Cape Elizabeth Travel Guide

  FLAG AT HALF-STAFF, SEPTEMBER 2001
by Rich62
 
  • FLAG AT HALF-STAFF, SEPTEMBER 2001
      FLAG AT HALF-STAFF, SEPTEMBER 2001
    by Rich62
  • ROCKY SHORELINE
      ROCKY SHORELINE
    by Rich62
  • ...AND THE WAVES CRASH IN.
      ...AND THE WAVES CRASH IN.
    by Rich62
  • ALONG THE SHORE
      ALONG THE SHORE
    by Rich62
  • MORE ROCKY SHORELINE
      MORE ROCKY SHORELINE
    by Rich62
 

Explore Cape Elizabeth

Things to Do  

VISIT THE LIGHTHOUSE

VISIT THE LIGHTHOUSE, Cape Elizabeth

 Rich62 Says:  THIS LIGHTHOUSE is located near the town of Cape Elizabeth, which (according to Wikipedia) is the most affluent town in Maine, according to the 2000 census. It is just south of Portland.There are actually two lighthouses there, but the other one was discontinued in 1924 and... 

Portland Head Light

Portland Head Light, Cape Elizabeth

 HotSpotJ Says:  If you are driving on the coast of Maine on a scenic tour, then the Portland Head Light is the must-see lighthouse along the way. The most popular and most photographed lighthouse in the world (unconfirmed), the Portland Head Light is a gorgeous white lighthouse on the Coast... 

Another lighthouse

Another lighthouse, Cape Elizabeth

 Dabs Says:  On our 1st pass through Cape Elizabeth, we came across this lighthouse and I thought we were at the Portland Head Light but just weren't looking at it from the right angle. We were in a bit of a rush to get to Ogunquit so we took a photo and left but luckily we had a little... 

Portland Head Light

Portland Head Light, Cape Elizabeth

 Dabs Says:  This is one of the most photographed lighthouses in Maine, if not the most photographed. 

Portland Head Lighthouse

Portland Head Lighthouse, Cape Elizabeth

 Stephen-KarenConn Says:  "The rocky ledge runs far into the sea, and on its outer point, some miles away,the lighthouse lifts its massive masonry, A pillar of fire by night, of cloud by day."--Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Cape Elizabeth is home to one of the most spectacularly beautiful lighthouses on... 

Cape Elizabeth Lights: West Tower

Cape Elizabeth Lights:  West Tower, Cape Elizabeth

 Stephen-KarenConn Says:  Like it's twin East Tower, the West Tower was first lit in 1874. However, it is no longer operational having been deactivated in 1924. Today the West Tower is a private residence. The foundation of the West Tower is stone, and the tower itself is made of cast iron. It no... 

Two Lights State Park

Two Lights State Park, Cape Elizabeth

 Stephen-KarenConn Says:  Two Lights State Park consists of 41 acres of rocky headlines which rise high above the pounding surf of Maine's legendary rugged coast. Established in 1961, the park takes its name from the twin lighthouses located nearby at the end of Two Lights Road. The lighthouses,... 

Cape Elizabeth Lighthouses: East Tower

Cape Elizabeth Lighthouses:  East Tower, Cape Elizabeth

 Stephen-KarenConn Says:  Standing high on a ridge overlooking the entrance to Casco Bay are two lighthouses, namesakes for Two Lights State Park." The light station was established in 1828 and the first of the historic towers standing today, the East Tower Light, was first lit in 1874. It was... 

Goddard Mansion at Fort Williams

Goddard Mansion at Fort Williams, Cape Elizabeth

 Stephen-KarenConn Says:  Stand high on a hill overlooking Fort Williams are the ruins of what was once a magnificent oceanfront residence, the Goddard Mansion. This was the home of Colonel John Goddard and his family who lived here during the mid to late 1800s. Karen and I enjoyed walking through... 

Fort Williams Park

Fort Williams Park, Cape Elizabeth

 Stephen-KarenConn Says:  Fort Williams, which once protected the shoreline of Cape Elizabeth and also provided the Harbor Defense for Portland. Officially closed and deactivated in 1963, the fort is now the site of a beautiful 90-acre park on Casco Bay. Fort Williams Park is a popular place for... 

Portland Head Lighthouse

Portland Head Lighthouse, Cape Elizabeth

 al_mary Says:  This is a very historical lighthouse,and is a must to see in you are inthe Greater Portland area.Great visit for family as you willalso have great views of Maine'srocky coast line .... 

Portland Head Light

Portland Head Light, Cape Elizabeth

 DarrenMcLellan Says:  The second oldest active lighthouse in the US. Comissioned by George Washington. 

Hotels  

Inn By The Sea

 169 Opinions

Restaurants  

The Lobster Shack: Try the Lobster Rolls

The Lobster Shack: Try the Lobster Rolls, Cape Elizabeth

 Stephen-KarenConn Says:  On our way to Maine Karen told me of this wonderful seaside restaurant where she had eaten with her sister on a visit several years earlier. The only problem is, she couldn't remember the name of the place, or its exact location, but she did remember the general area. Both... 

The Lobster Shack: Seafood by the sea!!

The Lobster Shack: Seafood by the sea!!, Cape Elizabeth

 DarrenMcLellan Says:  Great Seafood right by the sea!! The dinning room is small, but you will want to sit outside anyway. SItuated on a rocky point overlooked by a lighhouse, it does not get much more Maine. Fried Clams. Real Clams in real batter. Not frozen, not necks, whole clams!! The best... 

Local Customs  

Lobstering

Lobstering, Cape Elizabeth

 Stephen-KarenConn Says:  Lobstering is big business in Maine and lobster boats can be seen frequently along the state's rocky coastline. This photo of a lobster boat at work in Casco Bay was taken from Portland Head in Cape Elizabeth.Lobsters were once so plentiful here that Native Americans used... 

Warnings Or Dangers  

You'll want to take to many pictures!!

You'll want to take to many pictures!!, Cape Elizabeth

 herzog63 Says:  You better bring lots of film! As you might want to take lots of pictures!!! There are a few different angles to shoot from and most people seem to want every angle and then even double up on the shots! 

Off The Beaten Path  

Ram Island Ledge Light

Ram Island Ledge Light, Cape Elizabeth

 Stephen-KarenConn Says:  The Ram Island Ledge Lighthouse stands on Ram Island, about a mile offshore from Portland Head in Casco Bay, near the entrance to Portland Harbor. The island is submerged during high tide and is surrounded by dangerous ledges. It may not be visited by tourists. The best view... 

Sports & Outdoors  

Swimming at Fort Beach

Swimming at Fort Beach, Cape Elizabeth

 Stephen-KarenConn Says:  Maine is known for it's rugged rocky coastline and not for its sandy beaches. However this small Beach at Ft. Williams Park, with smooth pebbles, lies in a little cove between the Portland Head Lighthouse and Fort Williams. It was a pleasant day in August when we were there,... 

Favorites  

An extra 20 Feet!!

An extra 20 Feet!!, Cape Elizabeth

 herzog63 Says:  You can see the ring on the tower that is about 3/4 of the way up. That is where an additional 20 feet was added to the tower in 1865! 

Great Views!!

Great Views!!, Cape Elizabeth

 herzog63 Says:  There awesome views from Portland Head Light!! In the winter you can watch the big storms churn up the ocean and the in the summer when the sun is shining the water is a nice blue color! We enjoyed a nice cool breeze on the day we visited! 

The Place

Plan a Cape Elizabeth vacation with reviews, tips and photos posted by real travelers and Cape Elizabeth locals

Experience Cape Elizabeth
  •   26 Tips and Reviews
  •  63 Photos
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The People

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Our Members Say
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 The light house has been unmanned since 1989. It is fully automated now. The original building was constructed in 1790!! 

5 members live in Cape Elizabeth

 

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Top Cape Elizabeth Writers

1

Cape Elizabeth, Maine

Stephen-KarenConn profile photo

 Cape Elizabeth, a small coastal community on Casco Bay at the entrance to Portland Harbor, is a suburb of Maine's largest city, Portland. Cape Elizabeth is a historic town, famous for its lighthouses,... 

2

Cape Elizabeth Home to Portland Head Light!!

herzog63 profile photo

 Well a visit to Maine really isn't complete unless you stop by Portland Head Light!! It is the oldest Light House in Maine!! And one of most picturesque!! 

3

Portland Head Light

Dabs profile photo

 I was inspired to visit the Portland Head Light after seeing Stephen-KarenConn's page on it and seeing their postcard perfect pictures of this lovely lighthouse. On our first visit to Cape Elizabeth,... 

4

Cape Elizabeth, Maine

al_mary profile photo

  "The Lighthouse" "The rocky ledge runs far out into the sea And on its outer point, some miles away, The lighthouse lifts its massive masonry, A pillar of fire by night, of cloud by day." ------... 

5

THE CAPE ELIZABETH LIGHTHOUSE IN MAINE

Rich62 profile photo

 THIS WAS THE SCENE when we arrived at Cape Elizabeth just a week or so after 9/11. It was sad then and it still is now, as I write this in 2009. 

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