Jupiter Lighthouse Tour and picnic area

NOTE: Masks required. Hours are below.

Jupiter Lighthouse is on a prime piece of land where the intracoastal meets the sea at the Jupiter Inlet. The clarity of the water and its green-blue hue are remarkable! The red lighthouse sits perfectly perched on a little hill, created some say by an Indian shell mound and others say by a dune. Inside the lighthouse are 105 metal stairs that you get to climb on the tour, and a rare (there are only 13 left in the world) Fresnel lens that is beautiful to look at.
Do not miss a visit to this place because it gives you a panoramic view over one of the nicest spots on the Florida coastline, the Jupiter Inlet! 
The only way to walk around on the land under the lighthouse is to take the tour. This is because the lighthouse is a working lighthouse run by the US Coast Guard. You buy your tickets and then browse the museum while you wait for the next tour.
The museum is in a lovely old building with a huge, white balcony overlooking the magical sparkly inlet. A shady lawn makes for a great picnic spot here, where kids can play with the shells in the clear water that laps the shore. Cars going by on the bridge are the only downside to this spot. In summer biting ants and no-see-ums make this an unpleasant picnic spot.
The museum has modern, attractive exhibits explaining the history of the area during Indian times, the Civil War, times of pioneer settlements, and World War II. Only two of the exhibits are interactive, therefore this tour/museum is best visited without young children. 
Once the tour starts, you head through the gate onto the Coast Guard property. Our tour guide covered brief and interesting topics, so it was great! There is a recently-constructed watertight Seminole Indian chickee hut- what a lovely structure! The banyan tree on the property, that was planted in 1938, is really extraordinary and a highlight of the tour. Once inside the lighthouse, you get to climb the steps. This is not a big deal like other towers because it is not claustrophobic- there is quite a lot of room. There is plenty of ventilation from the lovely windows in the lighthouse and a breeze coming off the ocean. Picking a cool day is always a good idea in Florida though. The steps have windows along the way so you can rest at each window and give your knees a little break- it's not hard at all! 
Once at the top the colors laid before you are breathtaking! What beautiful ocean and inlet and Dubois Lagoon! Little curvy coconut trees, jetties, and boats whizzing by! You could watch all day! 
After you descend the lighthouse, the tour continues at a little pioneer house, the Tindall house, that has been moved to the property. 
Once the tour ends, you can have a soda at the food area, or walk to the shore and enjoy the crystal clear water. This grassy area, or picnic area, is free to enter- you don't need to pay for a lighthouse tour to go there. And it's lovely!
Have a meal at one of the great Jupiter waterfront restaurants on the other side of the inlet. Or a coffee at Oceano Coffee Roasters in Tequesta town, which has excellent chocolate croissants, modern decor, ocean photos, and large windows. They sometimes have live music on Saturday mornings. 
This tour makes for a great date for a couple, or special visit with an older child. Younger children won't enjoy the tour as they are not allowed up the lighthouse until 48" tall.
See more info about the tour requirements below.
From the lighthouse parking lot, you can walk Beach Rd to Catos Bridge for gorgeous views of the clear water. This is only good on a cool or overcast day.

Directions

Jupiter Lighthouse Museum and Tour is located at 500 Captain Armours Way, Jupiter FL 33469, call (561) 747-8380.
GIft shop hours are Tues-Sun 10-5. Closed Mon. Closed holidays.
Exit Highway 95 at Indiantown Rd and follow it east all the way over the intracoastal bridge to US 1. Turn left on US 1 and then right on Beach Rd. Turn right immediately into Lighthouse Park. Park your car all the way at the end by the museum shop. Parking is free. 
You buy tickets for the tour at the museum shop. Cost is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and veterans, and $6 for children aged 6-18. Children 5 and under are free but will not have fun on the tour unless they are 48" tall because you must be this tall to climb the tower. If bringing kids, keep in mind that during the tour part of the visit there is nowhere to buy food or water, and there are no restrooms.
Tours are Tues-Fri noon and 2pm, and last for 45 minutes. Sunset tours are Wed 5pm, $25. You can not wear flipflops or heels on the tour.
The picnic area in front of the museum shop is free to enter.

Click on map for interactive view