Darlene. If it's Virginia on your itinerary then I highly recommend Assateague Island Light. It stands inside the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and near the Assateague Island National Seashore. In September the crowds thin and the madness of pony penning is past. The island of Chincoteague has nice accommodations and both islands have their own unique charm. You can reach the refuge via US Highway 13 down the eastern shore of Virginia (almost on the VA-MD border). The lighthouse is not open to climb but a first order Fresnel lens is on display near the tower base. If the weather is cool the wild ponies will have come out from the remote beaches and can be seen grazing along the roadsides and in the marshes along some of the hiking trails.
2 1/2 hours south are the twin lights at Cape Henry in Virginia Beach.The older of the two towers is open to the public to climb. 1 1/2 hours south from there and you have all the great lights of the NC Outer Banks!
And there are lots of Wackos in the Virginia Tidewater to meet if you are so inclined!

Deb