Editor’s Note: The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is currently closed for renovations. Visit the National Park Service website for current updates.

Are you looking for quick road trips in North Carolina? 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 thought a shorter excursion also has a place in any vacation along the coast of the Tar Heel State.

So, when you’re crunched for time, spend only a morning or an afternoon making your way to two prominent lighthouses in North Carolina – and climb to the top for a thrill you won’t soon forget.

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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 climbing.

Lighthouses in North Carolina are always quite charming. What are your favorite lighthouses in the Tar Heel State? Let your fellow readers know in the comments.

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. If you’re looking for quick road trips in North Carolina, you may want to consider this short and sweet lighthouses road trip!

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More to Explore

Quick Road Trips In North Carolina

What are the most unique things to do in North Carolina?

The Tar Heel State has a unique blend of history, nature, cities, small towns, beaches, mountains, and fascinating places you can’t find anywhere else. For some of the most unique, head to our article about the weirdest places you can visit in North Carolina and plan your visit to places like Whirligig Park and Museum in Wilson, Bentonville Battlefield in Four Oaks, and the Great Dismal Swamp, among others.  

What are some other lighthouses I can visit in North Carolina?

Just head to any part of the North Carolina coast and you will probably find a charming lighthouse which is always a spectacular sight to see. In Edenton, the Roanoke Lighthouse was moved to the town to become a private residence, although it still maintains the beauty of the lighthouse it once was. Currituck Beach Lighthouse in Corolla is a one-of-a-kind brick Gothic revival structure that’s fascinating to see. Cape Lookout Lighthouse on the Outer Banks has a unique pattern of directional markings painted on it and is worth making the drive to visit. 

What are some of the best day trips in North Carolina?

From visiting some of the best swimming holes to spending time at a vineyard that also happens to have llamas and miniature horses, you can find some of the best day trips in our compilation article, 9 One Of A Kind Day Trips In North Carolina You’ll Absolutely Love.