Lighthouses and windmills of Long Island
Long Island's edges are marked by lighthouses and its East End villages by windmills, and several of both still welcome visitors. We have picked 10 of them: lighthouses you can climb for the view, historic windmills you can walk right up to, and two 18th-century grist mills that run their own programs.
Checked September 2026
All of these are in Suffolk, most of them out on the East End, so they pair naturally with a beach day or a drive to the North Fork. Several of the lighthouse climbs and museum rooms keep seasonal hours, with the fullest calendars in summer, while the windmills themselves are outdoor landmarks you can see any day of the year. Tap any spot for the details, and confirm hours with the site before you make the drive.
Visitors can climb the 110-foot tower of New York State's oldest lighthouse, commissioned by President George Washington in 1792, for panoramic views from the top. The site features a museum exploring Long Island's maritime history, an interactive aquarium, and an augmented reality Theodore Roosevelt tour.
Why it's hereClimb the 110-foot tower of New York State's oldest lighthouse, commissioned by President George Washington in 1792, for panoramic views, then take in the maritime museum, the interactive aquarium, and an augmented reality Theodore Roosevelt tour.
The Fire Island Lighthouse stands as New York's tallest lighthouse and welcomes families to explore Fire Island's maritime heritage through tower climbs, museum exhibits, and gift shop browsing. Visitors can experience the natural beauty of Fire Island National Seashore and enjoy breathtaking views from the top of the historic tower. The Preservation Society hosts seasonal programs including summer talks, sunset tours, and special celebrations that bring the lighthouse's 200-year history to life.
Why it's hereNew York's tallest lighthouse, with tower climbs, museum exhibits, and a gift shop, plus seasonal programs from summer talks to sunset tours that bring its 200-year history to life.
Horton Point Lighthouse is a historic 58-foot tower built in 1857, offering families a chance to explore maritime history and climb the restored lighthouse. The site includes a Nautical Museum in the adjoining Keeper's House, a scavenger hunt for kids, and video tours that bring the lighthouse's story to life. Open weekends during the summer season, it's a great destination for families interested in local history and coastal heritage.
Why it's hereA 58-foot tower built in 1857 that families can climb, with a Nautical Museum in the adjoining Keeper's House, a scavenger hunt for kids, and video tours; open weekends during the summer season.
Why it's hereAn 1806 smock-style gristmill on North Main Street in East Hampton: tour the museum in the summer months and explore the grounds year-round.
Why it's hereA preserved windmill in East Hampton offering a glimpse of the village's colonial past, looked after by the village's Historic Services department.
Why it's hereA State and National Historic Place and Town of Southampton landmark, standing at the corner of Ocean Road and Hildreth Avenue in Bridgehampton.
Why it's hereA town-designated landmark on the Village Green in Water Mill, worth the stop for the windmill and the scenic village setting around it.
Explore a restored 18th-century farmhouse and learn about Colonel David Mulford's role in American history. The Mulford Farmstead offers guided tours of the main house, which recently underwent comprehensive interior restoration, providing families with an intimate look at colonial-era life on Long Island.
Why it's hereThe Pantigo Windmill shares the site with a restored 18th-century farmhouse, where guided tours of the main house give families an intimate look at colonial-era life.
Explore a restored 18th-century water-powered grist mill and museum showcasing 250 years of local Long Island history through exhibits on ice harvesting, whaling, the Civil War, farming, and more. Kids enjoy hands-on activities like "Kids at the Mill" programs, while families browse rotating art shows, quilt exhibitions, and the gift shop. The colonial garden and outdoor deck provide space to learn and relax.
Why it's hereA restored 18th-century water-powered grist mill whose museum covers 250 years of local history, from ice harvesting and whaling to farming, with hands-on Kids at the Mill programs and a colonial garden.
The Stony Brook Grist Mill, a historic structure dating to 1751, is preserved and presented by the Ward Melville Heritage Organization as part of the village's rich cultural heritage. Visitors can explore local history through educational programs and seasonal events, including walking tours, festivals, and interactive experiences that bring the area's past to life for families.
Why it's hereA mill dating to 1751, preserved by the Ward Melville Heritage Organization, with educational programs and seasonal events from walking tours to festivals that bring the village's past to life.
Common questions
Which Long Island lighthouses can you climb?
Three in this guide open their towers: Montauk Point, Fire Island, and Horton Point. Each pairs the climb with a museum. Climbing rules, including any height minimum for kids, are set by each site, so check before promising a small child the top.
Can you go inside the windmills?
Sometimes. Hook Windmill in East Hampton opens its museum in the summer months and its grounds all year; the other windmills are best treated as outdoor landmarks to walk around and look at, with any tour a seasonal bonus. The two grist mills, in Water Mill and Stony Brook, run programs of their own.
Do the lighthouses and windmills charge admission?
Expect admission where you go inside: lighthouse climbs and museums typically charge, and prices change, so tap the listing for the site's website and check there before you go. For the windmills, the outside view is the visit; tours, where they run, may have their own fee.
What ages are these good for?
The windmills and grounds suit any age: a quick stop, a walk around, a photo. The lighthouse climbs are for kids who can handle a lot of spiral stairs. Horton Point adds a scavenger hunt for kids, and Montauk has an interactive aquarium alongside its museum.