THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Stand where English settlers made the First Landing and walk around America’s first federally funded public works project. Learn the access rules for Joint Expeditionary Base Fort Story and why this compact site is essential for history-minded visitors to Virginia Beach.
Stand where English settlers made the First Landing and walk around America’s first federally funded public works project. Learn the access rules for Joint Expeditionary Base Fort Story and why this compact site is essential for history-minded visitors to Virginia Beach.
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Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Preservation Virginia · Virginia Beach, Virginia
Cape Henry Lighthouse occupies the sandy point at Fort Story in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where English settlers made the “First Landing” on their way to Jamestown. Located at 583 Atlantic Avenue, the site pairs a compact coastal landscape with maritime history, and visitors reach the lighthouse by a shuttle from the military base at Joint Expeditionary Base Fort Story (JEBFS).
This is not just a photo stop: the Old Cape Henry Lighthouse is tangible proof of the new nation’s ambitions. Authorized by George Washington and overseen by Alexander Hamilton, the original tower was the first federally funded public works project and was built with Aquia sandstone—the same stone used in many early Washington, D.C., buildings.
A later, black-and-white striped “New” Cape Henry Lighthouse, constructed in 1881, stands nearby but remains closed to the public; the Old Lighthouse and the adjacent memorial at the First Landing site are the primary draws. Preservation Virginia placed a commemorative tablet on the tower in 1896, and Congress deeded the lighthouse and surrounding land to Preservation Virginia in 1930.
Practicalities shape the visit. Because the lighthouse is inside a military installation, visitors must pass a background check and those 16 and over need a REAL ID. The general public must board a base shuttle; shuttles run every 15 minutes with the last one leaving at 4 p.m. Parking fills early in peak season—plan to arrive before 11 a.m. or after 3 p.m., or visit midweek.
Visitors should come ready for salt wind, sun, and a short, interpretive experience rather than an all-day hike. Bring a photoable layer for ocean breezes, sturdy shoes for uneven shell-and-sand surfaces, and government-issued identification if you are over sixteen. The site is Visitable Advocate Certified and offers compact interpretive displays that make the hour-long visit efficient for families and history buffs.
On clear days the Atlantic horizon reads flat and vast; close in, the sandstone tower shows tool marks and weathering patterns that tell a very human story. The memorials at First Landing frame the place where the colonial journey began, and shorebirds and tide-line life animate the dunes. Because the lighthouse sits on an active base, follow posted rules, leave no trace, and be mindful that some items—contraband, alcohol, and weapons—are expressly forbidden.
Whether you stay an hour to climb the Old Lighthouse, wander the memorial, or simply watch surf and gulls, Cape Henry distills a key American story into a compact, visitable shoreline. The combination of federal history, Aquia sandstone masonry, and living coastline makes it a standout stop for history-minded travelers exploring Virginia Beach. Check the base access guidelines before you go, and consider combining your visit with nearby beach walks or the Cape Henry Memorial for context.
Yes—guests 16 and over must present a REAL ID, and all visitors must be able to pass a background check before accessing the base.
The general public must board a shuttle from the base gate; shuttles run every 15 minutes with the last one departing at 4 p.m.
No, the black-and-white striped New Cape Henry Lighthouse (built 1881) remains closed to the public; the Old Lighthouse and First Landing memorial are the primary sites to visit.
The typical visit is about one hour—enough time to see the Old Lighthouse, read interpretive panels, and walk the nearby shoreline.
Yes—contraband, illegal drugs, alcohol, and weapons are not allowed; possession of contraband will result in denial of access.
The site is Visitable Advocate Certified; however, visitors should expect some uneven surfaces and should contact Preservation Virginia for specific accessibility questions.
Preservation Virginia is a Richmond, Virginia-based organization that operates and interprets historic sites and educational programs across the state. The organization presents guided tours, hands-on workshops, documentary-style tours, and virtual programs that highlight Virginia’s colonial, revolutionary, and 19th-century history. Preservation Virginia’s portfolio of sites and programs includes Bacon’s Castle (built in 1665 and recognized as North America’s oldest brick home), the historic landing site at Cape Henry Lighthouse, Smith’s Fort with surviving earthworks and an 18th-century manor house, Patrick Henry’s Scotchtown—the remaining house of the famed orator—and the John Marshall House in Richmond. Programming spans in-person tours and remote learning: the John Marshall House offers a 45-minute tour; the Courtmaker Documentary Tour of the Marshall House provides an intimate look at family artifacts; the Beginners Genealogy Research Workshop at Bacon’s Castle is taught by genealogist Sarah Carson; and multiple virtual programs bring lighthouse history and Revolutionary War sea battles to students. Educational offerings also include the Augustus Hodges virtual program, focused on Willis Hodges—Cape Henry Lighthouse’s first African American keeper and abolitionist—and the Life of a Lighthouse Keeper kids program. Preservation Virginia’s events and tours emphasize primary sources, artifacts, architecture, and site-specific stories to connect visitors with Virginia’s past. All descriptions and program leaders are provided in third-person; visitors should consult Preservation Virginia’s official listings for booking and availability.
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