Standing at the southern entrance to the Chesapeake Bay, the Old Cape Henry Lighthouse (1792) was the first federally funded lighthouse authorized by the U.S. government, making it one of America’s most historically significant navigational structures. Constructed from Aquia Creek sandstone — the same material used in the U.S. Capitol — it guided mariners for nearly a century before its replacement was built nearby in 1881. The lighthouse is not currently open to the public, as it sits within Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek–Fort Story. Golden hour provides the best photography light against the bay. Nearby, visitors can explore First Landing State Park, the Cape Henry Memorial, and Virginia Beach’s oceanfront boardwalk.

Explore Nearby

• First Landing State Park — State Park in Virginia
• Kiptopeke State Park — State Park in Virginia
• Colonial Parkway — Scenic Byway in Virginia
• Edenton-Windsor Loop — Scenic Byway in North Carolina