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
