Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse, where views and history meet

This story is part of our weekly Hidden Gems feature series as the USA TODAY Network – Florida takes readers around the state to highlight some of our most interesting attractions.

The Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse, museum and grounds feature 5,000 years of regional history, nestled on the banks of the Jupiter Inlet.

The landmark 1860 lighthouse sits on an historic sand point where sapphire seas collide with a turquoise inlet, saltwater turns brackish and sandbars shift at the whims of currents and tides.

Visitors can step back in time to immerse themselves in the lives of Native Americans, pioneers, lighthouse keepers and the U.S. military by exploring museum exhibits, the 1892 Tindall Pioneer Homestead, and self-guided tours that invite learning and discovery.

More: A visual tour of the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse through the years

Visitors can walk up the stairs to the top of the lighthouse, take in a series of interactive exhibits chronicling the lives of Native Americans, early pioneers, lighthouse keepers and more. Nature lovers can hike the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area, which features 120 acres of Florida wilderness.

What makes the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse special?

The view from atop of the Jupiter Lighthouse is one of the best along Florida’s coast. It has played a significant maritime and communications role since 1860, saving many ships from wrecking along reefs and shoals between the Florida coast and the Gulf Stream.

Designated as an Outstanding Natural Area by Congress in 2008, it is the only one east of the Mississippi. The other two are the Piedras Blancas Historic Light Station near San Simeon, California, and Yaquina Head in Oregon, which is also home to a lighthouse.

While an Outstanding Natural Area is similar to a national park, parks are managed by the National Park Service while an Outstanding Natural Area is congressionally protected and tends to have more enhancements for recreational activities.

As the lighthouse’s leading advocate, the Loxahatchee River Historical Society raises all funds needed to provide tours, programs, restoration, maintenance and visitor service operations for the lighthouse and museum, welcoming 100,000 visitors and contributing more than $12 million to the local economy each year.

Know before you go

∎ Walk the stairs up to the top of the Jupiter Lighthouse, to take in some spectacular views.

∎ Visit the museum to see the exhibit Five Thousand Years on the Loxahatchee and watch a video about the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse. The museum is housed in the last remaining building from a World War II naval radio station, code-named Station J. There also is a gift shop.

∎ Visit the Tindall Pioneer Homestead, the earliest house still standing in Jupiter (built in 1892 and moved to this spot in 1997 from Palm Point — off Center Street). You’ll get a glimpse of early life along the Loxahatchee for pioneers.

∎ Check out the Seminole Chickee, built in 2009 by James Billie, Chairman of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, as a tribute to the history of the Seminole people in the area and their trade relationship with early settlers and Lighthouse Keepers.

∎ Hike the Outstanding Natural Area, which has 25 special-status species, evidence of 5,000 years of human living and a hiking trail.

Cost: $15 for adults; $12 for veterans and seniors (over 60); $8 for children 6-18; Free for children under 5 and veterans get in free during November.

Address: 500 Captain Armour’s Way, Jupiter, Florida 33469.

Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Gift shop is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Note: Hours are subject to change due to daily safety limits.)

Food, shopping nearby: Just north of the lighthouse on U.S. 1 (Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway) is Lighthouse Diner and Lynora’s Jupiter. Also just north is Blackbird Modern Asian. Across the water from the lighthouse is Charlie and Joe’s at Love Street (former NFL star Joe Namath is a part-owner), a dining complex that features three restaurants: The Beacon, Lucky Shuck Oyster Bar & Taphouse and Topside at the Beacon; 1000 North (owned by former NBA star Michael Jordan); U-Tiki Beach; Jetty’s Waterfront Restaurant; the Square Grouper Tiki Bar. Also not far south is Guanabanas Restaurant, Schooners and Harbourside Place, which features The Jupiter Grill, Pure Vida Miami, The Woods Jupiter (owned by golf star Tiger Woods), Tommy Bahama Restaurant, Bar and Store, Calaveras Cantina, Mana Greek Fusion and Ruth’s Chris steakhouse.

More information: 561-747-8380; www.jupiterlighthouse.org

Notes: Children must be at least 48 inches tall to climb the lighthouse. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult to climb the lighthouse. Bags of any kind, large purses, backpacks, tripods and selfie sticks) are not permitted.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Jupiter lighthouse: Where breathtaking views and history meet