Ever been up in a lighthouse? Historic Pensacola Lighthouse is waiting for you to climb
The Pensacola Lighthouse, situated on Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, provides residents and visitors of the city with stunning views overlooking sites like the Pensacola Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The lighthouse features 177 steps on its spiral staircase to the top, where visitors will find its beacon still in working shape.
The lighthouse was put on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974 and has seen many moments in the history of Pensacola such as the Civil War. Visiting the lighthouse will take an hour or two out of your day and also cost admissions fees.
You can climb, go on the hunt for ghosts or sit down and watch a Blue Angels practice on some scheduled days as well.
What should residents and visitors know about the historic lighthouse?
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Can you go up in the Pensacola Lighthouse?
Civilians can once again go up the lighthouse on the base. Access to the base was denied to the public for three years following the 2019 terrorist attack that killed four people including the shooter and left eight others injured.
NAS Pensacola reopened its doors for seven days a week to the public on May 17, along with the National Naval Aviation Museum and Fort Barrancas, following efforts by the Navy to ensure that the proper safety protocols and procedures were in place.
According to NAS Pensacola base commander Capt. Terrence Shashaty, the safety and security of the personnel at the base and members of the visiting public remain the top priority.
Inside the lighthouse is its fully restored Keepers' Quarters that holds the Richard C. Calloway Museum with exhibits on the local history of Pensacola and the lighthouse.
How much does it cost to go into the Pensacola Lighthouse?
Tickets to the lighthouse and its climb can be found at the site. Purchasing admission for the lighthouse costs:
$9.50 for adults
$6.50 for children 12 and under
$6.50 for people 65 and over
$6.50 for military members
Admission includes access to all museum exhibits, grounds, and the climb to the top of the lighthouse tower.
Food, drinks, pets and smoking are prohibited at the lighthouse. Visitors are asked to wear shoes with an enclosed back, not bring an oversized purse or backpack and be at least 44-inches tall or 7 years old to climb the tower. Children 12 and under cannot climb without a ticketed adult.
When is the Pensacola Lighthouse open?
The Pensacola Lighthouse is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets for tower admission are not sold after 3:40 p.m.
On days that the Blue Angels are scheduled to fly, the Lighthouse Tower will be open only to guests with reservations to watch the show. Guests with general admission will not be able to climb the tower until the Blue Angels land. The museum and grounds will still be open for all guests.
The lighthouse closes operations for these select holidays:
Easter Sunday
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
New Year's Eve
New Year's Day
When was the Pensacola Lighthouse built?
After the construction of the 159-foot-tall Pensacola Lighthouse concluded in 1858, it was then lit on New Year's Day in 1859. The lighthouse has seen many events over the years, such as the Civil War and natural disasters.
Where is the Pensacola Lighthouse?
The Pensacola Lighthouse is situated at NAS Pensacola. Visitors must gain access to the base by going through its West Gate on Blue Angel Parkway.
What is nearby the Pensacola Lighthouse?
The Pensacola Lighthouse is located near both Fort Pickens and Fort Barrancas. The view from the top of the tower provides a look at the forts, the historic Navy Yard and where Pensacola Bay and the Gulf of Mexico meet.
What is the Pensacola Lighthouse famous for?
The Pensacola Lighthouse played a subtle role during the Civil War. When Fort Barrancas was abandoned by the Union in favor of Fort Pickens, the Confederates took over the tower and removed its light.
After months of only watching each other's activities, a two-day artillery battle began in which the Union took back Fort Barrancas. Despite the battle, the outside of the tower was found in good condition as none of the rounds penetrated its walls.
How many lighthouses are in Pensacola?
The Pensacola Lighthouse is the sole lighthouse in the city of Pensacola and its surrounding areas. Some nearby lighthouses include: the Mobile Point Lighthouse an hour west, the Biloxi Lighthouse two hours west and the various lighthouses found in and around Gulf County.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola Lighthouse accepting visitors at Naval Air Station Pensacola
