What would it be like to spend the night in a lighthouse? See for yourself during your visit to New England when you book a stay at Rose Island Lighthouse.
The Rose Island Lighthouse sits off the coast of Newport, Rhode Island, just a mile offshore. The lighthouse, which dates back to 1870, was vandalized and seriously neglected after it was abandoned in 1971. In 1993, thanks to the efforts of the non-profit Rose Island Lighthouse Foundation, the historic lighthouse was restored and refurbished.
Today, the Rose Island Lighthouse is open to the public as a museum during the summer, from Memorial Day through Labor Day. At night, those looking for a unique lodging experience can spend the night on the island throughout the year in one of the two rooms of the lighthouse or in the keeper’s apartment on the second floor of the lighthouse. During the warm weather months, couples looking for a romantic getaway can also choose to reserve the 1912 Fog Horn Building on the island. This building, which once housed the steam foghorn machinery, is quiet, cozy, and furnished with a queen bed, but the closest bathroom is 100 feet outside.
Adventurous couples can also choose to stay in the Barracks room in a separate, bomb-proof historic building! This unique bunker has a queen bed, but the bathroom facilities require an outdoor walk of approximately 30 feet. The Barracks Room is rented seasonally.
If you are a true fan of lighthouses and will not be satisfied with simply staying a night or two, you can contribute to the preservation of this historic lighthouse by applying to become the “Guardian of the Week”. The second-floor caregiver’s apartment houses two adults and up to four children, and volunteer caregivers pay a fee in addition to completing work projects during their stay.
Ready to book your lighthouse getaway? Check the availability calendar online on the Rose Island Lighthouse website, then make your reservations online or call 401-847-4242 between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Gift certificates can be purchased if you want to surprise someone with the unique gift of a stay in a lighthouse.
More lighthouse nights in New England
Several other New England lighthouses offer overnight accommodations:
- The Race Point Light Station in Provincetown, Massachusetts on the Outer Cape has rooms available nightly from May 1 to November 30 inside a restored 1950s Guardian’s House. Transportation to the lighthouse is provided. Or, if you’re really looking for solitude, book a stay at the Whistle House, which accommodates private parties of up to eight guests for a minimum two-night stay. A catch! To get to Whistle House, you will need your own four wheel drive vehicle and a beach driving permit from the National Park Service. Call 855-722-3959 to make reservations.
- The Bakers Island Light Station in Salem, Massachusetts offers overnight stays for up to four people at the Lighthouse Keeper’s Assistant House on Friday and Saturday nights from July through September.
- Whitehead Light Station on Maine’s Whitehead Island offers overnight stays on select R&R weekends and in conjunction with apprenticeship programs. Call 207-200-7957 for upcoming dates.
- Little River Lighthouse in Downeast Maine offers overnight stays from mid-June to mid-September in your choice of three bedrooms. Volunteers will take you by boat to this refuge on the island.
Beacons of love?
Don’t miss your chance to dine atop a lighthouse in Newburyport, Massachusetts.