Cape Henry Lighthouse

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️—A True American Gem 🇺🇸 Our adventure led my wife and I to something truly special — the Old Cape Henry Lighthouse, and what makes it even better is that this stop wasn’t planned. It was a total find by mistake. While searching for things to do on an app called Roadside America, this historic landmark popped up — and I’m beyond grateful it did. Standing inside the first federally funded lighthouse in the United States, commissioned by George Washington, was surreal. Climbing the narrow spiral staircase and placing my fingertips on the stone walls, knowing they’ve been there since 1792, made history feel very real and very personal. This wasn’t history behind glass — this was history you could physically touch. The views from the top were absolutely breathtaking. Looking out over the waters where the first English colonists landed in 1607, and down across Fort Story below, you could see centuries of American history layered in one single view — exploration, navigation, defense, and service all meeting at the same point. This lighthouse is a true hidden gem. Quiet, powerful, and deeply humbling. From guiding ships into the Chesapeake Bay at the birth of our nation to standing today as a reminder of how it all began, the Old Cape Henry Lighthouse carries an incredible story. Sometimes the best adventures aren’t planned at all — they’re discovered. And this one will stick with me for a long time. 🇺🇸 History felt. History touched. History remembered.

Great place to take the family. Just be aware your kids have to be 42 inches or tall to go into the lighthouse and everyone has to be able to walk upstairs and not carry your kids...If you walk on the beach, be aware of the amount of glass all over. The base commander could do better about that.

Cape Henry Lighthouse is beautiful. You are literally stepping into history - the first public works project of the United States government approved by George Washington. It’s an easy climb to the top, where it’s enclosed by glass. Panoramic views of the bay and of the active lighthouse next door. Active military can drive straight to it, civilians must be taken by shuttle.

Worth the extra effort to get on the military base. Climb to the top of the lighthouse is not nearly as daunting as it sounds if heights aren't an issue for you, the view is worth it! See where the Jamestown colony landed. Interpretive signs are helpful.

Located on a military base. You must enter at gate 8 and they will escort you to where you need to go. You will exchange your ID for a base pass. There are rules to abide, like where the boundaries are and what you can pictures of. Then you will shuttled back to the lighthouse area. If you pay for the lighthouse there are a bunch of stairs to get to the lighthouse in addition to the lighthouse stairs. You can only climb the older lighthouse (brick), not the newer one (black & white iron). The overview of the Chesapeake Bay & monuments provided some history. Walking in the boundaries could be hot during summer months since there is little to no shade.

This is a great pair of lighthouses to add to your lighthouse tour if you're into that kind of thing like me. A lot easier and more accessible if you have base access, otherwise you have to take a shuttle. Nice gift shop, $11 if you want to climb to the top.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Must-Visit Historic Gem with Stunning Coastal Views Visiting the Cape Henry Lighthouse was a memorable and enriching experience. Located within the secure perimeter of Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, it’s important to note that access requires a valid photo ID for everyone over the age of 16. The process is very organized — after a quick ID check at the gate, a shuttle transports visitors from the front entrance directly to the lighthouse area. The lighthouse itself is a beautiful and well-preserved piece of American history. We learned a lot about its significance — it was the first federal construction project authorized by the U.S. government in 1792 and offers incredible insight into early coastal navigation and maritime heritage. The staff and volunteers were friendly, knowledgeable, and eager to share fascinating facts about the area and its historical context. Climbing to the top of the lighthouse rewarded us with absolutely breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay. It’s the perfect spot for photos, reflection, or just enjoying the scenery. Highly recommend this experience for history lovers, families, and anyone looking to soak in panoramic coastal views while learning about early American history. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes for the climb, and don’t forget your ID

This place is pretty neat! We love history, so we were excited to explore this site, which was touched by Washington and Hamilton. It's worth it to walk all the way up the lighthouse, for a great 360° view. It's also worth it to take the civilian walk to the shoreline area. One item of note is, this is located on an active navy base. You have to go through a checkpoint and a briefing. What you take with you to that briefing is ALL you can take with you to the lighthouse. That briefing clears you to take the shuttle that will take you to the lighthouse area. If you go through the briefing, then remember you need something else in your vehicle (which you leave at that parking lot), you have to go through the briefing again. So make sure you bring everything you need, the first time, to help you and your family avoid the hassle of going through the briefing multiple times. We did not know this when we were there, as it was our first time, and NO ONE, not even the military people at the checkpoint, prepared us for that. All they said was, "Park there, walk into that building, get briefed, then you wait for the shuttle." THAT was all they said. We left our backpack, waistpacks, water, snacks, sunscreen, bug spray, everything, in the vehicle, and went to the lighthouse without anything except what we carried into the briefing building. Not the most informative crew at the vehicle entrance checkpoint. So now you know. Other than that, it was a good day trip!

I was not prepared to be greeted by armed soldiers in order to get to the lighthouse- I thought that I made a wrong turn. They will ask for all passengers ID and may ask for all windows to be lowered. You will then be escorted to the parking area. You will then go into the screening area, you will give them your ID and be given an overview of where you can and cannot go. Don't be stupid and try to go where you shouldn't. The shuttle will pick you up and drive you to the entrance of the lighthouse and explain where things are. I am afraid of heights and only made it partially up, hubby went to the top. There is a lot of walking so be prepared. The bases beach is incredible, the rocks look incredible but you can't take pictures. There is a gas station that has snacks.

This is a cool lighthouse to see and you can actually walk up to the top of the oldest one. It is maybe about 100 steps or so and there are good views. You can also walk down the street some and go to an look out point over the ocean. There is also an old chapel there but it is currently under construction. What makes this lighthouse a pain to see is that it is located on a military base and it seems apparent that it is an inconvenience for them and thus they will make it so for you. Once you go through a TSA like process and show you ID 3-4 times, they take the ID for your ticket. Then you are shuttled in by a van. The driver was nice enough and they do come around often to take you back to get your idea. I do NOT recommend doing this if there is any line to get through. It is a slow process. There was no one else in the screening shed and it was SLOW. Plus it must be a hang out location as well because when we got back there were 4 people laid out in all the chairs in there just hanging around. Good lighthouse- unfortunate location

Whether you're a local or visiting, make sure to carve out 30 minutes to an hour to visit. Located on Fort Story - a military base, Cape Henry Lighthouse is a historical site with 191 steps leading to the top opening to beautiful views of the ocean and the newer Cape Henry lighthouse in the backdrop. IDs are required to enter base as well as proof of car insurance. Please refer to their website for more up to date info for entrance. If you are a civilian visiting you can still visit but must park to the left upon checking in at the gate. From there a tram will pick you up and drive to the lighthouse entrance. If you have military base access you can park right in the lot at the entrance of the lighthouse. I suggest purchasing tickets on groupon for the best prices. The only restrooms are port a potties to the left of the gift shop entrance. Check in is at the counter in the gift shop. One person from your group needs to sign in. As someone mentioned before, the wifi can be spotty so if you have a groupon or ticket on your phone, you might want to do a screenshot. There are a lot of steps to navigate once you exit the gift shop to the actual entrance of the lighthouse. There was a docent at the top of the stairs that automatically spouted out facts and history about the lighthouse. Although there are 191 steps it's manageable for most people even if you don't exercise on the daily and as long as you have ability to navigate stairs in general. There's one landing on the spiral staircase and a straight ladder to climb to get to the top. It can get hot up there. All three of us were sweating but it wasn't the hottest day either. Maybe roughly 5-10 people max can fit at the top. The views of the ocean are relaxing. We even had a sailboat peacefully sail by. I wouldn't wear a dress to the lighthouse if you're climbing up. If you decide to, wear shorts underneath. Probably not a long dress or skirt or flip flops either so you don't trip going up the ladder. If you have sandals with ankle straps you should be fine. There really isn't much else to see at the lighthouse though. At the base there are more scenic photo ops and a compass on the ground. The newer lighthouse isn't open to the public except on lighthouse day, August 7th, the main reason it's not open to the public the rest of the year is it's a working lighthouse.

Hi all, it is an amazing view point and historic place. You must try while you're there at Virginia Beach. Well organized by the management team and service staff are so friendly. They have a small store to buy gifts from there. They have shuttles to take you in since that area is protected. Have fun and enjoy your day.

I've lived in this area most of my life and somehow I had never visited until recently! It's on base, so you need to have an ID with you. I bought our group's tickets on Groupon ahead of time and that saved some money. The process getting in was pretty simple. You park in a lot, check in with your ID, get briefed in where you can and can't go once you're on base (it's pretty limited where you can go), and then a bus picks you up. The bus driver gave a little tour on the way there. The lighthouse is the 4th oldest in the U.S. You can't climb the new one, but you can get pictures in front of it. There's also access to a boardwalk to the beach, an old chapel, and some cool plaques to read.

My wife loves lighthouses and wants to see as many as possible on vacations, so naturally Cape Henry was on our list. It was a great experience and we had a great bus driver that provided great insight about the lighthouses and the area. For those looking to come here, the lighthouses are on a military base. You'll have to stop at a checkpoint and then check in. When you check in, they hold your ID at the parking area until you return. You'll take a small bus to the lighthouses and gift shop. The climb up the old lighthouse seems intimidating, but it really wasn't bad at all, it just got a little cramped up at the top, especially if people are trying to go up and down at the same time. Overall a really great experience!

Gorgeous and Historic Incredible photos from Lighthouse Everyone will want their pictures taken inside the Lighthouse.

What's not to love about a lighthouse? Nothing! AND, this is the first lighthouse that is a federally funded public works project of the newly formed United States government. It was authorized by George Washington and overseen by Alexander Hamilton. I visited this lighthouse once when I lived in Virginia Beach and it was a nice experience! I don't recall boarding a bus or passing a background check. This would have been the mid-late 90s and things have likely changed regarding security here. I also don't recall paying an entrance fee. If you are in the area and looking for something historical and not touristy/crowded, I highly recommend the Cape Henry Lighthouse. Commit to the 190 steps to the top and enjoy the view!

The historic lighthouse is located in the military base in close proximity to the active lighthouse. Unlike the active lighthouse you can walk up to and into the lighthouse and tour the grounds. Admission is affordable and they provide discounts for students, senior citizens and military if I'm not mistaken. It's a great way to get your daily steps in. The views are lovely !

Cape Henry Lighthouse offers stunning views and rich history. The climb to the top is worth it, and the site is well-maintained.

Climb to the top of a 200 year old lighthouse! This lighthouse is tucked away on the Naval Base, so as soon as you get through security, you park and hop on a bus to get over to the lighthouse. So many stairs but worth the view at the top, which gives you a perfect view of the new functioning light house and Chesapeake Bay! Word of advice, don't climb in the dead of summer. I'm told the top can get up to 120+ degrees in there! There's also a gift shop and a lookout within short walking distance. Just don't go outside the defined area or you will be in serious trouble since this is on a military base! Shuttle comes back around every 15 min to take you to your car. Entry is about 10$ to climb to the top!

Well worth the visit. The two lighthouses are beautiful and very different, and the old lighthouse was the first in the USA. The history is fascinating and it's an overall special experience. Things to note: 1) This is on a military base. Don't come before or after hours (I'd wanted a sunset photo but nope) - they have to ID check you and even check for like any warrants (not that I have to worry lol) 2) when you come during hours, you have to park your car, check in, and then take a bus to the lighthouse. Carry anything you need with you 3) there's a gift shop and I think food there 4) my butt felt the stair climb for days and I'm in pretty good shape! They're surprisingly tougher than they look. Worth it stop!

I love being a tourist in my own town. I have been wanting to go for awhile and on the last days of 2023 I finally went. Just know the lighthouse is on the base. Everyone in the car must have a valid ID. Easy to go through once they see ID'S. You park and then take a shuttle that runs about every 15 minutes. When I heard all that I thought it was going to be a big production and long process. But...nope...easy. You park and go through a easy security process where they take your ID in exchange for a pass with a map. You get wanded down and then you wait for the shuttle. It's a short drive to the lighthouse. Go in the giftshop and buy tickets. I had a Groupon but be aware that internet is sketch so you might want to screen save those passes. Super friendly and helpful people. Lots of stairs....even before you get to the lighthouse. Be prepared. Lots of history and you can read about it. Beautiful views. The other lighthouse.....black and white one is ONLY open on August 7th. You can walk around a bit and see the beautiful beaches. Great views, lots of history, lots of steps, friendly people and very easy process to get to the lighthouse. Glad I went.

Fantastic views of this very historical site! A must-see here in Virginia Beach. The lighthouse is on a military base so either have someone sponsor you or use Gate 8.

First off, Cape Henry Lighthouse is on an active duty military base so you will be subjected to providing ID's for everyone in the car and a possible search of your vehicle. With that being said, it truly is a magnificent lighthouse. There is a fee to enter and a small gift shop to utilize. Once you get at the top, there are incredible views and it is well worth the time to climb the steps. There are a lot of steps, but even being overweight, I had no trouble getting up and down the steps. Just take your time. Once you get to the top, you can basically stay up there admiring the views as long as you like. It is worth a stop if you are in the Virginia Beach area and looking for something else to do other than sit on the beach.

Ok, I get it. It's a military base, but the sentry was a complete ash. I was respectful and compliant, but his lack of respect and tone kind of ruined the experience. On the upside, once you get past the gate, it's all good. Loraine, the shuttle bus driver, was great. The two lighthouses were very cool, and the old historic brick one is definitely worth the climb up. The Mexican food truck was a timely and tasty treat.

The key thing to remember if you're coming to climb the lighthouse is to give yourself some extra time. Even if there is no one in line ahead of you when entering the Joint Expeditionary Base it will usually take more time then you think to get thru all the steps in the process. Our most recent visit went something like this: 1. You come to the initial checkpoint where you wait (dear God please wait because if you try to move past it without first getting cleared boy do people suddenly get pissy) for someone to come out of the guard shack. You state your business, you show your drivers license (which hopefully is one of the new Real ID compliant ones or else you might need your passport) then you're told whether to line up in lane 1 or in lane 2. 2. You wait in your assigned lane until someone comes and again asks why you want to enter the base. You state your business, show them your registration and drivers license. At this time they will take your license tell you to kill the engine, get out, open up all doors, the hood and any trunk or rear hatch. 3. After getting a few cars of people together they will give you a speech about following the speed limit, (if not they said they will cite you and/or throw you off the base), give you a pass which has a map on the back that shows where you can and can't go on the base and eventually assuming your vehicle passes the light inspection you get the all clear to get going onto Atlantic Avenue. 4. We were told stay on Atlantic Avenue or else. It's either the lighthouse or the Cape Henry Memorial area which has a few placards, the Memorial Cross and placards/monument regarding the Battle of the Virginia Capes plus beach access. Another person who was getting the speech asked if they could stop at the gas station on base for coffee since it was so cold. That question received a large frown with the answer that they would prefer that not happen unless it's an emergency. 5. On the way out you park in a small lot of the other side of the second guard shack to give back your pass and retrieve your license. Noteworthy was that on the way in all three people screening were on their personal phones talking about their leave plans which is understandable as it was right after Christmas. No biggie but it was a good five minutes until any screening began. Also noteworthy was that for how humorless they are when you're entering the base when I went to retrieve my license the woman who got it for me couldn't have been nicer. She thanked me for visiting their home and hoped that even though it was crazy ass cold (her words) we had a good time and to please come back anytime. Oh right, the lighthouse. This stop is worth it in every way. The staff are very nice and their gift shop is loaded down with all sorts of interesting stuff regarding lighthouses & VA Beach area history and all money of course goes to the never ending maintenance of the structure. We were told we might see dolphins or maybe a whale or two but the day we were there visibility wasn't great due to some light snowfall plus some of the lighthouse windows have been scratched to the point of being difficult to see thru. We had the whole place to ourselves from the time we parked until we got back in the car it was maybe 40-45 minutes. Compared to Hatteras climbing this one is a piece of cake with the slight noteworthy exception of the ship ladder at the end which is very reminiscent of how you climb to the top at Sandy Hook in New Jersey. Once at the top there's not a lot of room plus in summer the heat must be brutal just like at Christmas they had a window or two open for power cords for the Christmas Lights which meant that the 30 degrees with a solid wind that was going on outside, was also the same 30 degress with a solid drafty breeze going on inside. November 1 to March 15, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and March 16 to October 31, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adults (13 & over): $8 Military, AAA and Seniors (60+): $7 Students (must be 42 inches tall): $6 If you come do yourself a favor and hit this place up via Groupon. If you couple the regular price with one of their 20% off codes it's as good as it'll get and same you some decent dough.

This light house has been restored in recent years, and is a significant climb, while still being accessible for people who may need to pace themselves to get up to the top. You can purchase tickets at the front desk of the gift shop or prior to arrival on Groupon or online. Excellent morning activity in the summer, but as the heat rises, so does the temperature inside the lighthouse, I would suggest arriving very early in the day if you would like to do this activity. Not acceptable for young children to complete without 1 to 1 assistance from a parent or guardian. Only moderately scary... A 3 on the scary scale for people not comfortable with heights... Until you get to the top because then you can see all the way out into the ocean. You may be able to see dolphins and other wildlife from the top. The docent who was in the gift shop, was very knowledgeable about the history of the lighthouse. Make sure to build in some time to learn about the first publicly commissioned structure in the United States.

The lighthouse is a must. Great history of our area and light houses are just a unique experience. The only reason I'm giving it a 4 star. It is on a military base. You must have proper I.D. And up to date car insurance. Be prepared to get out of your car for them to inspect it. I think going to see history is worth it. When family comes to Virginia Beach for a visit we take them to the light house and the other monument in the beach My nephew and I go in great adventures. I had him go to the library. We read a book on lighthouses. Then I had him take his notebook to make notes and his camera to document everything. The weather was perfect When We had a BLAST. I think my favorite of the lighthouse is spotting pods of dolphins. Oh and he wrote his own story about the lighthouse with pictures. He loves going now too. I think making memories and having great adventures is the greatest thing in life

Review #231 - 2019 I don't know when I started having such a strong urge to visit as many lighthouses in the country as I possibly can, but it's become a bit of a sickness. Hahaha I had this spot bookmarked a few months ago when my girlfriend sent out an invite for us to come over & stay with her for Labor Day weekend. I told her that it was one of those spots that I wanted to visit and she was quick to comply. We showed up on Friday, August 30th, around 1:45 PM, following our trip to First Landing Beach. When we showed up there were only 4-5 cars parked out front so it didn't look like there were too many people, which is great for when you want a nice picture without too many walking in the background. The older gentleman who was working the ticket desk wasn't very friendly as he told us that my 3-year old wasn't allowed inside the lighthouse. I totally understand that part, but I was only wondering if she would be allowed to stand outside & take pictures with us. I wasn't planning on taking my daughter all the way to the top for my own safety concerns as well. So, in the end, my girlfriend who lives in VA decided to stay in the gift shop with my daughter while our friend & I decided to tour the lighthouse since we're already here. I'm not sure how my girlfriend managed to sweet talk her way into someone letting her & my daughter go outside without touring the lighthouse. I guess it must have been a different person that showed up later. The lighthouse is nice and it has a lot of history behind so it was well worth the effort of getting to the top to get some great photos. It did get a little hot after a while so we didn't spend more than 15 minutes at the top. Definitely not meant for people with bad knees.

The lighthouse is really neat and its history is very interesting. The experience of going to the top of the lighthouse is awesome. The view of the new lighthouse is great and considering it is made of cast iron is really amazing. The lighthouse is cool Getting to the lighthouse is a little weird. Everyone in our car had to have a drivers license. My 19 year old didn't have his since he wasn't driving so we had to turn around and return with it. Then we went to a waiting area in the extreme heat and got wanded and my wife's purse was looked through. After about 15 minutes of waiting we were picked up by a short bus and shuttled to the lighthouse to pay. The employees at the visitor center were very nice. The gift shop had a nice selection of lighthouse memorabilia. After we toured the lighthouse we had to wait at a wooden picnic table for the shuttle bus to return. It took us back to the security area where they returned our driver's license.

Scenic history, my fav. This lighthouse is located on an active military post, so be prepared: have your drivers license/id ready. On the day we were visiting there was a bus from the entrance of the post to the lighthouse area. Many thanks to Matt in the gift shop that answered all my questions and the suggestions for breweries and restaurants and biking. Be sure to check out the sale table-I snapped up a cooling towel, rainball & pack for under $12 there!

Wonderful time seeing American History. Lighthouse was a blast climbing. Staff was friendly and knowledgeable. Great gift shop. We had a great time . Highly recommend to anyone.

First, both lighthouses and all of the monuments are located on an Active Duty military base so be prepared to gain access with photo ID, vehicle registration and insurance. Beautiful location, especially with both lighthouses. The monument (Cape Henry Memorial Cross) to the first English settlers landing on these dunes in 1607 before moving inland to Jamestown is located here. The first settlers erected a wooden cross and gave thanks for a successful crossing to a new land. The granite cross erected in 1935 by the National Society Daughters of the American Colonists, in memory of the original wooden cross. In the same park are two other monuments. The first is a visual representation of the Battle of the Capes etched into granite. This battle was epic in that the French naval victory under French Admiral Comte deGrasse over British Admiral Graves directly enables US General Washington's victory over British General Cornwallis at Yorktown in 1781 and hence American Independence. The second monument is to French Admiral Comte deGrasse himself. Poem written about the Battle of the Capes by an unknown author: The capes through a spyglass All autumn gold gone now Nothing but rain Drumming a cadence On the coffin of a passing moment I smell wine, tobacco and earth And I hear the tumult Gone are the cotton clouds And the South sleeps Dreaming of freedom I look really close To make sense But I see farther Past every single word Some already fallen Off the edge of a book And my quill thirsts Before swooping on this white paper sky In large beautiful loops And I write Like it was my will If you want to think a new thought You must read an old book If you want to see the future You must look behind you Before it is too late again Musket ball holes Yawn in the walls To herald a new night To summon the moon Nothing but sand, rocks and gulls here No sound of cannons But inside my head splashes another sea And I see ships of the line Through the spyglass And a decision Surrender And my final thought Floats to you On a piece of driftwood Tomorrow I can say "tomorrow" And the North calls A heart shaped like a mermaid's tail It is my time To go

Military acting like they're better than you and that you should wait 20 min for a 5 min minimum attraction.... Yikes. A must-skip.

Was a place to see some great history of our country. Had some awesome people working there!

There are Beautiful spots on the base, quiet and relaxing! Great little hidden getaway even the ice cream truck made it through!! Lighthouse was nice and fun to climb, but it's a hike!! The narrow stairs made me want to pass out, a little boy asked me if I was ok. Dang.., if he can do it I can pump up enough courage to do it too! But once you make it to the top what a beautiful sight!

On a glorious sun drenched late December day with temps in the 50's I introduced my family from Indiana to the very first light house commissioned by the U.S. Government. But first things first, access to the Fort Story Army Base. The entrance is off of Shore Dr./Highway 60 at the hairpin turn. Travel three blocks, or so to the gate entrance. The Army personnel do not have a sense of humor, so take them seriously with their request. Have your ID, registration and proof of insurance. Be prepared to open all compartments inside the car popping hood and opening doors. Everyone in the car must exit the car and stand behind a barricade. You cannot deviate from your route to the house and cannot go past the flashing lights at the fire station. Army police commonly follow visitors to verify they arrive where they are authorized. You can also walk on the base, but ID is still required. Biking on the base is also permitted, however adults must have ID and everyone must be wearing a helmet. Why is this base treated like Fort Knox instead of Fort Story??? Well, here are a few reasons that may not be common knowledge. The base on the surface seems sleepy, but it is anything but. Fort Story is a very active training base by the Navy Seals. A heavily wooded area to your left has a multitude of props like helicopters, planes, mock building and more to train our finest. It could best be described as a Hollywood back lot. It has been described as our "Area 51" in Virginia Beach since so few people have seen it., or know of it's existence. Another reason is the XO and CO of the Joint Expeditionary Base at Little Creek reside on this base. The old Cape Henry Lighthouse was the first federally constructed project under the Constitution. For an original contract amount of $15,200 sometime prior to 1792. It also has the distinction of being the first federally funded project to go over budget as the house ended up exceeding it's budget by $2,500. It is a national park and the second smallest one in the country at just three acres. The project was completed in October 1792. You first enter through the gift store which is very nice and well appointed with information and trinkets about the lighthouse. However, they also have items of local and state interest that is cool. A young man named Justin was extremely helpful when discussing the history of the old Cape Henry. The fact he was so into the lineage of the house made the visit even more special. Be aware that children must be at least 42 inches, or around Kindergarten. Six dollars for adults and five dollars for children gets you the almost 300 step climb to the top. But first it's a steep 70+ steps to get to the base of the house. The old Cape Henry Lighthouse was built with Aquia Creek sandstone from the same source as the White House. This unfortunately made it very susceptible to erosion. In 1930 Preservation Virginia acquired this precious landmark. A brick lining and an iron stairway was latter added to the interior. It officially was put on the list as a National Historic Landmark January 29, 1964. The current condition of the interior is in a fragile state and in desperate need of restoration. The rot iron stairwell is safe, but also in need of blasting and restoration as well. Prepare yourself for an erect ladder before the final approach at the top. The view is spectacular and worth every penny charged. A one of a kind 360 degree view around Virginia Beach cannot be matched. The view is so awesome on a clear day you can see Town Center. The water views are what really makes this experience come alive. What is also very cool is the fact you can really take in the beauty of the newer Cape Henry Lighthouse and adjacent keeper out buildings. I would venture to say that less than 1% of the population in Virginia Beach has had an opportunity to see the historic Cape Henry Lighthouse up close which is a travesty. This local gem is way too special to pass by on your next trip to the ocean front. Set around 45 minutes aside for a visit and you will not be disappointed. This will allow enough time to check out adjacent Cape Henry Memorial and walk to the beach. This is my second trip and it was just as thrilling to see the area again after a five year absence. I encourage a tour in the Fall, or Spring as the best time due to uncomfortable temps in Winter and Summer. However, a warmer Winter day is stellar. Every where you look is a great photo op, so don't forget your camera.

Used Groupon to visit this historic spot. The lighthouse is located on a base so be prepared for a thorough check if you don't have access. I was to afraid to enter the lighthouse. So attached are pics my friends took. I'm not afraid of heights, I'm not claustrophobic but looking up and seeing that spiral staircase did something to me. The view is beautiful looking at the pic.

This Lighthouse I feel is iconic for Va Beach, in so many postcards, and just beautiful! If you have a chance to go...go!

This is a nice piece of history. You have to come in through the Navy base entrance. It's $9 per person be prepared to climb up a lot of stairs and then some more. The view from the top of the light house is amazing

It's historically significant so it's a nice stop if you're already in town and are looking for something to kill time. I would not go out of my way for it though since it's a simple walk. You also need to be aware that it is a military base and you still need masks for the bus. I didn't go inside the lighthouse because at 107 degrees inside with 50% humidity, you'd probably do the same. Cool piece of history though :)

It takes a little bit to figure out where to enter the military base from but the lighthouse is super cool. There is an updated modern metal staircase inside the lighthouse and a great view from the top. Lots of reading material on signs all over the place.

Beautiful area, but requires base access. If you have access, you can drive on down to the lighthouse. If you're a civilian, they have a parking lot just as you enter base, where you park your car and a shuttle carries you to the lighthouse. There is a nice little gift shop. The guides were knowledgeable and entertaining. If you want to see the original lighthouse, you must walk up some fairly steep stairs... about 88 total, then reach the lighthouse. Once inside, you'll climb a spiral staircase with 194 steps and a ships ladder. Lovely clear view! Glad we visited.

Don't let the other reviews fool You. Security was not scary at all. Just bring what you need to bring and you are good. Worth it to see the things offered.

So worth the climb! Admission was $8 a person to climb, but the money goes towards restoring the lighthouse, which was beautifully up kept. The view from the top was great! Just be aware that in order to enter you may have your car searched by military personnel because it is on the military base. Have your ID ready to go before entering. Large purses, food, are not allowed on the stairs.

Wonderful experience today at Cape Henry Lighthouse (old 1792 & new 1889). We walked up 59 steps to the lighthouse then another 224 steps up a spiral staircase to the top. Beautiful view of the cape from the top. Well maintained and we needed to surrender our drivers licenses because it is located on a military base.

The process of getting checked in went smoothly and then we took a short bus ride to the lighthouse. We started our self guided tour checking out the First Landing and the view of Chesapeake Bay. The view was beautiful on this chilly winter day. From there we went back to check out the lighthouse. It is still under renovation so we only got to climb up the steps to the base of it. The view was nice from there but it would have been really neat to go inside.

There are actually 2 lighthouses. When visiting the lighthouses you have to go to an active military base Fort Story. You park your car, go through a security check and have to leave your license and then get on a shuttle bus to visit the old lighthouse. You can only take pictures outside the new lighthouse. You have to pay $10 to enter the old lighthouse. The lighthouses were beautiful but I didn't really like the whole security thing. Not sure I would have visited if I knew all that was entailed. They give you a map ( so you don't stray), stress you can't take pics of military activities, buy anything, etc.

This lighthouse is located on the military base. You're not military? No problem, this base allows tourists to go in to view the lighthouse. There's plenty of parking right by the visitor's center where you can buy the pass to go up to the lighthouse, I believe it costs about $5 to go up. I passed on this, since VB is pretty flat to begin with, I was fine with just viewing the lighthouse from the outside. There are two lighthouses to view, the old one and the new one. Both are tall and impressive. Also if you walk a little further down the road you'll hit the cape henry first landing, which is a little part of history and I thought it was pretty cool. I'd say, if you are visiting Virginia Beach, you should check this place out. I know it's touristy, but it's just a cool part of history!

I can't really go much higher than three stars, as the weather was bad and the rumble of thunder meant we were not allowed to climb the stairs to the top. So be warned, even though the weather may not be that bad, thunder (and therefore lightening) can keep you from reaching the top. Well, at least there is a nice gift shop to look through, in the hopes that the thunder will stop. It didn't for me. Disclaimer: This review was started on 6/17/2013, but I remember the day well. PS. The lighthouse is located on an active military base, and you will need to go through a checkpoint. Please have identification, including a picture, with you (all visitors aged 16 years or older). This ID should be a student or state or Federal issued ID card. Proof of vehicle insurance and current vehicle registration is also required for admission to Fort Story Military Base.

The Cape Henry Lighthouse is located on the Fort Story base. Just be aware this is an active military base and certain rules need to be followed when entering and being at the lighthouse area. Once you check in near the gate, unless you have military access, you cannot drive up to lighthouse and need to take a shuttle. The cost to tour the Cape Henry Lighthouse and area is reasonable. There are a lot of stairs to climb up to the lighthouse area and to climb up the lighthouse to the top including the last part which is a ladder. But it is worth it because the view is spectacular. You can also walk up to the coast area but we opted not to because it was hot. There is a nice gift shop and also a gas station mart to access in the area. Overall a nice visit!

Decided to visit here before leaving the Virginia Beach area and it was well worth the stop. There are two lighthouses; the second was built because the first, built in the 1700's, was deemed unstable yet still stands today! - the older one is the only one you can climb as the other is still an operational lighthouse. Both lighthouses are located on an active military base so you need to submit to a vehicle search, surrender your license for the duration of your visit and listen to and agree to rules of the base. I asked if there was a good place to photograph both lights and was told that near the Memorial cross, there is a boardwalk that provides a good view but honestly, I got what I thought were more interesting views standing directly in front of the old lighthouse. 192 (I think) steps and they are curved and narrow with the last portion a steep ladder. Leave backpacks and bulky purses in your car! Admission is $8, $7 for seniors plus an optional donation to aid in restoring the base of the old light, which has been worn away by erosion. Overheard someone using a Groupon and would recommend this. Nice little gift shop and friendly personnel.

I have been here for years and this was the first time I made it to this lighthouse and climbed the stairs. Two bonuses in one day. This day was dress like a pirate and you received free admission to climb up the stairs. You have to meet height requirements so my whole family did not make the cut but that's ok, he's not really into strenuous activity (like running, walking fast, steady motion). Maybe next year he will be better. Your tour starts in the gift shop, I signed the visitor book, read the guidelines and looked at all the goodies! Then the back door opens to a hill of stairs. The trek up was entertaining by all the signs along the way of facts. We circled around the base of the old lighthouse and took pictures of the landscape around to include the new lighthouse and water front. You are able to climb the entire lighthouse. The stairways starts off as a spiral case but not one you can see all the way up. When you get to the top you climb up a ladder to the top level. The bulb is gone but you can again walk around the whole top and snap some beautiful pictures. Then you start on your journey back down. Not so bad, other than a weird backwards sensation that all my girls complained about. It was if we were all going the wrong way on a one way street. We also ran into cramped quarters coming down the ladder as a large party of 10 gathered at the bottom of the ladder and top of the stairwell. Great way to explore and see some of Virginia's history.

The old and new Cape Henry Lighthouses are a true gem in Virginia Beach. They are on the Fort Story military base, so it can seem a little intimidating to get in. You just tell the gaurds you want to see the light house and you can go on in. Still, because you're on a base, you feel like you need to behave yourself a bit and stay out of trouble. :) This is one of the oldest landmarks you can find in our young nation. The old light house dates to 1792, and you can still climb it today. When I worked for the City of Virginia Beach, I got the rare treat to go inside the new Cape Henry lighthouse, which is closed to the public. Both are truly amazing structures. Definitely worth the climb up, which really isn't too strenuous. When I climbed it for work that day, I had to do it in high heels! Fort Story is a beautiful, relatively untouched property in Virginia Beach. It's too bad it's a military base and not a park. If you're visiting Virginia Beach, or even just live here, it's a really spectacular place to visit.

This place doesn't tell you that smaller children are not allowed to walk to lighthouse. They don't mention that in any add. They will charge you for them but unless over 42 inches cannot touch any part of steps or anything. We were following a group and the leader of the group had very nasty comments. Apparently if you walk anywhere near the walking tour, your accused of infringement by on their tour Keep in mind you are only allowed to walk in very special fix locations due to it being an active military base.

Nice view! Also historical! Many stairs!!! The ticket is pricy. I found cheap one at groupon. Almost half price?! There is a little cute souvenir shop in front of the lighthouse.

I love lighthouses so I was excited to go. It was an extra adventure that it was on base so we had to go through security first. That was really fun for the kids. The lighthouse was so pretty and the view was great! The gift shop was probably the best gift shop I've been in. If kids ckimbec to the top they got a little award or something. Our kids were too afraid.

This place is tricky to find if your not from this area. Atlantic Ave. is right along the boardwalk.. So driving down that road there is no lighthouse to be found. This lighthouse is on the military base fort story. It is a nice secluded location. As we drove closer we then saw the two lighthouses. There is the old cape henry lighthouse and the new cape henry lighthouse. The old cape henry lighthouse is the one that is open for the public to enter. Only a few bucks to enter the lighthouse and it is worth it to help maintain the beauty and history of the lighthouse. I made it all the way up to the top of the lighthouse surprisingly and that journey up the scary stairs was worth it. The view from the top of the lighthouse is amazing. It overlooks the water and the second lighthouse. Great picture place and well worth it getting lost and climbing the stairs to get to the top.