The lamp of the 87-foot tall Fenwick Island Lighthouse was first lit in 1859. The lightkeeper and assistant lightkeeper residences, also constructed in the 1800s, still sit on either side of the lighthouse and family members of the last lightkeeper before the light was automated in the 1940s remain the residents and owners of the houses.

The lighthouse was decommissioned by the U.S. Coast Guard in 1978 and the light was turned off. After several years of petitioning, the Coast Guard gave Delaware ownership of the lighthouse and the light was eventually turned back on in 1982.

Today, visitors are permitted to tour the base of the lighthouse. Climbing the spiral staircase is not permitted. Inside the base of the lighthouse, families will find artifacts and stories of the life of the lighthouse and its caretakers. Families will also find a Transpeninsular Marker, which is the border of Delaware and Maryland, sitting in front of the lighthouse.

Hours
Open in the summer only, from 9 a.m. to noon on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday

Cost
There is no cost to visit the lighthouse.

Parking
There is no parking lot at the lighthouse, but street parking is available.