The Pensacola Lighthouse and Museum is located on the NAS Pensacola, Florida, base. The lighthouse was built in 1859 and has breathtaking views of the Pensacola Pass, where Pensacola Bay meets the Gulf of Mexico. In addition to the museum, there is a gift shop where visitors can purchase items to remember their visit. There are also tours and programs for children, so visitors of all ages can enjoy the history of the lighthouse.
To tour the lighthouse, start at the Public Gate of NAS Pensacola. The Pensacola Lighthouse is on the right side of the road. To climb the lighthouse, you must be at least 44 inches tall, and you must be at least seven years old. Make sure to wear shoes that have a secure back. No high heels are permitted. Admission is $7 for adults and $4 for children ages twelve and under.
The original lighthouse was constructed on a 40-foot (12-meter) bluff at the southern entrance of Pensacola Bay. It is now partly obscured by trees on Santa Rosa Island, but the original lighthouse still remains visible. In 1858, a new tower was constructed on the north side of the bay and lit on January 1, 1859. The current tower is 150 feet tall, and sits on a bluff overlooking the Pensacola Naval Air Station.