Bug Light Park
Bug Light Park
4.5
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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
330 reviews
Excellent
210
Very good
93
Average
26
Poor
0
Terrible
1
westie2
Kensington, CT10,630 contributions
Sept 2021
We really enjoyed our visit to this 8+ acre park that offers an expansive view of Portland harbor and the skyline of the city. We found ample parking and admission was free. This area was once the site of a vast shipbuilding industry during WWII and there is now a liberty ship memorial at the opposite end of the park from the eponymous lighthouse.
Written 13 October 2021
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.
cmurphy18
Quincy, MA5 contributions
Oct 2020
The Bug lighthouse and park were great and I highly recommend checking out if you are in the Portland area. The lighthouse is adorable and there is a great park with benches and green space to hang out on. Lots of space to spread out and social distance in the COVID era.
Written 13 October 2020
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.
Roberts69
Northampton, UK18,896 contributions
Feb 2020
Affectionately known as Bug Light, for its diminutive 24-foot tower, the Portland Breakwater Lighthouse in South Portland is the only one of its kind in the world, and as such was a must place to visit during our snowy visit to Portland, Maine.
Built in 1875 and designed by Philadelphia-based architect Thomas Ustick Walter, who also designed the U.S. Capitol dome, Bug Light is a replica of the Choragic Monument of Lysicrates, which is located near the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. Bug light has marked the entrance to Portland Harbor for the past 145 years and its solar-powered light can still be seen by mariners miles out to sea.
We visited in February 2020 and the little 'Bug' lighthouse looked beautiful as part of the Wintry vista. It certainly is well worth a visit if in Portland. There is Car Parking at Bug Light Park as well as some park benches so you can sit and take in the view.
Built in 1875 and designed by Philadelphia-based architect Thomas Ustick Walter, who also designed the U.S. Capitol dome, Bug Light is a replica of the Choragic Monument of Lysicrates, which is located near the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. Bug light has marked the entrance to Portland Harbor for the past 145 years and its solar-powered light can still be seen by mariners miles out to sea.
We visited in February 2020 and the little 'Bug' lighthouse looked beautiful as part of the Wintry vista. It certainly is well worth a visit if in Portland. There is Car Parking at Bug Light Park as well as some park benches so you can sit and take in the view.
Written 17 June 2020
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.
LovesPhotoOps
Hoover, AL1,219 contributions
Jun 2022
Be sure to park in the waterfront lot which is free, not in the small lot that has an arm across the entrance. The lighthouse is on a short breakwater to the left of the parking lot and you can walk right out to it. This is a good place for views of Casco Bay (boats, Fort Gorges) and Portland, including the Portland Observatory in the distance. To the right of the parking lot is a large outline of a ship which contains exhibits about the building of Liberty Ships in South Portland during WWII.
Written 5 July 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.
NHjo
Saco, ME13,739 contributions
May 2022
This is a great park, with wonderful views of the Portland waterfront and lots of room to walk, have a picnic, fly a kite, throw a ball to your dog, or just rest and soak in the scenery. The Liberty Ship Memorial is a beautiful tribute to the many liberty ships that were built in the S. Portland shipyard during WW2. And of course, the squat and picturesque Bug Light is a delight.
Written 6 May 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.
HuntMaryland
Kensington, MD3 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
Great park, but when we attended the July 4 2022 celebration, the men assisting the Elvis impersonator were flashing the hand signal indicating support for dominance by people with light complexions. Needless to say, this was like a kick in the stomach during what should have been a pleasant family event. I hope the organizers screen the entertainers more carefully in the future.
Written 8 July 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.
sunhead
milwaukee404 contributions
Sept 2021 • Couples
Wonderful little park with some great history. A small light signal (no house), but modeled after a Greek monument. Very unique. I didn't know anything about history of area, but in WW2 this was a major ship building site putting out nearly 300 cargo ships in 4 years in the war effort. Later after the war the park was created. Also of some interest the park was funded in part by donation and one area is lined with markers families bought to remember loved ones. So all around you is the beauty of ocean and history of the area.
Written 6 September 2021
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.
ThomasTCat
St. Louis, MO777 contributions
Aug 2021
Wonderful little lighthouse with a great view. Parking was free and there were ample parking spaces. We walked over to the path leading to Bug Lighthouse, but it looked like it could be difficult to walk on the uneven stone path, and there were other people there at the lighthouse. Since we are in a pandemic, we decided to forego the trek over there and keep a safe distance from the tourists. It was well work spending time enjoying the view.
Written 6 September 2021
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.
1RaiderFan
Schenectady, NY727 contributions
Apr 2022 • Family
Cool spot and nice park. You get a nice view of Portland from here. Lots of picture opportunities! Don’t forget to photograph the marker where the climate change fear mongers think the ocean will be in 2050. It’s a good laugh and I’ll bet the city of Portland it won’t even be near the mark they claim.
Written 17 April 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.
KEP12538
Hyde Park, NY284 contributions
Aug 2021 • Solo
An easy stroll along the sea wall with rock or comfier benches brings one to the bug light. Historical markers tell of the unique shape.
There is a great view to Portland and points north as well as along the bay to other lighthouses.
If you’d like to launch a boat, walk a dog, fly a kite or have a picnic those spots are available, too. Bring a book and enjoy sunset!
There is a great view to Portland and points north as well as along the bay to other lighthouses.
If you’d like to launch a boat, walk a dog, fly a kite or have a picnic those spots are available, too. Bring a book and enjoy sunset!
Written 14 August 2021
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.
I personally have no answer, having visited there only twice and neither time with a boat trailer. I can only recommend the South Portland government web site for possible answers (web address not allowed but you could find it using Google).
Written 8 July 2019
No, this is a gate to the actual park, but there is parking near the gate and you can walk the grounds anytime.
Written 1 May 2017
Does this place have a bathroom?
Written 4 September 2016
We went Dec of 18 and there were NO bathrooms. Dunkin Donuts is about 2 miles away on broadway.
Written 31 December 2018
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