Fire Island Lighthouse

Description

The Fire Island Lighthouse is located about 3/4 mile from the eastern end of Robert Moses Field 5. There is a boardwalk from the parking lot to the double-door, main entrance. A ramp on the side of the building is available for those who cannot do the two steps at the front.

Inside, you will find a gift shop and small museum. A second floor of the museum requires 16 steps to reach it. There are 182 metal, spiral steps to climb to the top.

The multi-stall restrooms each have a small, accessible stall and sink, as well as a baby-changing station.

Checklist

Attraction Type:  museum
Surface of lot:  paved
Distance to venue:  about 3/4 mile
Transportation to venue offered:  no
Terrain:  boardwalk is even
Places to rest:  benches along the way
Paths and walkways:  boardwalk is wood - area near lighthouse is concrete, stone and brick
Doors:  double doors
Number of floors:  2 , plus 182 steps to top, which is 168 feet tall
Elevators:  no
Ramps:  wooden ramp to accessible entrance
Steps and staircases:  two steps to enter, 182 steps to top of lighthouse
Width of aisles:  main floor of museum has ample space, gift shop a bit tight
Places to sit:  benches both outside and inside on first floor of museum
Location of restrooms:  in hallway just past gift shop
Type of restroom:  multi-stall, with small accessible stall, accessible sink and baby-changing station
Ease of entry and exit:  ok
Baby changing station:  yes
Available food services:  no food
Friendliness of staff:  Everyone was lovely and extremely knowledgeable
Notes:  * there are many accessible parking spaces, in several locations, in Field Five.

Read More

An unusually warm February day was perfect for a visit to the Fire Island Lighthouse. We have walked here before, but this was the first time we found the boardwalk from Robert Moses Parking Field 5  open. It had been closed during Covid, so we had to walk around on the road to get there. If you park at the east end of the parking lot,  you can’t miss the sign and beginning of the boardwalk. 

It is an easy 3/4 mile walk, on a well kept boardwalk, with benches along the way. As you get to the first building, the Fire Island Light Station, which houses the Fresnel Lamp,  the ramp rises a bit. You can stop here for a look at, and to find out about the lamp. Or continue on to the Lighthouse by going down and then up the steps, or continue on the wooden walk which will get you to the back of the Lighthouse, where the accessible ramp is located. If you continue to the front you will find two steps to reach the double door entrance. 

Once inside,  the gift shop is to the left, the main floor section of the museum is to the right ( more of the museum is on the second floor – 16 steps up) and the entrance to the 182 steps to the top is at the rear. The staircase is spiral, with metal steps and rope handles. According to my better half, who made the climb, the steps get a bit steeper near the top. There are height restrictions for climbing and no one can be carried (even if baby is in a carrier.) If the day is clear there are amazing views from the top. 

Even if you don’t so the climb, this is a very interesting place to visit and learn about this visible landmark on the Great South Bay. Dating from 1826, rebuilt in 1858 and automated in 1986, this is an important landmark for ships coming into New York Harbor. For many European immigrants it was the first sight of land upon their arrival in America.  All of the docents are extremely well informed, eager to share their knowledge, and so personable. We loved speaking with them and they seemed to truly like imparting their knowledge to us!

Restrooms are located in a hallway just past the gift shop. Although there is an accessible stall in both the men’s and ladies’ rooms, they are not very wide. The sink is accessible, and there is a baby – changing station. 

If you want, on your way back to the parking lot, make a left at the first path going towards the water. The walkway goes to the road. When you cross the road you will find a mobi-mat (for about 1/10 of a mile) that will take you close enough to have a view of the ocean. If this is too much for you, wait until you get back to the parking lot and go to the first boardwalk ramp towards the beach and ocean. There are a number of benches from which you can have a really good view of the ocean.

This is a wonderful place to explore, and we will continue to do so!

As always, we at Destination Accessible, advise you to visit a venue’s website, www.fireislandlighthouse.com, when planning a visit, to “know before you go.”

Location

Nearby