United States
New Jersey (NJ)
Jersey Shore
Atlantic City
Atlantic City Attractions
Absecon Lighthouse
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Absecon Lighthouse

See all things to do
See all things to do
Absecon Lighthouse
4.5
#3 of 57 things to do in Atlantic City
Lighthouses
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
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About
New Jersey's tallest lighthouse awaits you at Pacific and Rhode Island Avenues in Atlantic City (walking distance from Showboat Casino). Take an amazing journey into time and above it all as you ascend the 228 steps of the Absecon Lighthouse, one of the oldest lighthouses in the country. You'll see breathtaking views of the Atlantic City skyline and up top you'll come face-to-face with the original first-order Fresnel Lens, first lit in 1857.The lighthouse's recent multi-million dollar restoration also includes a stunning replica of the Lightkeeper's dwelling, an educational museum, charming gift shop, Fresnel Lens exhibit in the original Oil House and expansive grounds.The Absecon Lighthouse is on both the New Jersey and National Registries of Historic Places.
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See what other travellers are saying
  • Mark O
    3 contributions
    Exhibit at lighthouse was good & educational
    This was recommended as a part of a AAA TourBook Itinerary. Patrons with special needs cannot climb the lighthouse steps to the top, but can enjoy the museum style exhibit about the property and its grounds. I enjoyed my visit. A AAA discount is available to members.
    Visited July 2021
    Written 20 July 2021
  • Joe M
    12 contributions
    Neat Historical Sight
    This was a really neat local attraction. A gift shop is inside the ground floor and for a small fee you can walk up all 300+ steps to the top of the lighthouse. There’s plenty of historic documents and photographs for those interested. The top of the lighthouse is completely barricaded which somewhat obstructs the view, but it’s still a great sight of the local area.
    Visited March 2021
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 31 May 2021
  • Carrie A
    Charlotte, North Carolina692 contributions
    If scared of heights beware, but go anyways !!
    You can go and just look at the lighthouse. But spend the $5 or $10 to walk up the spiral staircase because it is quite amazing. And at the top there is this friendly old man that will give you a card stating that you accomplished it and he’ll give you the background in history. You can walk around the whole thing and it has great views of the ocean and of the city.
    Visited December 2021
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 8 February 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.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
529 reviews
Excellent
270
Very good
172
Average
67
Poor
10
Terrible
10
Jessica S
Bryn Mawr, PA354 contributions
Worth the climb
Sep 2023 • Couples
The Absecon Lighthouse opens at 11am and we were there on time. It’s a Monday in September so we had the place to ourselves. It’s $10 per person to climb the 228 steps to the top. A bonus was that Bayard Moran was there to greet us at the top. He shared a lot of information about the history of the lighthouse and the fresnel lens as well as took our picture. There is a lovely gift shop on the first floor and free parking on the street. I’d definitely recommend this experience.
Written 18 September 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.
TravelGirlAK87
257 contributions
The Tallest Lighthouse in the State!
Sep 2023 • Friends
I’ve been making my way through the list of Jersey Lighthouses so of course I had to climb the tallest one in the state. The location is in a more urban area, a few blocks from the water. The lighthouse is (obviously) very old and it is desperately in need of renovations to restore its original beauty. There is a small gift shop on the grounds, as well as free parking and public restrooms.
Written 9 September 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.
Brendan P
Lancaster, PA12 contributions
Lighthouse Adventure!!
Jul 2023 • Solo
Had an amazing experience visiting the lighthouse they had very kind staff that knew all about the lighthouse. They also had the Lighthouse stamps which was great.
Written 6 July 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.
Emma S
Harvey, IL30 contributions
Borgata Casino Hotel
Feb 2023
We stayed at Borgata Hotel Casino. This place is hugh with plenty of slots. The rooms were very clean and spacious as well as the casino itself. Loud vibrant colors and not cold like other casinos. The food was great. I did not go to the buffet although I wanted t. but the lines were always long. Beside upscale restaurants and bars there was a food court in the lower level as well as grab and go restaurants and a retail plaza with a Starbucks. The gambling was ok. We spent 3 hours at Harrahs Casino and Golden Nugget also. The gambling was much better there.
Written 3 March 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.
kwnike13
Grand Island, NY491 contributions
Climb to the top!
Oct 2022
It is definitely worth the climb up to the top of the lighthouse. The worker up there was super friendly and knowledgeable and answered all of our questions. The view is great and the history that you will learn from all of the exhibits is wonderful.
Written 18 November 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.
switchi21
Vermont477 contributions
amazing views on top. Lots of steps before reaching the top but it all worth climbing
Sep 2022 • Couples
we climbed it and what an amazing views once you are on top. Tallest light house in NJ. It only cost as $18 the two of us because we got the $4 discount from the flyer. lots of steps before you can reach the top but its worth climbing
Written 26 September 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.
Pierre D
Mont Tremblant, Canada214 contributions
Great view… obviously and Windy.
Sep 2022
Needless to say that the view is great from up there. But, on a hot day it’s worth talking the 228 step up to the top to enjoy the cool breeze. It’s now too hard to get up there, I’m a 250 pound dude with spinal stenosis and it was really easy. The stairs are wide enough for people to cross each other Up/Down and there are 6 levels (plateaus) to stop/rest if you need to.
From the top, you will to see the original first-order Fresnel Lens, first lit in 1857. Hard to believe that this lens can amplifier a small kerosene lamp enough to be seen 23 miles away!
Written 17 September 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.
Tony E
5 contributions
Nice Light House
Aug 2022
I enjoyed visitng the light house. It has a lot of history. It is free unless you want to climb to the top of it.
Written 21 August 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.
Benjamin N
Staten Island, NY76 contributions
great view
Jul 2022
I finally got to visit this lighthouse after it being closed many years ago. I've been to many of New Jersey's lighthouses and this was on my bucket list. It is a long way up the stairs and I am not in the shape I was 20 years ago but made it up to the top. Good thing there are rest stops along the way with window views. Great views from the top, but it was very windy up there and I couldn't stay too long. Winds were blowing 15-25 and it felt like a tropical storm up there. They have a small museum in lobby with the history of the lighthouse. I enjoyed the visit and will go to more lighthouses soon.
Written 8 August 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.
sukay2017
8 contributions
Tallest lighthouse in NJ
Aug 2022
171 ft tall - 228 steps. There are landings where you can stop & catch your breath. When you get to the top, you can go outside & walk the circumference of the tower.
Written 5 August 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.
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ABSECON LIGHTHOUSE: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Absecon Lighthouse
Absecon Lighthouse is open:
  • Thu - Mon 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
We recommend booking Absecon Lighthouse tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1 Absecon Lighthouse tours on Tripadvisor