St. Augustine - Lighthouse and Maritime Museum

The Smithsonian Affiliate exhibits at the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum share maritime stories beginning with Ponce de Leon’s first sighting of Florida in 1513 to the worldwide shrimping industry that began in northeast Florida in the early 20th century. The 140-foot view from the top of the Lighthouse gives you a wide angle on today and the 219-step climb features history exhibits and hands-on examples of what it’s like to be a lighthouse keeper! Exhibits are housed in the Keepers’ House and Lighthouse, Historic Site and Grounds, the Maritime Center, and World War II-era Structures.

A Shipyard Playground for children is just one of the many options for family fun at the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum.
Other fun things to do for kids include:
• WRECKED! exhibit tablets with a game about finding a shipwreck and artifacts underwater.
• 1874 Lighthouse Tower (self-guided climb up the 219-step spiral staircase for those 44 inches and taller)
• 1876 Keepers’ House: At Home with the Harns
• Nation’s Oldest Port® Demos (interactive demonstrations)
• Maritime Hammock Nature Trails & Scavenger Hunt
• Maritime Education Center with hands-on children’s activities: Wooden climb-in lighthouse, puppets, etch-a-sketch, and viewfinders
• Conservation Lab and PGA Viewing Window