St. Simons Island Lighthouse Museum

If you enjoy history and/or some beautiful landscape views, this is a great stop. This is a beautifully preserved historic lighthouse with the light keeper’s home. There is a plethora of local history provided along with a look into the light keeper’s life. Plus, you get to trek up about 130 stairs to see some amazing views from the tower. The staff here is excellent and the grounds are meticulously cared for. Will definitely return and do some more exploring in this area.

Interesting museum with a 10 minute historical introduction, rooms staged to provide a glimpse into the living conditions of a "Keeper" and of course the ability to clim the 128 stairs up the lighthouse. Note, there are a number of 'landings' on the way up, so there is an ability to rest.

This place is worth the visit!!! The climb is fairly easy and once you are up there... the view is amazing. We even saw an airplane approach the airport nearby.. pretty cool. Staff is friendly and gift shop has a variety of things.. a bit pricey compared to other ones but it was totally worth the visit and long drive.

Reasonable 129 steps to the top which makes it manageable for most. There is a short historical video prior to the climb, along with interesting displays and artifacts in the keepers quarters. Beautiful by day and night. Make the club and enjoy the view!

Loved the historical info about the Golden Isles, the G-8 summit at Sea Island, and biographical info and photos in the museum. Also, great items in the museum store. The lady working in the store was pleasant and helpful when we talked about the national lighthouse stamp book. Clean bathrooms too.

Great little museum and beach area. You can climb into the lighthouse for $12. I chose not to bc it was SO hot but my friends did and enjoyed it. We also saw some dolphins!

Enjoyed the small lighthouse shop and pier view. Dolphins spotted and the weather was perfect on New Years Eve 2025. Great little stopping place with a picturesque view

Went for an evening walk on a Friday evening with my daughter. Very busy, and someone hit my car in the parking lot. Beautiful views, pick a different night of the week.

This was a fun way to spend a hour or so and get a lot of history of the island. They actually let you go up the lighthouse steps (129 stairs) so you can experience the life of keeper. It's a spiraling staircase that has some landings along the way so you can rest or stretch. But it's the coming down that is a little harder. The spiraling stairs are more disorienting coming down, so take your time. After that there are a few rooms of pertinent information and then they have four rooms upstairs that show what life was life back then. Each room was recreated with artifacts of the time period...and there was a little interactive tablets that explain the different items in the room. A definite stop if you're visiting the island.

I recall my very first visit to this museum was in 2017. My first visit was awesome and I had a great time while visiting this museum. There are so many historical memorabilia within this museum and have been preserved throughout the years. I love the actual lighthouse as well. I got the opportunity to climb all of those stairs and did manage to make it to the tip of the lighthouse as well. If you love Florida history like I do, I highly recommend visiting this location.

(Admittedly, this one was about 3 months and change ago. The details are a little hazy.) If you want or need some history as to the who/what/when/where/why of the current lighthouse's existence and importance, see below: www.coastalgeorgiahistory.org/visit/st-simons-lighthouse/ If you want to know when you can climb and how much it'll set you back, also, see below: www.coastalgeorgiahistory.org/visit/plan-your-visit/ The basic gist of our visit went something like this: every time we head south to Florida on one of our "great" road trips, there is always some kind of intermediate stop for something like this. For this trip we packaged the lighthouse with Fort Frederica since both are very close to each other and neither requires a ton of time. For us, it was a brutally hot day in early June and while the traffic to get through St. Simons was miserable and the small parking lot at the lighthouse on 12th Street was full, for obvious reasons there were only a handful of people in the air conditioned museum on the ground floor and most of those were either not climbing or were only "talking" about doing it, but probably not. In terms of the actual climb itself, no biggie. I mean don't get me wrong, when it feels like it's 110 in the shade, it's still a task to make it up the 129 steps but it's not like this one is Cape May, Barnegat or Hatteras where you're talking 199-217-257 in the step count respectively. The view was nice but it honestly was too hot in the direct sun to stay out for very long. You felt like fries under a heat lamp at McD's. But at the top you are rewarded with nice views of the nearby pier, St. Simon Sound and the Atlantic. Fwiw, the ground floor museum is nicely air conditioned and while small, has an excellent display of everything that matters to explain the lighthouse's story. There was also a volunteer next to the front entry way answering questions. Grumble-grumble on the $12 price tag to climb as to me that's a little steep, but in the current world of pharology, it's basically on par with most places be it privately run or run by the NPS. Like many things, I'm glad we came but for me this was just a nice one off simply to say that we did it.

Our last stop before heading home was the St. Simons Lighthouse. Visiting lighthouses at every beach we go to is kind of a family tradition now we love learning about the history of each one and climbing to the top! It's such a beautiful sight whether you're looking at it from the pier or up close. We went into the museum part to buy our tickets and look around the gift shop for goodies they had a large selection of items available. They told us we could watch a movie but we were in a bit of a hurry so we had to skip it unfortunately but that meant we were the first ones up the lighthouse! The staff there are friendly, very knowledgeable, and willing to answer any questions. We started the climb 129 steps total didn't take us very long the stairs were great sturdy and the staircase was not as narrow as others we've been too. There are also spacious landings every so often with excellent views. At the top, the staircase continues and there are no ladders to climb (if you've ever climbed the St. George Island lighthouse you'll be thankful for this lol!) You step right out on to the lighthouse deck for an amazing view. At the top, there is a railing but it is open air so make sure you put your sunglasses, hats etc in your bag so the wind doesn't carry them away!! Afterwards, we visited the museum part which was pretty cool we even got to see a real live ice box lol! Overall, it was a fantastic experience & next time we visit we will have to do it again!

The lighthouse is adjoined by an extremely fancy museum. Not much of a museum, really, but it is an ostentatious building with a gift shop and an intro movie, and a portrait on the wall commemorates a summit of world leaders who are all smiles in the photo, and who have had some interesting turns of fate since then, to put it mildly. The option is given to buy a ticket for this plus the World War II Homefront Museum, which seems like something you might as well do together if you have time. Upon getting a ticket and watching the little movie they show, you can go into the lighthouse keeper's residence, which has a couple of floors of exhibits, and then climb the lighthouse itself. The lighthouse does not allow you to view the actual lighting mechanism, but you can walk around the top, and for someone afraid of heights, it actually did not get me that much, perhaps because the view is quite magnificent. It's not a long tour and you'd struggle to spend an hour doing it, but if you like lighthouses you'll rarely see a historic site in better condition than this.

This is a small lighthouse with a lot of history. There are a few buildings to explore and in the main body of the lighthouse there is a person that will explain the history and answer any questions you may have which is nice. In another area there is a small gift shop with a movie theater to start your introduction into the history of the lighthouse. The views are beautiful from the top and not that many steps, it is a lighthouse after all, there are landings to take a break as your heading up and down. All in in all a nice afternoon.

We saw the lighthouse as we entered the bay on our boat. Being able to see it up close was awesome. It's clean. It's historic. It's nostalgic. The movie before the visit was informative. The second floor of the house was about the keeper and his family's living quarters while the ground floor was about the lighthouse history. The 129 steps to the top of the lighthouse was worth it! The circling steel steps are all original so that's cool What a view! Just beautiful!

This is a must see attraction when in St Simons Island. The original lighthouse had been destroyed during the civil war, but this one built in 1872 is still intact. You can climb the 129 steps to the top -- we didn't as it was quite cramped and crowded the day we stopped by. But the view is supposed to be spectacular. We did tour the museum. And you should do this first. You'll need to buy entry tickets here. They offer a veteran discount, too. The museum was the former lighthouse keepers house. There was a keeper (and family) here until the mid 1950's. You get to see a history of the island and the different keepers through the exhibits and a short movie. On the second floor are artifacts or similar to the different eras and furnishings that the keepers lived with. It's educational for the adults and kids will have fun on the grounds and climbing the lighthouse. You actually get into the lighthouse through an unmarked door inside the museum. Ask if you can't find it. We had to...

I will have to go back~ this was my third time stopping by the lighthouse- the first two times, we didn't tour it- we just snapped a couple photos from the perimeter. This time we did the museum and grounds. I didn't climb to the top because both John and I have injuries. AKA- an excuse to go again. The lighthouse is charming, the sea breeze was whipping the day we went and the air conditioned museum a welcome break from the hot August temps. The museum held treasured history about the lighthouse and the island and John pointed out the interesting fact that the live oaks furnished most of building the USS Constitution. USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is a wooden-hulled, three-masted heavy frigate of the United States Navy. She is the world's oldest ship of any type still afloat. Funny to go to a Georgia Lighthouse and find a little Navy history. The Lighthouse and keeper's house were built in 1872 to replace the original lighthouse built in 1810 by the first lighthouse keeper. The original lighthouse was destroyed by Confederate forces in 1861 to prevent the beacon's use by Federal troops during the Civil War. The Lighthouse is one of only five surviving light towers in Georgia. The Lighthouse still serves as an active aid to navigation for ships entering St. Simons Sound, casting its beam as far as 23 miles to sea. It is a 129 step climb to the top and you will be treated to panoramic views of the island.

The St. Simons Island Light is on the southern tip of St. Simons Island and is a navigational aid for the St. Simons Sound. The initial lighthouse was built in 1810 but was destroyed by retreating Confederate soldiers to prevent it from being used by Union warships. The new structure was completed in 1872 and in 2004, ownership was transferred to the Coastal Georgia Historical Society. It remains an active lighthouse. The lighthouse is a white tower attached to a two-story brick dwelling with red roof. The lighthouse is open to the public for tours including a climb of the 129 steps to the galley. I wasn't feeling like that sort of close quarters and exercise was a good idea in current times so I enjoyed the lighthouse from the outside. It is absolutely approachable and as photogenic as any other lighthouse in my collection, https://www.yelp.com/collection/GLWJhPZloUBCLUFSYgLw4g. There is parking nearby and it is close to the touristy shopping area of St. Simons Island with restaurants and such. The lighthouse is in the middle of a beautiful park and there is a lovely view of the St, Simons Sound from here. There is a separate museum and gift shop that sells tickets for touring the lighthouse. You don't have to go inside to enjoy. And since I had to ask, the big widget in the Sound is the recovery of the Golden Ray, a 656-foot-long cargo ship that capsized in 2019 carrying 4000 Kias and Hyundais on the way to Baltimore. [Review 15740 overall - 422 in Georgia - 1244 of 2021.]

Very kind staff, lovely informative video before going to the lighthouse, the museum was so neat with lots of neat exhibits and then upstairs it was set up like it would have been when the lighthouse keeps lived there. So neat to see. There are a LOT of steps to go up to the top of the lighthouse by the time we got to the top I was out of breath and my legs felt like jello lol but it was worth it! Breathtaking view. Careful if you're scared of heights. It's high! But it was a great learning experience for us and the kids. I definitely recommend it.

Get your legs ready cause there's so many steps! But the view at the top is worth the sore knees. We saw dolphins, pelicans, the works. We could see the entire island from the top. The museum was interesting, gave a nice overview of what living in a lighthouse would've been like. The gift shop is very cute albeit can be pricey.

We stopped here on our to visit with a family member. We went on the combination tour that included the lighthouse and the world war II museum. For the price, I have to agree it was kind of pricey, but the World War II did make it worth it. The light house has 129 stairs to climb. Definitely not as tall or big as the Tybee island light house. But the view was spectacular! Walking down the stairs of the light house was way quicker going down instead of up. It's a spiral staircase as expected. I made an accomplishment with my Garmin watch. The World War II museum was small but very informative about our history that I wasn't aware of growing up. I never knew about the German submarines attacking the east coast. Definitely stay to watch the short 10 minute film when you enter the gift shop at the museum. The lighthouse gift shop was awesome as well. They have a nice variety of things to buy too.

The St Simons Lighthouse is a nice little climb to start off the morning. Masks are required for entry plus there's an attendant that monitors the number of people climbing up to the top of the lighthouse. The stairs are pretty steep but it's a quick climb to the top (only 129 steps!) For comparison, anyone from Jacksonville/NE Florida, the St. Augustine Lighthouse is 219 steps. The attached museum is the lighthouse keepers house where you can peak at the rooms and read about the original octagon-shaped lighthouse. TICKETS | Purchase tickets at the museum store. Admission is pretty reasonable plus there's a combo ticket available for $8 more if you want to add a visit to the World War II Museum (located about a mile away near East Beach). $12 Adults $6 Ages 6 - 12 $2 Military discount with ID PARKING | Plenty of parking since it's near the St. Simons Pier, Neptune Park and shops and dining along Mallery Street.

Friendly and knowledgeable staff. They control how many people are in the building at a time which is great for social distancing. Get the duo tickets so you can visit the WWII museum as well, it's cheaper that way and definitely worth it. The climb is no joke so if you don't handle stairs well then I don't suggest going. If you can though, the view from the top is beautiful! Parking can we hard to find so don't go during the peak season or time of day.

This is an adorable historical marker of the island that everyone must see. Buy your ticket in the gift shop and then head to the museum and then do the climb to the top of the lighthouse. It's only 129 stairs, with multiple lookout windows on the way up. You will get a beautiful view of the coast once you get to the top!

First time in a lighthouse for me! Fun to learn a little history and, of course, to walk up and get a bird's eye view from the top. Takes less than an hour to watch a little movie, read all of the literature and view the domestic set up of the light house keepers. If you are on the island, go ahead and do it. Great addition to the trip.

Information shared and museum was very interesting. Learned a great deal in a short amount of time. Easy climb to top of lighthouse. View to ocean was very nice. Splash pad not so much.

Looking for a breathtaking view of the beautiful St. Simons Island, then you need to climb all the way to the top of the lighthouse. To do this you need to visit during Museum hours and pay admission into the museum. Once up top in the lighthouse you can walk around the old light and get a nice 360 degree view of the island. The museum too is also great. Located right inside of the lighthouse it offers you a glimpse into the past of the lighthouse as well as St. Simons.

St. Simon's island is a beautiful historic island in Georgia. It has several historic monuments, trails and parks. The promenade near the light house is beautiful and you can sit and watch the ships go by - it is very relaxing. There's a children's park next to promenade as well with picnic tables - it's a great place to bring your family. At the end of the path, is a beautiful vista of the lighthouse and a small beach area across it. There are also a lot of nice places to eat around the lighthouse area. On the other side of the island, I highly recommend visiting St. Simon's historic fort.

We take several very small trips throughout the summer, because I do have to work consistently and having one long family trip just doesn't work for us. So this year we made a commitment to try and visit all of the barrier islands near Georgia as this was a very easy car trip for us to do over a weekend. This is the third lighthouse that we have visited in the last year, and the most expensive. I think it's somewhat disappointing to have to pay as much as you do to walk up these flights of steps and through a tiny home. There's not much interaction within the museum itself, and really you just have to settle into the idea that what you're paying for is to keep the support of this facility going. Certainly not worth the price, and the history is kind of lacking in this one. The lighthouse on Tybee Island had much more to read about and see.

There is a very nice museum here on site that not only gives the history of the lighthouse but also of St Simons Island itself. The Lighthouse Keeper's home is the museum. The lighthouse is open for climbing. I have a bad foot right now so no climbing for me. Lighthouses are always a favorite for us.

Dating back to the 1800's, the St. Simons Lighthouse has quite an interesting history. Its first lighthouse keeper was James Gould, and he was appointed by President James Madison with an annual salary of $400. The octagonal lighthouse measured 25 feet across and 75 feet tall. Back in the day, whale oil probably acted as the fuel to light its beacon. In 1861, Confederate soldiers blew it up to keep it out of the hands of the advancing Yankee troops. It was rebuilt in 1872 as a bigger and better version. Now it stands 104 feet tall and it still serves the area sailors under the authority of the U.S. Coast Guard. It features four rotating flash beacons, sending out a flash every sixty seconds at night. There's a museum on the first floor, but it was closed when we visited.

Our first visit to the inside and top of the St. Simon lighthouse. A nice museum is set up in the old lighthouse keepers home that includes operation, local history and period furnishing for when the light house was in operation with a keeper. The views from the lighthouse are great as well and only 109 steps up! Admission is $12 for adults and a combo pass for $20 can be purchased with includes admission to the Coast Guard museum, a short drive near by.

Excellent historic venue with breathtaking view at the top! If you enjoy history you will be entertained by the historical journey to the past and the wonderful view at the top of the 129 stairs in the lighthouse. This lighthouse has been rebuilt but is still a remarkable reminder of how the southern coast was an essential part of the American colonial world and the Civil War. I liked the exhibition on the Native American people from the area and the explanation of how the light worked prior to electrical ingenuity. The small area about the Civil War did not go into enough detail about slavery but perhaps the focus of this museum is more precisely about the lighthouse. I enjoyed hiking to the top but it's a good 129 steps and they have landings to help you get a breath and the views. If you have trouble with small spaces it will not be comfortable when you're at the top. I loved seeing the ocean from the top!! Worth the entry fee! Nice bathroom also :)

An amazing place to visit to learn the history of the lighthouse and the island! This is an excellent place to go before hitting the beach- lots of fascinating things to learn here about the history of the keeper of the lighthouse in the movie you watch before climbing up! The staff was friendly and excited to answer any questions you or your kids want to ask. The view at the top is beautiful!! You can see all the way to Jekyll island!! I recommend not wearing flip flops or water shoes so that the climb is easier- and make sure your camera is charged up so you can get better pictures!

This was cool little thing to do while celebrating Labor Day. It's was a hot one for sure. Nice views and this establishment also uphold the standards during a pandemic. A must if in the area.

Cool lighthouse. Well maintained and the grounds are very nice. It was smaller than I thought it was but there are still enjoyable views at the top. Enjoyed the museum and movie about the lighthouse.

What a wonderful side trip! A bit of history, a bit of sight seeing and a great view of the inlet. (being that the island doesn't allow highrise buildings you have a completely unobstructed view). If you take a minute when you're at top it's likely you'll see the dolphins who have made the St Simons shores their home jumping and playing. I'd advise hiking up the stairs before a big meal, not after (said with a tone of experience :)

I attended a wedding reception at the St. Simons Island Lighthouse Museum. The entire grounds were closed to the public for our private party. We had unbridled access to the lighthouse, museum, and heritage center. The regular admission fee to the lighthouse and museum is $10 per adult and $5 for children. The St. Simons Island Lighthouse is white with black cast iron window frames and railings. It's exterior design is very distinguishable, especially when you compare it against other lighthouses in the Southeast, such as the red and white candy-striped lighthouse at Harbour Town (Hilton Head Island, SC) and the black and white candy-striped lighthouse at Cape Hatteras (Outer Banks, NC). I believe those lighthouses are bigger than the one on St. Simons. IIRC, there are 160 some odd steps from the ground to reach the top platform of the lighthouse. Climbing to the top of the lighthouse is a workout. The stairs spiral all the way up and if you go too fast, you can get dizzy. The staircase is very narrow as is the platform up top. The staircase and outdoor viewing platform are also made of black cast iron and the steps and platform are textured with circular bumps, presumably for safety purposes. The lighthouse was originally constructed in 1872 and fully restored in 2010, so many parts of the lighthouse have been reconditioned and are safer. There's a small museum on the ground level of the lighthouse, but not much is there. The heritage center, built in 2008, is very nice and an ideal location for special events. There is a special exhibit devoted to the 2004 G8 summit, part of which took place on St. Simons Island. There was indoor and outdoor seating for dinner. Outdoor seating consisted of tables on the wrap-around patio and a tent in the center courtyard. The facility is elegant and classy with modern Southern charm. The property borders and has direct access to the beach. There's a gazebo, green grass, and a windy beach-side walkway. When the sun sets, this area is perfect for taking beautiful photographs. A lot of people like to walk the trail here, including many dog walkers. Therefore, be careful when walking on the grass.

I try to visit lighthouses in road trips. While heading down to Florida, I took a detour to come and visit this lighthouse. I have a book that I collect stamps for all lighthouses/lightships that I visit. I enjoy learning a bit about the history of the lighthouse, as well as the unique characteristics of them This lighthouse and museum is located in a residential area of the town and is about a 30 minute drive or so from I-95. This lighthouse has 129 steps to reach the top and look out the tower for some stunning views of the water. Like most lighthouses today, they are run by electricity and each lighthouse has its own day marker (design and color) and its own night marker (the time between the light beams go out). As of the time of my visit on February 20, 2016, it is $12 for adults (13+) and $5 for children 6-12. Children five and under are free. The views from the top are spectacular. On this particular visit, it was a clear day, so I was able to see many of the highlights at the top. From the top, you're able to see the ocean's beautiful water, as well as the surrounding area. Be prepared for it to be breezy at the top. If you are into lighthouses and having breathtaking views, this is definitely a place not to be missed. If you're in this area, you need to make a point to check this lighthouse and surrounding area out.

Lighting the way home. We love visiting nonprofit organizations on vacation. The St Simon Lighthouse was a perfect stop. A $20 ticket for adults & $10 ticket for kids gets you in at both the lighthouse and a WWII museum on the island. Sights, history and fun! According to @goldenisles the Lighthouse and Keeper's Dwelling were built in 1872 and still serves as an active aid to navigation for ships entering St. Simons Sound, casting its beam as far as 23 miles to sea. Visitors may climb the 129 steps to the top to experience spectacular, panoramic views of the coast including Jekyll Island, the mainland (Brunswick), and the south end of St. Simons Island. The Keeper's Dwelling is a two-story Victorian structure that was the home of lighthouse keepers from 1872 until the 1950s. Today it houses the Lighthouse Museum, and includes interactive exhibits, rare artifacts, and period rooms that reveal the history of St. Simons Island and the life of a lighthouse keeper. #bearsdoga #goldenisles #visitgeorgiathissummer

Before leaving St. Simons Island I had to get my feet wet so I headed to the ocean. On October 17, 1804, plantation owner John Hamilton Couper, deeded four acres of his land, known as "Couper's Point," at the south end of the island for one dollar to the Federal government for the construction of a lighthouse. James Gould of Massachusetts was hired in 1807 by the Treasury Department to build the lighthouse and a one-story frame residence. Appointed in May 1810 by President Madison as the first keeper, James Gould held this position at an annual salary of $400 until his 1837 retirement. In 1857, a third-order, double-convex Fresnel lens was installed that greatly improved the lighthouse's power and range. During the Civil War, the Macon Artillery troops and six field guns were stationed at Fort Brown to protect St. Simons Sound. During the Civil War, the blockade of Federal ships and the subsequent invasion of Georgia by Federal troops forced the Confederates to evacuate St. Simons Island. Prior to leaving in 1862, the Confederates destroyed Gould's lighthouse so the Federal forces could not use it as a navigational aid. In 1872, the U. S. Government ordered the construction of a second lighthouse that was placed west of the first. I didn't have time to climb to the top of the lighthouse, so I settled onto the beach to enjoy my take out from Southern Soul. I got ribs, pulled pork, rice/beans and my first taste of Brunswick stew. A plaque on an old iron pot in Brunswick, Ga., says the first Brunswick stew was made in it on July 2, 1898, on St. Simons Island. A competing story claims a Virginia state legislator's chef invented the recipe in 1828 on a hunting expedition. Regardless of it's origin, just in case it was Brunswick, Ga., I had to give it a try. Yuck! It was very ketchupy, not something I'd probably really ever sample again.

Beautiful views from the top of the lighthouse, a nice step back in time to see how the lighthouse keeper and his family lived, and a lovely historic site. The movie was interesting and brief and the staff was very friendly and helpful. We enjoyed everything about our visit to the St. Simons Lighthouse!

This is a fine lighthouse. It's tall, with a cylindrical build that tapers as it rises. Sure, it's painted white, and has a large light located within its glassed in tip. Unlike most lighthouses, this one has its own museum and plenty of parking, either outside the museum or two blocks west. It's a nice little walk between the lighthouse and downtown shops, with a municipal recreation complex in between. If you're visiting St. Simons Island, it is well worth the time to come to this lighthouse and have a walk around.

Since my daughter has never seen a lighthouse before, we knew we had to drop by here while on vacation in Saint Simons! I've been to the island several times, but I've never been up the lighthouse. It's in the perfect location, with Neptune Park literally right there and the pier, too! It's such a beautiful view from every angle. The only negative I can really say is the price. It's $12/pp to do the tiny light keeper's museum and walk up the lighthouse. I do think it's a little steep. Still, since it's such a fun thing to do and it's in such a great location, maybe it's worth it.

Strong community spirit has revitalized the old lighthouse giving the public a chance to climb to the top of a lighthouse. Informative movie and museum gives people a chance to see what life was like over a hundred years ago.

This is a beautiful little white house with a wonderful gift shop. They have a film presentation that last about 10 minutes. I'm a lighthouse lover and really enjoyed visiting this one. On the same property they have a miniature golf course. There is also a swimming pool and food concession but I'm not sure if that is linked to the lighthouse.

Actually stumbled across this place while looking for miniature golf (had no idea anyone played miniature golf anymore) and decided to abandon the familial ship. While the others went to play golf - I got to watch a quick educational film and peruse the grounds. In addition to the lighthouse there's a tiny museum and a heritage center for events. There is direct access to the beach and it affords some truly breathtaking photo opportunities. The gift shop had lots of lovely items and I had to force myself to leave before I wound up buying something I didn't need. I was surprised to learn that the lighthouse isn't just a historical building - its actually functional. According to the Saint Simon's Island website "it still serves under the authority of the U.S. Coast Guard. It features four rotating flash beacons, sending out a flash every sixty seconds at night." The only less-than-stellar thing I would mention here (and the lighthouse folks have no control over this) is the fact that a lot of folks walk their furry family members here and don't pick up behind them. I didn't fall victim to it, but as I as I stood there resting from those insane stairs - I noticed several unsuspecting folks fall victim to stepping in doggy surprises in the grass.

This place closes at 5pm. They stop selling tickets at 4:30pm. My friend and I bought tickets at 4:30pm and they rushed us the whole time. I'm so angry at the attitude of the woman who work here. They were very un friendly and closed off to us. I enjoyed the weather and the beautiful views. But I will never again go up. I'm very upset with the way I was teated and don't recommend this spot.

Pretty interesting. Well run. And best of all, they require masks. Where the rest of St. Simons is hit or miss (mostly miss) when it comes to acknowledging the public health threat, at least this place is making some effort.

We had a great time visiting the lighthouse and museum! The store has enough local flavor to distinguish it from other lighthouse shops and we dropped a few Georges there. Tickets are $6 each and the trip to the top was worthwhile. Great views! We'd do it again.

If you are making a visit to St Simons Island for the first time you have got to take in the Lighthouse Museum. This is a great history lesson about St Simons Island. This museum is located within walking distance of the Village and Pier.

My brother and I visited this lighthouse in January 2020, but we did not go to the museum. We just looked at the lighthouse and strolled around the property, enjoying the superb views in every direction. We are senior citizens and tourists who had never been to St. Simons before. We were driving on I-95 and we set our navigation app to take us to the St Simons Island Lighthouse. We enjoyed our visit to the lighthouse, which is a gorgeous white tower attached to very fine-looking buildings including the museum. The lighthouse and its grounds are lovely, with perfect-looking palm trees and nicely-manicured lawn. And at the shoreline facing the water, when you look to the right, you see the Fishing Pier or town pier. So we walked to the pier, about a tenth of a mile's distance from the lighthouse. The pier is beautiful and the promenade is terrific, too. It's free to enter the pier (no admission cost). During my extensive travels along the seacoasts of Georgia and Florida I have noticed that most waterfront towns have a town pier, which is a vital piece of infrastructure and an important amenity that often is a reflection of the desirability of the town in general. This pier does not disappoint. Adjacent to the pier are several stores and shops and restaurants, but we did not walk over there. We just visited the pier and lighthouse. Gorgeous lighthouse. Great visit! Highly recommended.

Execellent view from the top@ 129 steps.Good historic engineering monument which is capable of signaling ships 23 miles in the Atlantic Ocean.

Visited the lighthouse and museum today. It was very nice and lots of local history. The museum store is quite nice as well. Definitely worth a visit if you are in the area.

This location can offer you a little bit of history in the midst of your family fun like it did for us. We perused the gift shop, viewed the intro video, and (most of us) climbed to the top of the lighthouse & visited the living quarters all in less than an hour. Each adult ticket was $12, and a child admission is $5?. It was a one & done kind of thing for us, but we enjoyed it while we were there.

We really enjoy visiting lighthouses and this one is no exception. It is such a beautiful lighthouse and the views you get when you go up to the top are spectacular. This is a must stop on the island

Great time with family. Love the history behind the land. They have done a great Job of retaining the historical value of the home. Can't wait to return with friends. Y teens were a little board, my 11 year old loved it!