Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
Cape Hatteras Lighthouse
4.5
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The nation's tallest lighthouse was moved to a different location to preserve it.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
2,635 reviews
Excellent
2,015
Very good
528
Average
85
Poor
7
Terrible
0
Maria R
Aiken, SC147 contributions
Oct 2020 • Couples
This wasn't our first visit - all the lighthouses are worth seeing every time we are in the area. The buildings are interesting to explore for an overview of history and how the system worked. The lighthouse itself is amazing. Think about being able to identify your location from the different black-and- white patterns of each lighthouse! And perhaps from the lights as well (not sure about that). Worth visiting.
Written October 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Master Planner
Washington, MO126 contributions
Jun 2021
I have to admit...I just LOVE lighthouses. Seeing the infamous Cape Hatteras Lighthouse was a highlight of our weeklong OBX stay in KDH. They were painting and repairing parts of the lighthouse so no climbs were possible and trucks and orange fencing dotted the base which took away from the scene slightly. The NPS Ranger talk (Chris) was excellent, informative, and captivating. Adjacent to the entrance drive is the beach from whence it came. Thinking of that industrious engineered move is a tribute to the smart men and women of America, while swimming at Old Lighthouse Beach with CHL in the background of the beach dunes is memorable with thoughts of Summer of ‘42 (?) movie for some reason in my mind.
Written July 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lauriebaby24
Newmanstown, PA27 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
Beautiful lighthouse! You can walk around the grounds and also go into a little museum which has all the history of the lighthouse. This spot is also nice for any age we were a group of 10 we had one small child, 2 teens and rest were adults and everyone enjoyed it.
Great place to get beautiful pictures too!
Great place to get beautiful pictures too!
Written July 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Binghamtonians
Newport, RI9 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
Fantastic state park. We highly recommend visiting. We were off season when we went exploring to the southern most part of the OBX.
If visiting in summer, grab water, sunblock, hat and flip flops. Explore the beautiful beach, go shelling, be mindful if swimming and only swim where there are lifeguards on duty. We saw many ocean rip currents and we both enjoy swimming however, we are forever mindful of our surroundings before we venture in for a dip.
If you do not know what a rip current looks like, take the time, educate yourself and your party and ask a lifeguard on duty.
The museum is tastefully done and the park ranger staff is excellent, professional and most informative. The history of the light house, its keepers and then the task of relocating is fascinating.
We highly recommend venturing into the national park.
If visiting in summer, grab water, sunblock, hat and flip flops. Explore the beautiful beach, go shelling, be mindful if swimming and only swim where there are lifeguards on duty. We saw many ocean rip currents and we both enjoy swimming however, we are forever mindful of our surroundings before we venture in for a dip.
If you do not know what a rip current looks like, take the time, educate yourself and your party and ask a lifeguard on duty.
The museum is tastefully done and the park ranger staff is excellent, professional and most informative. The history of the light house, its keepers and then the task of relocating is fascinating.
We highly recommend venturing into the national park.
Written February 29, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RK410
Lexington, KY63 contributions
Sept 2020 • Family
The lighthouse and the surrounding buildings are beautiful and well maintained. The gift shop had reasonably priced souvenirs, and the bathrooms were clean.
The museum is fine, but it’s mostly photos and signs to read with a limited number of artifacts to look at.
The park ranger was very nice and talked to our kids and answered questions.
This is a nice free activity in the Outer Banks.
The museum is fine, but it’s mostly photos and signs to read with a limited number of artifacts to look at.
The park ranger was very nice and talked to our kids and answered questions.
This is a nice free activity in the Outer Banks.
Written September 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alberto T
Orange County, CA314 contributions
Jan 2021
I enjoy visiting lighthouses and was happy to have the opportunity to visit the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, despite it being closed for climbing and it being winter. Despite it being January, it was quite a mild and pleasant day. There weren't a lot of visitors, so I had plenty of space to walk around and have a good look and take some pictures. One of the keeper's quarters is set up as a mini-museum attended by a few park rangers who give visitors a short intro and are happy to answer questions. In 1999, the lighthouse was moved due to dangers posed by erosion, but the original site (about a half mile away) is marked with a small post on the beach, which is beautiful in and of itself. I highly recommend visiting this national treasure.
Written January 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matt R
Burlington, NC165 contributions
Jun 2020
Awesome lighthouse to visit with our kids. However, due to COVID-19, the climbing of the lighthouse was closed when we visited in June 2020. Hatteras Island had also had a large amount of rain for several days before we visited, so the entire road going to the lighthouse was under water, so we had to park at the Picnic area and walk in. Due to large amount of water which can stand in the event of several days of straight heavy rain, the mosquitoes can also be bad around the lighthouse. Our kids enjoyed the trip to see the lighthouse, but we wish it had been opened for climbing.
Written June 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James M
Milton Keynes, UK244 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
The lighthouse and accompanying museum were worth the 60 mile drive from Kill Devil Hills. Cape Hatteras lighthouse was the tallest in the USA and was moved in one piece some 600m to safer ground when threatened by coastal erosion. Lighthouse keeper's lives were highlighted in 2 wooden houses that doubled as a museum Amazing bridges and lovely beaches made the trip down enjoyable. A really interesting visit
Written September 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Red-Barchetta2011
Suffield, CT754 contributions
Oct 2021
This is a great place to visit and learn about how they moved the lighthouse to it's current location. There is great little museum and the grounds are laid out like they were in the original location. You could not climb to to top due to maintenance but still worth a visit. It is one of the more well know light houses in the country with a lot of historical significance.
Written November 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kelly G
Centreville, VA22 contributions
Mar 2021 • Family
My family really enjoyed visiting and learning about this iconic lighthouse. Sadly, no one is permitted to climb the lighthouse right now due to renovations and Covid, but just walking around the grounds and exploring the museum located in the former keeper's house was still exciting. Staff was friendly and informative. A must-see!!
Written March 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I will be visiting Nov 7 and 8, will the lighthouse be open?
Written September 24, 2020
Right now the governor of North Carolina is not making another announcement until the end of September as far as any new guidelines with COVID. The lighthouse itself is open year round but right now and for the foreseeable future you cannot climb it due to COVID.
One more thing if you get the chance check out Bodie Island lighthouse. It’s about an 1 or so away. It’s not as tall as Hatteras but with the scenery around it, much more beautiful.
Written September 24, 2020
is there a fee to climb the lighthouse or park?
Written October 21, 2019
There is a fee to climb the lighthouse- discounted for seniors. It’s beautiful once you get to the top.
Written October 25, 2019
Is Cape Hatteras lighthouse accessible after hurricane Dorian?
Written September 10, 2019
We were there this past week and Hatteras Island is open for visitors but Oracoke Island is not.
Written October 24, 2019
Are dogs allowed on the lighthouse grounds? Planning a vacation to Hatteras Island and my Labrador is coming with just wondered if he would be allowed on grounds. Prob won’t go to the top if he’s with me.
Written March 3, 2019
Pets are allowed on the grounds, but not in the lighthouse or any buildings.
Written March 6, 2019
Dogs are allowed on the Cape Hatteras lighthouse grounds, but not in the buildings. They must be kept on a leash, no longer than 6 feet, at all times.
Written March 5, 2019
Is it hard to climb the steps? It's so hard on me to climb steps as it is..if it's not for hand rails I wouldn't be able to climb any steps...I step one at at time..
Written June 24, 2018
Hi Marta - Go to the "Double Lightkeeper's House" - on the 1st floor, in an air-conditioned small theater, they show a movie on demand which has a young park ranger walking from the bottom to the top of the light-house, explaining a lot of the history and showing you the views you would see if you climbed. We have 4 young children and it wouldv'e cost us $48 to clmb so we skipped the climb, and found the movie quite satisfactory as a supplementary experience - and its free!
Written June 25, 2018
Has anyone brought young children? Mine are 6, 3.5 and 1. Can the older kids handle the hike up or is it better for older children?
Written August 8, 2017
My sister who is a 9 year old was barley able to climb it. (Or she was a nine year old) I think that only your 6 year old could come. Idk exactly, but I don’t think anyone older than 5 can come.
Written July 1, 2018
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