Guide to Your New Jersey Lighthouse Road Trip

There are lighthouse enthusiast all over the world. People collect lighthouse memorabilia, art work, books and visit lighthouses on vacation. New Jersey is home to several lighthouses, which is often over looked by many. This small state happens to be the perfect place to plan a lighthouse based vacation.

Southern New Jersey
Naturally, New Jersey's southern coastal area is home to some notable lighthouses. The Cape May Lighthouse is beautiful and steeped with history. This lighthouse originally opened it's doors in 1823, but was quickly closed in 1847 due to sea erosion that caused instability. Several Years later in 1859 the Cape May Lighthouse was moved inland and was able to be reopened. Until the early 1900's this historical lighthouse was actually lit using kerosene wick lamps. Various lighting systems were used following the removal of the kerosene wick system until it was ultimately converted the electric bulb. Visitors to this picturesque lighthouse have the option to climb the two hundred plus stairwell to the top.

The Absecon Lighthouse in world famous Atlantic City also has a rather fascinating history. It was built and opened its doors in 1857 after decades of lobbying by concerned citizens. The lack of a lighthouse on the harsh coastline was causing so many ship wrecks that Absecon beach was nick named " Graveyard Inlet " . Absecon Lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse in the state of New Jersey measuring in at one hundred and sixty nine feet and the third tallest lighthouse in the country. It is also the only lighthouse in New Jersey that still has its original Fresnal lens. Visitors to the Absecon Lighthouse can not only climb to the top, but they also have access to a adjoining historical museum.

Barnegat Lighthouse is so popular amongst New Jersey's residents it is currently available on license plates. The original Barnegat lighthouse was built in 1834 and stood about forty feet high. However, in 1857 sea erosion caused the lighthouse to fall into the water. Thankfully, the original light was removed before the collapse and was used on a make shift wooden tower until the completion of the new light house in 1857. Barnegat Lighthouse stands 165 feet, which visitors are welcome to climb.

Hereford Inlet Lighthouse is not your average lighthouse. This gothic style lighthouse looks somewhat like a house and is the only one of it's kind on the east coast. Housed in the North Wildwood area this lighthouse in now maintained by the US Coast Guard. Hereford Lighthouse has had its share of tragedies, but perseverance from historical societies has brought this lighthouse back to its original glory.

Northern New Jersey
Sea Girt lighthouse was built using a victorian home structure. It was built in 1896 to be somewhat of a middle navigational point between Barnegat Lighthouse and Navesink Lighthouse. Its tower is forty four feet and eventually went on to use a radio signal in addition to its original Fresnal lens. This lighthouse is available to tour on a limited schedule.

The Navesink Twin Lighthouses are set up on the hills of Highlands New Jersey. The original towers were built in 1828 to assist in guiding ships in to the New York Harbor. In 1862 the original deteriorating towers were replaced by two new towers that used the lenses from the original towers. The north light was deactivated first in 1898 and the south light followed in 1952. The grounds are used as a park and museum that welcomes visitors during the summer season.

The Sandy Hook Lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse still standing in our country. This lighthouse was built in 1764 with money collected from merchants that were concerned about sailors abilities to navigate around Sandy Hook into New York Harbor. Although not as tall as some of its other tower style lighthouses, at one hundred and three feet its age alone merits a visit. Not only has this lighthouse amazingly survived the elements of its precarious location on the tip of Sandy Hook, but it also survived British Occupancy during the revolutionary war.

Lighthouse enthusiast will not be disappointed with a trip to New Jersey. These are just seven of the twenty amazing lighthouses that dot New Jersey's coastline. If you love lighthouses, plan on a lighthouse road trip through the garden state.