Fire Island Lighthouse

Tour the tallest lighthouse in Long Island.

Fire Island Lighthouse is 168 feet tall and stands on a barrier island in southern Long Island. The lightkeeper's quarters has two stories featuring interactive exhibits to help guests discover the history of this lighthouse. It was an important landmark for ships coming in from Europe; however, it proved to be an ineffective lighthouse due to its lack of height. The Fire Island Lighthouse was originally built in 1826. It was a 74-foot high cream-colored structure. In 1857, Congress allocated money towards building a new red brick tower, first lit on November 1, 1858. Later on, in the summer of 1891, it transformed into the tower you see today with the black and white bands.

At night, the light still aids in navigation and is visible from about 25 miles away. It features two 1,000 watt bulbs and is run by the Fire Island Preservation Society. To climb the tower, guests must be at least 42 inches tall. The lighthouse is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm. Admission is not required for the museum, but a ticket is required for those who want to climb the tower.