When visiting the nation’s oldest city, the St. Augustine Lighthouse is a must-see attraction. This private non-profit organization is an educational maritime museum and holds significant historical importance in St. Augustine. As a part of the oldest port in the country, the St. Augustine Lighthouse has played a pivotal role throughout the city’s rich past. In addition to climbing the steps and taking in the beautiful view, visitors can also relish the beautiful scenery of the grounds and explore the museum.
Standing 165 feet above Anastasia Island, the St. Augustine Lighthouse is an impressive sight to behold, with stunning views of Matanzas Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Ascending the 219 stairs to the summit may seem challenging, but the unparalleled 360-degree panoramic view of the city and ocean that awaits is truly breathtaking and well worth the effort. The lighthouse is still used today as a navigation aid for maritime vessels, and this is rare due to the fact that most ships have modern navigation technology. The lighthouse property also houses a fascinating museum with diverse exhibits.
Our St. Augustine Bed and Breakfast provides an exceptional opportunity for experiencing all that this stunning coastal city has to offer. As a guest at the St. Francis Inn, we offer our guests a long list of complimentary amenities, one of which is free entry to the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum! You’ll have no excuse not to check out this lovely landmark. We’ll also treat you to a beautiful breakfast each morning, as well as an afternoon social hour with housemade snacks and drinks. We can’t wait to host you for your adventures! Book your room today.
Things to Know About the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum
St. Augustine has much to offer, making it impossible to see everything in just one day. With attractions like the St. Augustine Lighthouse, museums, forts, and charming downtown pedestrian streets, there are endless things to do. In addition, the city boasts beautiful beaches for you to relax and soak up the sun.
For those ready to climb the steps at the St. Augustine Lighthouse, here are a few things to know before you go:
- Be ready for the 219-step climb up the spiral staircase inside the St. Augustine Lighthouse. This is a self-guided tour to the top to enjoy the gorgeous views. If you’d like to take a guided tour, there’s the Dark of the Moon Ghost Tour or the Lighthouse Keeper’s Tour. Both offer a ton of information about the area, history, and workings of the St. Augustine Lighthouse. Fari warning, the ghost tour might not be for everyone!
- Four other historic structures make up the Maritime Museum. You’ll find hands-on Smithsonian affiliate exhibits, including old Lighthouse keeper’s tools, artifacts from the 1782 British shipwreck, and stories from the people that shaped the industries in the nation’s oldest port.
- Heritage Boatworks also calls the St. Augustine Lighthouse grounds home. The program is entirely led by volunteer boatwrights dedicated to keeping the craft of wooden boat building alive. You’ll get to see the process of how these boats are made up close and how much artistry and craftsmanship it takes.
- Many folks don’t know the term “gedunk,” which is the name for a canteen or snack bar area on a boat. And lucky for the visitors to the St. Augustine Lighthouse, they get to see one for themselves at the Tin Pickle, a World-War II-themed eatery with specialty hot dogs, sweet treats, and house-made sangria.
- You’ll also find an area for hikes at the St. Augustine Lighthouse on the Maritime Hammock Nature Trails—a great way to soak up some of the lush Florida landscape and explore the beach. Or plan on going to Anastasia State Park for a lovely stroll along the pristine white sandy beach, the perfect end to a day of sightseeing.
The Most Comfortable St. Augustine Bed and Breakfast
Our historic St. Augustine Bed and Breakfast is located at the quiet, residential end of St George Street. Our spacious property offers guests an outdoor pool and numerous al fresco gathering spots. The 1791 St Francis Inn’s 19 guest rooms are spread among five historic buildings, all furnished with period furniture. Our guests often note that staying here feels like “stepping back in time.” But we’ve also updated our St. Augustine Bed and Breakfast with modern amenities like wi-fi, air conditioning, and elegant en suite bathrooms.
While one of the perks of staying at our St. Augustine Bed and Breakfast is free entry to the St. Augustine Lighthouse, we also provide our guests with a whole list of complimentary amenities! This includes a buffet-style homecooked breakfast with seasonal treats, savory entrees, and fresh fruit. In the afternoon, perhaps during a siesta from all of the fun activities in St. Augustine, we also treat our guests to an afternoon “social hour” with drinks and appetizers—the perfect stop before dinner out at one of the fantastic nearby restaurants in St. Augustine.
St. Francis Inn offers multiple options for pet and family-friendly lodging; for those who may want to focus on romance, our sister property, Casa de Sueños, is adults-only. Both are Select Registry properties—a collection of Inns and B&Bs held to the highest standard of service and hospitality. And both offer the same amenities and comfortable accommodations. Check out our upcoming summer availability and book your room today!
