The Majestic Sandy Neck Lighthouse

A visit to one of the Cape Cod lighthouses is always on the itinerary on a Cape Cod Family Vacation Package. But with so little time and so much to see… which lighthouse should you visit? One worth the trip is the Sandy Neck Lighthouse. Dating back to the early 1800’s, the Sandy Neck Lighthouse is located in Barnstable Harbor.

Rich History

When it was first built in 1827, Sandy Neck consisted of just a lantern on the roof of the keeper’s house. In 1857, the old lighthouse was replaced by a brick tower , followed by a new keeper’s house in 1880. By 1931, sand had built up at the tip of Sandy Neck, making the lighthouse’s position less important. The lighthouse was decommissioned, and a skeleton tower with a beacon was placed 200 feet closer to the tip of Sandy Neck. Eventually, the lantern was removed and the site was sold to private ownership. Today, Sandy Neck is a wildlife refuge – and its lantern room has been restored thanks to the Sandy Neck Lighthouse Restoration Committee.

A Sight to See!

Given its long history and location, the Sandy Neck Lighthouse is one of the most popular Cape Cod attractions. It’s a great half-day excursion mixed in, maybe, with a day at the beach.

Check out some great, affordable Cape Cod accommodations... and put the Sandy Neck Lighthouse on your list of things to see on Cape Cod during your next Cape Cod vacation.