Wright Brothers National Memorial is located in Kill Devil Hills and was established by Congress in 1927 in celebration of Orville and Wilbur Wright, two brothers from Dayton, Ohio, who taught the world to fly.  Our park is beloved by aviation enthusiasts, as well as those who love learning about the innovation, technology, and dedication it took to achieve what was once considered impossible. You can visit Wright Brothers National Memorial any time of year, or for special events like the annual First Flight Celebration on December 17, which commemorates the Wright brothers’ first successful heavier-than-air powered flight that took place in what was then called “Kitty Hawk” on December 17, 1903. 

Whether you visit the park every year or haven’t been in a while, make plans to rediscover this amazing park:

• Travel the first flight line – see how far Orville Wright flew during those first twelve seconds in the air! 
• Explore the reconstructed 1903 camp buildings to see what life was like more than 100 years ago as the brothers tested their ideas. 
• View or walk up to the Wright Brothers Monument. From the monument you get a 360-degree view of our beautiful island. (Note: The path to the monument is wheelchair accessible.) 

• See the First Flight sculpture – the iconic first flight photo come to life in bronze! Did you know that our park has an accessible, tactile model of the 1903 Wright Flyer? It’s located in the Flight Room of the Visitor Center!
• Experience the recently renovated historic Visitor Center to get the full story of how the brothers made the impossible possible. 

PS: If you use social media, follow Wright Brothers National Memorial on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter to stay up to date with the latest park happenings! 

Wind and Sand 

Step back in history during this short walk to the actual site of the Wrights’ first powered flights. Discover why the Wrights chose Kitty Hawk for their flight experiments and what life was like in the Outer Banks; learn about the events that led to the first powered flight on that cold December day, and the lasting impact their first flight continues to have on the world today. (Note: The path to the monument is wheelchair accessible.)  

The Wright Legacy 

Twelve seconds was all the Wright brothers needed on December 17, 1903, to show the world humans can fly. Those twelve seconds were just the start of aviation history and the Wright legacy. Explore the rest of the Wright story as you discover the impact that Wilbur and Orville had on history, the legacy they left behind, and how they are remembered in the world today.