dunkirk lighthouse & veterans park museum

This was a fun tour. The light house has about 55 steps so it's not too high. The house attached has been turned into a veteran's museum. The view was beautiful and the grounds just as nice. You could picnic or enjoy a cool drink in the shade.

Enjoyed the tour of the house and explanation about the keeper. The museum was interesting, but was not given the time to look more closely.

I had a lot of time before I had to be in Erie so decided to pay the Dunkirk Light a visit and am very glad I did. From the minute I got out of my car till the minute I got back in, I was made to feel welcome. The manager and Jo, my tour guide, were fonts of wisdom and made everything interesting. It cost $8 for me (senior) for the tour. I was able to enjoy the keeper's house, the light, the Coast Guard building, and the grounds without having to rush. There are great artifacts and displays to view and the view of the lake from the top of the light is fabulous! The grounds are free and not too far from the Dunkirk Boardwalk Market.

If you have never climbed a lighthouse because 200-300 steps is too daunting - then you should try this one. At 40-60 steps, its a piece of cake, and the view over Lake Erie is fabulous. The Light is a working light with a Fresnel lens that you can see up close. We took the tour of the lighthouse which has a room for each of the branches of the Armed forces with uniforms, pictures and momentos from all of the wars the US has fought in. Our tour guide was knowledgeable and did a great job. There are several coast guard vessels on the property, as well as a tank.Unfortunately there was a wedding party getting ready for their ceremony when we took the tour. They were very nice about letting us pass them, but I feel like the tour should not have been conducted while the family was changing and getting ready for their big day.If steps or access is an issue, then you will not be able to enjoy the tour, but you can enjoy this beautiful light and visit the gift shop. Parking was free.

This is the second light house on Point Gratiot, built in 1876 to replace the first one originally built in 1826, which had fallen into disrepair. The 61-foot limestone tower with its stone gray and white base sports the red light at its top. The brick keepers house has become a museum with displays from WW I and II as well as the Civil and Vietnam Wars, hence the name Veterans Park. Guided tours can be arranged (for a fee)for this visit through the visitors center near the lighthouse. The steep climb to the top is rewarded with a panoramic look at Lake Erie. The grounds are open (without charge) for a leisurely stroll or a simply a seat to enjoy the lake breezes. Stop here and the Barcelona Light further west on Route 5 to get in touch with the era in which lights were welcome sentinels to sailors.

The Dunkirk Historical Lighthouse is much more than just a lighthouse. The lighthouse keeper's home has been turned into a Veterans' museum. They have numerous artifacts from both World Wars, the Civil War and Vietnam. There are also a few old-time artifacts from the former lighthouse keeper's home. The lighthouse keeper does not live on the premises but lives nearby.Yes, you have the opportunity to climb the 55 steps to the observation deck near the top of the lighthouse. It provides a breath-taking view of Lake Erie. Steps are steep especially near the top.Guided tours are provided to all parts of the museum and lighthouse by friendly and knowledgeable guides. Guided tours are provided to groups and individuals. As of July 2014, guided tours only cost $10. Free Parking.Bottom Line: Highly Recommend!

Hidden in the park near the lake is this wonderful historic lighthouse museum. It's a shame more people don't know about it and more people don't visit. This is a wonderful little historical location and well worth a visit by one and all. I highly recommend.The museum and displays is far better than one might expect.After the museum, go for a walk in the park along the beach. Great time.

Went to this area in May. Oddly enough half the things in any towns around here were closed, guess it wasn't the season yet. Well, that's just a general comment but this place had very limited hours, we went there once and it was closed, check the website. Don't forget to look at the barcelona lighthouse and shop at the sugar shack in the same area. This was very interesting if you like military memoriabilia, if you don't it's really not for you. All branches of the military are given respeTct.I can't imagine young children under 10 would be interested at all. There is nothing to touch here it's all just looking. Another poster said it had a nice view if you want to look at a great expanse of water. This is NOT for you if you are handicapped you just can't ge t around the house and certainly not the lighthouse. To tell you the truth I was scared when I went up the lighthouse stairs especially the last part and when I got up there I just saw more the lake. Please do not attempt these steps if you have any doubt they get much worse at the top and getting down is a horror. All in all although I didn't enjoy my lighthouse climb there was a lot to see and it didn't cost much.

If you use your GPS to find the lighthouse it will take you to what is known as Lighthouse Point, which is not the correct place (10 miles from the real lighthouse). The lighthouse is actually in about the center of Dunkirk. It was well done as a museum with many donated items displayed from the coastguard days. The light keeper's house is available to view. There is a guided tour available also. Enjoyed the tour and display items.

This is one of those attractions in a community where residents often fail to appreciate really good stuff right in their own back yards. It's been perhaps 15 years since we visited the lighthouse and veteran's park and we regret that. We live less than a mile from the site. The volunteers have done an incredible job with archiving the numerous donated items related to the various wars in which US servicemen participated. Much of the inventory is from local families. The artifacts are housed in the former light keeper's well maintained Victorian cottage. Our docent, a young woman, seemed pretty well informed of the subject matter. We learned a great deal about lighthouses, light keepers, the local vets, and the functioning of the active light which still serves as an aid to navigation. Be aware that the spiral cast iron staircase in the tower is not handicapped accessible, but the keeper's house is. A nice collection of watercraft and historic aids to navigation are on the grounds as well. There is a small gift shop with a very friendly, informative staff. Well done all!Pop Quiz: Where are the GARGOYLES on this site?

The light house was neat, yo me it wasn't spectacular. Just so-so. Views of Presque Isle and Erie were neat. The veterans memorial there was neat too!

A typical historical stop along the lake with information on war of 1812 accounts that occured here and information on lighthouse operation

Lovely lighthouse with great history. The guide loved to tell stories of hauntings. Lots of historical items on display in honor of the armed forces in addition to maritime items. We just happened to go on a day when they were conducting a special lecture so it was a little more crowded than usual. A great place to visit!

The Dunkirk Lighthouse boasts not only a beautiful view and a fantastic history, it also pays tribute to all branches of the US Armed Services. This is a wonderful place for a few history lessons!

this once-ruined outpost on chadwick bay has come a long way, baby, and lovers of maritime history, great lakes style, will be well-rewarded