Plan Your Visit

Today, Tibbetts Point Lighthouse is still an active aid to navigation maintained by the United States Coast Guard leaving the Lighthouse tower inaccessible to visitors, but the grounds are open to view the beautiful scenery where Lake Ontario meets ​the St. Lawrence River.

​​Visitors can enjoy using the provided telescope to survey the Lake & River.

Tibbetts Point Lighthouse marks the point where Lake Ontario meets the St. Lawrence River in Northern New York State. Built in 1827, the Lighthouse features the only original working Fresnel lens in Lake Ontario.

The Tibbetts Point Lighthouse property is owned by the Town of Cape Vincent. If you need information about use of the site (a wedding for example) you must make arrangements with the Town at 315 654 3660.

The hostel is no longer in operation nor are rooming accommodations offered any longer.

WIFI Available at Visitor Center

HOURS & DIRECTIONS

Lighthouse Grounds
Our grounds are Open Daily to Explore - FREE
Year-round   24/7, 365


Visitor Center, Museum & Gift Shop

Open Seasonally – Based on Volunteer Availability

(Please check the calendar for the most up-to-date hours)

Lighthouse Address
33435 Tibbetts Point Rd, Co Rt 6 Cape Vincent, NY 13618

44° 6′ 00″ North 76° 22′ 12″ West

SCHEDULE A BUS TOUR

Tibbetts Point Lighthouse originally built in 1827, is strategically located at the end of the Great Lakes system on Lake Ontario and the beginning of the St. Lawrence River. As a result, it makes this spot the start of the 1000 Islands Vacation Region.

Tourists have realized the beauty and charm in coming to the 1000 Islands for over 125 years. That trend continues today as a multitude of Tour Companies offer day trips and over night stays throughout the region to sample the attractions of the North Country.

Since the Lighthouse is still an active aid to navigation maintained by the United States Coast Guard, the tower inaccessible to visitors. However the Atrium to the tower and the Fog Horn building are open for viewing. The three acre grounds can be explored at ones leisure. A fully stocked Gift Shop and Museum is located in the Visitor Center along with clean restrooms.

With the combination of history and breathtaking views, Tibbetts Point Lighthouse offers the perfect choice for buses to stop. Buses are welcomed during our normally scheduled hours. (check web site for hours of operation)

In order to insure that our Visitor Center and Tour Guides are sufficiently prepared, reservations are required. A reasonable fee for each bus is requested upon arrival from driver, unless other arrangements are made in advance.

Please CLICK HERE to download, and return the completed form to tibbettspoint91@gmail.com

OR

Click on the “Bus Tour Signup Form” button to fill out and submit your registration digitally

For The Fee You Will Receive:

  • Bus will be met in parking lot by a knowledgeable volunteer guide and an outline provided

  • Group will be split - 1⁄2 given walking Guided Tour; 1⁄2 can visit Visitor Center and Museum; then reversed. Tour and questions take approximately 15 minutes per group

  • Group is invited to wander the grounds and take in the beauty. Pictures are a must!

  • Gift Shop will be staffed and clean restrooms will be available

Click on button below to fill out our registration form and submit electronically

MARINE TRAFFIC

This is a Global Ship Tracking Tool

Tibbetts Point Lighthouse is an excellent location to see the many ships that travel the St. Lawrence Seaway.  Use this tool to see what ships and boats may be coming or going in our area.  The GREEN / RED icons are commercial ships.  The PURPLE / BLUE icons are usually pleasure craft.

If you tap on the icon a picture of the ship displays.  Scrolling down will show information about the ship – Country of ownership, Destination, Country ship is flagged, Speed, and Length.

You can put this APP on your phone – Free.  Visit your App Store

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can’t find what you’re looking for? We’d love to hear from you!

Don’t hesitate to CONTACT US with any and all questions you may have.

  • The Tibbetts Point Lighthouse grounds are open to the public 24/7, 365 days a year. The Visitor Center, Lighthouse Atrium and Foghorn building are open seasonally based on volunteer availability. Please refer to our  Hours of Operation for more details.

  • No, since the Lighthouse is still an active aid to navigation maintained by the United States Coast Guard, the tower is inaccessible to visitors. The three-acre grounds can be explored at one’s leisure. A fully stocked Gift Shop, Museum, lighthouse atrium, and foghorn building are open seasonally when staffed by volunteers. The Visitor Center includes clean restrooms.

  • Visitors are allowed to bring their own food and beverages to the grounds. However, this is a Carry-In, Carry-Out destination. No trash containers are provided. There are a limited number of picnic tables in our Pavilion to enjoy your lunch and our beautiful views.

  • Yes, a limited number of free parking spaces is provided for lighthouse guests for the duration of their visit.

    Please be Advised:  Parking is reserved for the lighthouse patron vehicles only; all other vehicles are subject to be towed at the owner’s expense. There is no overnight parking allowed.

  • Yes - Pets are permitted on the Lighthouse grounds. Pets must remain under the control of their handler for the duration of the visit and must have a harness, leash, or other tether except for situations when the handler’s disability prevents their use. Lighthouse staff can request that the pet or service animal be removed from the property if the animal is out of control and the animal's handler does not take effective action to control it, the animal is not housebroken, or the animal poses direct threat to the health and safety of others. Visitors must pick up after their pets. Waste bags are provided at no charge.

  • Tibbetts Point Lighthouse prides itself on maintaining a family-oriented atmosphere that is fun and exciting for young and old alike. We ask that all guests conduct themselves in a respectful and appropriate manner to ensure everyone has a wonderful time by following these simple rules:

    • Language: Be courteous and respectful of others by ensuring your language is always appropriate. Refrain from using profanity, making offensive comments, or engaging in conversations of an inappropriate nature for the duration of your visit.

    • Behavior: Please ensure the members of your party behave in an appropriate manner. Unsafe, illegal, lewd, disruptive, and offensive behavior is not permitted.

    • Roughhousing: Visiting the lighthouse is a lot of fun. However, for the safety of the facility and its guests, please refrain from running, jumping, or climbing in, on, or around the historic structures and grounds.

    • Fighting: Abusive, threatening, or combative behaviors and altercations of a physical or verbal nature are strictly prohibited on museum property.

    • Vandalism: Vandalism is an illegal act. Defacing, damaging, mutilating, or destroying facility property, artifacts, exhibits, or equipment including the alteration of computer software and moving of exhibit cases is strictly prohibited and punishable by law. All cases of vandalism will result in staff contacting local law enforcement and legal action against the offender.

    • Intoxication: Individuals suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or other controlled substances will be asked to leave the lighthouse grounds for their safety and the safety of others.

  • In deference to other guests and for the protection of our historical buildings, please refrain from smoking or vaping at our facility.

  • Visitors are welcome to take all the pictures and videos they like while exploring the Tibbetts Point Lighthouse, if their activity does not impede access to any public areas or interfere with the experience of their fellow guests.   Professional photographers, videographers, and film crews wishing to photograph or film on site must receive written permission from the Town of Cape Vincent.

  • People often ask to fly drones over Tibbetts Point Lighthouse.   For the safety of our guests and the property’s structures, flying drones anywhere over the National Historic Landmark is strictly prohibited.

    • Restricted Areas: Most of the Lighthouse grounds are accessible to the public. However please respect fenced off areas for your own safety.  

    • Solicitation: Unauthorized solicitation of any kind, whether commercial, religious, political, personal, or otherwise; including the sale of products and solicitations of money, donations, contributions, or support; is not allowed anywhere on the Lighthouse property.

    • Lost and found: The museum’s Lost and Found is in the gift shop. Please see a gift shop volunteer if you find something that someone has lost or need to find something you have misplaced while exploring the grounds. You can also contact a gift shop volunteer by phone at (315) 654-2700 or email us at: tibbettspoint91@gmail.com regarding any items you may have lost during your visit.