Visit
| Current Hours 9 am - 6 pm |
*For their safety, children must be 44 inches tall to climb the tower and must climb under their own power. Carrying children in the tower is prohibited.
During inclement weather, the observation deck and /or tower may be closed for your safety. If the weather looks threatening, please call us at 904-829-0745 to check the tower's status.
Be sure to shop in our museum store for quality lighthouse replicas as well as maritime gifts. Admission is not required to shop.
My Tickets: $9.50
Senior 60+: $7.50
Children 12 & Under: $7.50
Directions:
If you are coming from historic downtown, follow hwy A1A across the historic bridge of Lions and continue south until you see the Alligator Farm on your right. Turn left onto Red Cox Road by the fire station and continue on Red Cox Road until you see our parking lot on the left.
If you are coming from the south, take the I-95 exit for hwy 207. Turn north/east on 207 to hwy 312. Turn right (east) on 312 and cross the intercoastal waterway bridge to Anastasia Island. You can see the lighthouse from the top of the bridge to the northeast. Continue on 312 to hwy A1A. Turn left (north) on A1A and continue to Red Cox Road. Turn right on Red Cox Road by the fire station and follow until you see our parking lot on the left.
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Height Regulation Info:
Free museum admission and all other activities are offered to children who do not meet the height requirement.
The definitive answer follows:
Historic Tower
Built in 1871-74, the tower is very sturdy and safe for most to climb. However, for very small children there may be spaces between the rails where a child could slip through, since it was not built to modern safety standards. Parents must keep a close eye on children at all times while in the tower and museum.
Unexpected Gusts of Wind
Back in the early days of restoring the tower, a number of Junior Service League members were outside at the top of the tower with their young children. A sudden and unexpected gust of wind literally picked up a small child and almost took him over the side. He had to be caught to prevent a tragedy.
Carrying Children
All climbers must be able to ascend and descend the tower under their own power for their own safety. If a parent trips on the stairs, they can't regain their balance with a child in their arms.
Motor Skills
Children must have the necessary motor skills to make the climb. Our height restriction is based on guidelines from the National Park Service. Also remember that many theme parks have height requirements for their more extreme rides. Same for us!
What We Do For Children Who Don't Meet the Height Requirement
Free admission to the museum and the base of the tower is provided for the child and one accompanying adult is half price.
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Hours of Operation:
The St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum is open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., seven days per week.
Please Note that the last tickets to climb the tower are sold 15 minutes prior to closing time.
The lighthouse is closed to the public on the following days:
- Thanksgiving Day; and
- Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (December 24th & 25th)
During certain holiday weekends and through much of the month of July we remain open one extra hour in the evening (9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.) to accommodate the larger number visitors coming to our lighthouse.
These hours vary and are subject to change without notice, so be sure to contact the lighthouse prior to your visit during these special times to confirm our hours of operation.
Accessibility: Handicapped parking is available with wheelchair ramp access to the Visitor’s Center. Once inside the center, an orientation exhibit with an interactive computer begins the lighthouse experience. An alternative short entrance path is available from the handicapped parking to the historic grounds. Museum staff will open the gate upon request.
A wheelchair ramp provides access to the ground floor of the Keepers’ House containing exhibits and a movie documenting the light station’s history. However, the light station is an historic site and certain areas are accessible only by stairs, including the tower. Upon request, staff will open the emergency exit door to access the basement, a six-step stairway alternative, to the spiral staircase inside the dwelling. Stairs lead up to the second floor of the Keepers’ House. In case of temporary exhibits, complimentary materials are available for consultation by those who cannot climb the stairs.
Five steps equipped with handrails access the Oil House containing the Keepers’ Office and Oil Storage Room. An additional twelve granite steps equipped with handrails access the base of the tower and the view of the magnificent spiral stairway leading to the top of the tower.
A large-print, self-guided walking tour is available at the welcome counter in the Visitor’s Center. Shipwreck artifacts from the 18th century British supply ship Industry may now be explored via a Braille lesson plan for those who are visually impaired, and many exhibitions contain auditory elements.
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Discounts:
Military Discount: Active military is free. Retired military and any dependents are 10% off. (Military ID required)
St. Johns County Residents Pass Program: St. Johns County residents will pay one full price admission and enjoy free admission for one full year.
Online Coupon.
