Northeast Florida Lighthouse Road Trip
Image courtesy of Andre Frueh via Unsplash
Visit Florida’s Historic Lighthouses
From Fernandina Beach to St. Augustine, Northeast Florida is full of history. Visiting museums, monuments, and even Florida’s lighthouses is a great way to celebrate Florida’s past. If you’re looking for a fun weekend or day trip with friends and family, try taking a road trip to see some of Northeast Florida’s lighthouses such as the Amelia Island Lighthouse, the St. Augustine Lighthouse, the Mayport Lighthouse, and the St. John’s River Lighthouse.
Amelia Island Lighthouse
Start your road trip in Amelia Island by visiting the Amelia Island Lighthouse. Built in 1838, the Amelia Island Lighthouse is Florida’s oldest lighthouse, making it a must-see for tourists and residents. The City of Fernandina Beach gained possession of the lighthouse in 2001 from the U.S. Coast Guard. The city plans to preserve this monument as a reminder of the old sailing ships that were guided by its light.
Visiting the Amelia Island Lighthouse requires a bit of planning in advance, because it is only open to tours on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. The tour does not allow visitors to climb the stairs inside the lighthouse, but seeing the only remaining lighthouse from the Territorial Period is worth the trip. While you’re near Fernandina Beach, don’t forget to stop by Timoti’s!
St. Augustine Lighthouse
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The St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum is the next stop on your journey, located about 30 miles south of Jacksonville. This lighthouse was built in 1874, and allows guests to climb the 219 stairs to the top. The top of the lighthouse gives a 140-foot view of the city.
The St. Augustine Lighthouse is open daily from 9 AM to 6 PM, and guests can enjoy activities such as educational museum exhibits, a shipyard play area for children, and plenty of other hands-on activities for all ages. Visitors can also take a tour of the lighthouse keeper’s house.
The Mayport Lighthouse and St. John’s River Lighthouse
Jacksonville’s Mayport Lighthouse is 64 feet tall and has 71 steps. It was built in 1954 on the grounds of the Mayport Naval Station. While this historic lighthouse tower is not open to the public, you can still visit the grounds of the lighthouse, which are operated by the U.S. Navy.
The St. John’s River Lighthouse is also located in Jacksonville. The first river lighthouse was built in 1830, but storm surges compromised the structure, so a new one was constructed in 1835. By 1850, the lighthouse was considered unstable due to sand collecting near the tower. This made the tower’s light difficult for travelers to see. The tower was raised 15 feet higher to accommodate.
Today, the St. John’s River Lighthouse sits on the grounds of the Mayport Naval Air Station, and it is recommended to view the lighthouse from the Mayport Ferry Terminal.
Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse
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If you drive south of Jacksonville, you’ll find the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse and Museum. The Ponce de Leon lighthouse is located in Ponce Inlet, Florida near Daytona Beach. This lighthouse was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1998, as it is one of Florida’s most memorable landmarks that stands 175 feet tall. This makes the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse the tallest lighthouse in Florida. Guests can climb the stairs to the top of the lighthouse, as well as take self-guided or group tours throughout the museum.
Timoti’s Seafood Shak
Don’t forget to stop by Timoti’s during your road trip for fresh, wild-caught seafood favorites. Our three locations are convenient to Fernandina, downtown Jacksonville, and St. Augustine!