St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum

The St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum offers visitors the chance to climb one of Florida's most iconic landmarks while exploring the rich maritime heritage of America's oldest port city. The current lighthouse, completed in 1874, stands 165 feet tall and continues to serve as an active aid to navigation, its distinctive black and white spiral stripes visible for miles.

The first lighthouse on Anastasia Island was actually a wooden watchtower built by the Spanish in the late 1500s. The current structure replaced an earlier American lighthouse that was being threatened by erosion. The new tower, built of brick and featuring a first-order Fresnel lens, has guided mariners safely into St. Augustine's harbor for 150 years.

Climbing the 219 steps to the top of the lighthouse is a memorable experience, rewarding visitors with breathtaking 360-degree views of St. Augustine, the Atlantic Ocean, the Intracoastal Waterway, and the surrounding barrier islands. On clear days, you can see for nearly 20 miles in every direction.

The museum complex includes the beautifully restored Keeper's House, where lighthouse keepers and their families lived. Interactive exhibits tell the stories of the people who maintained the light, the shipwrecks along the treacherous Florida coast, and the maritime history of St. Augustine. The grounds also feature a ship's store gift shop, nature trails, and archaeological sites.

The lighthouse has gained additional fame as one of Florida's most actively investigated paranormal sites, with numerous ghost hunting shows featuring the location. Whether you come for the history, the views, or the ghosts, the St. Augustine Lighthouse offers a unique experience.