(315) 342-0480
Book Your Lighthouse Tour
The H. Lee White Maritime Museum at Oswego offers tours to the Oswego West Pierhead Lighthouse by boat.
Virtual Exhibit Experience
The H. Lee White Maritime Museum at Oswego is excited to bring to you a virtual exhibit experience that includes information and images from some of our favorite exhibits around the museum, and some of our best collaborative work yet!
Treasure Chest Gift Shop
The Treasure Chest Gift Shop at the H. Lee White Maritime Museum is open 7 days a week, year 'round, 1:00-5:00 pm (10:00-5:00 during July and August) for all your unique shopping needs!
Visit The Museum
The H. Lee White Maritime Museum at Oswego is located at the end of West First Street Pier in Oswego, NY and is situated within Oswego Harbor and Oswego's Historic Maritime District.
Solar Eclipse 2024
The H. Lee White Maritime Museum will be open special hours during Saturday and Sunday, April 6th and 7th from 10-5pm.
Help to promote, preserve, and protect the maritime history, heritage, and culture of Oswego & Lake Ontario.
About the Museum
The H. Lee White Maritime Museum at Oswego manages and exhibits a collection of thousands of artifacts, images, archival records, and original artworks telling over 400 years of regional maritime history.
Whether your interest is in the pre-colonial period, or shipwrecks, or lighthouses; we have it all! See a glimpse of what we have to offer in our online gallery.
H Lee White Maritime Museum
Maritime museum news, eclipses & navigation lecture featuring stargazing session, maritime museum offers special hours during solar eclipse weekend, location & hours.
1 West First Street, Oswego NY, 13126 (315) 342-0480
Open 7 Days a Week Sep - Jun: 1pm - 5pm Jul - Aug: 10am - 5pm Closed: Easter, Thanksgiving, Dec 24 - Jan 2
Vessels are open mid-May through mid-October (weather pending).
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THE 10 BEST Oswego Boat Rides & Cruises
Boat rides & cruises in oswego.
- Fishing Charters & Tours
- Kayaking & Canoeing
- 5.0 of 5 bubbles
- Good for Kids
- Good for Adrenaline Seekers
- Good for Big Groups
- Adventurous
- Budget-friendly
- Good for a Rainy Day
- Hidden Gems
- Good for Couples
- Honeymoon spot
- Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.
1. K & G Sport Fishing
2. Ace Charters - Lake Ontario Fishing Charters
3. Broad Horizons Guide and Charter Service
4. Oswego Expeditions
5. Chasin' Tail Adventure
6. Reel Attack Outfitters
7. Hotliner Charters
8. Lip Ripper Charters
9. TSI Charters
10. Cold Steel Sportfishing
11. Second Nature Sport Fishing
12. BP Adventures - Lake Ontario Fishing Charter
What travellers are saying.
- Ace Charters - Lake Ontario Fishing Charters
- K & G Sport Fishing
- Broad Horizons Guide and Charter Service
- Chasin' Tail Adventure
- Hotliner Charters
The Oswego West Pierhead Lighthouse Tour
Thousand Island-Seaway Region
The Oswego West Pierhead Lighthouse Tour takes you by boat to Oswego’s historic lighthouse for a tour like no other
by Chris Clemens
The first time I saw the lighthouse far off shore was during a quick trip through Oswego quite a few years ago. I thought, “Man, it would be so cool to see inside that”. At the time, the Oswego West Pierhead Lighthouse was entirely off limits and closed to the public.
The lighthouse sits a half mile off shore with only a break wall connecting it to land. You can easily spot it far off in the distance from any of the points around the mouth of the Oswego River. Its position from the shore gives the lighthouse a kind of commanding grace that it easily maintains all year round.
Just a few years ago, they started offering public tours of the lighthouse so visitors don’t have to just gawk from afar. In fact, you can take a boat ride out to the lighthouse and climb all the way to the top!
So, of course, I did exactly that. Throughout the tour I learned some pretty cool Oswego history.
Some Old Oswego Lighthouse History
On March 3, 1821 Congress put aside $3,500 to build the original lighthouse where the Oswego River meets Lake Ontario. With the soon-to-open Erie Canal and the tributary canals connecting it to larger water ways, Oswego was in position to become a bustling Great Lakes port. That first lighthouse was built on the east side of the river, next to the still standing lighthouse keepers quarters near the entrance to the historic Fort Ontario.
Finally in 1828 when the Oswego Canal opened, the hopes of Oswego becoming a serious port were realized. Congress helped the growing city by providing another $12,000 for an even larger lighthouse to replace their first.
That second lighthouse was constructed in 1838, and then a third even larger one was built in 1880. As the port of Oswego got busier and more boats relied on the beacon for safe travel, the need for a bigger lighthouse with more effective warnings became paramount.
The Current Oswego West Pier Lighthouse
The lighthouse that we see today was constructed in 1934. With a fourth order Fresnel lens, a fog signal, and an attached keeper’s quarters, Oswego’s fourth and final lighthouse was nothing short of impressive for its time.
Lighthouse keepers didn’t drive to work for the day. They took a boat to their office and then stayed there sometimes for weeks at a time. The keeper’s quarters were large enough to house the families of two lighthouse keepers. From shore it may look humble, but up close it’s actually pretty big.
These guys didn’t just make sure that one beacon of light always stayed lit, they had a ton of duties. Keepers were responsible for fog signals, gas buoys in the harbor, lights on nearby breakwaters, and a whole bunch more. They effectively worked night and day to ensure the harbor was as safe as the often unforgiving Lake Ontario could be for boaters.
Inside the keeper’s quarters they’re starting to set things up so visitors can see what it would’ve looked like to live and work there.
That was, until 1968 when the lighthouse was automated. At that time, the job of lighthouse keeper became a line in the history books, and technology left the lighthouse and its quarters empty. The Coast Guard has maintained the property, but for the last fifty years the structure has stood alone.
Today the light keeping boaters safe is a simple LED system run with solar power.
Oswego West Pier Lighthouse Tour
Just a few years ago, they readied the lighthouse for public tours, and began some lofty renovation plans.
Tours for the lighthouse leave from the H. Lee White Marine Museum , and a lighthouse tour ticket includes access to the museum. Inside you’ll find two floors packed with exhibits and even the original Fresnel lens from the lighthouse.
From a dock near the museum, you’ll take a 15-20 minute boat ride to the lighthouse on a boat seating about six people. When the boat docks, docents are there to greet your group and talk more about the history.
You’ll have a chance to see exactly where the lighthouse keepers lived and how they worked. You even get to climb all the way to the top and stand outside the ledge of the lighthouse!
Touring the Oswego Lighthouse had been on my list for a long time, and I really enjoyed it. But, to make the trip even better, while talking with a docent I learned he actually worked as a lighthouse keeper himself. Today he’s giving tours, but in the 1950’s Ned Goebricher lived and worked keeping boaters safe in the port of Oswego. Meeting him was an honor!
For more about the lighthouse and to take a tour visit their page with contact info or visit the museum on Facebook .
Chris Clemens is the Founder/Publisher of Exploring Upstate . From his hometown in Rochester, he spends as much time as possible connecting with the history, culture, and places that make Upstate New York a land of discovery. Follow him on Twitter at @cpclemens
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THE 10 BEST Oswego Boat Rides & Cruises
Boat rides & cruises in oswego.
- Fishing Charters & Tours
- Kayaking & Canoeing
- 5.0 of 5 bubbles
- Good for Kids
- Good for Adrenaline Seekers
- Good for Big Groups
- Adventurous
- Budget-friendly
- Good for a Rainy Day
- Hidden Gems
- Good for Couples
- Honeymoon spot
- Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.
1. K & G Sport Fishing
2. Ace Charters - Lake Ontario Fishing Charters
3. Broad Horizons Guide and Charter Service
4. Oswego Expeditions
5. Chasin' Tail Adventure
6. Reel Attack Outfitters
7. Hotliner Charters
8. Lip Ripper Charters
9. TSI Charters
10. Cold Steel Sportfishing
11. Second Nature Sport Fishing
12. BP Adventures - Lake Ontario Fishing Charter
What travellers are saying.
- Ace Charters - Lake Ontario Fishing Charters
- K & G Sport Fishing
- Broad Horizons Guide and Charter Service
- Chasin' Tail Adventure
- Hotliner Charters
Finger Lakes Cruises
The best way to experience the Finger Lakes is to get out on them. Views from the shore and scenic byways are iconic, but to get the full sensory effect of the Finger Lakes you have to get on the water.
Nothing beats a summer vacation in the Finger Lakes region! There’s plenty to see and do while you’re here, but what could be better than a Finger Lakes cruise? Set off on one of the best boat cruise tours in the Finger Lakes, and you’ll enjoy the water from a whole new perspective. CHECK OUT THE FINGER LAKES BOAT TOUR GUIDE , featuring opportunities on all 11 lakes.
A Fun, Family-Friendly Way to See the Finger Lakes
Boat cruises in the Finger Lakes can be found on Canandaigua Lake , Skaneateles Lake , Seneca Lake and Cayuga Lake as well as the Erie Canal . These cruises are an inexpensive way to get on the water and see the region from a different angle, with historical cruises, lunch and dinner cruises, themed cruises, sustainability and ecology-focused tours, sight-seeing, fall foliage cruises and more.
Finger Lakes Dinner Cruises & Other Specialized Boat Tours
Many boat cruise lines offer a dinner cruise with a great selection of quality food to enjoy while you experience the sights and sounds of the water. Some boat cruise companies allow you to reserve a private boat for your Finger Lakes wedding party or other group event. Incorporate a sightseeing tour on the water for your next special event!
Check out all of the boat cruise options below and find the perfect stop for your next trip to the Finger Lakes.
Boat Rentals & Marinas
Take your vacation into your own hands and captain your own vessel by discovering rental opportunities and marinas open to public boat launches. From high-end motor boats that will make you the envy of the lake to canoes and kayaks for exploration closer to shore, our many partners can find the best solution for your family vacation, friends weekend or escape during a business trip to the region,
Baldwinsville
Canandaigua
Hammondsport
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The Port City purchased two tiki boats. One has already arrived. The other one is expected to arrive in June.
A third was built in-house at the DPW, the mayor added.
“Assuming everything stays on schedule, boats will be available for rent beginning Fourth of July weekend through Labor Day weekend,” Barlow said.
Two of the boats will be motorized and offer trips around the harbor. The third vessel will be anchored in the harbor. It will accommodate up to 12 guests at one time.
The excursions will cost $200 for two hours as the boats troll around the harbor, the mayor said.
“The city will be hiring licensed captains to operate the boats,” Barlow said. “The city will be the ‘company’ running the boats.”
During his 2022 State of the City address, the mayor explained his reasoning for the new venture: Getting people to Oswego’s waterfront is one thing—getting them “on the water is another.” the mayor said.
Folks can sail around the harbor enjoying some cocktails in a tropical type setting, “only you’ll be right here in Oswego,” said Barlow.
He added that the tours could be an enormous tourist attraction for both visitors and residents, enticing more people to the city’s waterfront to see the new marina and other improvements, generating plenty of potential for Oswego for years to come.
Featured image: Excursions on the tiki boats will cost $200 for two hours and can accommodate up to 12 people. Licensed captains will operate the vessels
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Join us for Oswego Sunset Tiki Tours all summer long as two boats provide 2 hour trolls around the Oswego Harbor. The excursions will cost $200 for two hours and accommodate up to 6 guests on each boat.
These places are best for boat tours & water sports in Oswego: Ace Charters - Lake Ontario Fishing Charters; K & G Sport Fishing; Broad Horizons Guide and Charter Service; Chasin' Tail Adventure; Hotliner Charters; See more boat tours & water sports in Oswego on Tripadvisor
Best Boat Tours in Oswego, NY 13126 - Clayton Island Tours, Sail Seneca, Mid-Lakes Navigation, Canal Side Experiences, Schooner Excursions, Ithaca Boat Tours, Knothin's Easy Yacht Cruises, High Adventure Sportfishing, Upstate Guide Service, 1000 Islands Smallmouth Adventures
The H. Lee White Maritime Museum offers tours to the Oswego West Pierhead Lighthouse between mid-June and September of each year. Tickets are $35 per person, or $20 for ages 12 and under. ... 1 West First Street, Oswego NY, 13126 (315) 342-0480. Visit. Search; Visit the Museum; Book Your Lighthouse Tour; Group Museum Tour; Treasure Chest Gift ...
The H. Lee White Maritime Museum at Oswego offers tours to the Oswego West Pierhead Lighthouse by boat. ... 1 West First Street, Oswego NY, 13126 (315) 342-0480. Open 7 Days a Week Sep - Jun: 1pm - 5pm Jul - Aug: 10am - 5pm Closed: Easter, Thanksgiving, Dec 24 - Jan 2.
Oswego Lighthouse Boat Tour. ... 1-315-342-0480 1 West First St. Oswego, NY 13126 VISIT WEBSITE. D uring the summer months, the H. Lee White Maritime Museum offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take a short 15 minute boat ride across Oswego's scenic harbor on an open pontoon boat to explore the Oswego West Pierhead Lighthouse, ...
Best Boat Tours in Oswego County, NY - Clayton Island Tours, Mid-Lakes Navigation, Ithaca Boat Tours, High Adventure Sportfishing, Schooner Excursions, Sail Seneca, Canal Side Experiences, Upstate Guide Service, Black Jack Charters, Hidden Harbor
The H. Lee White Maritime Museum at Oswego offers boat tours to the Oswego West Pierhead Lighthouse Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays in August. On Thursdays, tours run from 3-5pm with a special discount ticket and coupon to an Oswego restaurant.
Top Oswego Boat Tours & Water Sports: See reviews and photos of boat tours & water sports in Oswego, New York on Tripadvisor.
Some Old Oswego Lighthouse History. On March 3, 1821 Congress put aside $3,500 to build the original lighthouse where the Oswego River meets Lake Ontario. With the soon-to-open Erie Canal and the tributary canals connecting it to larger water ways, Oswego was in position to become a bustling Great Lakes port. That first lighthouse was built on ...
THE 10 BEST Oswego Boat Rides & Cruises. We perform checks on reviews. 1. K & G Sport Fishing. ... comfortable and perfectly set up for salmon fishing and Captain Greg and his mate Hunter worked perfectly as a team. 2. Ace Charters - Lake Ontario Fishing Charters. Jimmy worked hard to put us on fish, and Eric, his first mate, did an excellent ...
Tours start at 12:00pm and run on the half hour till 4:00pm. Reservations are required. Tours are weather dependent but check with us as Oswego weather can be fair when other areas are not. Interested visitors can visit our website under Oswego Lighthouse boat tours read more link or call the Museum office 315.342.0480 and click on Guest Services.
8231 Pleasant Valley Road, Hammondsport, NY 14840. With accomodations for 16 passengers and 2 crew, the Pat II is ideal for a scenic hour-long cruise or perfect for chartering 90-minute family and friends' excursion.
Visiting the Oswego Lighthouse. Lighthouse tours are currently offered through the Maritime Museum. Visitors can book their tours online - and it's recommended to book early, as each boat can only carry 6 guests. The boat shuttles back and forth throughout the day, picking up and dropping off guests for their tours.
Top 10 Best Boat Tours in Oswego, NY 13126 - December 2023 - Yelp - Clayton Island Tours, Sail Seneca, Mid-Lakes Navigation, Canal Side Experiences, Schooner Excursions, Ithaca Boat Tours, Knothin's Easy Yacht Cruises, High Adventure Sportfishing, 1000 Islands Smallmouth Adventures, Upstate Guide Service
Tours start at 12:30 p.m. and run on the hour till 4:30 p.m. Reservations are required. Interested visitors can go onto our website under Oswego Lighthouse boat tours read more link or call the Museum office 315.342.0480 and click on Guest Services. For other museum activities, contact the Museum at (315) 342-0480, through the website at: www ...
Boat tours will leave from Wright's Landing Marina on Lake Street in Oswego, for the Oswego West Pierhead Lighthouse every 30 minutes on the newly expanded schedule as follows: Thursday, Aug. 25 - 3 to 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26 and Saturday, Aug. 27 -11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 1 - 3 to 5 p.m.
Two-hour excursions can accommodate up to 6 adults each aboard two pontoon boats decked out to look and feel like floating tiki bars.
Explore each of the Finger Lakes on the water by day via boat tour, or spend the evening on a dinner cruise sipping award-winning Finger Lakes wine. ... New York 14850. View Details. Discover Ithaca. 407 Cliff Street Ithaca, New York 14850. View Details. Ovid. Water to Wine Tours. 7398 Wyers Point Road Ovid, New York 14521.
Wrights Landing Marina, Oswego, New York. 1,585 likes · 1 talking about this · 5,708 were here. We offer the following from May 1st to October 15th: • Seasonal boat slips • Transient slips • Boat...
Boat tours will leave from Wright's Landing Marina on Lake Street in Oswego, for the Oswego West Pierhead Lighthouse every 30 minutes on the newly expanded schedule as follows: Thursday, Aug. 25 - 3 to 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26 and Saturday, Aug. 27 -11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 1 - 3 to 5 p.m.
The "Oswego sunset tiki-tours" will launch this summer, according to Mayor Billy Barlow. Promotional poster highlighting the new summer attraction in Oswego. ... Oswego County Business is the only business magazine in Central New York and was founded in 1992 by a former newspaper reporter, Wagner Dotto. The publication is devoted to ...
Anchored in the Port City of Oswego, Oswego Expeditions offers Biking, Kayaking, and Year-round recreational activities throughout northern Upstate NY. . X Online Chat + PLACES ... NEW YORK by RAIL (AMTRAK) BOAT TOURS; FOOD & HISTORY TOURS; BUS TOURS + EVENTS. EVENTS CALENDAR; FAIRS & FESTIVALS + MAPS. MAP-IT; EV CHARGING MAP + TRAVEL BLOGS ...