Bodie Island Lighthouse Opens Outer Banks, NC

After a $5 million makeover, the historic Outer Banks lighthouse opens Friday April 19th, 2013 to the public for the first time in its 141-year-old history. The public has not been allowed to climb the 214 steps to the top of the Bodie Island Lighthouse because it was a working lighthouse shining over Oregon Inlet, and then later due to the deteriorating condition, it was considered unsafe to climb.

The 141 year old lighthouse has 214 steps to the top and with the new, clean, 19th century lens, the lighthouse can cast light 20 miles out to the Atlantic Ocean. In addition, from 170 feet, climbers can see an unobstructed view of the marshlands that surround it as well as the Pamlico Sound.

Before the restoration project of the historic lighthouse began, Bodie Island Lighthouse was in rough shape. Among the repairs, the iron-work was rusted, the 10 flights of stairs were not stable and the glass in the lantern room was broken.

Outer Banks visitors and locals may climb the lighthouse for free on Friday April 19th, 2013.

More more information on touring the Bodie Island Lighthouse, visit:http://www.nps.gov/caha/planyourvisit/bodie-island-lighthouse-tours.htm