There are 11 New Jersey lighthouses officially open to the public — but some are far better for day trips than others. This article helps NJ residents and tourists select beautiful Jersey Shore lighthouses with scenic views, local museums and designated state park areas.
Some NJ lighthouses are more functional than scenic. While helping boats and marine vessels navigate the Delaware River and New Jersey’s bays and inlets, they’re not exactly tourist destinations.
Let’s help you choose which NJ lighthouse to visit by splitting them into
Which New Jersey Lighthouses Should You Visit?
There are 2 primary types of NJ lighthouses — ones designed to help ships navigate the Atlantic Ocean coastline, and ones to aid Delaware River navigation.
Atlantic Ocean lighthouses like Cape May Lighthouse and Sandy Hook Lighthouse are popular tourist destinations that provide a center point for gorgeous Jersey Shore views. Some, like Barnegat Lighthouse State Park, are designated state park areas that offer wonderful scenic coastal hiking.
These Jersey Shore lighthouses are great for day trips, hikes and ocean views.
Delaware River lighthouses appear as pairs of range lights at the southern end of the Delaware River. Finns Point (Pennsville) and Tinicum (Paulsboro) each represent the rear light in a set — their front range light companions are in Delaware and Pennsylvania, respectively.
These rear range lighthouse areas are vital for marine safety, but don’t make great day trips.
9 Jersey Shore Lighthouses Worth a Day Trip
Now that we’ve focused our search on Atlantic Ocean lighthouses on the Jersey Shore, let’s highlight the 9 New Jersey lighthouses that are ideal for visitors.
Absecon Lighthouse
31 S Rhode Island Ave, Atlantic City, NJ
Lighthouse Height: 171’
The 171-foot tall Absecon Lighthouse is as impressive a part of the Atlantic City skyline as any casino. The lighthouse was first lit in 1857, and is the only one in NJ with its original first-order Fresnel lens in place.
A recent multi-million dollar restoration makes the lighthouse a true AC tourist destination, and a lovely break from gambling and shows. Visitors can climb 228 steps to the watch room, which provides a wonderful view of the coast from the tallest lighthouse in New Jersey.
Want to see the view from Absecon Lighthouse before you visit? The lighthouse website offers live selfie cam and video streams.
Barnegat Lighthouse
208 Broadway, Barnegat Light, NJ
Lighthouse Height: 163’
“Old Barney” sits on the northern tip of Long Beach Island, where it was commissioned as an integral navigation signal for ships in 1859. It offers the best available view of LBI and Island Beach as it looks over Barnegat Bay.
Today, Barnegat Lighthouse State Park is operated by the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). The park is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the lighthouse is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m (weather permitting).
Tip for visitors: The lighthouse is free to enter from Labor Day until Memorial Day.
Cape May Lighthouse
215 Light House Ave, Cape May, NJ
Lighthouse Height: 157.5’
Venture up 199 steps in the Cape May Lighthouse’s spiral staircase, and you’re rewarded with a gorgeous view of the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay. It’s a view unlike any other in the Garden State, and over 2.5 million visitors have taken the climb thus far.
The lighthouse is part of Cape May Point State Park. The best value for tourists and visitors is to purchase a combo ticket — you’ll gain access to Cape May Lighthouse and the World War II Lookout Tower. Combo tickets are $18 for adults, $12 for kids ages 3-12.
Active duty military members enter the lighthouse for free, as do members of Cape May MAC. Cape May Lighthouse is also part of the Families First Discovery Pass program.
East Point Lighthouse
10 Lighthouse Rd, Heislerville, NJ (Maurice River Township)
Lighthouse Height: 40’
Built in 1849, East Point Lighthouse is NJ’s second-oldest lighthouse — and it’s still active today. East Point Light serves as a public museum, as well as a beacon serviced by the United States Coast Guard.
East Point Lighthouse stands out from the pack with its trademark red roof and Cape Cod design. It’s one of the most photographed lighthouses on the Jersey Shore due to its diversity of wildlife and distinctive architectural style.
The museum is run by the Maurice River Historical Society. Visit the website frequently, as their operating hours change seasonally.
Hereford Inlet Lighthouse
111 N Central Ave, North Wildwood, NJ
Lighthouse Height: 49.5’
Hereford Inlet Lighthouse was built in 1874 in North Wildwood. 2024 marks its 150th anniversary, and the U.S. Coast Guard still continues its operation. It stands as the most recognizable feature on Five Mile Island.
The lighthouse itself houses a museum of antiques and lighthouse memorabilia, and its exterior is marked by beautiful gardens with over 200 species of plants and flowers. Visitors follow the garden pathway all the way out to the seawall in Anglesea.
Garden admissions are free every day from dawn until dusk. Hereford Lighthouse is open seasonally — check the official website for updated hours and information on lighthouse weddings.
Sandy Hook Lighthouse
84 Mercer Rd, Highlands, NJ
Lighthouse Height: 103’
Sandy Hook Light in New Jersey’s northernmost lighthouse, and the oldest working lighthouse in the United States. It stands as a National Historic Landmark, and its light is kept on 24 hours a day by the Coast Guard.
History buffs will love the National Park Service’s official Sandy Hook Lighthouse page. It offers a complete history of the lighthouse, its evolving technology, operation standards and importance in navigation.
Sandy Hook Lighthouse is part of the Gateway National Recreation Area. Visitors love photographing the unique octagonal tower design. Visitors are advised to call (732) 872-5916 for current park and lighthouse hours of operation.
Sea Girt Lighthouse
9 Ocean Ave N, Sea Girt, NJ
Lighthouse Height: 44’
Sea Girt Lighthouse is one of NJ’s most charming coastal locations. Even without its importance as a 15-mile beacon on Sea Girt Inlet, it’s still a beautiful two-story brick building on the shore.
This unique structure has its tower built into the original living quarters, making it distinct from other NJ lighthouse designs. Visitors can tour the grounds every Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. from May through Thanksgiving, except on holidays.
Sea Girt Lighthouse regularly posts closure notifications and special events information in real time on its official Facebook page.
Tucker’s Island Lighthouse
112 E Main St, Tuckerton, NJ
Lighthouse Height: 85’
The original Tucker’s Island Lighthouse was destroyed in 1927, but its light still shines in the replica lighthouse museum at Tuckerton Seaport. Make sure to schedule time during your Tuckerton Seaport day trip for a tour of the replica lighthouse.
In this case, “replica” is an understatement. Visitors get the full lighthouse experience, including a climb up the Tucker’s Island Lighthouse tower. One of the walls inside the replica depicts the original lighthouse crumbling into the ocean.
Tucker’s Island (and its original lighthouse) are gone, but this is a thoughtfully crafted homage to its history. It hosts a maritime museum, diversity exhibit, and working model trains.
Twin Lights National Historic Landmark
2 Light House Rd, Highlands, NJ
Lighthouse Height: 73’
Perhaps the most unique Atlantic Ocean lighthouse in New Jersey, Twin Lights lighthouse lives up to its name. Its two lighthouse towers remind visitors of a fortress or castle, and offer excellent views of both the Jersey Shore and New York City.
Twin Lights has an on-site museum and some unique features, including a 40-seat auditorium and a STEM experience for kids. The grounds are open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Entrance is free, and there is a $5 tower climbing fee for adults ($2 for children).
Self-guided tours are available — but for a truly memorable experience, book a private tour with the lighthouse’s New Jersey Parks historian. These tours are just $12 for adults and $2 for kids ages 5-12, and this includes the tower entrance fee.
What is a Rear Range Lighthouse?
There are 2 notable rear range lighthouses in New Jersey — Finn’s Point and Tinicum. Each acts as one half of a pair of range lights that helps ships and marine vessels navigate the transition between Delaware Bay and the Delaware River.
Range lighthouses are generally more functional than they are scenic. They aren’t ideal destinations for travel or sightseeing like the others on our list, but they’re incredibly important to the safety and functionality of passenger and shipping boats.
Finns Points Rear Range Light
Fort Mott & Lighthouse Rds, Pennsville, NJ
Finns Point Lighthouse is the rear range light in a set of range lights — the front light is located across the Delaware River in Delaware. The location was originally developed by Finnish colonists and now stands in present day Pennsville Township.
Tinicum Rear Range Light
70 2nd St, Paulsboro, NJ
Tinicum Lighthouse is named for Tinicum Island, a small piece of land on the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware River. Tinicum’s rear range light helps vessels navigate the south Delaware River near Paulsboro.
Fun Ways to Experience NJ Lighthouses
The New Jersey Lighthouse Society is a wonderful place to learn more about lighthouse history and preservation. The Society offers detailed historic information on all the lighthouses in the Garden State, and coordinates meetings and excursions for members.
If you like turning travel into a game, try the New Jersey Lighthouse Challenge! Each year, participants attempt to visit 10 land based lighthouses, 3 life saving stations, 1 museum, and 1 virtual site — all in one weekend! Visit the website for updated information on this year’s Lighthouse Challenge of New Jersey.
And mark your calendars — National Lighthouse Day is August 7th! It’s a wonderful late summer day to visit the New Jersey lighthouse nearest you and take in the views.
