St Augustine light station is the tallest light station in Florida and the second tallest in the United States. The light station is known as a light station and not a light house because it is situated amongst a collection of other buildings which was the keeper’s quarters and various other buildings for fuel storage and the likes.
The Light station is entered through the visitor’s center where they show an interactive show that details the various aspects including the history of the light station and shop where you buy your tickets to whatever section of the site you want to visit. The Light station grounds and museum was $5 per adult and if you wanted to climb the tower it was and extra $3 so $8 in total for access to the whole site. You are given a bracelet to wear which signifies you have paid for whole site access and can wander freely.
If you are able bodied and need some exercise climbing the tower is a must, it is a bit tiring but worth it! The climb itself does not take long and there are resting points on the various levels on the way up and of course down. There are 219 steps before you reach the red zone at the top. It is however, iron steps which you can see through so the higher up you get you can see down to the bottom, not great if you are scared of heights but just keep going and don’t look down!
There are some great views of St Augustine from a couple of windows on the way up the tower but once you reach the red zone as the top and viewing platform is known you have magnificent views of St Augustine from all angles and it is a great photo opportunity and worth the jelly legs getting up there! When it is time to come back down this is much quicker and you are back on solid ground before you know it. You then must visit the museum where they have lots of interesting articles and information about the light stations history.
When you are finished touring the tower, grounds and museum you exit via the visitors centre and shop where you can buy all sorts of light house memorabilia from magnets to ornaments to prints and posters.
So if you have made the trip to St Augustine the light station should be a must on the list of things to do.
The Light station is entered through the visitor’s center where they show an interactive show that details the various aspects including the history of the light station and shop where you buy your tickets to whatever section of the site you want to visit. The Light station grounds and museum was $5 per adult and if you wanted to climb the tower it was and extra $3 so $8 in total for access to the whole site. You are given a bracelet to wear which signifies you have paid for whole site access and can wander freely.
If you are able bodied and need some exercise climbing the tower is a must, it is a bit tiring but worth it! The climb itself does not take long and there are resting points on the various levels on the way up and of course down. There are 219 steps before you reach the red zone at the top. It is however, iron steps which you can see through so the higher up you get you can see down to the bottom, not great if you are scared of heights but just keep going and don’t look down!
There are some great views of St Augustine from a couple of windows on the way up the tower but once you reach the red zone as the top and viewing platform is known you have magnificent views of St Augustine from all angles and it is a great photo opportunity and worth the jelly legs getting up there! When it is time to come back down this is much quicker and you are back on solid ground before you know it. You then must visit the museum where they have lots of interesting articles and information about the light stations history.
When you are finished touring the tower, grounds and museum you exit via the visitors centre and shop where you can buy all sorts of light house memorabilia from magnets to ornaments to prints and posters.
So if you have made the trip to St Augustine the light station should be a must on the list of things to do.