Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum: A History With A View

Boating communities often offer much of the same: quiet neighborhoods, beautiful waterways, and a charming small town feel. But there’s something unique tucked away at the northernmost part of Palm Beach County, Florida. Jupiter boasts a working lighthouse that features some of the best views you could ever get of the county. You get foliage; you get the ocean. Most of all, you get an amazing history that you could literally walk through. The Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and Museum is a must-see, and there are many reasons why.

The Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse itself stands at 105 feet between the Indian River and the Jupiter Inlet. It’s a working lighthouse, so you can see it illuminated magically as the sun sets just behind it every night. If you have no reservations about height, you definitely have to climb the many steps it takes to get to the top because you won’t regret it. The ocean vista you’ll get from atop the lighthouse is something you only see on postcards. That being said, this location is more than just its towering pièce de résistance. The surrounding grounds feature a few historical buildings that are worth a peek as well.

The 1860 Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Oil House is the first, and then you have to go see the 1892 George Washington Tindall House. It’s also known as the Tindall Pioneer Homestead, which is the earliest house that was ever built in Jupiter. You can then proceed to the 1929 Lighthouse Keeper’s Workshop. Many of the houses that were built along with the workshop are now gone, but the workshop itself still stands. You can then visit the museum shop that’s housed in the 1940 WWII Naval Housing Building.

Once you’re done indoors, you should set plenty of time for your visit to explore the surrounding outdoor areas. You can start at the stunning Lighthouse Deck where most public and private events are held. The deck sits underneath this amazing Ficus altissima tree that was planted in 1935. You’ll find a lot of visitors hanging around on this deck during the day, reading, painting, or even boat watching.

As soon as you’re ready, strap on your hiking shoes (sneakers or open-toed sandals if you’re a Floridian), and hike the outstanding natural area that boasts a lot of history in itself. There are hiking trails and mangrove swamps to explore. See if you can spot the tropical hammock or the observation tower that sits right by a manatee refuge. There’s also a Seminole chickee close by where you can have a shaded lunch picnic. You can also participate in many other water activities right on the inlet including fishing, paddle boarding, and bird watching. No matter how you intend to spend your time while you’re at the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and Museum, just know that you won’t have a dull time. Start your day here early, and end your day with a lighthouse paddle boarding tour by moonlight. We promise that you’ll have a truly unique experience that you’ll never forget.