Just outside Portland, Maine, Cape Elizabeth is home to one of New England’s most iconic lighthouses, beautiful stretches of rocky coastline, sandy beaches, and some excellent lobster rolls. It’s a place where you can spend the morning photographing historic lighthouses, walk along the coast, and enjoy fresh seafood with a view of the Atlantic Ocean.
On a road trip through New England, my friend and I spent time exploring Cape Elizabeth, as well as other destinations along Maine’s coast, including Portland, Camden, and Isle au Haut. Cape Elizabeth was a great stop for its coastal scenery, historic lighthouses, and classic Maine lobster shacks.
In this guide, I’ll cover the best things to do in Cape Elizabeth, our favorite stops, and a few tips to help you plan your visit. Whether you’re visiting on a day trip from Portland or including Cape Elizabeth on a longer Maine road trip, it’s an easy place to spend a few memorable hours.
The Essentials
LOCATION | Southern Maine, just outside Portland
BEST THINGS TO DO | Portland Head Light, Two Lights State Park, Crescent Beach State Park, and lobster rolls by the ocean
DON’T MISS | Portland Head Light, Maine’s oldest lighthouse
TIME NEEDED | 1–2 hours for Portland Head Light; half a day to explore several coastal stops
BEST TIME TO VISIT | June through October for generally pleasant weather and seasonal seafood stands
GETTING AROUND | A car is the easiest way to visit the area’s attractions
Best Things to Do in Cape Elizabeth
Portland Head Light
Within Fort Williams Park stands the iconic Portland Head Light, Maine’s oldest and most visited lighthouse. This lighthouse was commissioned by George Washington in the late 1700s and was first used to warn citizens of coming British attacks. Today, the light is automated, and the Keeper’s House has been turned into a museum and gift shop.
Short walking trails surround the Portland Head Light. Daring visitors can also walk out onto the rocky shoreline to catch another great view of the lighthouse.
Fort Williams Park boasts several food vendors, with A Bite Into Maine standing out for its renowned lobster rolls, chowder, and lobster grilled cheeses. Acclaimed by The Food Network, Food & Wine, and USA Today, their offerings provide a delicious culinary experience complemented by the stunning backdrop of Maine’s iconic Portland Head Light.
Portland Breakwater Light (Bug Light)
Portland Breakwater Light, more commonly known as Bug Light, is a small lighthouse just off the coast of South Portland.
This extensive breakwater has protected the Portland harbor from harsh waves since 1855, though the present lighthouse was later reconstructed in 1875. Today this lighthouse celebrates Maine’s 19th century seafaring tradition. The area around the lighthouse is open to the public, and numerous events take place here year round. Admission to see the Portland Breakwater Light is free.
Bug Light | Wangkun Jia/shutterstock.com
Crescent Beach State Park
Crescent Beach State Park stands out as one of Portland’s premier coastal destinations. Its crescent-shaped shore is perfect for sunbathing, while its light surf makes swimming, watersports and fishing possible. Open throughout the year from 9 am to sunset, the park charges an $8 entrance fee per non-resident adult, accepting both cash and credit.
Crescent Beach State Park
Two Lights State Park
Two Lights State Park offers a picturesque vantage point to admire the rocky coastline of the Cape. Despite its name, the twin lighthouses are not visible from within the park. Instead, the park offers a tranquil setting for enjoying ocean views. With a history as a World War II coastal defense installation, Two Lights has remnants like bunkers and an observation tower that visitors can explore.
The Lobster Shack at Two Lights
Located just outside Two Lights State Park is The Lobster Shack at Two Lights. This isolated lobster shack sits right along the rocky shoreline, providing sweeping views of the blue coast. It is also in view of one of the area’s lighthouses.
In addition to a great view, this lobster shack is claimed to have one of Maine’s best lobster rolls. We can attest to the claim – the lobster rolls were indeed delicious and incredibly fresh.
Getting Around Cape Elizabeth
Travelers will need a car to get around Cape Elizabeth. Parking is available at all of the attractions.
Biking around Cape Elizabeth is also possible, but if you wish to see the whole Cape, the full loop will be around 30 miles. Bikers can follow parts of the Eastern Trail, a bike route that stretches from Canada to Key West. Find more information on the EasternTrail.org website.
How Much Time Do You Need?
To explore all the attractions in Cape Elizabeth, plan for at least 4 hours, accounting for the time spent at each site.
For travelers short on time, the only must-see destination on Cape Elizabeth is the Portland Head Light. Allocate an hour here to fully enjoy this sight.
Plan Your Trip to Maine
Planning to explore more of Maine? Here are several places we visited on our New England road trip, plus our guides to help you plan your trip.
- Exploring nearby Portland? → Our Portland, Maine Travel Guide covers the best things to do, where to eat, where to stay, and nearby day trips.
- Continuing north along the coast? → Discover the Best Things to Do in Camden, Maine, a picturesque harbor town with scenic hikes, boat cruises, and waterfront restaurants.
- Visiting Acadia National Park? → Our Acadia National Park Travel Guide covers the park’s best hikes, scenic drives, top attractions, and everything you need to plan your visit.
- Planning a longer road trip? → Follow our 12-Day New England Road Trip Itinerary for an unforgettable journey through Maine and the other New England states.
- Want more ideas for Maine? → Visit our Maine Travel Guide for all of our destination guides, itineraries, and travel tips.
If you have any questions about the best things to do at Cape Elizabeth, let us know in the comment section below.
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