When I visit the East Coast, it’s always fun to make a special “lighthouse watch” side-trip. There is something so majestic about these bastions of the sea. Not only are they tall, beautiful, graceful, and historic, but some still work to guide ships safely away from imminent danger. Here I am showcasing the six beautiful lighthouses I’ve seen during my fantastic seaside journeys.
(1) Fenwick Island Lighthouse. This lighthouse, located on Fenwick Island, Delaware, is a quaint white structure surrounded by pretty outbuildings. Back in the 1700s when land boundaries weren’t clearly defined, a monument stood where the lighthouse was later built. The tower was planned in 1858, and a keeper’s house was also built on the premises. Though I didn’t have enough time to stop and visit the Fenwick Island Lighthouse, I marveled at the way it seemed to “stick up out of nowhere” along the route. The setting is really very pretty and I wish I could have spent more time at this lighthouse.
(2) Cape May Lighthouse. On a trek to New Jersey, we stopped at the lighthouse park and I was completely amazed at the sheer beauty of the huge white tower. It was my first visit to a lighthouse and I felt so incredibly small next to the hulking structure. The Cape May Lighthouse, located in a beautiful Victorian town, was built in 1859. It is still used to guide ships, and the lighthouse has 199 steps. The Coast Guard has control of the structure. I wasn’t disappointed to say that this was my first lighthouse. It was truly amazing. Visitors can tour the Cape May Lighthouse and receive a stunning view.
(3) Hereford Inlet Lighthouse. When I first saw this lovely old building, I was taken aback. It’s not a typical lighthouse; it isn’t very tall, but it *is* lovely. I could certainly believe the lighthouse “ghost stories” as I explored the house’s twisting, hidden staircases and elegant Victorian rooms, finally looking out over the barren ocean from the light at the top. The views were intriguing. The grounds of the lighthouse are equally beautiful. Gardens abound, and the rocky cliff inspires many seaside memories. When I visited, there was a lovely plaque dedicated to victims lost at sea. I recommend this lighthouse for anyone traveling in the Wildwood, New Jersey area. Hereford Inlet Lighthouse is ideal for people who want to say they climbed a lighthouse but who don’t want their legs to fall off from exhaustion in the process!
(4) Chincoteague Island Lighthouse. This was one of the prettiest lighthouses I ever visited; it was a slow day and we were the only visitors, so we got to fully experience the beauty and coastal charm of Chincoteague Lighthouse. This red-and-white striped lighthouse is certainly one of the nicest on the Eastern shore, at least in my opinion. You should consider visiting when the area is relatively quiet because it is truly a beautiful ocean-side experience.
(5) St. Simons Island Lighthouse. This is one lighthouse that truly touched me. The setting is idyllic. Its huge white tower rises out of a lovely park; standing at the pier, one can see the tower lording over the beautiful Atlantic Ocean. The St. Simons Island Lighthouse can be toured and the views are stunning. Children will enjoy the lighthouse park because not only is the ocean in close proximity but a playground can be found just a short distance away. This lighthouse, as all the others I visited, was built in the 1800s, though there was once a different structure at this spot.
(6) St. Augustine Lighthouse. This is the lighthouse I have visited most often, and its black-and-white stripe pattern makes it very distinct. This beautiful lighthouse can be seen from St. Augustine’s city center and rises up above the tourist haven of Anastasia Island. The Spanish moss hanging from the trees surrounds the place with a wonderful tropical ambiance. There is a museum and gift shop inside one of the lighthouse park buildings; even if you decide not to brave the tower climb, there’s plenty here to keep you busy. If you’re a ghost hunter, St. Augustine Lighthouse has plenty of unexplained tales.
I hope to visit some of these beautiful lighthouses again in the near future; they are such a charming and integral part of seaside life.
