Blog Articles

Ponce de León is believed by many to be the first European to land in Florida, which is where our beautiful inlet gets its name. However, Florida was hardly the first stop on the Spaniard’s famous expeditions. He garnered much of his fame and reputation by settling what would become modern-day Haiti and the Dominican Republic, as well as finding gold in nearby Puerto Rio before being encouraged by the Spanish crown to search for more land elsewhere. Hearing tales of a magical fountain of youth, Ponce de León set out for a fabled island known by natives as Bimini in search of the fountain, as well as more land and gold for the Spanish empire. What followed was the finding and settling of Florida as we know it today.

In addition to the lighthouse, our town of Ponce Inlet offers a wealth of fun-filled activities for everyone. With plenty of amenities ranging from natural beauty and history, exquisite local restaurants, and relaxing beachside atmosphere, there are plenty of ways to load up a day full of excitement. Now more than ever, it may be especially appealing to spend some intimate outdoors time in any of the inlet’s many beautiful parks while still staying safe, which is why we’ve put together this quick guide on our area’s parks so that you can get out and reinvigorate!

Summer is underway and as circumstances have forced many of us to stay inside, it may be harder to enjoy the things we like to normally do this time of year. The Ponce Inlet Lighthouse gift shop not only offers an opportunity to indulge in our incredible selection of nautical and lighthouse-themed merchandise, it also affords you the chance to fill your house with mementos of summer and all of your favorite summertime activities, like spending a day at the beach or climbing the famous stairs of our well-manicured lighthouse. Additionally, a significant portion of our operating funds are generated through the gift shop which means all your purchases help us keep the lighthouse perfectly preserved! Continue reading for 5 perfect gift ideas to fill your home with eternal summer and the warm glow of sunshine.

Interested in enjoying the great outdoors after visiting the lighthouse and museum? Give fishing a try. It’s a great way to take in the natural beauty of Ponce Inlet and catch dinner at the same time. The roots of fishing run deep in Ponce Inlet. The Timucuan Indians established villages along the banks of what is now the Halifax River to take advantage of its abundance of fish, mollusks, and crustaceans. 16th and 17th-century Spanish explorers reported on the region’s excellent fishing opportunities and early Florida settlers relied heavily on the river’s bounty for their survival. The community of Pons Park was founded by commercial fishermen, guides, and local entrepeneurs who catered to anglers from far and wide. Continue reading to learn more about the role that fishing has played in the development of the Daytona area and the historical significance specifically to Ponce Inlet.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is more distance between us and our loved ones than ever before. This separation can make it easy to lose sight of the things that really matter, like friends and family. Although many of us continue to practice COVID-19 safety recommendations including social distancing and self-quarantine, we can still reach out to the people we care about over the phone, through social media, and online gift-giving. Continue reading to learn more about featured products and other lighthouse and nautical-themed merchandise currently available in the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse gift shop and on the museum’s e-commerce website at www.lighthouselocker.org.

With Father’s Day fast approaching, now is the time to set your plans for how you’ll treat dad this year. Thanks to the abundance of memorable recreational activities and flavorful dining available to you in Ponce Inlet, it’s the perfect destination for your special day of indulgence! Whether your dad loves to sail through beautiful blue ocean water or stroll down well-manicured parks steeped in natural beauty, our seaside city offers everything you’ll need to check every box on the list for a perfect Father’s Day. Continue reading for ways to give your dad a perfectly special day in Ponce Inlet.