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Cape Henry Lighthouse
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Cape Henry Lighthouse

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See all things to do
Cape Henry Lighthouse
4.5
#14 of 111 things to do in Virginia Beach
Historic SitesPoints of Interest & LandmarksLighthouses
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
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About
Dune Restoration Project in Progress The dune at Cape Henry Lighthouse is currently undergoing restoration and the lighthouse tower is temporarily inaccessible for climbing. The project is expected to be completed in spring 2019. During construction, we will remain open with walking tours every hour from 10:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Cape Henry Lighthouse is the first federally funded public works project of the newly formed United States government. It was authorized by George Washington and overseen by Alexander Hamilton. The Lighthouse is situated near the “First Landing” site where English settlers first set foot on their way to settle in Jamestown. Built with the same Aquia sandstone as much of Washington, D.C, the lighthouse guided sea travelers to safety for almost 100 years. The distinctive black and white striped “New” Cape Henry Lighthouse was built in 1881 but remains closed to the public.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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See what travelers are saying
  • Lisa S
    11 contributions
    Lots of views
    Great views and neat self tour. Cool lighthouse! ***don’t forget your license *** You give your license for brochure and take a van to site… If you forget to turn in brochure…you won’t get your license back.. ..oops
    Visited August 2022
    Written December 14, 2022
  • GwensGramma
    Durham, North Carolina477 contributions
    Fascinating Historical site
    I was very interested in seeing the old Fort Henry Lighthouse near the First Landing of 1607 site. It is on the Fort Pillow military base so there is a guard station to go through before parking, entering a security building then boarding a shuttle bus to the building where we would pay and climb up 76 stairs to see it. Once up to the lighthouse there is a series of signs with the history as well as a spectacular view of the coast. After leaving the lighthouse /gift shop we walked over to the boardwalk to the actual First Landing site.
    Visited May 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written June 3, 2023
  • Millie R
    6 contributions
    Great view
    This lighthouse was built at the very beginning of the United States' existence. President George Washington authorized the funds to build it, and it was the first federally-funded project! The views of ships coming and going from Chesapeake Bay were great. Like all lighthouse, there's no elevator, so be prepared for a lot of steps. The biggest knock on this site is that it's on a military base and the security to get onto the base is pretty hard core, but go along with it and it's not a hassle.
    Visited August 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written August 14, 2023
  • Tina S
    9 contributions
    Dolphins, lighthouses, servicemen - what else could you ask for?
    Visited on one of the hottest, most humid days and it was still a great visit. Got to see a dozen dolphins playing from the overlook. Missed visiting the interior of the new one which we hated but that gives us a good reason to revisit!
    Visited August 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written August 20, 2023
  • ANITA L
    Southwick, Massachusetts17 contributions
    We survived!
    ALOT of stairs, but worth it. went with my mother & aunt (in.their 80s) & daughter. we all made it to top , great view. they guide was very knowledgeable of history of . only surprise was its inside an active military base and had to go through a security registration process.
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written October 4, 2023
  • AndreJ
    Lakeshore, Canada19 contributions
    Worth the visit!!
    Very cool experience! You need to drive up to the gate to access. Park your car and shuttle will take you in. Easy process. Very historic tour of the light house. Open to walk up 700+ steps to the top. And walk in a limited area to the boardwalk. Worth the visit to see.
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written October 25, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,300 reviews
Excellent
710
Very good
368
Average
143
Poor
35
Terrible
44
V9225BXmariap
Wilkesboro, NC103 contributions
Lighthouse visit not great
Nov 2020 • Couples
So there is so much to say about going to see the lighthouse. First this is on a military base so you and a adults must have drivers license or form of ID. Once you get past the gate pull over to be checked and given a pass. With that said that wasn't bad but you should know that you are nit just going to drive in. Once they take you ids they will give you a pass and a bus will take you to the lighthouse location. You can go to the lighthouse if you pay $5 each but if you want to go up you need to get online reservations. You must have reservations to go to the top. If you don't pay the $5 you can't get close to the lighthouse. I actually thought they were a bit rude at the visitor center. We chose not to go so headed to the First Landing beach spot about a 5 minute walk. We that was a wooden walkway that lead to a beach. Thats it! Back on the bus and to our cars. We just were not impressed. Most importantly know all this before planning to go.
Written November 7, 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.
3anja3
New Egypt, NJ51 contributions
You must reserve tickets online
Nov 2020
Have your ID's ready as you are stopped by the gate and they hold onto them until you are ready to leave the base. You will park not far from the gate and take a shuttle to the lighthouses. Our bus driver didn't say a word until we were about to exit the bus right in front of the gift shop and he didn't say anything informative. You can't go into the original lighthouse at all, only the newer one with tickets you reserve online first all due to Covid. For a $5 fee you can go to the foot of the brick lighthouse and for a $11 fee you can do a walking tour. For me it was disappointing.
Written November 4, 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.
ransom007
Anaheim, CA1,206 contributions
Lighthouse on a military base
Aug 2021
The good news is that parking is free. The bad news is that the lighthouse is located on a military base. I was shocked when I pulled up to the guard shack and got a lengthy rundown of the rules. When I said I was still interested, I was directed to the parking area. There is a tent there where you hand over your identification and get another lengthy rundown of the rules. Then you wait for the shuttle and when you get near the visitors' center, you get another lengthy rundown about where you may and may not go. The visitors' center/gift shop is where you pay admission if you want to walk up the stair steps to get to the base of the 200 foot tall lighthouse. You can observe the new lighthouse from the old one, but you may not visit it. There is a terrific view of the Atlantic Ocean and information boards around the base of the lighthouse as well as a docent who is very well informed. You go back down the stairs to the gift shop and catch the shuttle back to the parking area. Do not forget to pick up your identification. The shuttle runs on a 10-15 minute cycle.
Written October 4, 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.
GwensGramma
Durham, NC477 contributions
Fascinating Historical site
May 2023 • Couples
I was very interested in seeing the old Fort Henry Lighthouse near the First Landing of 1607 site. It is on the Fort Pillow military base so there is a guard station to go through before parking, entering a security building then boarding a shuttle bus to the building where we would pay and climb up 76 stairs to see it. Once up to the lighthouse there is a series of signs with the history as well as a spectacular view of the coast. After leaving the lighthouse /gift shop we walked over to the boardwalk to the actual First Landing site.
Written June 3, 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.
tspillman
Highland Village, TX110 contributions
Beautiful.
Nov 2020 • Couples
Beautiful scenery. Not much around there but awesome to be able to walk around and see the area. Both lighthouses are within 300 ft of one another.
They have a small garden area for honoring those who landed at Chesapeake Bay. You can walk up to an area to see the ocean.
This is on a military base, therefore you must ck in at the MP sentry gate before 3:30pm and ride a people mover bus to the lighthouse. Then ride back. You can pick up your drivers license at the ck in tent. If you are active or retired military you are allowed to drive on yourself. If you are a veteran you must have your Military I.D. Card with you, otherwise, you are considered a civilian and will use your license and must be escorted to the lighthouse. Well worth it all. Just be aware you are on a military base and be respectful of the sentry personnel and the military personnel working for your entry to sightsee.
Written November 17, 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.
MGQ
Buffalo, NY496 contributions
Historical
Oct 2021
If you're a lighthouse buff like we are, the two lighthouses at Cape Henry at worth seeing. The Old Cape Henry lighthouse is open for climbing. Because it is located on an active military base, you must tell the guard at the gate you want to visit the lighthouse. There is a parking lot right inside the gate where you park and a bus will take you up to the lighthouse. There is an admission charge to climb the old lighthouse. The new lighthouse is an active Coast Guard lighthouse and cannot be entered but it is very visible and photographical located right next to the old one.There is also a guide at the landing of the lighthouse of you have any questions.
You can also visit the First Landing area and take more pictures of the lighthouses from a distance and include both lighthouses in your shot.

If you have access to the base, you can visit the beach and take more picturesque photos of the lighthouses.
Written November 6, 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.
Doug W
Silver Spring, United States46 contributions
An old lighthouse that you can climb
Sep 2022
The lighthouse is on an active military base, so if you not in the military you have to 'check-in'. At the check-in, they take your ID and then you board a bus that takes you to the lighthouse shop. You can climb it (there is a fee to climb it). There is also a walkway to the top of the dune that offers great views of the ocean and both lighthouses. There are 2 lighthouses. The older one, is the one that you can climb. The newer (still 140 years old) can be seen, but it's still an active lighthouse and you can't get too close to it. Worth the visit. The bus drivers and guides at the lighthouse are very friendly and love sharing information about the lighthouses.
Written September 16, 2022
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.
Millie R
6 contributions
Great view
Aug 2023 • Family
This lighthouse was built at the very beginning of the United States' existence. President George Washington authorized the funds to build it, and it was the first federally-funded project! The views of ships coming and going from Chesapeake Bay were great. Like all lighthouse, there's no elevator, so be prepared for a lot of steps. The biggest knock on this site is that it's on a military base and the security to get onto the base is pretty hard core, but go along with it and it's not a hassle.
Written August 14, 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.
Big Rob J
Peekskill, NY5 contributions
Turn Back Awful Experience
Sep 2023 • Couples
Unwelcoming, unfriendly, unwelcoming uninformative.

First off you suddenly find yourself a at an Army Checkpoint (had no idea) and are treated like an invading army. ID, chrck if car, a zillion rules and restrictions harshly barked at you. Then to the Check In statin. (30 feet away) where you get more if the same nasty attitude and treated as if your at best an annoyance and at worst an Enemy. Searched. More orders and rules barked at you and Warned (felt more like Threat) of Federal Prosecution if in anyway violate any of the hundreds of things they quickly Bark at you.
Bussed to area near the Lighthises which were not very impressive. We’re back on bus and out in 20 minutes.

Cannot over emphasize how unappealing, unfriendly and rotten sn experience this was. I’ve been too many many Lighthouses and NON were anywhere near as BAD an experience experience as this.

I also feel need to mention that I’m in General a very Pro Servicemen / Patriotic person - but the vast majority of the Personnel (probably 8 people total) we interacted with appeared unprofessional, unkempt and were the most unfriendly, unhappy, nasty attitude Military people I’ve have ever encountered. Disgraceful
Written September 21, 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.
Tiziano D
Yonkers, NY231 contributions
Great view, but beware of the 149 steps...
Jun 2021
Walking up the lighthouse's steps makes you feel like going back in time yo the Revolutionary War years...
Although you have to go through a process to obtain passes to enter Fort Story to view, visit and touch these marvelous site, it's all worth it. the walking up into the lighthouse is the equivalent of 14 floors, so beware if you feel energetic enough. The view of the other lighthouse is stunning from the top of the old Cape Henry lighthouse. The best view, though, it's from the first landing area overlooking the beach and with a grand view of both lighthouses.
Written June 9, 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.
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