Ponce de Leon, a Beacon of Light

Juan Ponce de Leon, the Spanish explorer who gave La Florida its name, is probably most famous today for his mythic search for the Fountain of Youth. He may not have discovered the fabled fountain, but he has achieved immortality in other ways, including the lighthouse that continues to bear his name. Erected in 1883, the Ponce de Leon Lighthouse towers 175 feet in the air, and folks looking for a little exercise will be pleased to know they can walk all 203 steps to the top. From the lighthouse perch, you’ll enjoy stunning panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, inlet, and inland waterways. The lighthouse boasts many other fascinating features as well, including a lens museum, a generator room, an oil house, and the lighthouse keeper’s quarters. Specialty tours are available online through the Ponce de Leon Lighthouse website. You might want to make a reservation before heading over, as the tours are very popular.

Address: 4931 S Peninsula Dr, Ponce Inlet, FL 32127