Visiting the Wright Brothers National Memorial: What to Know
Hours, fees, what to see and local tips for visiting the Wright Brothers National Memorial from Kitty Hawk.
Every Outer Banks trip deserves a stop at the place where powered flight began. The Wright Brothers National Memorial is about 12 minutes from our homes in Kitty Hawk — here’s how to make the most of it.
Kitty Hawk or Kill Devil Hills?
The Wrights mailed their letters from the village of Kitty Hawk, which is why the name stuck to history. Their camp and the first flights on December 17, 1903 were actually a few miles south, at the Kill Devil Hills — today the national memorial at 1000 N Croatan Hwy (Milepost 7.5).
What you’ll see
- A full-size reproduction of the 1903 Flyer in the visitor center
- Granite markers showing the distance of each of the four first flights
- Reconstructed 1903 camp buildings
- The 60-foot granite monument on top of Big Kill Devil Hill, with views of the ocean and sound
- A life-size bronze sculpture of the first flight moment
Know before you go
The park is open daily 9 am–5 pm. Entry is $10 per person age 16 and up (15 and under free), and the park is cashless — bring a card or buy ahead on recreation.gov. Entry is free on August 19 (National Aviation Day) and December 17. Check the National Park Service site for current hours and programs.
Tips from a local
Go early in summer — the walk up Big Kill Devil Hill is hot by noon. Ranger talks are excellent for kids. Pair it with the free Monument to a Century of Flight behind the Kitty Hawk welcome center, and finish with lunch at one of the nearby restaurants.
See more ideas in our things to do in Kitty Hawk guide.
Stay right on the beach in Kitty Hawk
Three dog-friendly oceanfront homes, side by side at Milepost 3¾.
