Wright Brothers National Memorial
≈ 1 mile from Wright by the Beach
Where Orville and Wilbur flew first in 1903 — and where our house got its name. Climb Big Kill Devil Hill to the monument and stand on the spot where flight began.
On December 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright achieved the first sustained, controlled flight of a powered aircraft on the dunes of Kill Devil Hills — the same town where our house sits today. It's the reason the home is named Wright by the Beach.
The memorial includes a visitor center with a full-scale Wright Flyer reproduction, the original flight markers showing the distance of each of the four 1903 flights, and a granite monument atop Big Kill Devil Hill — a short, worthwhile climb with sweeping views of the Outer Banks.
It's open daily, year-round, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed only on Christmas Day. Admission is $10 per person for guests 16 and up (good for 7 consecutive days), free for 15 and under, with a $35 annual pass option — a current America the Beautiful Pass also gets you in. Since we're about a mile away, it's an easy stop before breakfast or right after you check in. Fees and hours can change, so it's worth a quick check on the National Park Service site before you go.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Wright Brothers National Memorial from Wright by the Beach?+
About a mile — roughly a 3-minute drive or a 20-minute walk. It's one of the closest historic sites to the house, and actually where the name Wright by the Beach comes from.
What are the hours for Wright Brothers National Memorial?+
It's open daily, year-round, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the only closure being Christmas Day.
How much does it cost to visit?+
$10 per person for visitors 16 and older, good for 7 consecutive days. Anyone 15 and under gets in free, and a $35 annual pass is available. A current America the Beautiful Pass also gets you in at no extra charge.
Is the walk up Kill Devil Hill hard?+
It's a short, paved path — about a mile round trip from the visitor center — with a gentle enough incline that most visitors, including kids, can manage comfortably. There's no elevator, so it isn't step-free.
What will we actually see there?+
A full-scale reproduction of the 1903 Wright Flyer in the visitor center, markers showing exactly how far each of the four first flights traveled, and the 60-foot granite monument atop Big Kill Devil Hill.
More around the area
352 yards — 5-min walk
Beach Access: Raleigh & Ferris Avenue
Your home beach, and no stairs to get there. We recommend the Raleigh Avenue access — flat, paved, and easy with a cooler, chairs, or little legs.
≈ 1.5 miles — 5-min drive
Avalon Fishing Pier
A classic 1958 Outer Banks pier — fish, grab a snack, or just watch the sunrise stretch down the coast.
≈ 6–7 miles — 12–15 min drive
Jockey's Ridge State Park
The tallest natural sand dune system on the East Coast. Fly a kite, take a hang-gliding lesson, or catch the best sunset on the OBX.
≈ 15–16 miles — 25–30 min drive
NC Aquarium on Roanoke Island
Sea turtles, sharks, and touch tanks — the perfect rainy-day (or too-much-sun day) adventure for the crew.
≈ 14–16 miles — 25–30 min drive
Bodie Island Lighthouse
Black-and-white striped icon of the Outer Banks. Climb it in season for a view from Oregon Inlet to the sound.
in town — most within a 5–10 min drive
Our Favorite Local Restaurants
Our go-to spots after a day at the beach, from burgers and craft beer to fish tacos on a waitlist worth the wait.