Facts About the Light Houses in North Carolina

North Carolina has some of the oldest lighthouses. There are several lighthouses on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. While vacationing at the Outer Banks of North Carolina, you can stop along the way and visit these lighthouses. North Carolina has the tallest lighthouses in America. You can still visit these lighthouses and can climb to the top of 2 of them. Some of the lighthouses you will have to take a ferry to get to them. Some of them are easy access.

Here are some interesting facts about them.

Oak Island Lighthouse

This light house is 158 feet tall with 134 steps. At night you can see the light over 24 miles in the Atlantic. This is one of the newest built lighthouses in North Carolina built in 1958. This is opened to the public and you can tour the first and second level.

Bald Head Island Lighthouse - The Oldest

This is nicknamed "Old Baldy" It is also the oldest lighthouse in North Carolina. It was built in 1817 and still standing today. It stands a little over 109 feet and made of brick. While this lighthouse isn't used anymore for marine navigation it still is opened to the public. You can ride the ferry to get there and then rent bikes. Since the island is no vehicles, you have to boat or take the ferry to it. You will need to take the Bald Head Island Ferry in Southport North Carolina to get to the island. There is a small chapel there that is opened.

Cape Lookout Lighthouse - Used during the Civil War

This one is white with black triangles painted on it. This one is standing proud at 163 feet tall. You would have to walk 269 steps to get to the top. It is still used daily and can be seen 19 miles away. This was the first lighthouse built in North Carolina in 1859. This lighthouse operates during the day too. And is the only one to do it. The Lighthouse was important during the Civil War. The only way to get to this lighthouse is by boat. So like Bald Head Lighthouse, you will need to take a ferry.

Ocracoke Island Lighthouse - The Oldest and you can still walk to the top of it!

This white lighthouse on the Ocracoke Island was built in 1823. It is the Oldest Lighthouse in North Carolina and still is in service. It is the second oldest lighthouse. You will have to take the ferry to this. There is also the wild horse reserve on the island.

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse - The Tallest

Visit the top of the world with this lighthouse. This black and white Lighthouse was built in 1870. It is the tallest light house in the Unites States and the World, standing at almost 200 feet tall. (actual 198 feet tall). It takes 257 steps to get to the top. It is still in use and can bee seen 20 miles. This one is opened to the public but to get to the top you will have to climb the 257 steps. There is a small fee to climb the steps.

Bodie Island Lighthouse

This is 214 stairs to the top and is 156 feet tall. It is white with black strips going around horizontally. It is still in use today and can been seen at night 19 miles. This is opened to the public.

Carrituck Beach Lighthouse - Climb to the top of this one

This is the second one that is opened for you to climb to the top of it. Built in 1875 if you want to climb to the top you have about 214 steps to get to the top of this 162 feet tall lighthouse. This is still opened to the public, and can be visited,

For more information about visiting these lighthouses you can visit www.visitnc.com. You can also get a ferry schedule there to help you get to the lighthouses that require ferry rides.