Charlotte–Genesee Lighthouse

Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse sits at the mouth of the Genesee River where it empties into Lake Ontario in the Charlotte neighborhood of Rochester, New York. Built in 1822, it is the oldest surviving lighthouse on Lake Ontario and one of the oldest on the Great Lakes, predating most of the region’s maritime infrastructure by decades.

The octagonal stone tower rises forty feet from a bluff overlooking the river mouth and lake, offering views of Lake Ontario’s southern shore, the Port of Rochester, and Ontario Beach Park. The Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse Historical Society operates the lighthouse as a museum, with exhibits covering the lighthouse’s history, Great Lakes shipping, and the development of the Port of Rochester from a frontier trading post to a major lake port.

The surrounding area includes Ontario Beach Park, one of Rochester’s most popular public beaches, with a restored 1905 carousel, a pier extending into Lake Ontario, and summer concerts and events. The Genesee River gorge stretches south from the lighthouse through the city, with waterfalls, hiking trails, and the historic neighborhoods lining its banks.

The lighthouse museum is open for tours from May through October, with the tower climb offering the best panoramic view of the area. Special events include a popular holiday open house in December. The Charlotte waterfront is accessible year-round for viewing the exterior, with winter bringing dramatic ice formations along the pier and shoreline that create memorable photographic opportunities.