On the Outer Banks? You must go to the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse!
Written: Jun 13 '09
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great views, History, Engineering marvel, Nice beach
Cons: You've got to pay to climb the lighthouse
The Bottom Line: If you're on the Outer Banks, make sure you stop at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
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| jps246's Full Review: Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, NC |
If you are on the Outer Banks in North Carolina, you need to find a few hours to stop at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. Not only is it an iconic lighthouse, but you'll have a tremendous view from its top and you'll be able to see how the Park Service was able to move the lighthouse away from the shoreline, where it would have washed into the ocean.
Overall, I think the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is probably the most enjoyable stop throughout the Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The lighthouse is famous not only because it's the tallest lighthouse, but it's image is something that just about everyone recognizes, even if they haven't been to North Carolina.
When you're on the lighthouse site, there are several different things you can do. There are the light keepers home to explore, there's the old site of the lighthouse, right on the beach and then there's the lighthouse itself where you can climb up a spiral staircase to the top and get an amazing view of the Cape Hatteras area.
Where is it?
The lighthouse is located on Cape Hatteras near the village of Buxton on the Outer Banks. This is towards the southern end of the Outer Banks area. The lighthouse is a few miles off of Highway 12 on Lighthouse Road. There's plenty of parking and there's no fee to visit the area and no fee to park.
What's there?
Once you've arrived there's a small visitors center area that has a ranger desk, small exhibit space and a restroom building. You can get information from the rangers and take in some of the exhibits. There's also a small gift shop should the need for souvenirs strike you.
Just past the visitors center area is a small building where you can buy tickets to climb the lighthouse. This fee was $7 per person in 2009 and you cannot use a National Parks Pass to avoid paying, you will still be required to pay, even if you have a pass. That fee gets you a ticket to climb the tower at a specific time. You'll meet up at the base of the tower where a ranger will give you a quick introduction and then you'll be able to climb. The 248 stairs are equal to a 12-story building, so there is quite a bit of climbing. On top you can spend as much time as you want and you'll get a 360 degree view of the surrounding area.
When you're back on the ground you can visit the light keepers homes that were moved when the lighthouse was moved.
Finally you can walk out to where the tower used to be. When it was first built it was quite a ways back from the shoreline, but the shoreline has retreated over time and when they decided to move the tower, the shoreline was practically lapping at its base. They moved the lighthouse about 2,900 feet in order to prevent if from falling into the ocean. You can see the original base of the tower and you can walk along the beach in the area.
Experiences
I always love visiting the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. It's a historic structure in the area and I love the view from the top. Not only that, but it is interesting to see how the tower was moved and learn about the erosion of the shoreline.
I didn't mind climbing the stairs, but my partner was a bit put off by the heights since the spiral staircase makes its way up the middle of the tower. Plus when you are on top, it's a long ways down. So if you have trouble with heights, you might be up against the tower when you get to the top.
We loved the view though and I think my partner was most impressed with how the tower was moved. Standing at the old site of the lighthouse, it's amazing to think it was moved in one piece all the way to where it is now.
We spent about 2 hours at the lighthouse, wandering through the visitors center, browsing the gift shop, waiting for our turn to climb the tower and walking along the beach where the tower used to be.
Final Thoughts
I always like to visit the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse when I'm visiting the area. It's well worth the time and even though you have to pay to climb the lighthouse, I think that's worth it too. You'll get to experience a bit of history, get a great view, and see how they saved the lighthouse.
So if you're in the area, make sure you stop at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse!
Recommended:
Yes
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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