Standing guard at the entrance to New Bedford Harbor since 1898, Butler Flats Light is a striking sparkplug-style lighthouse built on a concrete caisson foundation. This active navigational aid rises above the waters of Buzzards Bay, its distinctive white cylindrical tower topped with a black lantern room still guiding mariners today.

The lighthouse is not open to public access, as it sits offshore with no land connection. However, it makes an excellent subject for photographers, particularly during golden hour or when framed against dramatic New England skies. Boat tours from New Bedford offer close-up views.

Nearby, explore the New Bedford Whaling Museum, Seamen’s Bethel, and the cobblestoned historic district that inspired Herman Melville’s *Moby-Dick*.

Explore Nearby

• Fort Phoenix State Reservation — State Park in Massachusetts
• Nasketucket Bay State Reservation — State Park in Massachusetts
• Meteor Lakes Byway — Scenic Byway in North Carolina
• Old Kings Highway (Route 6A) — Scenic Byway in Massachusetts
• Swamp Meadow Bridge — Covered Bridge in South Carolina