Beautiful Hereford Inlet Lighthouse and Gardens

The historic Hereford Inlet Lighthouse and botanical gardens is located in North Wildwood, New Jersey. The lighthouse was built in 1874 and was designed by Paul J. Pelz, architect of the US Library of Congress.  In 1977 the lighthouse was added to the US National Register of Historic Places and is still in operation today.

Walking around the lighthouse grounds and botanical gardens is FREE. If you want to enter the lighthouse and take a tour…you’ll have to pay a reasonable admission fee. After your tour you can pick up some gifts and souvenirs in their little gift shop, but be forewarned, I found the majority of their items to be expensive.

In front of the lighthouse you’ll find all kinds of information plaques and boards which give you some of the history of the place, along with information about the New Jersey Lighthouse Trail. On the memo board you’ll find postings of upcoming events and festivals that they host throughout the year.

You’ll want to walk behind the lighthouse to get to their botanical gardens and the butterfly garden. You’ll see all kinds of different colorful flowers and plants. In the butterfly garden you’ll see flowers that attract the butterflies along with brightly painted, wooden butterfly houses. Please be careful where you’re walking, so that you don’t step on any of the butterflies!

Follow the marked pathway that leads to the back of the property. Back there you’ll find two wooden New Jersey row boats which are perfect for your family pictures. Jump on in and get some great vacation shots!

Continue on the marked path up to the North Wildwood Seawall. Up there you’ll find wooden benches that you can sit on to watch the Atlantic Ocean and the water in the Hereford Inlet. It’s also a great place to sit and was some of the local sea birds too! The best ocean views are found here…at least in my honest opinion!

The Hereford Inlet Lighthouse and Gardens is open year-round. If you’re going to be visiting Ocean City, Avalon, Stone Harbor, Wildwood, and/or Cape May in New Jersey, add the lighthouse to your must-see and visit list. It’s beautiful!