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    St. Simons Lighthouse Museum

    4.4 (55 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

    St. Simons Lighthouse Museum Photos

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    Ground floor museum
    Christopher C.

    (Admittedly, this one was about 3 months and change ago. The details are a little hazy.) If you want or need some history as to the who/what/when/where/why of the current lighthouse's existence and importance, see below: www.coastalgeorgiahistory.org/visit/st-simons-lighthouse/ If you want to know when you can climb and how much it'll set you back, also, see below: www.coastalgeorgiahistory.org/visit/plan-your-visit/ The basic gist of our visit went something like this: every time we head south to Florida on one of our "great" road trips, there is always some kind of intermediate stop for something like this. For this trip we packaged the lighthouse with Fort Frederica since both are very close to each other and neither requires a ton of time. For us, it was a brutally hot day in early June and while the traffic to get through St. Simons was miserable and the small parking lot at the lighthouse on 12th Street was full, for obvious reasons there were only a handful of people in the air conditioned museum on the ground floor and most of those were either not climbing or were only "talking" about doing it, but probably not. In terms of the actual climb itself, no biggie. I mean don't get me wrong, when it feels like it's 110 in the shade, it's still a task to make it up the 129 steps but it's not like this one is Cape May, Barnegat or Hatteras where you're talking 199-217-257 in the step count respectively. The view was nice but it honestly was too hot in the direct sun to stay out for very long. You felt like fries under a heat lamp at McD's. But at the top you are rewarded with nice views of the nearby pier, St. Simon Sound and the Atlantic. Fwiw, the ground floor museum is nicely air conditioned and while small, has an excellent display of everything that matters to explain the lighthouse's story. There was also a volunteer next to the front entry way answering questions. Grumble-grumble on the $12 price tag to climb as to me that's a little steep, but in the current world of pharology, it's basically on par with most places be it privately run or run by the NPS. Like many things, I'm glad we came but for me this was just a nice one off simply to say that we did it.

    Lindsay S.

    Our last stop before heading home was the St. Simons Lighthouse. Visiting lighthouses at every beach we go to is kind of a family tradition now we love learning about the history of each one and climbing to the top! It's such a beautiful sight whether you're looking at it from the pier or up close. We went into the museum part to buy our tickets and look around the gift shop for goodies they had a large selection of items available. They told us we could watch a movie but we were in a bit of a hurry so we had to skip it unfortunately but that meant we were the first ones up the lighthouse! The staff there are friendly, very knowledgeable, and willing to answer any questions. We started the climb 129 steps total didn't take us very long the stairs were great sturdy and the staircase was not as narrow as others we've been too. There are also spacious landings every so often with excellent views. At the top, the staircase continues and there are no ladders to climb (if you've ever climbed the St. George Island lighthouse you'll be thankful for this lol!) You step right out on to the lighthouse deck for an amazing view. At the top, there is a railing but it is open air so make sure you put your sunglasses, hats etc in your bag so the wind doesn't carry them away!! Afterwards, we visited the museum part which was pretty cool we even got to see a real live ice box lol! Overall, it was a fantastic experience & next time we visit we will have to do it again!

    John B.

    The lighthouse is adjoined by an extremely fancy museum. Not much of a museum, really, but it is an ostentatious building with a gift shop and an intro movie, and a portrait on the wall commemorates a summit of world leaders who are all smiles in the photo, and who have had some interesting turns of fate since then, to put it mildly. The option is given to buy a ticket for this plus the World War II Homefront Museum, which seems like something you might as well do together if you have time. Upon getting a ticket and watching the little movie they show, you can go into the lighthouse keeper's residence, which has a couple of floors of exhibits, and then climb the lighthouse itself. The lighthouse does not allow you to view the actual lighting mechanism, but you can walk around the top, and for someone afraid of heights, it actually did not get me that much, perhaps because the view is quite magnificent. It's not a long tour and you'd struggle to spend an hour doing it, but if you like lighthouses you'll rarely see a historic site in better condition than this.

    Susan H.

    This is a small lighthouse with a lot of history. There are a few buildings to explore and in the main body of the lighthouse there is a person that will explain the history and answer any questions you may have which is nice. In another area there is a small gift shop with a movie theater to start your introduction into the history of the lighthouse. The views are beautiful from the top and not that many steps, it is a lighthouse after all, there are landings to take a break as your heading up and down. All in in all a nice afternoon.

    The lighthouse and the keepers residence.
    Janice K.

    We saw the lighthouse as we entered the bay on our boat. Being able to see it up close was awesome. It's clean. It's historic. It's nostalgic. The movie before the visit was informative. The second floor of the house was about the keeper and his family's living quarters while the ground floor was about the lighthouse history. The 129 steps to the top of the lighthouse was worth it! The circling steel steps are all original so that's cool What a view! Just beautiful!

    The lighthouse
    Julie F.

    This is a must see attraction when in St Simons Island. The original lighthouse had been destroyed during the civil war, but this one built in 1872 is still intact. You can climb the 129 steps to the top -- we didn't as it was quite cramped and crowded the day we stopped by. But the view is supposed to be spectacular. We did tour the museum. And you should do this first. You'll need to buy entry tickets here. They offer a veteran discount, too. The museum was the former lighthouse keepers house. There was a keeper (and family) here until the mid 1950's. You get to see a history of the island and the different keepers through the exhibits and a short movie. On the second floor are artifacts or similar to the different eras and furnishings that the keepers lived with. It's educational for the adults and kids will have fun on the grounds and climbing the lighthouse. You actually get into the lighthouse through an unmarked door inside the museum. Ask if you can't find it. We had to...

    Crystal O.

    I will have to go back~ this was my third time stopping by the lighthouse- the first two times, we didn't tour it- we just snapped a couple photos from the perimeter. This time we did the museum and grounds. I didn't climb to the top because both John and I have injuries. AKA- an excuse to go again. The lighthouse is charming, the sea breeze was whipping the day we went and the air conditioned museum a welcome break from the hot August temps. The museum held treasured history about the lighthouse and the island and John pointed out the interesting fact that the live oaks furnished most of building the USS Constitution. USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is a wooden-hulled, three-masted heavy frigate of the United States Navy. She is the world's oldest ship of any type still afloat. Funny to go to a Georgia Lighthouse and find a little Navy history. The Lighthouse and keeper's house were built in 1872 to replace the original lighthouse built in 1810 by the first lighthouse keeper. The original lighthouse was destroyed by Confederate forces in 1861 to prevent the beacon's use by Federal troops during the Civil War. The Lighthouse is one of only five surviving light towers in Georgia. The Lighthouse still serves as an active aid to navigation for ships entering St. Simons Sound, casting its beam as far as 23 miles to sea. It is a 129 step climb to the top and you will be treated to panoramic views of the island.

    St. Simons Island Light, St. Simons, GA
    Bruce K.

    The St. Simons Island Light is on the southern tip of St. Simons Island and is a navigational aid for the St. Simons Sound. The initial lighthouse was built in 1810 but was destroyed by retreating Confederate soldiers to prevent it from being used by Union warships. The new structure was completed in 1872 and in 2004, ownership was transferred to the Coastal Georgia Historical Society. It remains an active lighthouse. The lighthouse is a white tower attached to a two-story brick dwelling with red roof. The lighthouse is open to the public for tours including a climb of the 129 steps to the galley. I wasn't feeling like that sort of close quarters and exercise was a good idea in current times so I enjoyed the lighthouse from the outside. It is absolutely approachable and as photogenic as any other lighthouse in my collection, https://www.yelp.com/collection/GLWJhPZloUBCLUFSYgLw4g. There is parking nearby and it is close to the touristy shopping area of St. Simons Island with restaurants and such. The lighthouse is in the middle of a beautiful park and there is a lovely view of the St, Simons Sound from here. There is a separate museum and gift shop that sells tickets for touring the lighthouse. You don't have to go inside to enjoy. And since I had to ask, the big widget in the Sound is the recovery of the Golden Ray, a 656-foot-long cargo ship that capsized in 2019 carrying 4000 Kias and Hyundais on the way to Baltimore. [Review 15740 overall - 422 in Georgia - 1244 of 2021.]

    Natalie B.

    Get your legs ready cause there's so many steps! But the view at the top is worth the sore knees. We saw dolphins, pelicans, the works. We could see the entire island from the top. The museum was interesting, gave a nice overview of what living in a lighthouse would've been like. The gift shop is very cute albeit can be pricey.

    Marcus R.

    We stopped here on our to visit with a family member. We went on the combination tour that included the lighthouse and the world war II museum. For the price, I have to agree it was kind of pricey, but the World War II did make it worth it. The light house has 129 stairs to climb. Definitely not as tall or big as the Tybee island light house. But the view was spectacular! Walking down the stairs of the light house was way quicker going down instead of up. It's a spiral staircase as expected. I made an accomplishment with my Garmin watch. The World War II museum was small but very informative about our history that I wasn't aware of growing up. I never knew about the German submarines attacking the east coast. Definitely stay to watch the short 10 minute film when you enter the gift shop at the museum. The lighthouse gift shop was awesome as well. They have a nice variety of things to buy too.

    View from mini golf next door
    Sharon M.

    The St Simons Lighthouse is a nice little climb to start off the morning. Masks are required for entry plus there's an attendant that monitors the number of people climbing up to the top of the lighthouse. The stairs are pretty steep but it's a quick climb to the top (only 129 steps!) For comparison, anyone from Jacksonville/NE Florida, the St. Augustine Lighthouse is 219 steps. The attached museum is the lighthouse keepers house where you can peak at the rooms and read about the original octagon-shaped lighthouse. TICKETS | Purchase tickets at the museum store. Admission is pretty reasonable plus there's a combo ticket available for $8 more if you want to add a visit to the World War II Museum (located about a mile away near East Beach). $12 Adults $6 Ages 6 - 12 $2 Military discount with ID PARKING | Plenty of parking since it's near the St. Simons Pier, Neptune Park and shops and dining along Mallery Street.

    The kitchen set up like back when the lighthouse keepers lived there.

    Very kind staff, lovely informative video before going to the lighthouse, the museum was so neat with lots of neat exhibits and then upstairs it was set up like it would have been when the lighthouse keeps lived there. So neat to see. There are a LOT of steps to go up to the top of the lighthouse by the time we got to the top I was out of breath and my legs felt like jello lol but it was worth it! Breathtaking view. Careful if you're scared of heights. It's high! But it was a great learning experience for us and the kids. I definitely recommend it.

    Jess S.

    Friendly and knowledgeable staff. They control how many people are in the building at a time which is great for social distancing. Get the duo tickets so you can visit the WWII museum as well, it's cheaper that way and definitely worth it. The climb is no joke so if you don't handle stairs well then I don't suggest going. If you can though, the view from the top is beautiful! Parking can we hard to find so don't go during the peak season or time of day.

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    Review Highlights - St. Simons Lighthouse Museum

    Beautiful views from the top of the lighthouse, a nice step back in time to see how the lighthouse keeper and his family lived, and a lovely historic site.

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    Fort Frederica National Monument

    Fort Frederica National Monument

    4.7(49 reviews)
    6.2 mi

    I never knew any of the history that we stumbled upon here!…read more First of all, the building is nicely done with great museum like displays and a cute gift shop. There was also an extremely knowledgeable person inside who gave us a ton of info about the history and the fort. We then ventured outside (bug spray may be a good idea here!) and looked at the various spots with info and the history of the butcher, baker, candlestick maker as well as the other jobs around the fort. The actual building ruins are interesting and picturesque by the water. You could easily spend a while here meandering and learning. 100% worth a visit if you are nearby!

    This afternoon, my mom and I went to go tour the Fort Federica national Monument on Saint Simons…read moreIsland. It is a free fort so you don't pay a parking fee or an entrance fee. They have a museum inside along with a small gift shop as well as the fort grounds that you can walk around and read the Historical information. To get on Saint Simons Island you don't have to pay an island fee. The lady at the desk, her name is Barbara. She was very nice and assisted me with purchasing my passport guide. A passport to the national parks has little areas where you can take the stamps from the different national parks and stamp in your booklet. The passport books includes national parks all over the country. In the gift shop, they have a regular passport, an expert passport and a junior guide for a junior Rangers. 10/10

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    Fort Frederica National Monument - Rise and shine, time for a macchiato venti hot

    Rise and shine, time for a macchiato venti hot

    Fort Frederica National Monument - Canon

    Canon

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    Jekyll Island Museum

    Jekyll Island Museum

    4.1(16 reviews)
    5.4 mi

    This place was excellent and very good interactive exhibits that talked about the beginnings of…read moreJekyll Island

    This was a very good and educational museum. They have a lot of information about the island --…read morefrom before the Europeans descended until almost the present day. Included are the slave history and the creation of the Jekyll Island Club and its influence. Some of the nicer aspects are the touch and feel exhibits. And the interactive photo op where you can take pictures of yourself in various old time outfits. You will definitely learn something about the area and the island by coming here. The exhibits are done in chronological order. And they highlight the history and unique happenings on the island. It's a good starting point for those new to visiting Jekyll Island. Plus it is the location for the start of the trolley tour. You can purchase a ticket for just the museum or in combination with the trolley tour. We purchased our tickets on line which added a small service fee, but we figured this was safer as the island hosts many large conventions and sometimes the tours and the museum are quite busy. You can browse the museum before or after the trolley tour, if you take it. The day we came it had been pouring rain, so we were unable to take the trolley tour at our originally scheduled time. So we spent the first hour (waiting for the rain to end) leisurely viewing all the exhibits. In addition, there is a very nice gift shop attached to the museum. And it's worth a visit in itself.

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    Jekyll Island Museum - One of the interactive exhibit, get in the red bug car!

    One of the interactive exhibit, get in the red bug car!

    Jekyll Island Museum - The Red Bug

    The Red Bug

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    St. Simons Lighthouse Museum - museums - Updated May 2026

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