I finally got around to finishing a photo book that I had started last year of our trip to Corolla in the Outer Banks, NC. Looking through all the pictures, I was reminded that I never got around to finish blogging about all the places we visited while we were down there. I did do a little write-up about the Wright Brothers Memorial last year and about the North Carolina Aquarium a couple years ago, though it's changed somewhat since then.

We've been visiting the Outer Banks with my husband's family every year since 2008. But, last summer was the first time we visited with my side of the family. We rented a house in Corolla, which is located in the northern part of the Outer Banks in North Carolina. While we were there, we had a chance to climb the Currituck Beach Lighthouse.


The Currituck Beach Lighthouse is located in the Historic Corolla Park, which also includes the historic Whalehead Club and the Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education. Visitors can climb up to the top of the lighthouse. where you can see views of the Currituck Sound, the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding area.

Admission to the grounds and parking are free, but there is a fee to climb the lighthouse. Children 7 and under are free with a paying adult. Currently, it costs $10 to climb and only cash and checks are accepted.

Entrance is timed so there may be a wait to climb. Before you climb, they have you sign a liability waiver. There are 220 steps total and the space gets narrower the higher you climb. Some people in our group chose not to climb.

Entrance to Currituck Beach Lighthouse

The stairs

The stairs are a little narrow, too. I'm somewhat scared of heights, so I try not to look down when I'm climbing. I just kind of focus on climbing all the stairs. My kids, though, usually have no problems climbing and are usually the first ones up at the top.



As much as I dislike the climb up, there are some great views once you're at the top of the lighthouse. So, it makes it worth it.

View of the Currituck Sound, the historic Whalehead Club and the Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education.

View of the Atlantic Ocean

View of Corolla, with the Atlantic on the left and Currituck Sound on the right.

Putting a smile on for the Instagram shot

The climb back down usually isn't as bad as the climb up.


At the base of the lighthouse and on the first two landings, there are some exhibits about the lighthouse. There's also a small Museum Shop, where you can buy souvenirs, such as T-shirts, ornaments, postcards and other things.

The Museum Shop

The Currituck Beach Lighthouse is a fun stop that we make every visit to the Outer Banks. There are three other lighthouses in the Outer Banks and we're hoping to visit the other three sometime soon.

Currituck Beach Lighthouse
1101 Corolla Village Road
P.O. Box 58
Corolla, NC 27927
Open Daily 9 AM - 5 PM
http://www.currituckbeachlight.com/