St. Simons Lighthouse Museum

The basics

Lighthouse keepers lived in the two-story Victorian House until the 1950s, so many of its artifacts, period pieces, and photos are all original keepsakes the families displayed. When visiting the St. Simons Lighthouse Museum, don’t just rush to climb to the top. Interactive exhibits such as building a Liberty ship, are stationed throughout the museum and offer a unique way to learn about and engage with the history of lighthouse keepers in Georgia.

Things to know before you go

• St. Simons Lighthouse Museum is one of the five remaining lighthouses in Georgia.

• The lighthouse has no elevator or accessibility features for climbing to the top.

• The lighthouse hosts multiple events, so check its online schedule.

How to get there

St. Simons Lighthouse Museum is at 610 Beachview Drive on St. Simons Island. It’s beside Neptune Park and on the same property as the Keeper’s Dwelling. It’s within walking distance of many St. Simons Island hotels and attractions. The St Simons Lighthouse Museum is 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) from the McKinnon St. Simons Island Airport; taxis and rideshares are available.

When to get there

St. Simons Lighthouse Museum is open year-round. It only closes for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day, and Easter Sunday. The lighthouse tower, however, may close due to inclement weather, so check the forecast between June and November when St. Simon Island is likely to experience heavy rainfall from tropical storms. The last entry is 30 minutes before the museum’s closure. Plan a 1–2-hour visit; it’s typically busiest before lunch.

How to save money by combining museum visits

The World War II Home Front Museum is near St. Simons Lighthouse Museum and features exhibits about Coastal Georgia’s contributions to the war. Housed in the Historic Coast Guard Station on East Beach, you can purchase a reduced-price combined ticket that grants you admission to the World War II Home Front Museum and the St. Simons Lighthouse Museum.