Park Overview
The Wright Brothers, Wilbur and Orville Wright, were responsible for the “first flight”, which took place on December 17, 1903. It was the first sustained, powered flight. The brothers would make trips from Dayton, OH to what is now the Outer Banks in North Carolina, based on information they received from the Weather Bureau on steady winds. It became a National Monument in 1953.
Getting to the Wright Brothers Memorial
The Wright Brothers National Memorial is located in the Outer Banks in North Carolina. Specifically, it’s located in Kill Devil Hills, which is not too far from the bridge that takes you into the OBX. It is about a 4.5 hour drive from the Washington D.C. area.
Fees & Cancellation Stamp
It costs $10 per adult (16 and older) to enter, all others are free. They accept the America the Beautiful pass (for the passholder + 3 additional people). They also offer an annual pass of $35, which would be worth it if you have a family of 4, since it is also for the passholder and 3 additional people).
Time Required
You only need about 2 hours at this memorial. I might have spent a little more time because I participated in a ranger talk on the story of the Wright Brothers (it was FABULOUS I highly recommend), but you won’t need any more than 3 hours.
Things to do
Definitely participate in a ranger talk if timing allows. They tell the whole story of the Wright Brothers and it’s way better to hear it than read it, in my opinion.
I would also recommend walking up and around the monument. It’s on top of a hill so the views are really pretty. There are a few reconstructed buildings you can go inside of and airplane sculptures to look at. Right near the buildings there is a giant stone and pathway, which is where the first flight actually happened.
I visited in June 2018, while they were rebuilding the visitor center. Therefore, I have not yet been in the new visitor center, which looks amazing. I will go back and visit it the next time I get to the OBX for sure!
Other Area Parks
Make sure to check out the other national parks in the Outer Banks: Cape Hatteras National Seashore and Fort Raleigh National Historic Site. Jockey’s Ridge State Park is not far from the Wright Brothers. It is full of sand dunes, which I hate – so I did not visit, but maybe someday!
Fun Fact
This was my very first national park. On June 3, 2018, the little portable visitor center is where I bought my passport. I was skimming through all of the passport options and decided if I was going to do this, I was all in. I wanted to see every park and have room for every stamp, which is why I got the big passport. It has been an amazing journey over the past 5 years, I can’t imagine my life without this hobby.
Last updated: March 18, 2023
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