Wright Brothers National Memorial

Orville takes to the air in the flyer for the first time on December 17, 1903.
Wind, sand, and a dream of flight brought Wilbur and Orville Wright to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina where, after four years of scientific experimentation, they achieved the first successful airplane flights on December 17, 1903. With courage and perseverance, these self-taught engineers relied on teamwork and application of the scientific process. What they achieved changed our world forever.
Map showing location of park.
Visitor facilities at Cape Hatteras NS, Fort Raleigh NHS, and Wright Brothers NMEM will reopen at normal times Jan. 24
Following multiple days of snow and ice removal from park roads and sidewalks, National Park Service visitor facilities at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, and Wright Brothers National Memorial will reopen at normal times on Friday, Jan. 24. Temperatures are expected to rise above freezing on Friday; however, visitors should use caution while driving and walking through the parks, particularly during the colder morning hours.
Visitor facilities at Cape Hatteras NS, Fort Raleigh NHS, and Wright Brothers NMEM to remain closed Jan. 23; shoreline erosion public meeting postponed
National Park Service visitor facilities at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site (Fort Raleigh) and Wright Brothers National Memorial will remain closed Thursday, Jan. 23. Fort Raleigh’s shoreline erosion public meeting, originally scheduled for Jan. 23, is postponed—a new date will be announced in the coming days.
Cape Hatteras NS, Fort Raleigh NHS, and Wright Brothers NMEM announce visitor facility closures ahead of winter storm
Ahead of an impending winter storm, National Park Service visitor facilities at Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Seashore), Fort Raleigh National Historic Site (Fort Raleigh) and Wright Brothers National Memorial will close at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21 and remain closed Wednesday, Jan. 22. Outdoor areas at the Seashore and Fort Raleigh will remain open.
Aerial view of the Wright Brothers Monument.
Wright Brothers National Memorial announces eight fee-free days in 2025
Wright Brothers National Memorial will waive its entrance fee on eight days in 2025.
Black and white photo of the Wright flyer on third flight of Dec. 17, 1903.
Wright Brothers National Memorial hosts Dec. 17 first flight anniversary event
On Dec. 17 at 9 a.m., Wright Brothers National Memorial, the First Flight Society and Outer Banks Forever will celebrate the accomplishments of Wilbur and Orville Wright on the 121st anniversary of their first heavier-than-air, controlled, powered flight. Park entrance fees are waived on this special day.
Orville takes to the air in the flyer for the first time as Wilbur assists.
Photo by Wilbur Wright, Orville Wright, and John Daniels
Copper busts of the two brothers with the moon visible in the blue sky.
Photo by NPS Photo
The large boulder and plaque sit where the Wright brothers first flew in their 1903 flyer.
Photo by NPS Photo
Visitors walk along the flight line where Wilbur and Orville Wright flew and landed.
Photo by NPS Photo
View straight up at the monument with the Sun directly behind the stonework.
Photo by NPS Photo
Two young girls look across the grounds of Wright Brothers National Memorial.
Photo by NPS Photo
Visitors moving along a sidewalk to the top of the hill where the monument stands.
Photo by NPS Photo