Avery Point Light
Avery Point Light
4.5
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Attractively styled lighthouse which was in operation from 1944 to 1967.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
99 reviews
Excellent
68
Very good
24
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5
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1
Terrible
1
profjan06nj
Fair Lawn, NJ244 contributions
Dec 2022
Drove to the campus to see the lighthouse. Early Sunday morning and not a person to be seen. Walked along the waterfront which was cold and windy, but invigorating. The lighthouse is at the end of that walkway. There are steps leading up to it, but you can not go inside. It seems very well maintained and newly renovated? What a great find! You can walk around campus. It is pretty with some very interesting buildings. Definitely worth seeing.
Written 12 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maurene_K
Dover, NH12,283 contributions
Sept 2014 • Friends
This was a revisit for me. See my previous review from August 2013. It was a first visit for my friend.
New London and Groton are a lighthouse lover’s dream. There are three lighthouses within a few miles of each other: New London Harbor Lighthouse, New London Harbor Lighthouse, and Avery Point Lighthouse.
As a member of several lighthouse preservation nonprofits, I’m familiar with Avery Point Lighthouse Society, a nonprofit that is a chapter of American Lighthouse Foundation headquartered in Rockland, ME. This group saved this lighthouse from the wrecking ball.
Competed in 1943, it was the last lighthouse constructed in the State of Connecticut. Due to World War II, it was not lighted until 1944. It is 55 feet high and octagonal in shape. It is constructed of brick. It was extinguished in 1967. Over the next 30 years, it was neglected and fell into disrepair. It was in danger of being razed by the University of Connecticut, its owner. Concerned citizens formed Avery Point Lighthouse Society Light and saved it. With serious fund-raising, it took about 6 years and $500,000 to restore the structure. It was relighted on October 15, 2006. The lighthouse is not open to the public.
On this visit, we’d first stopped on Pequot Avenue in New London to view and photograph New London Ledge Lighthouse and New London Harbor Lighthouse. Then, we drove to Avery Point. After visiting and photographing Avery Point Light, we sat in our folding chairs near the sculpture park facing the Thames River and watched the ferries and other marine traffic passing New London Ledge Lighthouse and New London Harbor Lighthouse. This vantage point gives stunning views of Fishers Island Sound and the mouth of the Thames River with distant views of the two New London lighthouses. Bring your camera and binoculars.
The path around the waterfront and over to the lighthouse is paved with bricks. The path is level enough to allow access by a wheelchair.
This is my favorite place in Groton. It’s a place I visit every time I go to Groton.
If you found this review and/or my earlier review helpful, kindly click YES below.
New London and Groton are a lighthouse lover’s dream. There are three lighthouses within a few miles of each other: New London Harbor Lighthouse, New London Harbor Lighthouse, and Avery Point Lighthouse.
As a member of several lighthouse preservation nonprofits, I’m familiar with Avery Point Lighthouse Society, a nonprofit that is a chapter of American Lighthouse Foundation headquartered in Rockland, ME. This group saved this lighthouse from the wrecking ball.
Competed in 1943, it was the last lighthouse constructed in the State of Connecticut. Due to World War II, it was not lighted until 1944. It is 55 feet high and octagonal in shape. It is constructed of brick. It was extinguished in 1967. Over the next 30 years, it was neglected and fell into disrepair. It was in danger of being razed by the University of Connecticut, its owner. Concerned citizens formed Avery Point Lighthouse Society Light and saved it. With serious fund-raising, it took about 6 years and $500,000 to restore the structure. It was relighted on October 15, 2006. The lighthouse is not open to the public.
On this visit, we’d first stopped on Pequot Avenue in New London to view and photograph New London Ledge Lighthouse and New London Harbor Lighthouse. Then, we drove to Avery Point. After visiting and photographing Avery Point Light, we sat in our folding chairs near the sculpture park facing the Thames River and watched the ferries and other marine traffic passing New London Ledge Lighthouse and New London Harbor Lighthouse. This vantage point gives stunning views of Fishers Island Sound and the mouth of the Thames River with distant views of the two New London lighthouses. Bring your camera and binoculars.
The path around the waterfront and over to the lighthouse is paved with bricks. The path is level enough to allow access by a wheelchair.
This is my favorite place in Groton. It’s a place I visit every time I go to Groton.
If you found this review and/or my earlier review helpful, kindly click YES below.
Written 5 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mjvinson
Concord, NC397 contributions
The whole setting at the Avery Point Light is picturesque. The ocean side walk provides great views of the ocean and the New London shoreline across the water.
The park itself is nice but the lighthouse is SUPERB. It looks like it was just built yesterday and is in fabulous condition. You must take a chance to visit this light if you're in the area.
P.S. Don't forget to check out the sculptures along the seaside walk. They're a nice addition to the experience!
The park itself is nice but the lighthouse is SUPERB. It looks like it was just built yesterday and is in fabulous condition. You must take a chance to visit this light if you're in the area.
P.S. Don't forget to check out the sculptures along the seaside walk. They're a nice addition to the experience!
Written 13 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Neiliee
Long Island, NY61 contributions
Its now pretty obvious to me that tourists come in two flavors. Those whose hearts go pitter-patter over a lighthouse, and those who don't. I now know I side with category number two.
It's a nice lighthouse. A cute lighthouse. You can walk up and even touch the lighthouse. Its an old lighthouse. Then I realized its freezing outside. You cannot climb the lighthouse, the lighthouse is locked. We then said goodbye to the lighthouse.
The view is more worthwhile than the lighthouse itself- the campus of Uconn is beautiful. Exploring the mansion behind the lighthouse, to me and my family, was far more interesting than the lighthouse itself. But still not worth the trip.
I gave it three stars.......five if you like lighthouses, one if u don't.
No lighthouses were harmed in the writing of this review.
It's a nice lighthouse. A cute lighthouse. You can walk up and even touch the lighthouse. Its an old lighthouse. Then I realized its freezing outside. You cannot climb the lighthouse, the lighthouse is locked. We then said goodbye to the lighthouse.
The view is more worthwhile than the lighthouse itself- the campus of Uconn is beautiful. Exploring the mansion behind the lighthouse, to me and my family, was far more interesting than the lighthouse itself. But still not worth the trip.
I gave it three stars.......five if you like lighthouses, one if u don't.
No lighthouses were harmed in the writing of this review.
Written 8 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
differentname
Woodbridge, CT2,741 contributions
May 2019 • Solo
I was so distracted by this wonderful 'summer cottage' built in the spirit of all those summer cottages during the Gilded Age around the turn of previous century, 1900. These were really mansions for the ultra wealthy (as in Newport, Rhode Island and Lenox, Massachusetts). The front door was open and I explored.
The building now hosts over 70 wedding parties a year, and I would consider it the showcase building of this UCONN campus.
The building now hosts over 70 wedding parties a year, and I would consider it the showcase building of this UCONN campus.
Written 5 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
martyC5001NS
Boothbay Harbor, ME242 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
I came to see the Avery lighthouse but not expecting this amazing building that looked like a castle. Then realizing it was on the university of Connecticut campus. The day was glorious and you could see a good Distance to the New London Ledge and New London Harbor lighthouses.
Campus was on Spring break, we walked and admired some of the building and the architecture.
Campus was on Spring break, we walked and admired some of the building and the architecture.
Written 29 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Charles and Jan... K
Mystic, CT49 contributions
Apr 2017 • Couples
This is a non-working lighthouse BUT it has been restored & is in a beautiful setting by the water. The grounds around Avery Point are lovely, too!! Take your lawn chairs & sit on the grass by the water & gaze out over Long Island sound.
Written 22 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark M
Groton, CT5 contributions
Sept 2017 • Couples
You can only see the outside of the light house. Last year U-Conn instituted pay to park. You can access Avery point every other hour with the local bus system. The more interesting building is the Avery Point Mansion in the picture provided.
Written 10 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amy V
Bolton, CT12 contributions
Jul 2015 • Solo
Visited on July 2, 2015 - Beautiful views and nice walking path. Gorgeous UCONN campus. If your a lighthouse lover - this is a place for you!
Written 7 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CT_Irishman3
Oakville, CT56 contributions
Jun 2014 • Solo
Fantastic site, view and venure overall. Large spacious grounds outside for having an outdoor event. Super view for taking photos. Inside can be a bit cramped, especially with a large gathering.
Written 13 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pat w
Groton, Connecticut
I want to know how to purchase a brick for the walkway
Written 2 November 2017
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