Wright Brothers National Memorial, North Carolina, United States

4dustnic 5:00 PM May 31, 2022

Great activity for an hour or two
This was a great place to stop while waiting for our rental property to be available after a long ride. We thoroughly enjoyed the Park Ranger’s enthusiasm during the Wind and Sand program. It’s a 30 minute live summary of the Wright Brothers. For someone who just wants a summary this is perfect. The visitors center is full of more detailed information boards for more details and a replica of the plane. We drove to one of the parking lots on the hill to go to the monument. It is still a climb to get to the top but if mobility allows the climb it is a spectacular view. It was up here looking down over the field where I felt a surge of pride for what they accomplished. We have a lifetime pass so the admission fee wasn’t an issue for us. When you turn 62 make sure you get a pass so you can easily visit all of the sites in the National Park System, it is well worth the $80!

4Lou L 5:00 PM Apr 11, 2021

Important Spot, Well Remembered
When you’re in the Outer Banks, with so much to do, this place may seem like one to skip if you’re there to relax and take in the beach. Don’t make that mistake. This place exceeded my expectations and turned what I was planning a half hour detour into a nearly 2 hour adventure. Staring with the basics, you’ll pull into the Memorial and stop at the toll booth, either $10 for access or show your national parks annual pass. From there you park and can begin your journey. A piece of advice, the visitor center/museum/shop is limited capacity right now, so if you’re planning on getting your passport stamp (done in the gift shop) or want to read all the wonderful information they have available, plan accordingly. Restrooms are located on the side of the building. After checking out the visitor center, you will exit near some commemorative plaques and then make your way up to the memorial. There are markers that show the distance each of the 4 flights went with the dates on each, and then the hill. The monument is very well done, not over the top or gaudy but commemorates the achievements by the Wright Brothers here. Down the hill is a great Statue exhibit of what the first flight looked like from reconstructions. It’s a great photo spot. You can drive to each of these if you have trouble walking but there’s no way around the hill if you want to get to the top. Keep in mind there was vandalism at the monument recently so you may see a greater ranger presence than before. You’re also near an airport and may see military style helicopters taking off which is a whole parallel of cool next to where the Wright Brothers took flight. If you’ve got the time, definitely stop here while in the Outer Banks. It’s got an entirely different vibe than most of the spots but in a good way.