Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

This Outer Banks Island Has 70 Miles of Wild Beaches and the Tallest Lighthouse in the U.S.

"Standing at exactly 198.49 feet with 269 steps up to the lens room, the current lighthouse—built in 1870 after an earlier 90-foot 1803 structure—remains an iconic black-and-white striped landmark you can still photograph even though restoration work has closed climbs (likely until summer 2026)." - Lydia Mansel Lydia Mansel Lydia Mansel is a writer with more than eight years of experience editing and writing for both brands and online publications—with a particular focus on travel, fashion, and lifestyle. She’s also the founder of the travel site justpacked.com.  Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines