Top 31 things to do and attractions in Ponce Inlet (2024)

We venture to discover new places here in Central Fl, so a time ago we saw this lighthouse from far and i wanted to find this place, i have been many times in Daytona Beach but never exploring the area. This place is a well maintained jewel, affordable we paid just$20 and we are 5 members, excellent for family with kids and you can learn more about this enigmatic place..Definitely i loved the experience but be ready to dare to go 203 steps inside the lighthouse..Beautiful site and views my kids have a blast here. 100% Recommended.

My family & I have been here twice since living here & both times we have really enjoyed it. The kids love climbing to the top of the lighthouse & the views are exceptionally breathtaking. The history & artifacts are interesting as well. Overall, this is a great place to stroll and look around w/ your family.

One of my favorite places on the east coast of Florida. Beautiful lighthouse w historic museum at the base. (Dont miss it, very interesting). The walk up the lighthouse will be rewarded with a marvelous panoramic view of the inlet and ocean. Then enjoy a walk on the beach... My favorite time is at night when the red color of the lighthouse shines as a bright beacon against the backdrop of the ocean waves and salty sea air. Later, take a walk down the jetty which can be absolutely breath-taking when stormy and waves thunder against the rocks.

I can’t give it 5 stars because the St. Augustine lighthouse is even cooler than this one in my opinion. If you do get a chance to check it out, definitely do it. There are such beautiful views of the area and there’s a lot of history with this lighthouse. The staff is nice and the grounds are well kept.

Very lovely ladies "manning" the gift shop. They were knowledgeable and helpful with an outstanding sense of humor. The property itself was very well maintained. The exhibits were informative. Clean bathrooms added to the positive experience. Lastly, if you can make it up 203 steps to the top of the lighthouse you will be rewarded with a beautiful 360° view of Florida's finest waterways. Admission was reasonable and military service is honored with a discount. Please consider donating while walking the different "museums". It's definitely for a good cause.

I love lighthouses. I live in Florida, and I am visiting as many lighthouses as I can. So far, this is one of the best ones, although I like all of them.The lighthouse is in amazing shape, and the grounds are also in great shape. The lens museum is one of my favorite exhibits, but there are so many different ones in the park.There are 203 brutal steps up to the top, but it is worth every single step. After the 1st 2 levels, we started resting at each level, catching our breath and letting our leg muscles settle down. Going down is much easier, but the angle of the staircase keeps you going slow.The employees in the gift shop are very friendly and love to chat and share lighthouse stories and information. Their knowledge of the lighthouse and it's history is amazing. This is both a very enjoyable and historic place to spend a day. I highly recommend it.For photographers, you get an amazing view from the top of the Atlantic Ocean, two inlets, the surrounding area, and you can even see Cape Canaveral on a clear day.This entire park is funded by donations only. I hope if you visit and love it as much as I do, you will donate if you are able. A little bit can go a long way.

If you are in the area - the lighthouse is absolutely worth the trip. Pay the money and go to the top for a great view from this operational lighthouse. It's a couple hundred steps but can feel like more if you're in shape. If you have a problems with heights you'll find it to be great therapy. I'm a lighthouse fan and one of my life-long fantasies has been to live in a lighthouse. I've been here many times going back to the late 70's.

This was a cool museum and there is other stuff to do here if you don’t want to climb all the steps to the top of the light house. There is a lot of cool history on the ground level. It’s really simple to find this place from Daytona, you just drive south until you can’t no more. They stop allowing guest at 8pm but shutdown at 9pm which makes this a perfect spot to watch the sunset. There are a lot of steps to the top so if for some reason you are even REMOTELY hesitant about if you can make it, don’t do it. The only was down when at the top is down the stairs again and they are steep. When you are at the top they did a good job of making it where you would have to really try to fall so I personally felt comfortable with my 4-6 year old but I don’t know if I would want to go up to the top with someone younger.

Very nice experience with a lot of history. The walk to the top was rough but the view was well worth it. Would definitely go back. Nice place to just sit and enjoy the quiet, peaceful silence.

The tour was awesome. The lady at the register was so sweet. We walked up the 205 steps and enjoyed the views. A lot of history. Totally worth it.

A lot of history to see and we took in all of it. Very friendly staff and absolutely take the hike up to the top of the light house. Amazing views. The Veterans memorial is very well displayed to honor our fallen heros

While climbing the lighthouse is lovely and definitely the highlight, I don't know if I wanted to pay that price (for 2 people it is 13.90) and the tour is self guided. The history was very interesting to read and see, but maybe $5 would be better. They do provide you with a map and their are restrooms available.

I really enjoyed this visit. 203 steps very hard but the view was so worth it. We had 90° weather so it was challenging. $6.75 to go in, you can also visit the lighthouse quarters, is a museum and so interesting. Plenty of parking and very nice at the gift shop.

$7 per person for the perfect cloudy day activity. The drive to the inlet alone was charming, just wait until you get to the lighthouse! You must enter through the gift shop and purchase a wristband before you reach the campus. Once you are in the campus, you are free to roam. The grounds have several houses turned museums, a building that displays the lighthouse lenses, a tiny nature preserve, a few other misc buildings as well as the lighthouse itself. I highly recommend visiting on a weekday when there may be less traffic. This will allow maximum enjoyment and time taking. You can climb all the way up the lighthouse which is the 3rd tallest active lighthouse in the U.S! There was a lot to learn about the history of the lighthouse and of the native Americans who once occupied the land. All of the staff/volunteers were super friendly. I’m so grateful that I was able to visit while I was in town. This place is a gem to be active and preserved generation after generation.

One of the most memorable places that my family and I went to during our stay. The climb wasn't bad, the view was totally worth it. I bought a beautiful compass at the gift store. It was a great memory to share with my family!

This place was a pretty cool spot to walk around and explore on site. The price is perfectly fitting for what there is to do. The walk up the Lighthouse was really cool as well. They are not joking around when they say you should be in somewhat good shape to climb to the top, cause it is a lot of stairs. The view at the top though is well worth the sore legs one may get from this trek to the top.

The walk up is a bit intense and not handicap accessible, but it's beautiful at the top and well worth the hike. The views were lovely and the trek down was much easier. The other buildings on the property were filled with interesting artifacts. In particular, we loved the room with all the old lights. Worth a stop!

Small little historic outdoor museum and lighthouse.Lighthouse is almost 200 steps. Very cozy at the top!Easy parking. No water bottles. Leave at desk.

Fantastic lighthouse, grounds and museum! It's a climb to the top but well worth the view and it's the tallest lighthouse I've been to. So happy to add another stamp to my lighthouse passport book. We visited in October during the Fall Homeschooling day so it was busy, but there were a lot of employees and volunteers around. Gift shop is pretty big and has a lot to offer. Bathrooms and parking are on site. Visiting during the weekday, we had no problem finding parking in the back lot.

Coming here was a bit of an accident. We were trying to save a red shouldered hawk with a broken wing. This little island was the only place that had a bird sanctuary that wasn't full. So my husband snagged up the bird, then came and got myself and our son for a day trip rescue mission. Coming over the bridge onto the island was so beautiful. Gorgeous blue beach as far as the eye can see, nestled behind a beautiful city. Coming here was like God rewarded us for being kind and saving the hawk. We enjoyed the afternoon at the lighthouse, learning all about it from the wonderful lady who works at the gift shop. We went to eat at the little beachside restaurant right around the corner from the lighthouse. It was such a cute place, and we met Joey the Egret, who enjoys eating his raw shrimp. You can order it for him off the menu and feed him yourself!! We had such a great time here and can't wait to come back and hopefully stay a few days. It's like a beautiful tourist town minus all the tourists. Lol BTW it had great prices because it's non profit. So go support our local lighthouse and enjoy a beautiful day at a not so busy beach!!

This lighthouse is one of my favorites. So much history, the views are beautiful. My 9 year old son enjoyed it. They had an interactive part to understand the lighting of the lighthouse, which my son enjoyed.The grounds are very well kept. I wish I had more time to be there.I recommend visiting this lighthouse if you're in the area.

We had an amazing time visiting the Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse! We learned about the history and enjoyed the breathtaking views. It is a unique experience and beautiful place that shouldn't be missed.The Lighthouse:Climbing the lighthouse is a bit of a workout, but it's absolutely worth it. The panoramic views of the bay from the top are stunning. You can see for miles and really appreciate the beauty of the area. I would not recommend it if claustrophobic, or not in a good physical shape... it is a lot of steps and people, specially children, get tired.The Light Museum:The light museum has some interesting pieces that give you a glimpse into the history of the lighthouse and the lives of the keepers. It's educational and engaging, making it a great stop for both adults and kids.Overall Experience:We thoroughly enjoyed our visit. The combination of the climb, the views, and the museum made for a memorable day. Highly recommend for anyone looking to explore a bit of history and enjoy some fantastic scenery.

The historic lighthouse, standing 175ft tall, has guided ships with steadfast certainty till the present day. There are many well-preserved artifacts and buildings, whispering tales of rich maritime history. Ascending to the top rewards you with mesmerizing panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and sprawling landscapes. A perfect destination for a family outing or a day trip, the friendly staff add to the experience with their informative insights and warm hospitality. The museum ticket window closes at 5 pm, so plan your trip accordingly.

Thank you for only closing at 9pm, I was finally able to see the sunset from the top of a lighthouse!!! It was a very special moment! I loved the entire experience. The museum is so well kept, and everything is so nicely displayed that time flies! Congratulations to the entire team. You guys are doing an awesome job!!!

A beautiful well-preserved lighthouse. Standing 175ft tall (2nd highest in the country behind 179ft Cape Hatteras Light) with a 203 step climb to the top. Museum grounds include numerous Keeper dwellings and the largest collection of Fresnel Lenses.Originally built in 1835, but through issues of not receiving the oil for the light and then the 2nd Seminole Indian War, the light collapsed when keepers were afraid to go make repairs. The 2nd light was completed in 1887 and is what you see today.

203 steps to the top, 5-8 minute climb. One of the tallest lighthouses in the US. The view is beautiful and well worth the climb........ Even for someone like me who's scared of heights. 😁 I climbed at my own pace (my husband and son went ahead of me) and when I got to the top, my husband held my hand the whole time. ❤️

Loved the lighthouse. Yes, you can go up to the top. We didn't because of knee problems, but the spiral staircase was a sight to behold.Cheap tickets and very interesting artifacts and history. Also on display, the old and newest lights used. We also noticed a few rafts used by Cuban rafters, and as a Cuban myself, I was glad to see the history of my people on display, and amazed at how far up north some of these makeshift vessels made it. It's totally worth a visit. Beautiful spot.

Hands down the best preserved well kept and restored lighthouse we have ever been in. This lighthouse is 175 ft tall and has been fully restored. What Justice nice is the fact the grounds are well preserved with the lighthouse keeper and the two assistant homes in good condition. There are some great displays about the time. How they lived and just looking at the houses along with where they stored everything was very informative. You can go up to the top of this lighthouse but be ready for a good hard walk it will get your exercise for the day done.

I visited back in January and had a nice time there! I arrived a little bit after opening and had bought my ticket the night before on their website.This is the first lighthouse I climbed! And it made me want to climb as many as I can.There is so much to learn about on the property. I love history, so I really enjoyed that.It was quite busy and there is no control on how many are going up the lighthouse, so it was a little loud and crowded.I wish I would have climb up the lighthouse a second time but it just became a little over stimulating for me. I hope to come back again in the future and arrive earlier in the day.

If you are visiting the Daytona area make sure to add this beautiful well preserved lighthouse to your list of places to visit. From the friendly staff to the wonderful gift shop. This is a must see. The grounds are kept in beautiful clean condition. The lighthouse speaks for itself with towering majestic beauty itself.

Just went up the lighthouse yesterday. What an amazing view. So many steps to get up but worth it. Learning about the lighthouse and the lenses was very interesting.We need to go back. Love the area.Price was very reasonable too.

Easily accessible from the Main Road, about 12 miles from downtown Daytona. It has plenty of free parking including for Handicap accessible Vehicles. The Museum and Grounds were immaculate and the Staff were Friendly and Knowledgeable.Restrooms are available and clean. There are also multiple drinking fountains.There is a fee of $7.00 per person to visit which was very fair.There is plenty to see besides the Lighthouse walk up, which we didn't find difficult as they have landings every so often if you need to rest.Finally the Gift shop is very nice and has plenty of items.If you like Lighthouses and History don't pass this up

The lighthouse museum & gift shop were a great place to capture some history. The lighthouse is open & one can climb to the top to catch an amazing view. The adjacent veteran's memorial park was extra special; a wonderful tribute to the local veterans 💙. One can easily spend an entire day here. It is most enjoyable & a great place for a family outing.

It was my first time getting to visit with my wife, and it was a cool experience. The staff was friendly. The walk up to the lighthouse wasn't too bad if you pace yourself. The view up top was super neat, and the breeze was wonderful. I would definitely do it again!

This was an impromptu family day trip visit on the way to the beach. It was an incredible time spent learning about this lighthouse and the history and work that went behind building it and up keeping it. We learned about the families and way of life throughout the years in this region, as well as, how this structure influenced our state’s growth. The view at the top was incredible but brace yourself for the hike up AND back down again.

Been here numerous times and the entire location is in amazing shape for a historic registered place.Ticket prices for access to the grounds, includes climbing the lighthouse, were very minimal.The view from the top is breathtaking, but you've got to climb 220-ish steps on a somewhat narrow staircase (4' wide spiral).The other buildings contained historic artifacts and information about nautical themes. Well displayed rooms set in their historic looks.The building containing the various types of lighthouse or signaling lamps was a plus, as they have a massive window wall that allows lots of light to come in and interact with the various shapes of glass lenses.There was enough parking when we were there, but might be an issue on a busy day.

Amazing place to visit! I tried the lighthouse but wasn't about to climb it all the way as I stated feeling sick. I truly enjoyed all the buildings on site and learning about the refugees that come from Cuba. The gift shop was nice too.

What a great place to visit! The light station and the museum were so interesting and the building with the Fresnel lenses was AMAZING... absolutely spectacular.Also, the 'Hidden Treasure' restaurant, not too far from the lighthouse, was delicious with fantastic views of the inlet!

If you love American history, this place is a unique part of our history. The museum is comprised of 6 buildings where the Lighthouse keeper and his family lived and worked. Make sure if you are physically capable to go to the top of the Lighthouse. Awesome view!

Great experience here! We learned so much about the history and working of the lighthouse from guides all over the place (on the top of the lighthouse and within each of the buildings. I am not sure if this was normal or if it was a special day, but it was fantastic (we went on a Saturday). Very responsibly priced in comparison to other lighthouses and it is the best!

The lighthouse is nice but all I saw was the souvenir store!Grounds are nice.Nearby there's access to water and that place is nice we saw a turtle in the water!

Great museum and be prepared to walk. I would recommend wearing good walking shoes. Every house has air conditioning and seats available inside. The stairs to the lighthouse are very steep and small, but the breeze and view up there is totally worth it! The gift shop is also nice and you can find affordable items. Overall, it was a good time and enjoyable experience!

If you are in the area, you don’t want to miss this attraction! We visited while on vacation, and so glad we did! The entry price is a great and affordable and allows you access to the lighthouse, but also to the other historic buildings on site which are mini museums. There is also a small nature trail which is beautiful and the turtles were quite a surprise. So much fascinating history to be learned, and the view from the top of the lighthouse is simply breathtaking! The restoration of the lighthouse makes it look like it is brand new but has been standing since 1887 if my memory is correct. The property is well kept and very clean. What an incredible experience we had!