Where is Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse?

Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse is on the Lake Ontario shore of New York.

How much time do you need at Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse?

Allow 1–2 hours to explore Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse.

Can you visit Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse?

Yes. Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse welcomes visitors, usually with seasonal hours. Check the official site for current tour times and fees before you go.

Lighthouse · Lake Ontario

Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse

A historic tower above Rochester's Lake Ontario river mouth.

Photo: Leslie L. Gregg · CC BY-SA 4.0

Genesee Lighthouse with Flags.jpg by Leslie L. Gregg · CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized and converted to WebP; display crops vary.

Official website Plan a trip around it

On the coast

About Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse

Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse recalls the period when this river mouth served as a Great Lakes port. The historical society interprets the tower and keeper's house, making it a natural companion to Ontario Beach Park. Tours are seasonal; check access requirements before including a climb in your itinerary.

LakeLake Ontario

RegionNew York

First litNot listed

Open to visitorsYes; check seasonal hours

Live · Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse

What's going on right now.

Weather, alerts, the water, the sky and local headlines, gathered from official sources as you read.

Gathering the latest conditions…

National Weather Service Environment Canada NOAA buoy observations Aurora forecast

This place has no verified map position, so conditions are for a nearby forecast point. Live data from the U.S. National Weather Service, Environment and Climate Change Canada, NOAA's National Data Buoy Center and Space Weather Prediction Center; headlines link to the publishers. Sun and moon times are calculated. Conditions change quickly—check official forecasts before going on the water. Not for navigation.

Best time

Summer weekends, when the museum is typically open and nearby Ontario Beach Park is at its liveliest.

Time needed

1–2 hours

Best months

Don't miss

Highlights of Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse.

See one of the oldest surviving lighthouses on the Great Lakes, an 1822 tower near the mouth of the Genesee River.
Learn how Charlotte High School students campaigned in 1965 to save the lighthouse from demolition.
Notice how far the tower now stands from the water — pier construction built up the shore and left the light well inland.
Ride the historic Dentzel carousel at Ontario Beach Park, a short walk away.

Know before you go

Tips for visiting Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse.

Hours are seasonal and volunteer-run, so check with the historical society before visiting.
Walk the Charlotte pier for views of the river mouth and sunset over Lake Ontario.

Great for Lighthouses Shipwrecks & maritime history Beaches & dunes

Loading the map. The links and itinerary below are always available.

No verified point location is available. This is a lake overview, not this place's exact position. Precise shipwreck sites are not plotted.

Black-and-white basemap by OpenStreetMap. Great Lakes highlighted in color. Hold Ctrl (or Command) while scrolling to zoom. Use two fingers on touch screens.

Lake outlines: Natural Earth (public domain). Town centers: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Not for navigation.

Good to know

Questions about Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse

Where is Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse?: Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse is on the Lake Ontario shore of New York.
When is the best time to visit Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse?: Summer weekends, when the museum is typically open and nearby Ontario Beach Park is at its liveliest.
How much time do you need at Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse?: Allow 1–2 hours to explore Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse.
Can you visit Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse?: Yes. Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse welcomes visitors, usually with seasonal hours. Check the official site for current tour times and fees before you go.

Travel well

Make it a good visit.

Check access before leaving.

Opening hours, parking, permits and step-free access change by season. Confirm your needs with the official destination; a map pin is not an entrance.

Give the shoreline time.

Leave room for weather delays and a quieter side trail. Stay on marked paths, respect closures and support the local communities that make the coast special.

Travel thoughtfully

Look beyond the air forecast.

Waves and water temperatures can tell a very different story. Use marine forecasts and local beach advisories before any water activity.

Official weather resources

Road trips

Put this place on a longer route.

3-4 days

New York's Lake Ontario Shore

Rochester's harbor district, eroded bluffs and eastward beach-country stops.

View the itinerary