Battleship North Carolina

1 Battleship Rd., Wilmington
910/251-5797
www.battleshipnc.com [1]

HOURS: Memorial Day–Labor Day daily 8 a.m.–6 p.m.,
Labor Day–Memorial Day daily 8 a.m.–5 p.m.;
ticket sales end one hour before closing

COST: $12 adults, $10 seniors (65+) and active or retired military with ID, $6 children 6–11, free children under 6

Commissioned in 1941, the Battleship North Carolina earned 15 battle stars during World War II. The massive battleship came to Wilmington [2] in 1961 and is located on Eagles Island, across the Cape Fear River from historic downtown Wilmington.

Retired from service, the 45,000-ton warship serves as a memorial to the 10,000 North Carolinians in all branches of the armed services who gave their lives during World War II, as well as a museum with a collection of photos, documents, oral histories, and memorabilia.

The 728-foot vessel carries nickel-steel hull armor and has nine 16-inch turreted guns. Tours are self-guided and take at least two hours. In the summer months, go in the morning before it gets too hot aboard the ship.