Niagara Falls 
There is history to discover around Fort Erie, the Lake Erie Shores, and the Niagara River, dating back over 250 years. The waterfront city of Fort Erie itself includes a wide variety of historical attractions that offer glimpses into the region’s rich cultural heritage. Among the historical and heritage sites around Fort Erie is one that provides a chance to escape the busier attractions or city streets and enjoy a day on the quieter shores west of town.
Follow the highway past Crystal Beach to take a guided or self-guided tour of the Point Abino Lighthouse on the far west side of Fort Erie. The Point Abino Lighthouse, also a National Historic Site, offers a great look into the area’s history, as well as the tower’s unique architecture, through guided or self-guided tours. Overall, the site and grounds surrounding the Point Abino Lighthouse are closed to the public but remain open during tour dates or public visit hours with the help of the Point Abino Lighthouse Preservation Society.
History of the Point Abino Lighthouse
There are dozens upon dozens of lighthouses lining the shores of Canada’s Great Lakes. And many of these lighthouses look pretty similar to one another, or are simple towers with the beacon light on top. The Point Abino Lighthouse on the northern shore of Lake Erie stands out among almost any other lighthouse in Canada.
Point Abino was selected as a lighthouse site following the devastating “Great Storm of 1913,” which caused the loss of over 200 sailors and multiple ships. The disaster accelerated efforts to modernize navigational aids across the Great Lakes, leading Canadian officials to consider Point Abino despite local opposition from summer homeowners who feared disruption. To address concerns, the lighthouse was carefully designed to complement the area’s aesthetic. Completed in 1917, it featured reinforced concrete construction, an 87-foot tower, and a 3rd order Fresnel lens still in place today. Originally kerosene-fueled and hand-operated, the light was fully automated by 1989. The adjacent Keeper’s dwelling, designed in the Arts and Crafts style, was built to blend with neighbouring homes and was designated a heritage property in 2009.
The lightstation operated until 1995, after which it was decommissioned and declared surplus. Advocacy by local residents led to the formation of the Point Abino Lighthouse Preservation Society. Their efforts helped secure the lighthouse’s historic designation and its purchase by the Town of Fort Erie in 2003. Today, volunteers maintain the site and offer guided summer tours.
The location and surrounding scenery of the Point Abino Lighthouse also help contribute to the overall beauty of the area. The lighthouse is set against a backdrop of Lake Erie’s rocky shores in one direction and the expansive lake in the other direction.
Point Abino Lighthouse Tours
The Point Abino Lighthouse Tours provided by the Preservation Society are the only way to see inside this historic structure. The tours run on select summer dates between June and September, with the upcoming 2025 dates to include August 9 and 23, as well as September 13 and 27. The tours last about 1 hour and 15 minutes and offer insight into the construction of the lighthouse and its beautiful architecture, and into the overall history of Fort Erie.
Self-Guided Site Visits
Those summer and fall dates without guided tours scheduled have the Point Abino Lighthouse site open for walk-in and bike-in visits. The designated trail to the lighthouse is 1.5km one-way, with the Point Abino Lighthouse as the final stop on the trail. From here, there will be opportunities for incredible waterfront photos, birding, and relaxation.
For these open dates, guests are free to visit from 10 am – 6 pm on weekends, and 3 pm-6 pm on weekdays. The site is dotted with picnic benches, and there is a small terrace on the base of the lighthouse that is also open to the public. Depending on the time of year or water levels, the entire lighthouse may also be surrounded by water.
More to See & Do in Fort Erie
The Point Abino Lighthouse is on the western edge of the city of Fort Erie and about 20km from Old Fort Erie, where the water of Lake Erie enters the Niagara River. The large municipality of Fort Erie is a scenic place to explore, from Point Abino to Crystal Beach, to Fort Erie Beach, and to Old Fort Erie.
- Plan around one of many summer and fall events to pop up in Fort Erie with celebrations like Fort Erie Pride, Ridgeway Summer Festival, Waterfront Park Concert Series, or the Ridgeway BIA Farmer’s Market.
- This waterfront city offers a few ways to access Lake Erie, from beaches to boat launches or boat rentals.
- Get a lot more information about the local history from the Lighthouse tours, as well as trips to the 1764 Fort Erie National Historic Sites, the Railway Museum, or a self-guided historical tour on foot/bike.
More to See & Do in Port Colborne
While the Point Abino Lighthouse is within the Fort Erie city limits, it is still about the same distance from Port Colborne as it is from the rest of Fort Erie. This makes either waterfront destination a great choice for where to head after the Point Abino Lighthouse.
- Fill up on the great local dining and food options around Port Colborne, including several great patios for the warmer days, or the Saturday Summer Farmers’ Market.
- Pack a picnic or plan for a swim at one of Port Colborne’s beautiful public beaches on Lake Erie, including Cedar Bay or Nickel Beaches.
- Dive into more local history after your visit to the Lighthouse with a visit to Port Colborne Historical & Marine Museum, which also offers guided summer tours.
Planning Your Trip – The Point Abino Lighthouse
What: The Point Abino Lighthouse was built on the rocky shore of Lake Erie in 1917 and designed with several neoclassical elements to give the Point Abino Lighthouse a distinctive look.
The building’s thoughtful design, over eight decades of continuous use, and its designation as both a National Historic Site of Canada and a Heritage Building all contribute to its enduring appeal. Today, the Point Abino Lighthouse remains preserved and intact, attracting visitors, locals, photographers, and history enthusiasts drawn to its architectural beauty and cultural significance. The lighthouse and grounds are open seasonally for self-guided visits or guided tours.
On a self-guided visit, access is only permitted for pedestrians, bicycles, and motorized handicap scooters, and there is no access to the interior. These visits are free but require registration on Eventbrite. The guided tours bring guests to the Point Abino Lighthouse by bus, after which tours are provided of the lighthouse’s interior.
Location and how to get there: 1010 Point Abino Road South, Fort Erie
Best time to go: June-September
Tours of the Point Abino Lightstation take place every second and fourth Saturday of June, July, August and September.
How much: guided tours $6 per person; self-guided is free
For more information:
Point Abino Lighthouse Preservation Society Tours
