OBX

When Wilbur and Orville Wright traveled from Ohio to the Outer Banks in 1900, they were seeking both steady winds and a place where they could experiment out of the public’s prying eye. The discovered Kill Devil Hills, building and eventually flying the first successful, controlled and powered flight in a heavier-than-air machine.

Now, you can see exactly where their famous flight took place. The Wright Brothers National Memorial commemorates these two men, and the center includes incredible historic artifacts, replicas and a reconstruction of the brothers’ living quarters. In addition to educational videos and exhibits, you can also see a full-scale reproduction of both the 1902 glider and the 1903 flying machine. An original crankcase and a reproduction of the Wright’s first wind tunnel is also showcased there.

Once you’ve seen the museum, make sure to walk up Big Kill Devil Hill. A 60-foot granite monument stands at the top, serving as a fitting tribute to the brothers’ ingenuity. At the bottom of the hill, look for the stone markers that indicate the take-off points and the lines of flight.

Wright Brothers National Memorial Visitor Information:

The Wright Brothers National Memorial is located at Milepost 8 in Kill Devil Hills.

Visitor Center and Centennial Pavilion Hours:

Free for National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Pass holders (Annual, Senior and Access)

Free for Wright Brothers Annual Pass holders ($20 pass, valid for 12 months)

OBXtra #7—The Not-So-Solo Flight

Kill Devil Hills is also the site of another flight first—the world’s first passenger flight. On May 14, 1908, the Wright Brothers returned to the Outer Banks. When their plane took off this time, it would also carry Charlie Furnas, the brothers’ mechanic. The first passenger flight covered only 656 feet, but on the second attempt, Orville kept Charlie aloft for more than four minutes.