As part of my former role as the VISIT FLORIDA Family Insider, my family and I traveled the state exploring great destinations and sharing our adventures with families looking to plan their own Florida vacations.

One of my favorite trips was when we spent the day at the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum. I loved learning about the history of the lighthouse and the stories of St. Augustine. Plus, the views from the top of the lighthouse were phenomenal.

Check out this VISIT FLORIDA video blog with a recap of our day –

The next time you visit St. Augustine, stop by the lighthouse and climb the 219 steps to the top. You’ll be 165 feet above sea level and have fantastic views the nation’s oldest city and the Atlantic Ocean.

Tips for a Successful Visit

For those planning to visit with small children here are a few things to keep in mind –

• For safety purposes, children must be 44 inches tall to climb the tower.
• Children above 44 inches tall must climb under their own power.
• Carrying children in the tower is prohibited.
• Free admission to the museum and the base of the tower is provided for the child and one accompanying adult is half price.

There is a fantastic playground at the base of the lighthouse, my girls loved exploring the area. The play area features a wooden pirate ship with a slide and lookout telescopes too. It’s a great place for parents to admire the grounds too.

If your family loves history, sign up for the ‘Behind the Scenes’ tour. You’ll have the opportunity to visit the maritime archaeology artifact conservation lab and meet with archeologists.

My family and I enjoyed this tour and loved seeing artifacts discovered right in the St. Augustine area.

Insider Tip: After you visit the lighthouse, hop across the street and visit the St. Augustine Alligator Farm. Two great attractions in one day — and tons of fun too.

To plan your visit to this historic landmark, visit www.StAugustineLighthouse.com.

Have you visited the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum?