Located on the northern section of picturesque Long Beach Island, the 217-step Barnegat Lighthouse is listed in the United States National Register of Historic Places. "Old Barney," as the lighthouse is affectionately known by locals, attracts over a half a million visitors each year. It is a must-see attraction in Barnegat Light, New Jersey.
How to get to Barnegat Lighthouse
Barnegat Lighthouse is located in Barnegat Lighthouse State Park in Barnegat Light, New Jersey, on the northern end of Long Beach Island. Long Beach Island is an extremely popular summertime destination in the Garden State. The best mode of transportation to take to the Barnegat Lighthouse is to travel by car. Parking for the lighthouse is free when you arrive at Barnegat Lighthouse State Park and there is not an entrance fee to enter the park to view the lighthouse.
Best and worst times to go to the Barnegat Lighthouse
Weather permitting, the Barnegat Lighthouse is open daily from 10 am until 4:30 pm. However, since Long Beach Island and the Jersey Shore in general are extremely popular draws from Memorial Day through Labor Day, navigating the excessive traffic along the Garden State Parkway especially on weekends and summertime holidays can be very challenging. If you do visit Old Barney during the summer, plan on arriving earlier in the day when most people are on the beach. The lighthouse will be less crowded, however, the park will still attract a lot of visitors who will be fishing and hiking on the trails. On a rainy summer day, the amount of people visiting the lighthouse rises considerably as well since the weather isn't an ideal beach day. Late fall and early spring are fabulous times to climb the lighthouse and the views are also just as spectacular in the wintertime.
Admission to the Barnegat Lighthouse
It is free to climb the 217-steps of the Barnegat Lighthouse the majority of the year. However, nominal fees do apply during the peak time along the Jersey Shore. Visitors must pay to climb the lighthouse from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Children under the age of five are still free in the summer. Visitors 12-years-old and up must pay the small admission charge during the prime summer months with children six years of age though eleven being charge a discounted fee.
The Barnegat Lighthouse is open daily from 10 am until 4:30 pm. However, it does reserve the right to close for inclement weather.
Must see/do at the Barnegat Lighthouse
As one of the oldest and tallest lighthouses in the Garden State, a climb to the top of the Barnegat Lighthouse is a definite must-do. The views of the Atlantic Ocean and Long Beach Island are absolutely spectacular and worth the effort. Once you are downstairs make sure to stop by the Barnegat Lighthouse Interpretative Center next door. The center describes the construction of Old Barney along with its detailed history including area shipwrecks. For history buffs, a stop by the center is a must-do. Afterwards head outside to enjoy a walk along the adjacent trail around the lighthouse. Tables and easy access to the beach make it an ideal spot to eat a picnic lunch or just soak in the atmosphere.
Other places to visit near the Barnegat Lighthouse
Viking Village is a great place to stop either on the way to or from the Barnegat Lighthouse. The village is small, but is located right on the pier and houses some quaint shops. It's a nice spot for a snack or lunch at Off the Hook, which serves fresh fish caught right in Barnegat Light. People actually fish right off of the pier. Another fun activity is to spend the afternoon or watch a sunset from the Barnegat Witch, a 39-foot Freya sailboat that can accommodate up to six passengers. The sailboat offers two or four-hour charter boat options that take participants on a sail around Barnegat Inlet. Sunset voyages are extremely popular during the summer months.
Insider tip for visitors to the Barnegat Lighthouse
While climbing to the top of the Barnegat Lighthouse is definitely worth it, the 217-step walk to the peak of Old Barney is extremely challenging and difficult to make with little ones who might not be able to make it all the way to the top on their own. Before you begin the climb decide whether or not you will be able to carry your youngster up a large portion of the steps. Also, the steps are steep and windy, making them difficult to manage if you are holding a baby in your arms or in an infant carrier.
Author's bio: Dawn Miller is a freelance writer and mystery author. She lives in New Jersey.