Five Ways to Explore the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum in Jupiter, Florida

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We’ve explored Palm Beach County, Florida many times when visiting family in Delray Beach. This past trip, we finally had time to stop at the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and Museum that we’ve passed several times and enjoyed exploring the ever expanding complex.

Operated by the Loxahatchee River Historical Society, the first lighthouse museum opened in 1973 and now welcomes over 800,000 visitors to the complex each year. The nonprofit manages the 1860 Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and Oil House, 1892 George Washington Tindall House, 1929 Lighthouse Keeper’s Workshop, and 1940 Naval Housing Building (currently closed due to nearby bridge construction). The lighthouse and museums are located on a complex, owned by the town of Jupiter, which also include large sports fields, nature trails, and a large playground. 

Travel Tips:

  • The lighthouse and museum are typically open Tuesday through Sunday, 10am-4pm. Check here for up to date information on hours and admission fees.
  • There is plenty of free parking inside the complex.
  • While the nearby bridge is under construction, the gift shop and admission desk are located in the admission trailer near the paths to the lighthouse.
  • Restrooms are currently located outside the admission trailer.
  • Check here for information on special events and programs like story hours, twilight yoga, guided history tours, and sunset tours, and here for the full calendar of events.
  • There are no dining facilities on site, but check here for tons of information on things to do in Jupiter and dining recommendations. 
  • Plan on 2 hours to fully explore the complex.

Five Ways to Explore the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum: 

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  1. Climb the 105 steps (plus 34 more to get to the base) to the top of the lighthouse, and on a clear day, see the Atlantic Ocean, Indian River, and Loxahatchee Rover for miles. Note: Children must be at least 48” to climb inside the lighthouse. 
  2. Learn about the jobs the lighthouse keeper had inside the Keeper’s Workshop building.  The Adventures in the Lives of a Lighthouse Keeper exhibit includes eight, interactive stations and touch screens that explain how lighthouses were built and operated. Pose for a photo under the massive Ficus Altissima tree, planted in 1935, on the Lighthouse Deck at the base of the lighthouse steps .
  1. Peek inside the 1892 Tindall Pioneer Homestead, one of the oldest houses in Palm Beach County. It was originally built on the banks of a nearby river and was moved to the lighthouse complex in 2007. Today, guests can tour three rooms and the adjoining kitchen space, furnished with 1800s artifacts from the museum’s collections. 
  2. Keep an eye out for sea turtles and manatees (which often swim in the Loxahatchee River and can be seen from the piers on property) and a variety of fruit trees and crops growing throughout the property, including pineapples, bananas, and guava.  
  3. Go for a walk on a trail in the Outstanding Natural Area.  The area is split into two sections: North of South Beach Road and South of South Beach Road. The North section has informational kiosks, boardwalks, scenic overlooks, and hardened trails. The trails are accessible via South Beach Road near the lighthouse complex. See maps here and here. 

Note: the Museum and Secret Station J were closed due to nearby bridge construction when we visited in summer 2022, but is set to reopen when the bridge renovations have finished- find more information here.

Looking for more fun throughout Palm Beach County? Check out our full City Guide to Palm Beach County and dedicated posts to Palm Beach Zoo, Green Cay Nature Center, Sandoway Discovery Center, and Loxahatachee National Wildlife Refuge, all of which are less than an hour from Jupiter.   And follow along on our adventures on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.

New England based, part high school English teacher, part non profit founder, part road tripper who LOVES hopping in the family SUV to explore America. Our bucket list includes National Parks, MLB stadiums, presidential libraries, and eating wherever the locals eat!

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5 Comments

  3. Love all the helpful tips and links! Great and helpful information for visiting. Will be putting this on my bucket list!

    Reply

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