Any public lighthouses in the area?

[HunnyPots]

While at WDW, we plan to take a beach day or two, and I would like to visit any nearby lighthouses. Are there any within, say, an hour's drive? I know there are many in Florida but I don't know about the Orlando vicinity.
TIA!

 

[pdzabe]

On the last couple of days of our WDW trip, we decided to go to the shore. We headed northeast towards Daytona Beach which was a little over an hour from WDW. South of Daytona Beach is the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse. While we did not go inside, I understand you can climb to the top of it 175 ft. high. It first operated in 1888, closed down completely in 1970, refurbished completely in 1982 and now in use again. It is an unusual sight in that its color is a bright brick red. There are also three cottages on the grounds you can tour and a good seafood restaurant within walking distance. On a map, you'll see Ponce Inlet above New Smyrna Beach on the eastern coast.

 

[HunnyPots]

Sounds like the perfect day trip for me!

 

[william41]

HunnyPots-

Before going to WDW last year, I checked out the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse on its' website(sorry-don't remember the URL, but do a search on any popular search engine, and you should find it) 'cause I KNEW my wife would love it- and she did

So we went, and had an absolutely wonderful time. As was previously mentioned, you can enter the lighthouse, and actually climb all the way up to just under the lantern! But be warned- should you decide to attempt this, make sure you (and whoever goes with you) are in V-E-R-Y good health and can stand the climb. It's really steep, but we did it and actually conquered it! You have to go through this little 'cottage' which serves as a gift shop to gain admission. The lady in there was really very nice and informative.

The view at the top was wonderful! You can go out the door at the top and circle the lighthouse. Last year I took my camcorder and made a panoramic (sp?) shot of the ocean, and my wife treasures it.

One more thing- if you decide to scale the inside, it's best not to be too claustrophobic as it gets really narrow!

Have a great trip!

William

 

[HunnyPots]

William -
That is so cool! Last year we went to Hunting Island lighthouse in SC and climbed to the top; it was great!
I have a passion for lighthouses and it is so much better when you can do more than just take a picture!
Looking forward to this one. Thanks!

 

[travelcoupons]

http://www.ponceinlet.org/ is the website for the Ponce inlet lighthouse.

If you want to head a little farther north, there is also the St. Augustine lighthouse.
http://www.staugustinelighthouse.com/
http://rogersnetwork.com/staugustine.htm

And yet farther north, near Jacksonville is the St. John's river lighthouse
http://rogersnetwork.com/stjohns.htm

There is another one near the Georgia border and at Cape Canaveral, that is not open to the public.

 

[HunnyPots]

Thanks so much for all your help!