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If you're looking for a relaxing spot with great views, Cape Florida Lighthouse is a solid choice. It's at the southern tip of Key Biscayne inside Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. Getting there is easy--just take the Rickenbacker Causeway from Brickell and drive all the way down. There's an $8 entry fee per car, but it's totally worth it. The park has plenty to do--beautiful beaches, hiking trails, picnic areas, and barbecue spots with ocean views. The lighthouse itself is a classic--tall, white, and adding to the already gorgeous scenery. Whether you're a local or visiting Miami, this place is perfect for a chill day outdoors. Pack some snacks, enjoy the beach, and take in the views. Definitely a spot to add to your list!
The Cape Florida Lighthouse is situated right inside Bill Baggs State Park. Tip: Admission to the lighthouse is free, but you'll have to pay a parking fee of $8 per car to get into the park. We visited during the week and there wasn't much of a crowd at that time. It should be noted that there are several flights of stairs to be claimed inside the lighthouse, and most of them are pretty skinny, so be forewarned if you're afraid of heights and/or have a penchant for claustrophobia. When you finally reach the ledge at the top (which is every bite as skinny as the stairs), you'll be rewarded with a completely stellar view of the ocean and the scenery on all sides. The climb is completely worth it! The time investment to just visit the lighthouse won't take very long, but I suggest that as long as you're here you should take an hour or two to also explore the adjacent trails.
For an $8 per vehicle entrance fee I think it's a smokin deal! The cape Florida lighthouse beach/ state park is open early morning and closes at 8pm everyday. Beach peaceful beach, more of a calm daily beach vibe which I definitely enjoyed. The Lighthouse is temporarily closed due to COVID at the moment. You can also fish in the area as well. You can also rent 2 chairs and 1 umbrella for $25 which is way better than any other beach I have been too most just charge for the umbrella alone for that price so definitely not bad (:
You need to add this in your list. Even if you are visiting Miami for only 2 days. It's beautiful. The beach is beautiful and the lighthouse is a must watch. Important thing to note is it opens from 10-11am and 1-2pm only on weekdays so try to visit during this time. They offer tours 8-10 people at a time as more than that can not visit the lighthouse at a time. You have to climb a lot so if you find it hard - it's not for you. And def don't recommend going there with small kids as it's really high up there and you don't want to get freaked out.
This historic spot is inside a state park (Bill Baggs Cape Florida) so it's totally free to visit, once you pay for parking. And for regular cars parking is just $8. Not a bad entrance fee considering you get access to all the greatness of an immaculately maintained park! The tours for the lighthouse happen at 10am and 2pm. Go early!!!! The beach was already getting full at 10am. We left the park at 11am and it was starting to get packed. The queue to enter the park was loooooooong, and parking was getting sparse but up until that point it was quiet, there there was plenty of parking available.
#16 (of 26) in our Lighthouse quest. Very nice State Park. One of the best lighthouses yet. Lots to do at this State Park. You can hangout at the beach, go fishing, or go walking/hiking. This lighthouse is not operational. It was replaced by Fowey Rocks lighthouse. About 3 miles out further (you can see it from here). You can climb this lighthouse (about 10 people at a time) but you need to do the tour. The tour meets outside the gate at 10:00am (and 1:00?).
The lighthouse is located in the Bill Baggs State Park and it's a great place to spend the day. From paddle boarding, to bike rentals to relaxing on the beach, it's a beautiful place. The Lighthouse Cafe is also a great place to grab breakfast or lunch if you get hungry. The lighthouse was gorgeous and is available to enter at 10am and 1pm daily. There are 107 stairs to the top and the view is worth every step of the way. We really enjoyed our guide that met us out front at 10am. She was very friendly, fun and knowledgeable, she truly shines and her love for the lighthouse shows. Entrance to the lighthouse is included when you enter the park, but rentals for bikes etc. are not. There is plenty of parking but the park does close for two hours if the lots become full, arrive early and you will avoid the long line to enter. The fee is 8.00 per vehicle. The park is family friendly and a great way to spend the day. Enjoy!
The Cape Florida Lighthouse is located at the south end of Key Biscayne. It was built in 1822 to protect shipping in the straits of Florida. The first time the lighthouse was built it was 65 feet tall with wooden stairs. On December 17, 1825 the lighthouse was lit for the first time.The first keeper of the lighthouse was Captain John Dubose, who served for more than ten years. In 1835 a major hurricane struck the island, damaging the lighthouse and the keeper's house, and flooding the island under three feet of water. Damage to the lighthouse caused by the hurricane was followed damage incurred during an attack during the Second Seminole War. After the Cooley family was massacred in Ft. Lauderale, a group of area settlers along with Captain Dubose and his family moved to Key West for safety. Assistant lighthouse keeper, John W. B. Thompson remained to guard the light along with an African American handyman named Aaron Carter. On July 23, 1836 a band of Seminoles attacked the lighthouse. The two men fled into the lighthouse while being shot at and locked the door. The Seminoles kept firing into the lighthouse igniting the kerosene oil stored in the bottom. A fire erupted forcing Thompson and Carter who were shot and burning out onto the lighthouse platform that ran around the light. Carter died and from his woulds and the fire. After looting and burning the other buildings, the Seminoles left the next day thinking both men were dead. Thompson had no way to get down from the tower since the stairs were burned away. The United States Navy schooner Motto heard the explosion of a gun powder keg during the attack and over the next two days were able to rescue Thompson. After that the Cape Florida Light remained extinguished from 1836 to 1846. The tower and keepers quarters were ordered rebuilt in 1846 and it remains the oldest standing structure in Miami-Dade County. The lighthouse was completed and re-lit in April of 1847. In 1855 the lighthouse was renovated and 95 more feet were added to it. A new more powerful light was added and it was re-lit in March of 1856. In August of 1861 the lighthouse was again attacked, this time by Confederate sympathizers after Florida seceded from the Union. They destroyed the lamp and lens during the Civil War. The lighthouse remained dark throughout the rest of the war. Service was finally restored on April 15, 1866. The lighthouse was discontinued in 1878 when it was determined that the light was not strong enough to warn ships away from offshore reefs. The Cape Florida Lighthouse was replaced with a screw pile lighthouse on Fowry Rocks. From 1888 to 1893 the Cape Florida Lighthouse was leased from the government by the Biscayne Bay Yacht Club for use as its headquarters until they moved to Coconut Grove. In 1898 during the Spanish American War, the lighthouse was used to signal if there was any approach of the Spanish fleet. Throughout the years the land around the lighthouse eroded but it was able to withstand the 1926 Hurricane. In 1966 the State of Florida purchased the land around the lighthouse and established Bill Baggs State Park. The state restored the lighthouse and in 1969 reconstructed the lighthouse keepers quarters. In 1978 the Coast Guard reactivated the lighthouse 100 years after it had been decommissioned. In 1990 the lighthouse was again decommissioned and it survived another hurricane when Hurricane Andrew passed by in 1992. The Dade County Historical Society helped to restore the lighthouse 1995 and 1996 and they added a museum to the lighthouse keepers quarters. The light was replaced with its present optics and was re-lit for the Miami Centennial celebration in July of 1996.The lighthouse is now owned and managed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. In 2004 a sign was added to Bill Baggs State Park to commemorate the hundreds of Black Seminoles who escaped from Cape Florida in the early 1820's to the Bahamas. The island was a secret meeting place and port for runaway slaves and Black Seminoles waiting to rendezvous with boats and safety in the British owned Bahamas. The park is part of the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Trail. I love that there is so much history here. I also love that you can climb the lighthouse for free. After you pay your admission to Bill Baggs State Park you can join one of several lighthouse tours offered during the day. The museum at the lighthouse keeper quarters is only open on the weekends. Once you climb the 109 steps the top you are rewarded with a stunning view of Biscayne Bay where you may even see sea life swimming by. There is also an amazing view of Stiltsville. I am not a fan of heights and to make matters worse the tower was definitely swaying while I was climbing up. The view at the top however was worth being a little uncomfortable. Once you finish your tour you can swim, rent a bike, or dine at two restaurants in Bill Baggs State Park.
28 days ago
If you're anywhere near Miami and skip Cape Florida Lighthouse, I'm just gonna say it...you played yourself. This spot sits inside Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, and it's honestly the perfect mix of history and straight-up tropical paradise. The lighthouse itself dates back to 1825, making it one of the oldest structures in South Florida--and yes, you can actually climb it. The spiral staircase is a bit of a workout (brace yourself), but the views at the top? Completely worth it. You get panoramic ocean views that feel unreal. What surprised us most was how much there is to do beyond the lighthouse. The beach here is clean, calm, and way less chaotic than Miami Beach. It's the kind of place where you can relax, swim, or just post up and enjoy the breeze without fighting crowds every five seconds. There are also shaded picnic areas, bike paths, and plenty of space to explore, so you can easily spend a full day here without getting bored. Overall, this place feels like a hidden escape just minutes from the city. Whether you're into history, views, or just a chill beach day, Cape Florida Lighthouse absolutely delivers. Follow us on our socials for more hidden gems @reessroots read more
I love lighthouses!! And this one was so nice. It was well kept and the fact that we can go up in it and see the beautiful view from the top was everything! It was 109 steps to the top but the view was beautiful. They also had a little nice walkway out to the water and a nice little trail as well and you get to read on about Bill Braggs and saw his home and everything there as well as go inside it. It was nice. I loved it. It was $8 per vehicle. They also had a beach area that you can enjoy that you can rent chairs and umbrellas. read more
We wanted to go inside the light house but it was closed for renovation . The Cape Florida Light is a lighthouse on Cape Florida at the south end of Key Biscayne in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Constructed in 1825, it guided mariners off the Florida Reef, which starts near Key Biscayne and extends southward a few miles offshore of the Florida Keys. It was operated by staff, with interruptions, until 1878, when it was replaced by the Fowey Rocks lighthouse. The lighthouse was put back into use in 1978 by the U.S. Coast Guard to mark the Florida Channel, the deepest natural channel into Biscayne Bay. read more
1 year ago
If you're looking for a relaxing spot with great views, Cape Florida Lighthouse is a solid choice. It's at the southern tip of Key Biscayne inside Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park. Getting there is easy--just take the Rickenbacker Causeway from Brickell and drive all the way down. There's an $8 entry fee per car, but it's totally worth it. The park has plenty to do--beautiful beaches, hiking trails, picnic areas, and barbecue spots with ocean views. The lighthouse itself is a classic--tall, white, and adding to the already gorgeous scenery. Whether you're a local or visiting Miami, this place is perfect for a chill day outdoors. Pack some snacks, enjoy the beach, and take in the views. Definitely a spot to add to your list! read more
9 months ago
3 years ago
The Cape Florida Lighthouse is situated right inside Bill Baggs State Park. Tip: Admission to the lighthouse is free, but you'll have to pay a parking fee of $8 per car to get into the park. We visited during the week and there wasn't much of a crowd at that time. It should be noted that there are several flights of stairs to be claimed inside the lighthouse, and most of them are pretty skinny, so be forewarned if you're afraid of heights and/or have a penchant for claustrophobia. When you finally reach the ledge at the top (which is every bite as skinny as the stairs), you'll be rewarded with a completely stellar view of the ocean and the scenery on all sides. The climb is completely worth it! The time investment to just visit the lighthouse won't take very long, but I suggest that as long as you're here you should take an hour or two to also explore the adjacent trails. read more
For an $8 per vehicle entrance fee I think it's a smokin deal! The cape Florida lighthouse beach/ state park is open early morning and closes at 8pm everyday. Beach peaceful beach, more of a calm daily beach vibe which I definitely enjoyed. The Lighthouse is temporarily closed due to COVID at the moment. You can also fish in the area as well. You can also rent 2 chairs and 1 umbrella for $25 which is way better than any other beach I have been too most just charge for the umbrella alone for that price so definitely not bad (: read more
You need to add this in your list. Even if you are visiting Miami for only 2 days. It's beautiful. The beach is beautiful and the lighthouse is a must watch. Important thing to note is it opens from 10-11am and 1-2pm only on weekdays so try to visit during this time. They offer tours 8-10 people at a time as more than that can not visit the lighthouse at a time. You have to climb a lot so if you find it hard - it's not for you. And def don't recommend going there with small kids as it's really high up there and you don't want to get freaked out. read more
This historic spot is inside a state park (Bill Baggs Cape Florida) so it's totally free to visit, once you pay for parking. And for regular cars parking is just $8. Not a bad entrance fee considering you get access to all the greatness of an immaculately maintained park! The tours for the lighthouse happen at 10am and 2pm. Go early!!!! The beach was already getting full at 10am. We left the park at 11am and it was starting to get packed. The queue to enter the park was loooooooong, and parking was getting sparse but up until that point it was quiet, there there was plenty of parking available. read more
3 years ago
This place is magic. Was our first time with family here and met the Ranger Zigler which knows everything about this place. Lucky us we arrived just in time for the lighthouse tour. The park and restrooms was super clean. It's worth a visit and enjoy the view. read more
#16 (of 26) in our Lighthouse quest. Very nice State Park. One of the best lighthouses yet. Lots to do at this State Park. You can hangout at the beach, go fishing, or go walking/hiking. This lighthouse is not operational. It was replaced by Fowey Rocks lighthouse. About 3 miles out further (you can see it from here). You can climb this lighthouse (about 10 people at a time) but you need to do the tour. The tour meets outside the gate at 10:00am (and 1:00?). read more
3 years ago
Beautiful state park that only costs $8 to visit. It has trails, the lighthouse and a beautiful beach right nearby. You can't walk up the lighthouse but you can tour the cabin that belonged to the lighthouse captains. read more
2 years ago
The lighthouse is located in the Bill Baggs State Park and it's a great place to spend the day. From paddle boarding, to bike rentals to relaxing on the beach, it's a beautiful place. The Lighthouse Cafe is also a great place to grab breakfast or lunch if you get hungry. The lighthouse was gorgeous and is available to enter at 10am and 1pm daily. There are 107 stairs to the top and the view is worth every step of the way. We really enjoyed our guide that met us out front at 10am. She was very friendly, fun and knowledgeable, she truly shines and her love for the lighthouse shows. Entrance to the lighthouse is included when you enter the park, but rentals for bikes etc. are not. There is plenty of parking but the park does close for two hours if the lots become full, arrive early and you will avoid the long line to enter. The fee is 8.00 per vehicle. The park is family friendly and a great way to spend the day. Enjoy! read more
The Cape Florida Lighthouse is located at the south end of Key Biscayne. It was built in 1822 to protect shipping in the straits of Florida. The first time the lighthouse was built it was 65 feet tall with wooden stairs. On December 17, 1825 the lighthouse was lit for the first time.The first keeper of the lighthouse was Captain John Dubose, who served for more than ten years. In 1835 a major hurricane struck the island, damaging the lighthouse and the keeper's house, and flooding the island under three feet of water. Damage to the lighthouse caused by the hurricane was followed damage incurred during an attack during the Second Seminole War. After the Cooley family was massacred in Ft. Lauderale, a group of area settlers along with Captain Dubose and his family moved to Key West for safety. Assistant lighthouse keeper, John W. B. Thompson remained to guard the light along with an African American handyman named Aaron Carter. On July 23, 1836 a band of Seminoles attacked the lighthouse. The two men fled into the lighthouse while being shot at and locked the door. The Seminoles kept firing into the lighthouse igniting the kerosene oil stored in the bottom. A fire erupted forcing Thompson and Carter who were shot and burning out onto the lighthouse platform that ran around the light. Carter died and from his woulds and the fire. After looting and burning the other buildings, the Seminoles left the next day thinking both men were dead. Thompson had no way to get down from the tower since the stairs were burned away. The United States Navy schooner Motto heard the explosion of a gun powder keg during the attack and over the next two days were able to rescue Thompson. After that the Cape Florida Light remained extinguished from 1836 to 1846. The tower and keepers quarters were ordered rebuilt in 1846 and it remains the oldest standing structure in Miami-Dade County. The lighthouse was completed and re-lit in April of 1847. In 1855 the lighthouse was renovated and 95 more feet were added to it. A new more powerful light was added and it was re-lit in March of 1856. In August of 1861 the lighthouse was again attacked, this time by Confederate sympathizers after Florida seceded from the Union. They destroyed the lamp and lens during the Civil War. The lighthouse remained dark throughout the rest of the war. Service was finally restored on April 15, 1866. The lighthouse was discontinued in 1878 when it was determined that the light was not strong enough to warn ships away from offshore reefs. The Cape Florida Lighthouse was replaced with a screw pile lighthouse on Fowry Rocks. From 1888 to 1893 the Cape Florida Lighthouse was leased from the government by the Biscayne Bay Yacht Club for use as its headquarters until they moved to Coconut Grove. In 1898 during the Spanish American War, the lighthouse was used to signal if there was any approach of the Spanish fleet. Throughout the years the land around the lighthouse eroded but it was able to withstand the 1926 Hurricane. In 1966 the State of Florida purchased the land around the lighthouse and established Bill Baggs State Park. The state restored the lighthouse and in 1969 reconstructed the lighthouse keepers quarters. In 1978 the Coast Guard reactivated the lighthouse 100 years after it had been decommissioned. In 1990 the lighthouse was again decommissioned and it survived another hurricane when Hurricane Andrew passed by in 1992. The Dade County Historical Society helped to restore the lighthouse 1995 and 1996 and they added a museum to the lighthouse keepers quarters. The light was replaced with its present optics and was re-lit for the Miami Centennial celebration in July of 1996.The lighthouse is now owned and managed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. In 2004 a sign was added to Bill Baggs State Park to commemorate the hundreds of Black Seminoles who escaped from Cape Florida in the early 1820's to the Bahamas. The island was a secret meeting place and port for runaway slaves and Black Seminoles waiting to rendezvous with boats and safety in the British owned Bahamas. The park is part of the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Trail. I love that there is so much history here. I also love that you can climb the lighthouse for free. After you pay your admission to Bill Baggs State Park you can join one of several lighthouse tours offered during the day. The museum at the lighthouse keeper quarters is only open on the weekends. Once you climb the 109 steps the top you are rewarded with a stunning view of Biscayne Bay where you may even see sea life swimming by. There is also an amazing view of Stiltsville. I am not a fan of heights and to make matters worse the tower was definitely swaying while I was climbing up. The view at the top however was worth being a little uncomfortable. Once you finish your tour you can swim, rent a bike, or dine at two restaurants in Bill Baggs State Park. read more
What a beautiful and kind of scary experience. I was a little bit afraid as I went up this lighthouse all the Way to the end. But the view was totally worth it. You can walk around it and I promise you that the pictures you take in here are going to be amazing!! read more
"Not all lighthouse offers a view from the top... Go, climb 109 stairs..." There is a history of this lighthouse. You can google for it. I got to know history from its keeper (Jeff)... While waiting in the queue, I chatted with her and she was more than happy to tell me about everything like when it got destroyed, an alternative is 10 miles from there. Then again it got to build. Check for the time. Luckily, we went there by 1 and it was open I guess 11-1, 3-5 it is closed but again check for your own. There are 109 stairs so it's not that much (after all, not every lighthouse offer you view from the top). At a time only 10 people can be up there So there is a line waiting outside. You can see big bulb who gets illuminated automatically in the evening View from the top is awesome you can see an awesome view of Bill Baggs beach. Downtown Miami and others. read more
4 years ago
I absolutely loved this place! I climb the lighthouse twice on the same day lol! The view is beautiful! I'd recommend bringing your own food( snack sandwiches in a cooler) theirs is a coffee spot but the good isn't good at all! You'll love the beach at this park. Definitely worth visiting!! read more
Definitely recommend to visit (preferably in the winter as it's very hot otherwise). It's at the end of Biscayne and well hidden. Discovered it a few months ago and so happy I did. Once you reach the top you feel like you're on top of the world...such an spectacular view of the area specially the ocean. It's very high so not recommend for those that are terrified of heights also very small space to move around at the top which is why I give it 4 stars. It was a reasonable charge to enter the park and be able to visit the lighthouse and the beach park in general. You do have to make a line for the lighthouse and all depends on how many people are in it will determine how long you'll wait. Worth the wait for me! read more
4 years ago
STUNNING! You enter the site with a very cool display of iron pieces of the original house, staircase and mechanical parts. Then walk down the long straight brick walkway, beautifully lined on both sides with the tallest palm trees ever, toward the newly renovated, replicated lighthouse. What a photo backdrop. read more
An important part of South Florida history! I grew up near this light house, and listening to the stories of its long history. It was the site of a Calusa Indian attack, was nearly destroyed and then rebuilt taller ... as a kid you could see the 30 ft addition done in the late 1800s, because it didn't used to be painted white, and there is a slight variation in the brick color. The light keepers house is also preserved on the site, as is he original light top. The lighthouse opens shortly after the park, and they hold regular tours where you can climb to the top and get the most incredible views of Miami, the ocean, the bay, and Stiltsville. A beautiful place to visit, the lighthouse is part of Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, and one of the best beaches in Miami. There's also a fantastic path that leads around the southern point and around to No Name harbor on the bay side. read more
The oldest standing structure in Miami-Dade County originally built in 1825 and reconstructed in 1846 it is in one word, "majestic." Adding to that is the fact that there are guided tours not only of the light house but of the adjacent and historic light house keeper's building. Also, the stories and tales, some seemingly embellished of its history and the "wrecking" practice, but with little doubt that it was in fact burned, a victim of the Seminole Wars in 1836. Another plus about it, besides the structure itself, is the parkland and beach area surroundings. It's located in one of the better preserved areas in South Florida in Bill Baggs State Park on one the best of Key Biscayne's beaches. read more
6 years ago
I am from New England an this is a great lighthouse with a great state park around it. Nice beaches around it also. Wish the lighthouse was open so I could climb to the top an see the views. read more
8 years ago
Absolutely awesome! Take your kids and family, the light house is a great piece of Miami-Dade history. Brought back childhood memories, had a great time checking out the lighthouse and creating memories with my own boys. read more
This Lighthouse has been on our Top 5 checklist for the better part 10 years. And we finally went in early Summer '17. Wow! What a beautiful place. We park and finally walk up to the LH and there is a line. We waited about 20-25 minutes to get inside. A Park Ranger tells you a 10 minute duration span, of course to accommodate others in line. You take the winding stair to the top to finally see the 360° view. Stop, catch your breath...keep going, it will be worth it! Trust me! Inhale... Now exhale... Keep going... Now at the top, step outside on the balcony...take in the views and the gentle breeze from the Ocean. Soak them in ...because the clock is ticking...lol. But truly enjoy, look out to the ocean, now look inland towards the city. Breathtaking! Now look down, a bit dizzy, so look back up to the horizon. This is therapy. Times up. read more
9 years ago
I watched an episode of miami vice where they filmed a few scenes at the light house and it drew me to it ever since I put it on my bucket list and knew i had to visit it just to get a scenic picture of what the hype is all about The lighthouse is historic and beyond magnificent in a sense that you get chills of excitement making your way up to see how everything looks from above You can see all of down town miami and the water that covers the area as well as people bathing and loafing on the beach beside you Definitely a must go if you are a historian looking to get a feel for some history in the miami area The beach by it is nice and family friendly but the light house is what honestly attracts patrons read more
Cape Florida Lighthouse's white tower is a stunning sight, whether you're on Bill Baggs State Park, Crandon Beach, or on a boat in the water, and has a turbulent history to accompany it. First constructed in 1925, it guided mariners off the Florida Reef. The first keeper of the lighthouse was Captain John Dubose, who served for more than ten years. In 1835 a major hurricane struck the island, damaging the lighthouse and the keeper's house, and flooding the island under three feet of water. On July 23, 1836 the lighthouse became attacked by the Seminoles. Thompson, the man operating it at the time, and Carter, a slave, were attacked by pelting rifle balls. The Seminoles grabbed the door just after they turned the key to lock it. Thompson exchanged rifle fire with the Seminoles from upper windows in the tower for the rest of the day but after dark, the raiders approached the tower, setting fire to the door and a boarded-up window at ground level. The rifle balls penetrated a tank with oil for the light, causing a fire. They climbed the tower and cut away a part of the wooden stairway below them before being driven out of the top by the searing flames. Thompson and Carter had to lie on the tower platform to escape the fire and to hide from further attacks. Thompson found that Carter had died from his wounds and the fire. The next day Thompson saw the Seminoles looting and burning the other buildings at the lighthouse station. They apparently thought that Thompson was dead, as they had stopped firing at him. After the Seminoles left, Thompson was trapped at the top of the tower. The Motto, a U.S. Navy schooner, had heard the explosion and approached to investigate and to their surprise, found Thompson alive. Unfortunately, they were unable to get Thompson from the tower. They returned the next day and got him down though, so fear not. The Cape Florida Light was then extinguished from 1836 to 1846. In an 1855 renovation, the tower was raised to 95 feet (29 m), to extend the reach of the light beyond the off-shore reefs. Eventually, the lighthouse exchanged hands and ended up being sold to James Deering, International Harvester heir and owner of Villa Vizcaya in Miami. In 1966, the state purchased and restored the lighthouse tower, and in 1969 constructed replicas of the keeper's dwellings. It was restored to active service in 1978, one hundred years after it was decommissioned. An automated light was installed in the tower to serve as a navigational aide. It is now owned and managed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. There are free lighthouse tours twice daily, Thursdays through Mondays (10 a.m. and 1 p.m.). In the summer, due to the suffocating heat and the typical rainy summer afternoons, I recommend going at 10 a.m., I went one weekend at 1 and the lighthouse tour had to be cancelled due to lightning, but the second time around, I was able to successfully enter and climb to the top, even to the part housing the light, beyond the platform, and take some incredible photos. There are 109 steps and no air circulation, so dress cool. Once you reach the platform, you will see how your efforts paid off in the form of stunning, one of a kind panoramic views of Miami, Stiltsville, and the crystalline waters. I HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend the trek, not just for the views, but some great exercise (your thighs will thank you later!) If that doesn't convince you, perhaps these claims to fame of the lighthouse will: Popular Science published a picture of the Cape Florida lighthouse in 1930, and the lighthouse was featured in several episodes of the television series Miami Vice, the 1945 John Wayne film They Were Expendable, and as the backdrop of a grisly murder in the Kurt Russell thriller The Mean Season (1985). The lighthouse was also featured in the third TV season of Burn Notice, in 2010, in episode 14. No matter whether you're a local or a tourist, climbing the Cape Florida lighthouse is a MUST, and if you're a photographer, this is definitely a photographer's paradise! read more
10 years ago
Very beautiful beach and a breath taking few at the ocean. Beside the light tower and the beach, we also got educated about this places history and his keeper's cottage from back in the day. We had lost of fun and took so many pictures. read more
9 years ago
The BIG 5-0..... I thought it only fitting that it be for a place that I quite enjoyed. Granted, it kicked my tush a little but it certainly was a nice way to get sweaty. I'd do it again in a heart beat. You towering terror of thigh torture, you! Must you really have your own written dedication? Yes, yes you must! Your unimpressive height and 109 steps don't scare me! I live on the wild side and if we actually count the ones that take you to the tippy, tippy top, then it's more than 109!!!! Needless to say, my thighs were certainly starting to feel it as I got closer to the top. Whew, lighthouses are no joke. Think about it, the endless steps, cramp quarters, not to mention the heat in that tiny, ity, bity little space as you try and squeeze your way by the people that are coming down. Claustrophobes beware! These monstrosities are definitely not for you. I had this cylindrical beast in my sights for awhile and finally had the chance to make it my... beep! As I stood at the very base of this dome, staring up at its intimidating height as it towered over me, I said to myself... 'Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.'..... Ok, you caught my bluff, it is an inanimate object after all and my name is not Inigo Montoya. It was more along the lines of, 'You're going to get scaled, beastie!' Yeah, yeah, that sounds more like me. As I dragged my way to the top of this heat box, it felt like this terrible beastie was getting the better of me. But I was not going to let it win! Just when I thought I could go no more, I felt it. It was subtle at first but there was a change in the air. Having made it to the top, there was the most welcomed breeze that I've ever felt.... oh my gosh did that wind feel so good after all those steps. Stepping out onto- not sure what to call it exactly- the outside walkway of the lighthouse, the view was just amazing! Totally worth the slight thigh muscle work out that I got. Don't judge me, I don't go up flights of stairs on a regular basis, that was a lot of consistent steps people! Let's see you do it and then tell me you don't feel something after. And if you don't, then I call bullsh** cause you're lying!!! After having looked at tree tops that seemed to have stretched for miles, I made my way back down and headed over to the innkeepers cottage. Got a little history lesson there from one of the peeps that work there and guess what? The cottage is two stories, so yeah, more steps. Wooo! Granted, these weren't as bad but having tackled its behemoth neighbor, you didn't want to see more stairs. There's just a few rooms up top though so if you don't go up you're not missing much- just some beds. No, I wouldn't recommend sleeping on them, they don't look very comfortable. So if you're asking yourself if you should climb this lighthouse, or any lighthouse for that matter, then I will say yes, do it! Even though your legs might hate you later, the experience and just looking out from a view from that high is completely worth it. read more
This iconic lighthouse is the oldest standing building in Dade County, built in 1895, and surviving dozens of catastrophic Hurricanes and Tropical Storms. (Not to mention Dade County's insatiable urge to develop land and kill whatever was there before.) It's been over a century. That says something. I like to park on the West side of the island and stroll along the Seawall, admiring (what's left of) Stiltsville, the pass from the Atlantic Ocean into Biscayne Bay, and even catch a glimpse of a Bottlenose Dolphin or a Leaping Stingray. (SO cool!) When you reach the eastern (ocean) side of the tip of the island, you catch a glimpse of the Lighthouse through the palms. A stroll through a palm-lined path, and you are at the Lighthouse Keeper's Home and the bottom of the Lighthouse. Picturesque is an understatement. When you're done snapping away, you can climb the lighthouse. A single, narrow, black spiral staircase leads you 119 steps to the very top, where you can exit and admire the panoramic views from nearly 100 feet high. There are guided, informative tours, too. You paid to get in, so take advantage of the location! Within Bill Baggs State Park, there are restaurants as well as walking trails, beaches, bike and paddle bike rentals, and more. SO definitely worth the trip! read more
Beautiful place to walk along the paths and sit and enjoy the beach. The lighthouse makes for a unique backdrop. There is an $8.00 entrance fee per car to get into the park. So cram all your friends in (I am imaging a clown car) and enjoy the beach for a day. Enjoy!!! read more
14 years ago
The national park is amazing and huge. The lighthouse was a beautiful site, the babe wanted to go inside the lighthouse but I did not want to go up the stairs. I love how they had sea turtles nesting around it was cute. I wish I could've seen some though but that will be for another day and I am probably sure the area won't be as open to the public. The one thing I did not like was the water, for some reason it was more saltier than the one I have back home. It didn't go well with me and I am used to these types of water. I think I will stick to Miami Beach, more roomier and less crowded too. read more
12 years ago
This is a must for all tourist wanting an exclusive but tranquil view of the City and its best exploited amenity, the beach! The park is lush, full of color and life. The beaches next to the lighthouse are nice, water is normally clear and blue. Its not very crowded and is usually a family oriented location. This is great for weekend bar-b-q with the family. The lighthouse provides great views and it is interesting to read the historical facts behind this park and property. read more
7 years ago
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