Looking for a fun excuse to leave Orlando for a day? The Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse is just over an hour from downtown Orlando and serves as a perfect little stop on a lazy Sunday day trip. Towering 175 feet above the Atlantic Ocean, Ponce is Florida's tallest lighthouse and one of the oldest in the country. Think you can tackle the 203 steps to the top? There's only one way to find out!

ponce museum sign
The Lighthouse, near Daytona Beach, is open to the public seven days a week, 363 days a year… it's only closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Admission is only $5 per adult.
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There are 203 steps going up to the observation deck and it takes about 10 minutes or less to climb. Going down is the hard part and you'll feel the burn in your legs.
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The staircase winds slowly up 175 feet and can be quite narrow in parts.
look down
If you're afraid of heights, you might not want to look down.
ponce inlet climb to the moon
Ponce Inlet Lighthouse hosts a Climb to the Moon tour once each month when the moon is at its fullest. Only 25 guests get to participate on this guided ascent, which finishes at the top with snacks and sparkling grape juice. More details here.
ponce inslet lighhouse
Built in 1887, Ponce Inlet Lighthouse is one of the tallest lighthouses in the country.
ponce view beach
A view of the Atlantic Ocean, about a quarter of a mile away.
ponce view
More great views from up top make the 203 steps worth the effort.
ponce landmark
In 1972, the Light Station was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as one of only a handful of 19th Century Light Stations to have all its original buildings still intact.
ponce gift shop
The museum's gift shop has a ton of fun and kitschy souvenirs to take home.
ponce museum house
Besides the lighthouse climb, you can explore several historic buildings filled with bygone artifacts. There's also a short nature trail beginning at the museum.
restaurant 1
Crabby Joe's, the restaurant on Sunglow Fishing Pier in Daytona Beach, is about 10 minutes away from Ponce Inlet Lighthouse.
restaurant menu
The food at Crabby Joe's tends to be fried for the most part but the fish tacos are excellent and the views are fantastic.
restaurant dining room
The super casual dining room at Crabby Joe's fills up at lunchtime with locals and beach goers, often still in their bathing suits.