Absecon Lighthouse

Picture this: you’re at the top of New Jersey’s tallest lighthouse, and the view is nothing short of breathtaking. It's like standing on the edge of the world, with a panoramic vista that's your well-earned prize after climbing those 228 stairs to the summit. The Absecon Lighthouse, an iconic beacon, was the vision of Dr. Jonathan Pitney, affectionately dubbed "the father of Atlantic City." Back in 1830, Pitney had the foresight to propose this guiding light, though the government took its sweet time deciding, only recognizing the need over a decade later. Pitney's persistence paid off when the lighthouse was finally completed in 1857, after years of letter-writing campaigns and gathering petitions.

Standing at 171 feet, Absecon Lighthouse ranks as the third-tallest in the United States. Originally, it gleamed with a kerosene flame through a first-order Fresnel lens crafted in France, which was later upgraded to an electric light. Today, this historic lighthouse is a must-visit landmark, drawing curious travelers from all over New Jersey and beyond.

Here's a fun tidbit: the lighthouse keepers back in the day had to be quite fit, climbing those stairs multiple times a day to keep the light burning bright. The site also hosts fascinating exhibits detailing the lighthouse's history and the lives of those who maintained it, offering a glimpse into a bygone era of maritime navigation.