Ready to chase lighthouses and soak up some salty air along Florida’s Panhandle?
This road trip is packed with tall towers, crazy coastal views, wild history, and a few surprises you definitely didn’t see coming.
You’ll climb spiral staircases, spot wildlife from the top, hear ghost stories, and maybe even see fighter jets zip by overhead.
Whether you’re a lighthouse lover, a beach bum, or just someone who loves a good road trip with a view, this route is pure Florida magic.
Let’s hit the road and check out some of the coolest, quirkiest lighthouses in the Sunshine State.
1. Pensacola Lighthouse & Maritime Museum
Pensacola Lighthouse & Maritime Museum sits on Naval Air Station Pensacola and has been lighting up the Gulf Coast since 1859.
You can climb all 177 steps to the top for epic views of Pensacola Bay, the Gulf of Mexico, and even the Blue Angels flying right over your head during practice days.
The museum inside the keeper’s quarters is packed with maritime artifacts, local history exhibits, and stories from lighthouse keepers who lived there over 100 years ago.
If you’re into ghosts, they even host spooky nighttime ghost tours as this place is said to be one of the most haunted lighthouses in the U.S.!
2. Cape San Blas Lighthouse
Next up is Cape San Blas Lighthouse, which has had quite the wild ride—over the years it’s been rebuilt and moved multiple times thanks to Florida’s ever-shifting coastline.
Now it’s chilling in George Core Park in Port St. Joe, where you can climb its 131 steps for views of St. Joseph Bay.
It’s a white skeletal iron tower with a black lantern, and there’s a museum in the old keeper’s house with photos, artifacts, and stories from its stormy past.
Bonus: there’s a beach right nearby, so after your climb, you can kick off your shoes and dip your toes in the Gulf.
3. St. George Island Lighthouse
Just across the bay, the St. George Island Lighthouse (also called Cape St. George Light) stands tall in St. George Lighthouse Park by the beach.
This one collapsed into the Gulf in 2005, but locals loved it so much they gathered up the bricks and rebuilt it piece by piece right on the island.
You can climb the 92 spiral steps for sweeping views of the Gulf of Mexico and Apalachicola Bay, and then check out the museum in the Keeper’s House next door.
It’s right off the main strip on St. George Island, so after your climb, grab some ice cream nearby and chill out on the sand—it’s that kind of place.
4. Crooked River Lighthouse
If you’re up for something a little quirkier, the Crooked River Lighthouse in Carrabelle totally fits the vibe.
It’s a 103-foot tall wrought-iron skeletal tower, built in 1895 and painted white on the lower half and red on the upper half with a black lantern.
It is surrounded by pine trees instead of crashing waves, which definitely sets it apart from the beachy ones.
There’s a fun museum with historical exhibits, a small playground for kids, and even moonlight tower climbs if you want to see the stars from way up high.
Plus, the lighthouse keepers here were known for their hard work and dedication in maintaining the light and living out here.
5. St. Marks Lighthouse
Now for a total change of scenery—St. Marks Lighthouse sits at the edge of a salt marsh in the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, and it’s all about nature and quiet views.
It’s the second-oldest lighthouse in Florida, built in 1842, and it still stands strong after surviving the Civil War, hurricanes, and over 180 years of wild weather.
You can’t climb the tower, but the trails around it are awesome for spotting alligators, bald eagles, and even the occasional manatee in the nearby waters.
It’s the perfect lighthouse stop if you’re into peaceful walks, birdwatching, and soaking up that classic old-Florida wilderness.
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