wisconsin?

When it comes to things to do on the coast of Wisconsin, you will find that there is much to discover. In addition to historic lighthouses and incredible views, you will also uncover epic beaches , restaurants , and parks. You will find a fish market , charming small towns, and friendly people. No matter what you end up doing along the coast, you will fall in love with our local landscape.

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Small business owners share how City of Madison resources helped them succeed

Alders from the City of Madison Common Council and members of the City’s Economic Development Committee capped off National Small Business Week on Saturday with a citywide tour of some of the many local businesses that have benefited from funding through the City’s Office of Business Resources .

The day started with comments from Deputy Mayor Dr. Linda Vakunta, who welcomed the alders and other City staff while recognizing all of Madison’s small business owners for what they do.

“We are very proud of the work we do to support our small businesses, as they are critical to our community,” Dr. Vakunta said. “They exemplify our vision, which is a Madison that is inclusive, innovating and thriving. They create jobs for our local community, provide essential goods and services that we all need, and contribute to the overall quality of life in Madison.”

The tour included six stops, highlighting the diversity of Madison’s small businesses – not just in who owns them, but also in terms of size and industry.

Stop 1: Duncan’s Dog Daycare

The tour started the day at Duncan’s Dog Daycare on the city’s east side, near East Towne Mall. Owner Samantha Fiscus has received a total of $25,000 through the City of Madison’s Kiva loan match loan program, offering businesses that work with designated community partners a match loan of up to $7,500. Kiva is a crowdfunding platform that provides 0% interest loans to small business owners and startups, with borrowers able to receive loans of up to $15,000.

Fiscus also received $5,200 through a Small Business Equity and Recovery (SBER) Grant in 2021, allowing her to cover costs as she was first starting her business.

“Because I opened at the beginning of the pandemic, I was not eligible for a lot of the federal grants and loans, and so I had to rely on Kiva and the grants to get me through, because business is still struggling, I’m barely breaking even, so without those grants – I mean, that $5,200 covered my rent that month. And so not to know whether I was going to be able to stay open, it was just a huge sense of relief,” Fiscus said.

Stop 2: Sasha-A Restoration

The second leg of the tour took the group to Sash-A Restoration, a woman-, minority-, veteran-owned window restoration company based on Madison’s east side.

Owner Pam Barrett was able to use a Small Business Equity and Recovery Grant of $1,063 to help her pay for required health and safety equipment needed to mitigate the effects of lead paint, as well as personal protective equipment to prevent the spread of COVID-19 as they went into people’s homes.

Sasha-A Restoration opened in 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic – a time when many people were looking to make home improvements.

“That was one of the things that really helped me sell (promote) my business in that I was able to say, ‘Hey look, I encapsulate the area I’m working on, I’ve got lead-safe certification for doing this kind of work, and I’ve got the right equipment,” Barrett said.

Stop 3: Smart Cleaning Solutions

The third stop on the tour took the group to the city’s far east side, where Smart Cleaning Solutions is in the process of building a brand-new building as part of the Commercial Ownership Assistance program, which is focused on helping business owners expand their enterprises by helping them transition from renting commercial space to owning their own commercial property.

The Commercial Ownership Assistance program offers forgivable loans of $250,000 to help support existing businesses in taking that next step toward property ownership, specifically focusing resources on communities that have historically faced barriers to accessing the money needed to start or grow their businesses.

The COA program is funded by the Small Business Equity and Recovery (SBER) program in the City’s operating budget, as well as Tax Increment Districts 50, 51, 52, 53 and 54. The program has an annual budget of $500,000.

Stop 4: Bombay Bazaar Market and Brothers Cafe

The fourth stop on the tour took Alders and City staff to the west side to see the improvements made to Bombay Bazaar Market made possible through the Office of Business Resources’ Healthy Retail Access Program.

The program helps fund businesses that increase access to affordable, healthy, and culturally appropriate foods. Bombay Bazaar owners Ramesh and Pema Chhabra received a little more than $98,000 from the program in 2023, allowing them to make improvements to their market’s lighting, shelving, and refrigerators – allowing them to increase their inventory and offer more cold and frozen food items from across southeast Asia.

Before the improvements, the store’s coolers and freezers were more than 20 years old and needed constant maintenance, affecting the business’s ability to keep many cold or frozen items in stock. With the new coolers and freezers, Bombay Bazaar has been able to confidently keep more food options on display, expanding food options for the community members who shop there.

After visiting Bombay Bazaar, the group had lunch at Brothers Cafe, located in the same plaza. Brothers Cafe is the first Somali restaurant in Madison, offering a diverse menu with a variety of traditional Somali dishes.

Stop 5: Earthly Temptations

After lunch, alders and City staff traveled to Madison’s south side to visit Earthly Temptations on South Park Street. Owner Sarah Branch began making natural products to fulfill the needs of her family and friends in 2020 during the pandemic and ultimately opened her retail store in 2022.

“As I started crafting products, as I started meditating and using crystals and such, I noticed that my mood has dramatically increased and I love life. So as I began to heal, I knew I had to offer it back on to the community, so I wanted everybody to participate in self-care,” Branch told the group.

Branch was able to receive a Kiva loan to help cover the costs of continuing her education and gaining certifications that allowed her to grow her business by offering different classes and healing sessions. She was also able to use the Kiva funds to expand inventory in her retail store and hire someone to help her develop a website.

“Now all of my shelves are completely filled, and I’m really excited about that,” Branch said.

Stop 6: JustVeggiez

The final stop on the tour took the group to JustVeggiez, which was originally launched as a vegan takeout, vending and catering business before moving into its new storefront on the 500 block of State Street in the last year.

Owner James Bloodsaw, Jr. says the inspiration for the business came from a conversation with his father in 2011, who urged James to make lifestyle changes as his father experienced health issues.

“He was on his dying bed and told me don't end up like him, so I changed my lifestyle, and I’m on my way to changing the community,” Bloodsaw, Jr. told the group.

A mural of his father is now prominently displayed inside the restaurant as a reminder of that inspiration.

JustVeggiez is another business that has been able to receive funding through the Small Business Equity and Recovery Program and Kiva loans but was also able to benefit from the City’s Building Improvement Grant program, receiving $50,000 in 2022.

Learn more about resources for local businesses

The City of Madison’s Economic Development Division and the Office of Business Resources offer a large variety of loans and grants to help business owners get started or expand. You can learn more about who qualifies for business assistance and how to apply on the Office of Business Resources’ webpage .

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The latest on the massive solar storm

By Angela Fritz, Elise Hammond and Chris Lau, CNN

Incredible lighthouse picture from Maine

From CNN's Chris Lau

Among a flurry of surreal images capturing the dazzling auroras is one taken by Benjamin Williamson of a lighthouse in Portland, Maine.

"It's one of the most incredible things I've ever seen, the awe and wonder," Williamson told CNN.

He said he used a long-exposure technique to snap the shot, but did not edit it.

Watch the full interview with Williamson here .

Things could be about to ramp up

If you still haven't seen the aurora, hold on for another 30 minutes to an hour, according to CNN meteorologist Chad Myers.

The next wave of coronal mass ejections, or CMEs, which cause the aurora, is about to arrive, he said.

"Just wait a minute because things are going to start to ramp up here," he said, adding that the increase could arrive "anytime now." "When it comes, get outside, get ready, put your coat on."

For those who are too busy to witness the phenomenon tonight, Myers said the aurora is expected to last three nights.

Why does the aurora last for a weekend?

By CNN's Chris Lau

Generally, it takes just eight minutes for light to travel 93 million miles to the Earth from the sun, but astrophysicist Janna Levin said the energized particles causing the current wave of aurora travel a lot slower, causing the phenomenon to last for the weekend.

"Some of these mass ejections are trillions of kilograms," she said. "They're slower. So they're taking longer, but still hours, maybe tens of hours."

Here's how the solar storm looks in the South and on the East Coast

The aurora was visible across the East Coast and in the South Friday.

Here's how it looked in Chester, South Carolina.

Down in Florida, waves of color swam through the sky.

Up north in New Jersey, a purple-ish haze could be seen in the sky.

Will solar storms get more intense and risky in the future?

The answer is probably not in the short term, according to astrophysicist Hakeem Oluseyi.

He said scientists study what is constantly happening on the surface of the sun and have found a pattern.

“Geological data shows us that in the past the sun was way more active than it is today. It has cycles where it goes very quiet ... and you have events that show that the solar activity was much, much greater,” he told CNN. “So there's no evidence that we're going to see those big maxima this cycle." 

But the astrophysicist also spoke of a caveat - the limitations of modern science.

“Even though it's predictable in the short term, we still don't quite understand what creates the magnetic fields in the sun,” he said, adding: “That's why NASA has so many satellites looking at the sun.”

In Pictures: Auroras light the sky during rare solar storm

From CNN Digital's Photo Team

A series of solar flares and coronal mass ejections from the sun are creating dazzling auroras across the globe .

The rare solar storm may also disrupt communications. The last time a solar storm of this magnitude reached Earth was in October 2003, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center.

See more photos of the aurora from tonight.

Behind dazzling aurora could lie “real danger,” Bill Nye the Science Guy says

The massive solar storm could present “a real danger,” especially with the modern world relying so much on electricity, according to Bill Nye the Science Guy , a science educator and engineer.

Scientists are warning an increase in solar flares and coronal mass ejections from the sun have the potential to disrupt communication on Earth into the weekend. Solar flares can affect communications and GPS almost immediately because they disrupt Earth’s ionosphere, or part of the upper atmosphere. Energetic particles released by the sun can also disrupt electronics on spacecraft and affect astronauts without proper protection within 20 minutes to several hours.

In comparison to tonight's event, Nye drew comparisons with another incident in 1859, known as the Carrington Event, when telegraph communications were severely affected.

“The other thing, everybody, that is a real danger to our technological society, different from 1859, is how much we depend on electricity and our electronics and so on,” Nye said. "None of us really in the developed world could go very long without electricity."

He noted that there are systems in place to minimize the impact, but “stuff might go wrong,” stressing that not all transformers are equipped to withstand such a solar event.

“It depends on the strength of the event and it depends on how much of our infrastructures are prepared for this the sort of thing,” he said.

Bill Nye breaks down significance of the solar storm | CNN

This post has been updated with more details on solar flares' impact on electronics.

Here's where clouds will block the view of the northern lights in the US

From CNN's Angela Fritz

After an incredibly stormy week, most of the Lower 48 has clear skies to see the northern lights. But there are some areas where clouds and rainy weather are spoiling the view.

A deck of clouds is blocking the sky in the Northeast, from parts of Virginia into Maine, as an area of low pressure spins off the East Coast.

In the Midwest, the aurora will be hard to see through thick clouds in parts of Wisconsin, Michigan — including the Upper Peninsula — and Illinois.

A stripe of clouds is tracking across Texas, including Dallas-Forth Worth, and into Louisiana.

And in the Southwest, patchy clouds across the the Four Corners region could make the northern lights difficult to spot.

Aurora seen at least as far south as Georgia

Barely visible to the naked eye, the aurora can be seen in Atlanta in the 10 p.m. ET hour. 

It is easier to see through photographs using a long exposure. The photos below, taken by CNN's Eric Zerkel and Emily Smith, used 3- and 10-second exposures.

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Fall Door County Lighthouse Festival

Fall: oct. 4-6, 2024.

This fundraising Festival weekend includes air, land-based, boat, and adventure tours that provide access to all 11 of the treasured lighthouses of Door County and 3 of our neighbors to the south. Many of the tour excursions are unique to the Lighthouse Festival weekends and provide visitors exclusive access to lighthouses not typically open to the public – Chambers Island, Plum Island, and Sherwood Point Lighthouses. There are tours for all levels of activity and accessibility. Some tours involve hiking. Boat tours depart from a variety of locations around the Peninsula, including Sister Bay, Gills Rock, and Baileys Harbor. A portion of each Lighthouse Festival tour ticket helps fund the Door County Maritime Museum & Lighthouse Preservation Society. FOR 2023: Grassy Island Range Lights and Algoma and Kewaunee Pierhead Lighthouses are open OR hosting visitors! Please note: The interiors of the Algoma Pierhead Lighthouse, and the Sturgeon Bay Pierhead Lighthouse, are NOT open for visitors. You cannot get to the buildings, due to openings in the breakwalls.

Related Events

Spring Door County Lighthouse Festival

Door County Classic & Wooden Boat Show