National Lighthouse Month provides a wonderful opportunity to learn about these nautical beacons up close. And in New Jersey, you can witness the grand stature of these historic lights all along the state's 127 miles of white sandy shoreline.
New Jersey is home to twenty lighthouses.
Some are dotted along the state's Atlantic coastline, while others guard the Delaware Bay. Many of them have been completely restored as museums with gift shops and opened to visitors on a seasonal basis for a modest admission fee. Here is a sampling of the state's most popular lighthouses, from the spectacular barrier beach island of Sandy Hook in the north to Cape May Point in the south. Built in 1764 and now a National Historic Landmark, this legendary sentinel is replete with history, which includes taking part in America's struggle for independence. During the Revolutionary War, the Sandy Hook Lighthouse became an important military target because of its role in guiding British warships and supply vessels.