One of the most interesting and historic sights ten miles south of Daytona Beach and less than five miles south of our Daytona Beach vacation condo is the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse and Museum. Built in 1887 and now a national historic landmark, the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse is one of the best-preserved lighthouses in the USA. It is the tallest lighthouse in Florida and the second tallest masonry lighthouse in the country. For an amazing view of the ocean, wide beaches, Inland Waterway (Halifax River) and Ponce Inlet, you can climb 203 steps to the top of the tower and stand on the outside deck. It is not for the faint of heart, but it is well worth the climb if you can do it.
Some of the other attractions on the property are the old lightkeepers’ homes, a marine science center, and a museum with a collection of restored Fresnel lenses and other memorabilia. Just steps away are restaurants, fishing and a hiking trail. The lighthouse and museum are open seven days a week and tours are available. For more information, visit http://ponceinlet.org.