Or, you can see it from the ocean—as it was meant to be seen —on a boat ride or harbor cruise around Cape Ann. (You can also get a US Lighthouse Society passport stamped along the way).

Built in 1859 and opened to the public in 1988, the Cape May Lighthouse has welcomed more than 2.5 million visitors to date. Travelers who scale the 199 steps to the top of the lighthouse will be ...