Seven inspiring lighthouses where they let you sleep over with your kids

For an unforgettable adventure that will appeal to kids and adults alike, spend a night or two in one of the historic lighthouses dotted along North America’s coastline. While some of these unique properties offer individual rooms, others provide the opportunity to rent the whole lighthouse and actually be light keeper for the night.

Rose Island Lighthouse, Newport, Rhode Island

 Enjoy a family sleepover at Rose Island Lighthouse, built a mile offshore in Narragansett Bay and accessible only by boat. This lighthouse has been home to keepers and their families for over a hundred years and it feels like you’re stepping back in time the minute you arrive. Rooms are decorated in turn of the century style and the second floor Keeper’s Apartment is ideal for families. Kids (and grownups) can get stuck in with traditional lighthouse keeping activities to help keep the station functioning, plus there’s a wildlife refuge, two beaches and the Fort Hamilton Barracks to explore.

Saugerties Lighthouse Bed & Breakfast, Saugerties, New York

The only lighthouse you can sleep in on the Hudson River, this landmark 1869 beacon and renowned B&B is a unique place to relax and enjoy the charm and rustic simplicity of life in the middle of the river. The restored, red brick Saugerties Lighthouse is surrounded by water on a remote shoal, and is reached by a gentle half-mile trail (bring rain boots as it can get muddy!). Its two bedrooms are decorated in early 20^th-century style and there’s a shared bathroom. There’s plenty to do for all the family including exploring the lighthouse, picnicking on the beach, fishing or spotting beavers on the nature trail.

Heceta Lighthouse Bed & Breakfast, Florence, Oregon

Spend a night in one of the last remaining lightkeeper’s cottages on the Pacific Coast. Set on a cliff on the Oregon Coast, Heceta Lighthouse is considered one of the world’s most beautiful lighthouses and is a working lighthouse that casts its beams some 21 miles out to sea. Paths from the Keeper’s House lead both to the beach and to the lighthouse,. There are six beautifully decorated rooms located in the cottage, five bathrooms and a fully equipped kitchen. The decadent seven-course breakfast is a real treat. Kids will love the nighttime walk to the lighthouse and there’s a huge lawn where they can burn off some energy.

The Lighthouse on Cape d’Or, Advocate Harbour, Nova Scotia, Canada

Wake up to dramatic views at The Lighthouse on Cape d’ Or, located on the edge of Fundy Bay in Nova Scotia. The inn, the former’s lightkeeper’s home, is ideal for families wanting a memorable overnight adventure. There are four cozy bedrooms, two of which are connected, plenty of outdoor activities to entertain younger guests and a restaurant with a kid-friendly menu. As the lighthouse is active, the foghorn might go off in the night so earplugs are recommended for the kids!

Cordova Rose Lodge,  Cordova, Alaska

Possibly the most unique B&B in Cordova, Cordova Rose Lodge is a wooden barge with its very own lighthouse. Only accessible by high-speed ferry or Alaskan Airlines flight, this will suit families wanting a thrilling adventure in rustic surroundings. The nautical-themed barge sits on the breakwater surrounded by inlet waters on the Prince William Sound and has eight rooms. Breakfast is a real treat and includes some Alaskan specialties. Summertime activities include berry picking, boat trips around icebergs in Sheridan Lake and hiking Child Glacier.

Point Robinson Lighthouse, Vashon Island, Washington

For a relaxing getaway, spend the night at Point Robinson Light Station on Vashon Island, a short ferry ride from Seattle. Built in 1914, the lighthouse still operational and there are two renovated keeper’s quarters with full kitchens that you can sleep in. While not luxurious, the accommodation is perfectly comfortable and there’s a sandy beach close by. Kids can build forts or fly kites in the coastal breezes, while you relax and watch the world float by from the porch – you might get lucky and spot Orca whales in the distance. The Lighthouse Captain will also take you up to the top of the tower to see the Fresnel lens in action.

Point Cabrillo Light Station, Mendocino, California

Located on acres of undeveloped Pacific coastline in Mendocino, northern California, Point Cabrillo Light Station has been classified a California State Historic Park and is a real gem. As well as an active lighthouse, there are two recently renovated houses with bright red roofs plus two smaller cottages. Rooms are furnished in early 20^th-century style. The lightkeeper’s house has been turned into a period museum and there’s a restored blacksmith and carpentry shop with a 270-gallon saltwater aquarium for kids to explore. It’s a great spot for whale watching and you can often see harbor seals on the rocks.