What to Do
Adjacent to Fort Williams Park, The Portland Head Light is the most photographed lighthouse in America, and the oldest in Maine.
With over 90 acres of recreational space, there are opportunities to picnic, fly a kite, stroll paths, tour the Arboretum, walk the cliffside loop, explore the rocky beach, and enjoy the playground. In advance of your visit print out our scavenger hunt or pick one up at the Greeter's Shed located in Central Parking. There are three food vendors, Gorgeous Gelato, Bite Into Maine, and Cousins Maine Lobster this season offering lobster rolls, sandwiches, and, gelato.
Please Note: Ft. Williams Park has a carry-in/carry-out policy. There are no trash receptacles in the park. The park is a non-smoking facility. For visiting hours and directions go here »
The Lighthouse
On days when skies are overcast, and fog settles in, you might hear the melancholy sound of the fog horn reminding us of the importance of light stations and the dedication of men and women who served through the years.
The Ecology Project
In 2007, citizens concerned about the fragile state of the Park’s ecology envisioned an arboretum project as a way to restore the Park’s horticultural beauty and ecological health.
Battery Keyes
Battery Keyes was one of the last two batteries built at the fort in 1906. The small battery was designed to defend against small, fast attack boats in a point-and-shoot manner.
Goddard Mansion
Predating the fort, the mansion was designed and built by noted New York architect Charles A. Alexander for local businessman John Goddard, briefly a volunteer army colonel at the start of the Civil War in 1861.
Battery Blair
In the largest class of gun batteries available in the nation’s arsenal, the reinforced-concrete Battery Blair was mounted with two Breechloading Rifles on Disappearing Carriage Mounts, each firing a 12-inch diameter, 1070-pound shell up to eight miles.
Beach Area
Located on the north side of the entrance road is a small rocky beach, Ship Cove, with a great view of Ram Island Ledge Light located in Casco Bay. At low tide, a small sandy beach appears.
Children’s Garden
The Children’s Garden at Fort Williams Park is a landscape full of daring adventures, quiet contemplation, great mysteries waiting to be revealed, and small familiarities to offer comfort.