North Carolina Coast Sights

Wright Brothers National Memorial

Wright Brothers National Memorial Review

The Wright Brothers National Memorial, a 60-foot granite monument that resembles the tail of an airplane, stands as a tribute to Wilbur and Orville Wright. The two bicycle mechanics from Ohio took to the air here on December 17, 1903. You can see a replica of the Flyer and stand on the spot where it made four takeoffs and landings, the longest flight a distance of 852 feet. Exhibits and an informative talk by a National Park Service ranger bring the event to life. The Wrights had to bring in the unassembled airplane by boat, along with all their food and supplies for building a camp. They made four trips to the site beginning in 1900. The First Flight is commemorated annually.

    Contact Information

  • Address: 1401 National Park Dr., off U.S. 158 between MM 7 and MM 8, 5 mi south of Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, NC, 27954 | Map It
  • Phone: 252/441-7430
  • Cost: $4
  • Hours: Sept.-May, daily 9-5; June-Aug., daily 9-6
  • Website: www.nps.gov/wrbr
  • Location: Northern Beaches

Member Reviews

  • Kay2, from US
    7/9/10

    A must for pilots to land at the strip; an interesting historical site for the rest of us.

    The visitor center displays and the outdoor sculpture are interesting; the pavilion displays less so. Ranger talk good-same information guides you through the little museum. I enjoyed standing in the spot the flights took place with the distance markers. Hard to imagine because the place has changed so much from when the Wright brothers were there (grass and trees instead of sand).

    Sort of an odd place other than that--the stabilized hill (not in its original location) with the huge monument on top and lots of open grassland.

    Ratings details: Experience: 4 | Ease: 3 | Value: 5 | Don't Miss: 4
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