Port Washington on Lake Michigan

A lighthouse at the end of a harbor breakwater, a long paved trail and the vast expanse of Lake Michigan give Port Washington its distinctive character. If you’re looking for a vacation rental here, you might first ask yourself whether you’d like your stay to focus on lakeside history, getting active on the trail or spending time on the water.

Lighthouse History on the Lakeshore

The Port Washington Breakwater Lighthouse stands at the end of the north harbor breakwater on the shore of Lake Michigan. It’s a destination for a walk along the lakeshore and a specific place to visit for anyone who wants to combine their time in Port Washington with a waterside stroll. The current lighthouse dates to 1860 and replaced the first lighthouse, built in 1849. It is part of the 1860 Light Station grounds.

The lighthouse’s more recent history is also part of its significance: it was recently restored and added to the National Register of Historic Places. The former keeper’s quarters and generator building at the 1860 Light Station house museum exhibits featuring maritime and local memorabilia as well as historical artifacts. The different exhibit spaces and collections connect the site with both seafaring and local history.

Rooms in the historic 1860 Light Station are also furnished in the style of the Lewis family. The family served there as lighthouse keepers from 1874 to 1934.

Trails and Paths for Active Days

The 30-mile paved Ozaukee Interurban Trail runs through Port Washington. Its length and surface make it an easy-to-identify option for travelers who enjoy spending their days outdoors. The trail is open year-round for biking, inline skating, walking, running and cross-country skiing. This variety offers different ways to enjoy the route; as you plan your vacation, you can focus on the activities that fit your preferred pace for the day.

The Ozaukee Interurban Trail is also designated a “Great Wisconsin Birding and Nature Trail.” This designation adds to its appeal as a nature and recreation trail. Along with its suitability for several ways of getting around, it offers a different focus from a walk to the lighthouse: here, the emphasis is on a longer, paved route with a range of intended uses.

On-the-Water Experiences and Discoveries to Share

Fishing and diving charters are available at Port Washington Marina. For fishing trips, C & D Charters offers single-day outings lasting 4 to 8 hours, as well as multi-day package trips lasting 8 to 15 hours. The Lake Michigan fishing seasons mentioned here also have clear seasonal highlights: coho salmon, Chinook salmon and steelhead are caught in May and June, followed by large king salmon from July through October. If you’re interested in fishing, you can take these periods into account when choosing your travel dates.

Families have another specific attraction in the Possibility Playground. It is designed so that children of all abilities can play together. This is a distinct focus alongside activities on the lake and trail: while the lighthouse and fishing trips offer different ways to experience the harbor and Lake Michigan, this playground is dedicated to children of different abilities playing together.

The experiences you’re looking for can therefore be a useful starting point when choosing a vacation rental in Port Washington: lighthouse history, the trail, fishing and playing together are different reasons to explore the area. The destinations and activities described here give you a basis for deciding what to focus on during your stay, without requiring every interest to take center stage.

Find more pages about nearby communities: Grafton, Mequon, Cedarburg, Belgium and Saukville.

For the broader travel overview: Ozaukee.