Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum

Cool lighthouse that is still actively in use and whose history dates back to the 1800s. The staff here (mostly retiree volunteers) is very engaging, very knowledgeable, and very friendly. It’s quite a hike getting up the lighthouse, but once on top, it has an amazing view. The staff gave us a detailed history overview briefing while we were at the top of the lighthouse. Cost to enter is very reasonable. What’s also unique about the sight is the ginormous Banyan tree at the base of the lighthouse. It’s a one of a kind tree that is a non-native tree of the region. People who are claustrophobic may not want to attempt the lighthouse staircase climb as it’s a narrow and very steep staircase. Also, I noticed when standing at the top of the lighthouse, you can feel the structure swaying in the wind (it’s a gentle sway), but it did make me a little nervous whenever you feel it 😬

The Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum is truly a cultural treasure. From the moment you arrive, you’re surrounded by breathtaking views of the water and lush vegetation that create a peaceful and awe-inspiring atmosphere. The natural beauty of the area alone is worth the visit, but the history tucked within these grounds is what makes it unforgettable. Climbing the lighthouse offers panoramic views that are absolutely stunning—you can see the coastline stretch for miles, and it gives you a real sense of Florida’s rich maritime heritage. The museum itself is full of stories that connect the past to the present, from the Native American tribes who once lived here to the lighthouse keepers who maintained the beacon. This place is more than just a landmark—it’s a living piece of history and an experience that leaves you with a deep appreciation for the culture, nature, and legacy of the area. A must-visit if you’re anywhere near Jupiter!

It was totally worth it the visit. Staff is incredibly kind, and they will give you all kinds of tips to better enjoy the visit. The entrance price was $15/person, and you have access to several indoor exhibitions, outdoors areas, and the climbing to the lighthouse with stunning views!

We attended the sunset tour which was confusing as we arrived early thinking we would be able to wonder the park until the start time. But there was no one there at first and the park was locked. About half an hour before the scheduled time, an attendant arrived and checked us in, so really it was our fault for being too early. The tour guide was knowledgeable and feisty. She did a great job of making sure everyone got where they needed to be so we could witness the sunset at the top of the lighthouse. Overall a magic experience with a very cool slice of Jupiter history.

This light house is one of the oldest and still functioning light houses and the history runs deep! They keep the grounds very nice and clean and the staff is so pleasant and knowledgeable. The native Americans have done so much wonderful things that we have used some of their culture and still call on them for more tiki style covers. We will be back to visit !!! Don’t forget to look for the Banyan trees they are phenomenal and full of history and age lol military discounts available too!!

We arrived early enough that there wasn't a wait. Later on, people were waiting 10 to 20 minutes to make the climb. We explored the grounds, museum, and gift shop. Everyone was super friendly, and it was great learning more about Jupiter's history!

It was really neat to go up into the light house. The stairs are narrow and difficult to climb for some. It is an amazing view, though! We didnt get to the museum part because of time.

Must visit when in Jupiter! Incredible history and historical designation. Wear good shoes 👟 to hike 105 steps to 🔝 Excellent volunteer docent tour with retired doctor 👨‍⚕️ Eric L. Many thanks to all the volunteers!

Some brief interesting history: "First lighted July 10, 1860. Dark during the War Between the States and its mechanism hidden by Southern sympathizers. Relighted June 28, 1866, it has not missed a night in over 100 years. Early keepers: Thomas Twiner, J. F. Papy, Wm. B. Davis, James A. Armour, Joseph A. Wells, Thomas Knight, Charles Seabrook. Operated by the United States Coast Guard since 1939." I've been here a few times although it's been over 6 years since my last visit. There are guided tours but you can also elect to go solo as there are employees along the way that are knowledgeable and helpful about the history of this iconic lighthouse. Purchase your ticket in the Gift Shop where besides various souvenirs, one can also get cold canned water (saving the planet by not using plastic). There's also restroom facilities there. Prices for the lighthouse tour are: Adults $15 US Veterans & Seniors (60+) $12 Child Admission (Ages 6-18) $8 Once you get to the door at the base of the lighthouse, it's 105 steps to the top. There's 3 landings at about every 25 steps where one can stop and take a breather if needed. At the top, the view is quite impressive! - from the inlet to the newly constructed drawbridge, it's quite a sight! "Bill", a local volunteer, was stationed at the top and was very interesting and knowledgeable about the lighthouse and its history. There are also programs and events held here such as "Twilight Yoga at the Light" and "Native Plants of the ONA Guided Tour" to name just a couple - check their website for more information at: https://www.jupiterlighthouse.org Lighthouses are cool and an important part of our history and culture. I had a very enjoyable experience and highly recommend you check this place out.

**INITIAL REVIEW** Prior to visiting the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and Museum (which I will shorthand simply to the Jupiter Lighthouse), I visited the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse via the tour and the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse. Because I am a member of the United States Lighthouse Society, I definitely needed to get the cancellation for Jupiter Lighthouse. I will say, I got more than just the cancellation, I got an "excellent outing" in which you can do everything within a day even with all you can do, similar to Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse. Because of the aforementioned, Jupiter Lighthouse gets five stars, a generally "perfect" score here on Yelp. Of course I will explain why. For starters, even though an address is provided, Jupiter Lighthouse is located on the eastside of US-1 in Jupiter, along the northern brook of the Loxahatchee River. Probably one of the "negatives" I will bring up is getting into the parking. Because there is construction happening for the bridge, you have to make some twists and turns to get to the parking. I will say I am a-okay with construction as it is to improve the bridge going over the Loxahatchee River. Once parked, you will head to the gift shop to pay for entrance to main grounds. I am unsure if the museum next to the gift shop is free or not, but there is a lot to learn. The main grounds consists of smaller exhibit houses with museum-like presentation as well. The climb up to the top of Jupiter Lighthouse is what most people pursue. One of the good things about this lighthouse is that you can still get your workout climbing steps, yet it is one of the shorter climbs out of all the other lighthouses. If you do climb though, you will get a certificate of climbing completion, a nice gesture for the guests. With all you can do, it can all be done in about three to four hours tops depending on how fast you go. All for $10, it is a gem for tourists and locals alike.

Slight detour around the bridge construction but it was ok. Check in at gift shop. Only $10.00 for seniors or military. The grounds are very nice several buildings to go into. The lighthouse is beautiful. They are a check in at the bottom of the lighthouse to alert the staff at the top how many people are wanting to climb. They work together to make sure everyone passes safely in the narrow spiral staircase. There are 35 steps to get up to the lighthouse then 105 steps to the top. There are 3 platforms inside placed every 25 steps. View is beautiful at the top. Highly recommend climbing if you can. Even if you can't climb the grounds are great to walk around and explore.

Super fun! We came here for a surprise engagement with our friends and also to celebrate her birthday. The weather was perfect so we could enjoy all the indoor and outdoor offers at the park. I appreciate the attention to have historic exhibits and placards throughout, so it isn't just a lighthouse. Additionally, it's really cool to have a guide at the top who can point out all of the great sightseeing opportunities. We even saw manatees playing. The only drawback is that the parking for this place is a nightmare. If you're unlucky enough to go on a day when the soccer fields next-door are hosting an event, you will be hard-pressed to find a parking spot at all. It would be really nice to have some dedicated parking just for the lighthouse and museum.

stablished in 1860. An impressive point of land sits at the junction of the Indian River and Jupiter Inlet and for thousands of years had been a meeting place for ancient Indian tribes. This strategic site did not go unnoticed by army surveyors who in 1849 recommended the Jupiter Inlet area as a suitable place for military defenses. President Franklin Pierce signed the order to set aside a 61 & 1/2-acre site on the Fort Jupiter Reservation for a lighthouse in 1854. The lighthouse was designed by Lieutenant George Gordon Meade and Lt. William Raynolds, who succeeded him as head of the 4th and 7th Lighthouse Districts, improved the strength with a double wall design. The lighthouse and Oil house construction was accomplished by Captain Edward Yorke, who arrived Dec. 31, 1859 and completed the tower in May 1860. It was lit July 10, 1860. I went here with 3 friends and went into the gift shop to purchase a ticket. $10 for seniors and $12 for adults. We walked up to the area where the lighthouse sits and took some fabulous pictures under these huge trees. (They also have new restrooms at a building right next to it). The docents were very friendly and offered to take pictures of us! That helped me not do the selfie thing! There are 105 stairs in the lighthouse (one of my friends found out she was claustrophobic doing this) and it was simple for me but may not be for others. When you do get to the top, it is a beautiful view of Jupiter Inlet Colony and other parts of Jupiter and Tequesta. Also, make sure you visit the small museum and spend a few minutes there. There are some outdoor walks you can do to the docks, Tindall Pine House, The Seminole Chicken and the Keeper's Workshop. This is where the Loxahatchee River empties inside the Atlantic ocean. The Native Americans used to call this area home. And also Jonathan Dickinson,was shrimpwrecked north of this inlet. Make sure you check the hours out as well. It's worth a jaunt here and then go visit Tequesta or nearby areas in Jupiter for shopping and/or lunch.

This historical place is simply fascinating. The lighthouse and its history; the trees, and just the tranquil aspect of its location. Good way to spend a calm quiet Sunday.

Had so much fun climbing this and learning about the history of Jupiter! It looks higher in person than it feels to climb. It didn't take us very long at all to get to the top, and the views were great, as well as the breeze! One of my bridesmaids is 7 months pregnant and she was up for the challenge too! Great overall experience, and a beautiful location.

Such a fun day and such a beautiful view! I came to the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse last week with my parents because we happened to be in the area. Initially, we thought that all there was to do was to climb the lighthouse but we happened to be wrong because there was actually so much more! There were multiple small historical buildings to discover, a beautiful banyan tree, a gift shop with lots of goodies for holiday gifts for friends and family and of course the beautiful lighthouse to climb. We started our time visiting by checking out some of the small historical houses around the lighthouse, and then snapped a few pictures by the banyan tree, and lastly climbed the lighthouse to reveal a beautiful view of the Jupiter inlet. I definitely hope that I am able to come back here soon and explore more that the Jupiter lighthouse has to offer!

Truth be told, I had never visited the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse. But we had the opportunity recently to stop by there for a tour of the lighthouse, and I enjoyed my experience walking the pathway up to the first flight of steps. Going up the spiral staircase to the top of the lighthouse was awesome, with a spectacular view of the coastline and area once we reached the top. I would return here again, as the staff are amicable and provide insight into the lighthouse's history, going into a couple of buildings that discussed the use and importance.

If you like lighthouses like me, this one is a must-see. Nice climb to the top, but don't worry plenty of opportunities to stop and catch your breath. Beautiful view at the top. You don't want to miss it. Nice museum and area to walk around and just take in the sights. Friendly staff. Nice gift shop.

The hundred plus steps is DEFINITELY worth the view up top!! Trust me!! Notes: * The sidewalk is under construction so if someone in your party is handicapped, try to wait until it's done. Otherwise, you have to trek through a hill, a rock pathway, (this is all in direct sunlight mind you), and then go up a little bit of a steep pathway to get to the person who will talk to you a bit about the trek to get up the lighthouse. * If you don't mind the grass, rocks, and steep pathway, you will then climb up 40(?) steps then go left to enter the lighthouse (a few people went right and had to go completely around) then up 100+ steps to reach the top. * There are some bay-like windows where you can catch your breath which is nice if you're like me and are not in the best shape of your life. It's also a good place to pull your kids aside so the adults can pass by :) * There's also a building (with a/c THANK GOD!) with the history of that lighthouse along with what main event of that time was going on to get a better time frame of reference. * There are other paths to take so it's not just a walk up the lighthouse and then you go home. My party didn't go that far on the other pathway because it was HOT. I got a cool shirt at the gift shop with all sorts of lighthouses from around the east coast on it and I will cherish it forever.

Wow is this place awesome, I could not more highly recommend! Going up into the lighthouse is so rad. You are still currently required to wear a mask the whole time, so I was a little worried that it would be absolutely miserable and I would feel like I'm dying a little bit. But, it actually wasn't too bad climbing up to the top! And they take groups of around 15 people at a time, so you can rest if you want to and you won't get in anyone's way. And the view at the top- holy cow, so cool!! Just absolutely beautiful and mesmerizing, there's something so different about being able to stand at the top of such a large, cool, historic structure and see all around you for miles and miles. There are a lot of other little houses and parts of the museum as well where you can read more about this lighthouse and area. I found it so fascinating how Jupiter used to literally be no mans land out in the middle of nowhere and to then think of what it's become today, it's pretty crazy. Such a gorgeous little area, it's even nice just to sit in the gardens and enjoy the day, definitely come here if you have the chance! It's an experience not like many others! (They do also have a small gift shop and bathrooms near the lighthouse)

Drove from Miami to the Jupiter Lighthouse. It was a nice way to get out of the house and do something different. Afterwards had a couple of beers and wings at Lighthouse Cove, which is a few minutes drive from there.

This was so much more than I thought it would be! The lighthouse, the property, the other structures and history of the people who lived on this piece of land is fascinating. This historic lighthouse should not be missed!

This is a neat place to check out if you're in the West Palm Beach area. It's about a 25-30 minute drive from downtown WPB. It's the first lighthouse I've ever visted so I was excited to buy tickets to climb to the top. The base is about 34 steps and then the way up to the lighthouse takes about 105 steps with breaks every ~30 steps. The determination required to climb up to the top is rewarded with a beautiful view of the waterfront below. $12 might be a bit steep for this view but I'd say it was worth it.

This was number 11 (of 26) in our Lighhouse quest. Nice lighthouse with museum. Well maintained. You can go to the top for some nice views at this one. Not much else to do -- so you'll be done in a couple hours.

Visited the lighthouse on the weekend. The grounds are well maintained, and there are plenty of parking. There are a few areas, which outline the history of the lighthouse, as well as the importance of it. The views from the top are very nice. A great exercise climbing all those stairs, there are areas to stop and rest, for couch potatoes like me. There is an area by the entrance, that local people bring the kids for a picnic on the grass, over looking the water ways. Amazingly there were many visitors during my visit. The area is very serene, and pretty. A nice place to visit in our area.

Second time visiting in 10 years and still worth the day trip! The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable and ready to help in any way they can. The attendant as we waited to go to the tower gave us a lot of fun and engaging history behind the lighthouse build out as well as the majestic trees on the property! 105 stairs to the top worth the huff and puff lol as the views from the top are priceless! Very well kept grounds and a fun way to spend a Sunday!

Loved it. A must visit when in the area. Such a pretty view of the ocean. We came up here to paddleboard and while up here just stopped by the lighthouse was totally worth it.

We had a wonderful time just as the last time we went. With COVID it is a bit different but there was just less people allowed in at the same time. The COVID practices I found appropriate. When in the small shop to buy tickets they only allow 10 inside, and they were strict about it. I can appreciate that. They also were careful to not let anyone into the lighthouse walk/area without a paid sticker, so that also controls # and again, I can appreciate that. Once at the base of the lighthouse we sat under the large tree and took in views along the walk. It was so pretty and with smaller crowds it was perfect. We got great family photos. We will definitely be back. Parking is easy, there is a ramp to the building, and we also enjoyed watching the boats go by under the trees from the green.

This was the most lovely afternoon visit with my 7 year old. Walking up the lighthouse was exciting. We got there in between a large crowd so didn't have to wait to go up or share the space with too many people. You have to be over a certain height so not good for the little ones. You also have to have closed toed shoes. It was a beautiful view and breeze from the top. The rest of the grounds were fun to walk around too. Two of the rooms buildings had AC which was a nice retreat from the summer heat. We spent 2 hours there.

I so wanted to love this place and I guess I could had I been able to actually visit the lighthouse but I get it. Due to the weather in the area, it was drizzling but we were advised because there was the potential of lightening, the lighthouse was closed so we were not able to visit the actual lighthouse. The gift shop and the museum were open, don't judge me but I was not willing to pay the $6 to tour the museum because it was not the reason for my visit itself. After a short perusal of the gift shop and the scenic views outside we were on our way. I am convinced the views were have been breathtaking form the actual lighthouse itself. The location itself is easily accessible with plenty of parking. I noticed they also had large umbrellas that you can use if you are visiting and it is raining which i thought was a nice touch.

For thousands of years Native Americans called this area where two rivers meet into the Jupiter Inlet home. The area allowed easy travel in their canoes and an abundance of seafood. Once the Spanish came to Florida in the 1500's many of the native people became extinct due to disease or were sold off into slavery. In 1838 after the Battle of Loxahatchee, the Army created the Fort Jupiter Reservation, which included the land that the lighthouse now stands on. An act of Congress in 1853 ordered that a lighthouse be built to save sailors from crashing into shore as they navigated around this spot and along the currents of the Gulf Stream. Army Lieutenant George Meade was chosen to design the Jupiter Lighthouse along with 5 other lighthouses in Florida. He picked the site and the design. Ten years later he defeated Robert E. Lee at Gettysburg. The project was picked up by Lieutenant William Raynolds who added more height to the design and a double wall. Edward York oversaw the construction and it was completed in May of 1860. The tower was officially lit on July 10, 1860. During the Civil War Confederate sympathizers disabled the light and it remained out for five years. James Armour was able to recover the parts to get it working again and was promoted to head lighthouse keeper in 1869 for his efforts. It was a position he held for the next 40 years. The category Hurricane of 1928 came ashore at the lighthouse in September of that year. The hurricane blew out one of the bull's-eye lenses which was later reassembled and held in place by two bronze crossbars. The storm also destroyed the original Weather Bureau building at the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse. From 1860 to 1939, more than 70 different lighthouse keepers served at the lighthouse. At the time the lighthouse was transferred from civilian control to the Coast Guard who operated it until it became automated in 1987. During WWII the Navy set up a secret radio station J on the lighthouse grounds to monitor German submarines off shore. In 1973 the lighthouse was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today the lighthouse still guides ships on Florida's Atlantic coast. 2020 is the 160th anniversary of the lighthouse so this is the year to climb it. It looks especially good because it just got a paint job last fall, something that only happens once a decade. If you can climb the 105 steps to the top of the 108 foot tower you will be rewarded with a spectacular view of the Loxahatchee River and the Indian River joining in the Jupiter Inlet and flowing into the Atlantic. If you are really lucky you may see dolphins and manatees. Only 25 people can ascend up or down the staircase at one time so you may have a bit of a wait to climb. The lighthouse is also built on a natural parabolic sand dune so there is a set of stairs before you reach the base of the lighthouse. It only costs $12 to climb the lighthouse which is an inexpensive day out. After you finish you can visit the lighthouse museum and the Tindall Pioneer Homestead. Even if you aren't going to climb the lighthouse it's worth the visit. There are also a lot of great places to eat in the area like the Square Grouper Tiki Bar located across from the lighthouse giving a spectacular view anytime but especially at sunset.

I love lighthouses and never pass up a chance to climb the spiral staircases for the panoramic views they provide at the top. Gazing out on the waterfront below, it is easy to imagine the storms that have churned up the waves, the boats that have battled high winds, heavy rains and powerful currents and the lighthouse beacon that brightly lights up the night as a signal that land is nearby. This museum located at the entrance to the lighthouse was not open during my visit. But it occupies such a small space I didn't feel too badly about what I was missing. The climb to the top was not easy so sensible shoes, weather-appropriate clothes, occasional breaks to catch your breath are recommended, and, at the time of my trip, the need to stay masked at all times can make the trip up a bit tricky so take it easy! But the breeze, the views and the outlooks that await at the top make it all worthwhile. I visited during a particularly warm fall day in November. I don't even want to imagine what the heat and humidity of a typical summer day would be like. There is a pleasant nature walk the leads to and from the lighthouse. And the gift shop where tickets are purchased is definitely worth a visit for more than simply to access restroom facilities. There is plenty of surface parking adjacent to the site and no fee to pay to park. So take your time, enjoy all that the location offers and checkout the markers with info and images about local history that line the circular walkway that takes folks to and from the lighthouse.

Sure, climbing the lighthouse is awesome but the real surprise was the museum near the store in the barracks building. The exhibits are so well done and informative. Also, the new tour on your own is great too. What a nice change and I'm sure that wasn't an easy decision to try it this way, but it works. Best Lighthouse in Florida!

This lighthouse is so cute with pretty water views and nice trees/nature all around. My sister and I had a blast visiting Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse. The guided tour was informative and I liked that the group was not too big either. If you cannot climb the stairs, I would still recommend you to check this place out because it's packed with so much Florida history and is scenic to enjoy the outdoors. Now for the people who are climbing, it's not so bad, estimate about 105 steps. But I recommend not to eat too much before, since your climbing in a circular motion so you might feel sick if you just had a heavy breakfast/lunch right before. Once we climbed the stairs, my sister and I adored the views up top and took tons of selfies. The whole tour was about an hour long with the tour guide explaining the history of the entire place. Prefect place to go and feel like a tourist even if you live near.~

I had an amazing time at the Lighthouse. I was heading back to Miami from Fort Pierce and decided on making a little detour. The facilities were very clean! We even sat on the lawn in front of the gift shop right by the water. It was a lovely experience to look out at all the boats. The environment is very peaceful and relaxing. There were several couples out on the lawn. So it's safe to assume that it is something many locals in the area do on a Sunday afternoon. General adult admissions to enter the grounds of the lighthouse is $12. The grounds are immaculate, filled with lush greenery and lots of history. I climbed... I repeat I CLIMBED the Lighthouse. Now they say it's 105 steps inside. But darn it I'm also counting the 31 steps before entering the lighthouse. When I made it to the top gosh the view was breathtaking while I was of course catching my breath! (Don't judge me..lol).

Nice lighthouse! it's actually the first one I visited from the US. The tour guides were so nice and funny,especially Steve. Lighthouse still lights up every night! great place to learn more about Florida history. The museum has some nice exhibits and the docent's extra information was greatly appreciated. The grounds are beautiful and they open to the spectacular view of the lighthouse. For the climb it's 125 stairs with 4 stops. We did have to wait 20 min to go up as a 12 year old boy was frightened and couldn't walk down the stairs without assistance- so beware of bringing children up.

Terrible experience. We went on Monday. We had been informed, my family of 12, that unfortunately the museum was closed. In a big family, it is hard to retrace you plans. But that's what we had to do. Frustrating. Definitely recommend.

So we explored the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and Museum and had a very pleasant time. This is a very nice place to go, particularly if you are a fan of lighthouses. There is much history to be found and you can walk to the lighthouse and even climb it(which we opted not to do). It makes for a fun afternoon. It's a pretty small place and the walk to the Lighthouse can be a bit much, especially if you are doing the walk in the Florida heat. That is why we decided not to do the climb. I'd say come here on a day that is not to humid as there is a bit of walking to get to the lighthouse. However if you do not want to do the walk, you can still take some cool pictures and admire it without walking all the way to it. It really depends on what you want to do. For History buffs they will love it. We enjoyed our time here although it was a bit hot on the day we chose to come. Cameras not allowed in all areas. No issues with taking pics of the Lighthouse however. Plan to be leisurely and enjoy!

While visiting, I came by the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse for old times sake. I haven't been here since elementary school field trips. A lot has been done to maintain it over the years, nice scenery around as you enter and of course the gift shop. It was a nice day out, so a few local friends and I came by here to be tourists. $12 tickets for adults and it is a guided tour. Took about an hour or so with a lot of explanation of the local history and such. You buy your tickets at the counter of the gift shop. A boatload of little trinkets you can buy, souvenirs, t-shirts etc etc. It's a nice historic landmark and glad we came by to check out the views, walk down memory lane and seeing the new buildings and expansions of the city from what it used to look like and the growth of the area. Plenty of opportunities to take some photos for the SnapFace.

This is a "must-see" location. It's a historic lighthouse that has been in operation for over 100 years and is still in operation today. You need to allow at least 1 hour for the tour - they estimate that the actual tour is 45-60 minutes. The tour is a walking and climbing tour (the climbing part is optional but is a highlight of the tour). The actual tour involves about a 1/2 mile of walking and then the climb to the top of the lighthouse. There are 34 steps up to the base of the lighthouse and then there are 105 steps to top of the lighthouse. When climbing the stairs inside the lighthouse, there are 3 "landings" where you can stop and catch your breath. The views from each landing are good but the views from the top are fantastic. After touring the lighthouse, there is an old house to tour and back at the main building there is a small but really nice museum. I highly recommend this attraction as a must-see location.

A nice small museum of a light house. Today was a windy day so we couldn't go in the lighthouse so we did the museum.

We've been living part-time in Jupiter for the past 5 years and this was the day to finally walk to top of the lighthouse! We did the guided tour first and learned of the property and early settlers then the history of the lighthouse and the climb. There's roughly 140 spiral stairs with a thick railing to help you ascend and descend. They do warn you if you have health issues you may not want to climb. Side note, the Jupiter fire department does practice going up and down in the event of an emergency. The climb was no problem for me, however I did experience some dizziness. Wear closed toe shoes. The view from the top was awesome! A bit cloudy of a day but still amazing! Seeing the lighthouse up closed and so we'll maintained was very cool. Well built and engineered brilliantly.

A "must see" to understand Jupiter and why it exists. Also just fun to learn about lighthouses and the system of lighthouses and lens technology. The civil war angle is also interesting. The lighthouse and the museum are done well enough. Volunteers are cheery and helpful. Military gets free family admission. Watch your head when you get to the top of the stairs!

A neat little find in the heart of Jupiter. A lot on the history of the natives and during WWII this lighthouse had a radio station used to track German submarines and watch for possible bombers. Very short walk from the gift shop/museum to lighthouse. 12 dollars for admission to the small yet fascinating museum and lighthouse. Great view at the top!

Must visit!!!! It's a small fee to really see and feel the history and culture of Jupiter Florida. So much that I didn't know about this town or how it started and what it did for our great nation. Definitely a must visit location for tourist and those who appreciate the American Culture. Since I visited during memorial weekend I was overwhelmed with such a patriotic feeling, so proud to be American. So the park it's self has lots of fields at the front for soccer. If you keep driving to the back you will reach your destination. The house has a path to the left and leads you around the back to the porch. Enter the Gift shop and they will give you access to the lighthouse and the museum. Light house trail is nice, few spider webs around just like a normal trail would have. But once you arrive to the back where the lighthouse keeper is, he'll make you wait till the last group to go up the lighthouse returns down. So it's about a 15 minute interval per group. Our group wasn't that big, about 10-12 people. Everyone makes there way up at their own pace. There about 4 stops along the staircase with window views for picture or to catch your breath. Total of 105 steps for the lighthouse to reach the top. But once you reach it, it's extremely worth it. Breath taking views, gorgeous picture moments to capture. Definitely a must try at least once !!!

We visited here today. It was brutally hot outside in the summer even at 10am. The lighthouse is not air conditioned but the other buildings do have air conditioning. We were dripping in sweat! It's probably better to go in the cooler months. I enjoyed climbing the lighthouse and took some great photos. There is a nice gift shop and history museum too. I've been here before about 5 years ago so this was my second visit. My only con was that my 4 year old son wasn't tall enough to climb the lighthouse. They checked his height when we walked into the gift shop. The kids have to be 4 ft tall or 6 years old. But the ladies working there were really nice and gave us names of other nearby kid friendly attractions. I just climbed the lighthouse myself and my mom stayed outside with my son. He actually was not upset and just ate a snack so it wasn't a big deal. I should have noticed the height restriction on the website before we drove an hour there but that's OK. We can come back when he's older.

I counted 110 steps to the top. Do it; the view is awesome. There's a volunteer to give a historical overview of the station. Check out the old lens.

Jupiter, Florida was a delightful surprise! A hidden gem of a city with contrasting turquoise & deep blue waters that rival the most beautiful views in the Caribbean. On the shores of the waters near Jupiter Inlet, where the Loxahatchee river empties into the Atlantic ocean, there lies this beautiful and well maintained lighthouse. I typically like to include a bit of history in my review of such places, but the history here is too vast to contain on a single review. Celebrated within the museum and surrounding buildings are the pioneers of the area, the lighthouse keepers over the centuries, the Native Americans whom once called this area home, World War II history, European connections and tales of pirates. It even tells the story of Jonathan Dickinson, the son of a wealthy English Quaker whom was shipwrecked north of the inlet while carrying valuable cargo to establish his family business in Philadelphia. The Native American history is probably the most fascinating considering signs of human habitation have been discovered dating back at least 5,000 years to the Jobe ("hoe-bay") and Jeaga ("hay-gwa") cultures. [source: lighthouse website & brochures] THE EXPERIENCE Depending on the direction you are traveling, you will have to cross the Carlin White drawbridge. During my visit I got caught in traffic due to the bridge being raised for several minutes to let boats pass traveling to and from the inlet. The entrance to the Lighthouse Museum parking is just off South Beach Road and A1A. There is a large grassy field and playground for children midway to the museum parking area. Inside, the museum is separate from the gift shop. The Gift Shop is where you will purchase your climbing ticket ($12 adults). Only a certain amount of visitors are allowed in the lighthouse at one time, so you will be taken up in groups on busy days. Aside from artifacts and historic informational plaques, there is also a short movie in the theater room. You will walk east from the gift shop along a paved pathway towards the lighthouse. Along the way you will have the opportunity to visit several other exhibits, including the Tindall Pioneer House, the Seminole Chickee, the Keeper's Workshop and the Lighthouse Deck. The deck is the space where the first Keeper's house was built in the 1860's, but burned down in 1927. There is an enormous tree located here that the guides say is a Ficus altissima, but looks like a Banyan tree. It was planted in 1935 in tribute to the Keepers who had lived there, but has grown to an impressive width. It will surely cause you to pull out your camera and I hear weddings are popular below its canopy. Here is where you will climb 35 concrete steps to the base of the 108 foot tall lighthouse, which was painted red in 1910 to cover discoloration caused by humidity. The lighthouse sits on a 48' natural parabolic dune top with a layer of shell and has a base circumference of 65'. It has a 1000 watt, 120 volt, GE quartz-iodine bulb that can be seen from 24 miles out to sea. The interior is painted white with 105 black cast iron stairs spiraling counterclockwise around a central iron column with three landings, one about every 25 steps. Circumference at the top is about 43' with a balcony for unobstructed 360° views of the surrounding area. The lighthouse land encompasses 121 acres and includes a beautiful trail to an observation tower overlooking a quiet manatee refuge surrounded by red mangroves. DO NOT MISS THIS!!! FINAL THOUGHTS I've been to many lighthouses. Some taller, some older and some (but not many) more beautiful. However, few will have so much to offer on such well maintained grounds. This is definitely a lighthouse that should be on your must see list. TIP: Afterwards walk along Jupiter Beach, then have ice cream @ Coral Cones, lunch @ U-Tiki Beach and shop @ beautiful Harbourside Place, home to Calaveras Cantina and their "sexy Mexican food". 2018/12

Beautiful historic lighthouse right on the inlet Nice museum with history 105 steps to the top of the lighthouse $12 for adults Take your bathing suit because you can jump into some gorgeous aqua water right outside the museum to cool off on a hot day!

First, all of the employees there are extremely kind, knowledgeable, and clearly enjoy what they do. We arrived after lunch time of Tuesday and were not sure what to expect. We went to the gift shop to pay our $12 admission fee from the very kind man behind the counter and proceeded to follow the brick path back toward the lighthouse. The fee clearly goes right back to the lighthouse and the grounds surrounding it. This place is BEAUTIFUL! There was plenty of greenery and a lot of information about the first Floridians along the path. Upon arriving at the steps top ascend the lighthouse we were greeted by another employee who radioed up to the top of the lighthouse to make sure they were ready for other people. As someone who is afraid of heights I appreciated this additional step in their safety protocol. The climb to the top of the of the lighthouse wasn't too bad. There are 2-3 landings on your way up for breaks if you need them. We received a wealth of information about the lighthouse from the gentleman working up there while we looked at the ocean and the town. The views from the lighthouse are unbeatable. After making our descent from the lighthouse we were directed to the lighthouse keepers workshop/museum area. There's a lot of good history in that little space. We easily spent an hour on the grounds between the lighthouse, the workshop, and the old house. We also stood around and watched some boats go by because why not?

A bit underwhelming and a tourist trap, but not too busy. I'm not sure if it was worth the steep entrance fee, but it was interesting to walk up the 4/5 rows of stairs to get to the top. Do be careful though, as it is super wind yup there. There was a wedding happening in the area of the banyan trees after closing hours, which was intriguing, but I don't think there's much else going on here beside that.

Admission fee of $12 includes a trip to the lighthouse, which you can climb and the museum. A short walk takes you to the lighthouse. They allow 25 visitors to climb the 105 steps at one time. We waited for 10 minutes until our turn. Depending on your health it was an easy climb. Rest spots/viewing areas are there every 25 steps. Once you reach the top the views are stunning. A guide is available to answer questions. The museum is next door to the gift shop and there is a nice grassy area where you can sit watching the boats. Well maintained and interesting great for young families.

Another beautiful Florida Lighthouse with lots of history we are very fortunate to have so many in our state, by simply visiting and taking the tour you are contributing to the preservation of this historic landmark to ensure it is around for generations to come. This is an amazing piece of history I added in some interesting facts so you will look like a scholar when you take the tour. Cost - $60,859.00 in 1860 or $1,738,828.00 in today's dollars the cost was almost twice as much as budgeted. First Lit Location Construction - July 10, 1860 Locations - Latitude 26° 56.9' 37" North, Longitude 80° 4.9' 17" West Construction - Brick, double masonry walls, outer conical, tapering from 31.5" (8 bricks thick) at ground to 18 inches (3 bricks thick) at base of lantern. Inner wall cylindrical and 2 bricks thick throughout. Circumference at base is about 65' and at top about 43'. Height - 156' - 108' tower on a 48' hill, natural parabolic dune top with a layer of shell. Focal Plane - 146'. This is the level at which the beam of light is emitted. Steps - 105 cast iron stairs spiraling counterclockwise around a central iron column with three landings. Optics - First order Fresnel lens, manufactured in Paris by Henry-Lepaute and reputed to be the oldest existing first order Fresnel lens in Florida. Of the six regular orders of lenses, the first is the most powerful. Lamp - 1000 watt, 120 volt, GE quartz-iodine bulb socketed in a lamp changer with an identical spare. The second bulb rotates into position and turns on whenever the first bulb fails. Range - 24 miles. This is the distance that the light can be seen on a ship at sea. To someone in an airplane, the light would be visible 40-50 miles away. Electrified - 1928. A 1/3 horsepower motor turns the lens carriage. Automated - June 8, 1987. A photoelectric cell turns the bulb and motor on when the sun sets and off when the sun rises. Daymark - Red with black lantern. Coastal lighthouses have different markings to enable ships to determine their location during daylight. Characteristics - Flashes 1.2 seconds, eclipses (darkens) 6.6 seconds, flashes 1.2 seconds, eclipses 21 seconds, and then repeats the cycle. The bulb does not blink (neither did the original oil lamps, which is why the lens rotated). As the bull's-eyes (there are four) cross the viewer's line of sight, the bursts of light are perceived as a flash. Lighthouse Keepers - Capt. Thomas Twiner, head 1860; Capt. Jose F. Papy, head 1861; Capt. William B. Davis, head 1866-68; Capt. James Arango Armour, asst. 1866-68, head 1868-1908; Charles R. Carlin, assistant 1871-75; Hannibal D. Pierce, assistant, 1873; Melville Spencer, assistant 1878-84; Dwight Allen, assistant 1885-90; Capt. Joseph Wells, asst. 1894-198, head 1908-1919; Capt. Thomas J. Knight, head, a few months in 1919; Capt. Charles Seabrook, head 1919-1947; Raymond C. Phillips (USCG), head, 3 years 1950s-60s

As we made our way back north from Miami, we decided to stop at various lighthouses along the way. This was the first lighthouse we stopped at in our travels north. This lighthouse is not too far off the beaten path from Interstate 95. This lighthouse is active and is located on the grounds of the U.S. Coast Guard. Entry into the lighthouse can only be done through guided tours with the museum. The costs for going onto the lighthouse grounds is used to help maintain the lighthouse. Depending on the group, the tour can take up to an hour or so. When you go into the lighthouse museum entrance, you can go up to the register to get your sticker to go on the tour. During the tour, the guide gave us info about the history of the lighthouse, as well as the relationship with the Seminole Indians. One of the buildings on the grounds is a Seminole Chickee, or house. Just outside the lighthouse itself, there is a banyan tree, which is not native to that area. However, that tree is so large and has so many trunks that it could easily take over if not cared for properly. After going over the stuff on the grounds, it was finally time to climb the 105 steps to the top of the lighthouse. Because this is an active lighthouse, there are some restrictions with taking photos inside the lighthouse. However, once you get to the top, you can take photos of all the views you can see outward from the lighthouse. At the top, you can see the intracoastal waterway, Atlantic Ocean, and other sights. On this particular day, it was nearly a clear day. It was perfect for taking in the views and sounds around you. After taking in the sights at the top, it was time to come back down. Since it's a guided tour, you're limited to the amount of time you can spend in there. On the property next to the museum shop is the actual museum which you can go in and explore. One thing I thought was interesting was how they lit them back in the day. They actually used lard oil to light it for a number of years, followed by kerosene and then finally electricity. The museum itself offers some insights to this lighthouse and the history. It is included with your tour sticker for the lighthouse. Overall, this is a beautiful lighthouse and is worth visiting. Make sure to give yourself a few hours to explore the history and the lighthouse. This is a great place to escape reality for a few minutes and enjoy the sights and sounds this area has to offer.

Beautifully maintained lighthouse and museum reminds us of the history in this area today we are able to enjoy. There are some interesting artifacts displayed at the museum that my kids found very interesting to observe. The views from the top are just spectacular and the climb itself is not hard, but if you have an issue with small spaces it might feel uncomfortable.

The light house is very beautiful and very well maintained. To be honest it is so well maintained it felt fake and not of any historic relivence (I know that sounds weird but just a little too well maintained). The tour SUCKED and is not worth the $12. This is my 4th light house tour. The tour guide was a teenager and knew absolutely nothing about the history and could not answer any questions. He would walk and talk facing forward away from everyone so no one heard anything he said. And the things the kid did say were of no importance and his jokes sucked. The tour was rushed we had 30 min to see the lighthouse, the grounds and the museum. I had just read the first sign in the museum when he rushed us out. I left not knowing anything more then when I got there. Ok I did learn there are 105 steps in the light house and 35 steps outside. Most lighthouse tours let u just roam on your own and at your own speed. At the Virginia Beach light house there was a volunteer standing at the base of he lighthouse answering questions. We talked to him for a half hour or more and there was nothing he did not know about the lighthouse and most of the lighthouses on the east coast. That is how it should be self paced tour and a few historians standing around to talk about it if u want to talk to them. Don't wast your time, just go have a beer at the Tiki bar across the river and admire the light house from a far.

Well I probably would have given the lighthouse a 5 but it was closed on a Monday. We dove up saw people out in the front and they went through the gate walked up to the house and there were workers out side doing construction and told us they were closed so the only thing we could do was take pictures from a distance.