Posted in North Carolina February 28, 2019 by

Take This Mini Road Trip To Climb Two Of North Carolina’s Most Beautiful Lighthouses

Road trips are one of our specialties and although we already have a much longer Lighthouses of North Carolina road trip that takes more than 15 hours just to drive to them all, we though a shorter excursion also has a place in any vacation along the coast in the Tar Heel State. So, when you’re crunched for time, spend only a morning or an afternoon making your way to two of North Carolina’s most prominent lighthouses – and climb to the top for a thrill you won’t soon forget.

Our mini road trip begins at the Oregon Inlet near Nags Head. You'll navigate to the Bodie Island Lighthouse at 8210 Bodie Island Lighthouse, Nags Head, NC 27959.
Google Maps
From there, follow this Google Maps link to travel another 43 miles to the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in Buxton.
Fortunately, both of the lighthouses on this mini road trip are open for self-paced climbs. You'll start at the Bodie Island Light Station.
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Bodie was built in 1872 and stands 156 feet tall.
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It wasn't made climbable by the public until 2013. Want to see the view from the top? Take your time... this lighthouse has a total of 214 steps.
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At the top, you'll get a peek at the light, and then you can check out the surrounding views of Bodie Island, the Atlantic Ocean, and Pamlico Sound.
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Next, pop back in the car for a short drive down the outer banks to Hatteras Island.
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Stop along the way for lunch at Fatty's Eatery.
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This local icon is a regular stop for locals and visitors alike. It can get busy in certain seasons, but the wait is always worth it. It's located at 46618 NC-12, Buxton, NC 27920, before you get to the Cape Hatteras Light.
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At the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and Museum, you'll spend hours exploring the grounds, the museum and, of course, the lighthouse!
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The current tower was built in 1870 and stands an impressive 210-feet tall.
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You may get a better sense of the size of this one once you stand at the base! Just look how massive it is.
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If you feel like taking a self-paced walk up to the top, you'll get a great view of the light mechanics; then you can turn to see the long-range views of the surrounding area.
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Take your time on the narrow spiral staircase. The second tallest brick lighthouse in the world has 247 stairs!
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After, make a pass through the former lightkeeper's home, now a museum.
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Things to know before you go: there are no elevators and no air conditioning. You should bring water in a sealed, non-glass container. If you have a heart condition, you may want to skip the climbing.

Both lighthouses are open for public climbs from the third Friday in April through Columbus Day. Fees are charged for climbing the lights and the number of people allowed inside at one time is limited. Learn more at this link on the official website of the National Park Service.