In honor of its 103rd birthday, the National Park Service is offering free admission to all of the national parks throughout the country on August 25. If you're on the Outer Banks, this is a wonderful opportunity to tour the Wright Brothers National Memorial and visit the newly renovated visitors center free of charge.
About the Wright Brothers National Memorial
The visitors center reopened to the public on Saturday, October 20th, 2018 after a two year renovation project. The updated center now features interactive exhibits, along with beloved pieces from the original center, including the Wright flyer. Guests can soak up the history of the Wright brothers journey to their first flight in Kitty Hawk on December 17, 1903. Admission also includes access to the reconstructed 1903 camp buildings. Experience what camp life was like for the Wright brothers while they lived on the Outer Banks. Visitors can also stop by the flight line and see where the first flight took place and the various landing markers. Afterward, trek up the hill to the Wright Brothers Monument and enjoy the view and the commemorative sculptures at the top. Looking out at the Kill Devil Hills landscape and reading the monument's inspiring phrase "...achieved by dauntless resolution and unconquerable faith" is a memorable moment you'll want to take in. Statues of key players in the first flight achievement are located at the bottom on the hill and make for a fun photo op with your friends and family.
National Park Service History
The National Park Service was instated by President Woodrow Wilson on August 25, 1916 with the mission, "to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and wildlife therein, and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations." Today, the Park Service includes 140 national monuments and parks throughout the United States.
Other National Parks to Visit on the Outer Banks
- Cape Hatteras National Seashore - this beautiful coastal landscape runs through South Nags Head, Buxton and Ocracoke and features beautiful shorelines, peaceful sound and marsh views, wildlife and the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. This area is open to the public to explore and play.
- Fort Raleigh - Take a trip to Manteo and learn more about the first English settlements in America from 1584 to 1590. Stroll through the outdoor sites and learn about the rich heritage of the Native Americans, European Americans and African Americas who lived on Roanoke Island along the way. Admission is free to the public.