Avery Point Light stands on the campus of the University of Connecticut’s Avery Point campus in Groton, Connecticut. Built in 1944, this distinctive octagonal lighthouse served as a navigational aid during World War II when the campus functioned as a Coast Guard training station.

What makes it notable: The lighthouse features an unusual modernist design with an octagonal concrete tower, departing from traditional lighthouse architecture. It remains an active navigational aid today.

Visitor access: The tower is not open to public climbing, though the surrounding campus grounds offer excellent viewing opportunities.

Best photography: Golden hour provides dramatic lighting against Long Island Sound, with autumn offering colorful campus foliage as backdrop.

Nearby attractions: Mystic Seaport, USS Nautilus Submarine Museum, and downtown Mystic’s shops and restaurants are minutes away.

Explore Nearby

• Bluff Point State Park — State Park in Connecticut
• Fort Trumbull State Park — State Park in Connecticut
• Gold Mine Bridge — Covered Bridge in Connecticut
• Comstock’s Bridge — Covered Bridge in Connecticut
• Connecticut State Route 169 — Scenic Byway in Connecticut