This Iconic View in Florida Is Also a Stunning Slice of History
Explore the rich history of the Gasparilla Island Lighthouse, a restored 1881 beacon guiding ships through Boca Grande Pass. Visit this iconic site for panoramic views, coastal trails, and a glimpse into Florida's maritime heritage.
Lighthouses aren't just breathtaking slices of structural engineering with incredible views once you reach the top. Nope, these mechanical feats provided much-needed maritime guidance back in the day. Lighthouses were crucial navigational aids, especially before modern technology like GPS. Their primary purpose was to guide ships safely through dangerous waters, mark hazardous coastlines, and signal the entrance to harbors. Positioned in strategic locations along coastlines, on reefs, or near harbors, they helped sailors avoid rocky shores, shoals, and other potential obstacles that could cause shipwrecks.
advertisement
Today, I'm shedding some light (ha!) on an iconic lighthouse in Florida that deserves recognition for its fascinating history and stunning views: The Gasparilla Island Lighthouse in Boca Grande, Florida.
The Gasparilla Island Lighthouse, originally built in 1881 in Delaware, was relocated to its current site in 1927 to guide ships through the Boca Grande Pass and Charlotte Harbor, a key route for shipping and local fishing fleets.
Initially called the Boca Grande Entrance Rear Range Light, the lighthouse played a critical role in aiding navigation along the southwest coast of Florida. The island was once a bustling hub for phosphate shipping, making the lighthouse crucial for safe passage. Over time, as technology advanced and shipping routes shifted, the need for the lighthouse diminished, and it eventually fell into disrepair.
Thanks to preservation efforts by the Barrier Island Parks Society and the community, the lighthouse was restored and re-lit in 2016, becoming a symbol of the island’s rich maritime past. Visitors can explore the lighthouse and its surrounding trails, which offer scenic views of the Gulf of Mexico and the island's natural beauty.
Today, the Gasparilla Island Lighthouse stands as a testament to Florida’s maritime heritage. Visitors can explore the lighthouse, climb to the top for panoramic views of the Gulf, and enjoy the surrounding trails and beaches.
The Gasparilla Island Lighthouse is open for public tours from October through April. Visit the Barrier Island Parks Society website for an updated calendar.
Have you ever climbed this lighthouse before? Sound off in the comments section! One of my favorite lighthouse visits I've ever done in Florida was the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse. What a hike up, but also - what a view. Take the Florida lighthouse road trip from some truly stunning historic markers!
Protect yourself from the sun while you’re outside! Sun Bum from REI is a great option for lathering up and staying safe.
St. Augustine is not only the oldest town in Florida, it's the oldest town in the country. As you might guess, there's plenty to do here, with more than 450 years of history to explore. Though it's historic, it's not stuck in the past. St. Augustine has lots of happening restaurants, shops, and nightlife to experience. It would be impossible to detail everything in one post, but we'd love to give you a glimpse at just one possible way to spend a day in beautiful St. Augustine, Florida:
advertisement
There's a lot of history here, but St. Augustine also knows how to cater to tourists (especially foodies). So let's start the day at one of the best breakfast spots in town, The Blue Hen Cafe.
If you've ever tried to explore the city by car, you know that parking can be a problem. Tours like those offered by Old Town Trolley remove all of the stress and time wasted searching for parking spots, so you can actually have an enjoyable time learning about the city.
Tours like this one allow you to get off and on as you please, so you can still walk these historic streets and peruse the many shops, restaurants and museums in our nation's oldest city.
You'll be transported back in time from the minute you set foot on the narrow streets of this city founded way back in 1565.
Time for lunch, and we know just the place. Head to the Uptown Scratch Kitchen for delicious, upscale meal from an unexpected place, this humble food truck.
Now that we've sampled some of the best food in town, there's time for one or two more stops. If you're visiting with kids, they will love a trip to the St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum, which has the largest authentic collection of pirate artifacts available for public viewing.
For a more grown-up date, check out a tour at San Sebastian Winery. Tours are free, and there are so many Florida-grown varieties to sample, you'll definitely want to take home a few bottles.
If you're looking for a relaxed dinner spot, try Gas Full Service Restaurant. This local favorite serves up fresh and tasty American fare in charming retro digs.
There are many creative dishes to choose from, from the Jalapeno popper burger with homemade chips to the shrimp and grits. No matter what you choose, you won't leave hungry.
If you're not ready for your St. Augustine adventure to be over (and you want to wake up to a sunrise like this the next day), stay at Anastasia State Park. This beautiful park will make you feel miles away from civilization, yet it's still close to everything you'll want to see and do.
Have you ever visited St. Augustine? What are your favorite things to do in our nation's oldest city?
If you love spots like St. Augustine, you might want to take our road trip to the most charming small towns in Florida. Our handy road trip packing list is here to help make sure you don't forget anything critical to your journey.
